Reservations are done
through Globus & Cosmos
Tours |
10 Day Spectacular Spain
Tour ZY
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1st Day |
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Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
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2nd Day |
Arrival in Madrid
Time to rest or to start exploring the Spanish capital. At 6 p.m.
meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink hosted by your
tour director.
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3rd Day |
Madrid
The capital since 1561, Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the
showcase of a country resolutely turned towards the future. Morning
sightseeing takes you to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza España with its
monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant
Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Then the highlight: a visit
to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures.
Afternoon at leisure. An optional excursion to El Escorial and the
Valley of the Fallen can be arranged. (BB)
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4th Day |
Madrid-Cordoba-Seville
Motor south through the arid landscapes of Don Quixote's La Mancha
to the fertile valley of the Guadalquivir River. Afternoon
sightseeing in Cordoba. See the Alcazar, the Roman Bridge, and the
medieval Old Jewish Quarter. Tour the magnificent 8th-century
MOSQUE OF THE CALIPHS, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry,
marble, and jasper. Then on to Seville, the vibrant capital of
Andalusia. (BB,D)
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5th Day |
Seville
Listen to your local expert's account of the city's role in Roman
times, its conquest by the Moors in 712, its contribution to the
discovery of the New World. Admire the pools and fountains of MARIA
LUISA PARK. Drive to the Plaza de España, the Gold Tower on the
Guadalquivir River, and the fine Baroque building which is now the
university but used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame.
Visit the CATHEDRAL with Columbus' tomb, the world's largest Gothic
edifice. Finally stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming
Santa Cruz Quarter. The rest of the day is at leisure. For a truly
Andalusian night out reserve a seat at our optional flamenco show. (BB)
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6th Day |
Seville-Jerez-Torremolinos
Jerez is famous for its sherry wines and magnificent horses of mixed
Spanish, Arab, and English blood. Hear all about the art of
producing the heavy wine as you visit a SHERRY BODEGA, then admire
the horses of the ROYAL ANDALUSIAN RIDING SCHOOL. In the afternoon
take the scenic road through the mountains to lively Torremolinos on
the Costa del Sol. On the way visit picturesque, historic Ronda,
perched on a platform of the Sierra de Ronda and cut in two by a
deep ravine. (BB)
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7th Day |
Torremolinos
A day at leisure at your beachfront hotel. Catch up on your postcards,
enjoy the sandy beaches, browse through the trendy boutiques, sample
the many fancy restaurants... You may want to join an optional
excursion to the rock fortress of Gibraltar, in British hands since
1704. (BB)
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8th Day |
Torremolinos-Granada
Away from the sea and into the mountains to history-steeped Granada.
In the afternoon visit its main attraction, the ALHAMBRA. The mighty
yet graceful citadel was planned by the 13th-century Moorish ruler Al
Ahamar. A fantasy of "lace in stone" surrounded by arabesque gardens
and fountains, it affords superb views of the Old Quarter and
Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by gypsy cave dwellers. Also amble
through the magnificent WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE, the royal
summer residence. (BB,D)
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9th Day |
Granada-Toledo-Madrid
Leave sunny Andalusia and head back north, towards the high plains
of Castile. In the afternoon focus on splendid Toledo. Spectacularly
situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River,
the ancient Castilian capital attracts more sightseers from all over
the world than any other Spanish town. A resident expert takes you to
the Moorish bridge, an early SYNAGOGUE, the 13th-century GOTHIC
CATHEDRAL, and the church of SANTO TOMÉ with one of El Greco's most
famous paintings. There's also time to visit a Damascene steel
workshop before returning to Madrid. Tonight your tour director will
suggest an optional dinner outing to celebrate the success of this
exciting vacation. (BB)
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10th Day |
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Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)
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Avila |
Barcelona |
Bayona |
Bilbao |
Burgos |
Caceres |
Cadiz |
Cardona |
Carmona |
Cordoba |
Torremolinos |
Benalmadena |
Marbella |
Malaga |
Cuenca |
Granada |
Jean |
Leon |
San Millan |
Madrid |
Olite |
Pamplona |
Ronda |
Salamanca |
Santiago |
Santo Domingo |
Segovia |
Sevilla |
Toledo |
Tortosa |
Ubeda |
Valencia |
Vic |
The Islands
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