| English || 中文 |
9D HIGHLIGHTS OF SPAIN
9D HIGHLIGHTS OF SPAIN
(CODE:INS-E936)
True to its name, you’ll find only the highlights here; the Alhambra, the Modernist architecture of Barcelona, the Prado Museum and Cordoba’s Mezquita to name a few.
Tour Pace: A moderately paced tour. Travelling days are interspersed with sightseeing and restful stops. The two-night stays in each of the major cities of Barcelona, Seville and Madrid allow you time to indulge in each city’s treasures.
Hotels: The modern hotels in Barcelona, Granada, Seville and Madrid contrast with the traditional style of the Husa Reina Victoria, set in the very heart of Valencia.
INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS
• Barcelona: Enjoy a walking tour through the old lanes and squares of the Gothic Quarter. Drive down the elegant Passeig de Gracia to take in some of the city's daring Modernist architecture Visit Antoni Gaudi's amazing Sagrada Familia church.
• Peñíscola: Explore the cobbled lanes, shops, restaurants and white walled cottages around the base of the castle.
• Valencia: See the ultra modern Centre of Arts and Sciences. See the huge City Gates of Serranos and Quart.
• Granada: Visit the amazing Alhambra Palace and walk through the rich scented Gardens of the Generalife.
• Seville: Visit the Plaza de España in Seville’s Maria Louisa Park. Enjoy a walking tour of the Santa Cruz Quarter with its pretty squares and flower decked balconies. Emerge by the walls of the Alcazar. Visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus in the Cathedral and climb the Giralda Tower if you wish.
• Cordoba: Cross the Roman Bridge to the amazing Mezquita and walk within its forest of horseshoe shaped arches.
• Valdepeñas: Enjoy a short tutorial about the world-famous wines of Spain.
• Madrid: See the Don Quixote statue in Plaza de España. Drive across the Puerta del Sol and past the Cibeles Fountain. Admire the paintings at the Prado Museum with a guide.
• Scenic drives: Cross the Sierra Nevada, Plains of La Mancha.
Tourist visas (single or multiple entries) may be required. Please refer to our tour consultants for more details.
DAY 1
Welcome to Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, a land that retains its own distinctive language, culture and traditions! On arrival at Barcelona Airport, your airport transfers leave for the tour hotel at 09:30 & 12:30. Relax and settle in. In the evening, join your fellow guests and Tour Director for a Welcome Reception and light informal meal. Hotel: Melia Meals: Welcome Reception
DAY 2
Join your local guide in the Plaça Nova in the heart of the Gothic quarter. See the cathedral and walk through the Roman gate to tour the narrow lanes and old squares. Now drive by the lively Rambla and along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and some of the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district, to visit Gaudi’s extraordinary, unfinished Sagrada Familia church. Both inside and out, it defies belief! The afternoon is at leisure. Meals: Buffet Breakfast
DAY 3
Follow the sunny Costa Dorada past the rice fields of the Ebro Delta to stop in Peñíscola. Explore the lanes and white-walled cottages clustered around the sea-lapped castle, used in the film El Cid. Now through the famous orange groves to Valencia where you see the ultra modern Centre of Arts and Sciences. Circumnavigate the old town, past the City Gates of Serranos and Quart to reach your central hotel. Maybe take a pre-dinner walk to the castellated Lonja (Silk Exchange) or the Cathedral with its octagonal bell tower. Hotel: Husa Reina Victoria/NH Centre Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner
DAY 4
Heading along the Costa Blanca, Benidorm suddenly rises like some Mediterranean Manhattan. Continue past the castle at Lorca and troglodyte dwellings hollowed out of the soft rock at Purullena. Drive along the Sierra Nevada, with magnificent mountain views, and over the Mora Pass to glorious Granada. Overlooking the town, stands one of the most remarkable fortresses ever built, the Alhambra. Explore this exquisite palace; a fantasy of stone cut lace, arabesque gardens and fountains, built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century. Also stroll through the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the Royal summer residence. Granada has a rich variety of restaurants, so this evening choose your own personal ambience and cuisine from our Dine-Around selection. Hotel: Saray Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around
DAY 5
There is time, if you wish, to explore the labyrinthine Albaicin quarter - from the church of St Nicholas there is one of the most exquisite views of the Alhambra. Then drive past gleaming white villages and through olive groves stretching for as far as the eye can see, to Seville. This exquisite capital of Andalucía, the ‘city of Carmen’ is simply one of Spain's most charming jewels. Bask in the romantic aura, enjoy the flavours of Andalucía and share in the passion of Spain’s most fiery region. Hotel: Ayre Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner
DAY 6
Seville has a distinctive character and presence best revealed by a local guide. First visit the Plaza de España in Seville’s Maria Louisa Park. Then stroll through the fashionable Santa Cruz Quarter with its flower decked wrought-iron balconies. Emerge by the Alcazar - a Moorish fantasy in stone set in richly scented gardens. Visit the massive cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus and enriched with the spoils of the New World. The energetic can climb the Giralda Tower, former minaret of the Great Mosque, and enjoy views over the city. This afternoon is at leisure. Meals: Buffet Breakfast
DAY 7
Set off early along the Guadalquivir valley, past villages and towns studded with Moorish towers and fortresses. Stop in the perfectly preserved Moorish city of Cordoba. Cross the famous 2000-year-old bridge before a guided visit to the magnificent Mezquita, an 8th century mosque with a Christian church built inside it. Afterwards there is free time to stroll through the narrow streets of the Old Jewish Quarter. Now follow in the footsteps of Don Quixote, across the plains of La Mancha on your way back to Madrid. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the wines that make this region so famous. Hotel: Hesperia Meals: Buffet Breakfast
DAY 8
Join a local guide for a sightseeing tour along the noble avenues. Drive by the statue of Cervantes’ fictional hero, Don Quixote, in the Plaza de España. Continue past Cibeles Fountain and the Parliament and cross the Puerta del Sol. Visit the Prado Museum, a rose coloured palace housing works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Botticelli, Rubens, and many others. Take time out to relax at a café or shop in the trendy boutiques. In the evening, join a farewell Celebration Dinner in the heart of town, complete with wine and music. Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner
DAY 9
Board your onward flights today, taking home memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. Departure transfers arrive at Madrid Airport at 07:00, 09:00 & 11:00. Meals: Buffet Breakfast
2012 Departure Dates : 17, 24, 31 Mar, 07, 14, 21, 28 Apr, 05, 12, 19, 26 May, 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 Jun, 07, 14, 21, 28 Jul, 04, 11, 18, 25 Aug, 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 Sep, 06, 13, 20, 27 Oct
*Rates is based on Land only, airfare is NOT included.
*Number of days is excluding flight duration to choice of destination
*Prices subjected to slight changes due to currency fluctuation & departure date
*Prices shown are before discounts
(Eg, Agent Discount / Early Payment / Frequent traveller / Young Traveller )
EXPLOREINSIGHT VACATIONS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
eNews letter
Subscribe to receive our latest promotions. |
