9 Day Southern Spain Escape Off-Season Special
Posted on 10/21/2019Escape to the inspiring sights of Madrid, Granada, Costa del Sol, and Seville with an off-season vacation in Spain!
Miss the crowds and skip the lines and higher prices of the high travel season, and join us for the flavors of Spain.
Begin in Madrid with guided sightseeing, and see the masterpieces of Goya, El Greco, Rubens, and more in Madrid’s Prado Museum. Visit the houses of worship in Toledo, including the Synagogue, the 13th-century gothic Cathedral, and the Church of Santo Tomé—featuring one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Pass the rolling hills of olive and orange groves through Andalusia to historic Granada. Visit the grand Alhambra complex and the Water Gardens of the Generalife. Travel to the Costa del Sol and visit Plaza de Toros, an 18th-century bullring in Ronda. Next, to Seville—capital of Andalusia, filled with intriguing sights, including a tobacco factory depicted in the opera Carmen. Visit the magnificent Casa de Pilatos with its Roman sculptures. Enjoy a guided tour of Cordoba before traveling through the landscapes of Don Quixote to return to Madrid for a farewell dinner.
This Southern Spain off-season vacation is an escape you won’t want to miss!
Your Itinerary:
DAY 1 ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN
Welcome to Madrid! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
DAY 2 MADRID
Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely turned towards the future. Your Local Guide takes you to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Highlight is a visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM, founded in 1819, and considered to have one of the finest collections of European art of the last 8 centuries, with works of Goya, El Greco, Rubens, Titian and more.
DAY 3 MADRID—TOLEDO—GRANADA
Stop in Toledo, spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River. Your walking tour with a Local Guide features the Moorish bridge and visits to an early SYNAGOGUE, the 13th-century gothic CATHEDRAL, and the CHURCH OF SANTO TOMÉ, with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Next, visit a DAMASCENE STEEL WORKSHOP. The olive and orange groves of the rolling Andalusian hills unfold before your eyes on the way to history-steeped Granada, where dinner with local specialties is prepared at one of Granada’s fine restaurants.
DAY 4 GRANADA—COSTA DEL SOL
See the sights of Granada with a Local Guide and visit its main attraction, the ALHAMBRA COMPLEX. The mighty yet graceful citadel was planned by 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. Amble through the magnificent WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE, the royal summer residence.
DAY 5 AT LEISURE ON THE COSTA DEL SOL
Today is your chance to join an optional excursion to the Rock of Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704.
DAY 6 COSTA DEL SOL—RONDA—SEVILLE
Follow your Tour Director for a walk through the mountaintop city of Ronda, dramatically divided by a deep gorge and linked by the Puente Nuevo. Highlight is a visit to the PLAZA DE TOROS, an 18th-century bullring. Continue on to the vibrant capital of Andalusia, Seville.
DAY 7 SEVILLE
During your guided sightseeing tour, you will hear about the city’s role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712 AD, and its contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire Maria Luisa Park, the Golden Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the university that was the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Also visit the magnificent CASA DE PILATOS, a mixture of Moorish and Roman architecture with a splendid collection of Roman sculptures. Then, stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER. An optional extended guided visit to the cathedral is also available.
DAY 8 SEVILLE—CORDOBA—MADRID
In Cordoba, sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the medieval Jewish Quarter; the MOSQUE OF THE CALIPHS, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry, marble, and jasper; the Roman Bridge; and the remains of the Alcazar. Continue through the arid landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha and return to Madrid, where a farewell dinner awaits at your hotel.
DAY 9 MADRID
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Transportation:
Motorcoach; free wi-fi available on your motorcoach and in most hotel lobbies.
Your Accommodations:
NOVOTEL MADRID CENTER, Madrid
FIRST-CLASS
A stylish 790 room hotel located in Madrid's elegant Salamanca District with Free Wi-Fi internet access available throughout. Amenities include a gourmet restaurant, a chic bar featuring a large video wall, a fitness room and relaxing lounge areas.
HOTEL SARAY, Granada
SUPERIOR FIRST-CLASS
Moorish touches, rooms with Nazari styled decor, restaurant and gardens; set in town center next to the Congress Hall.
MELIA COSTA DEL SOL, Costa del Sol
SUPERIOR FIRST-CLASS
A contemporary 9-story hotel right on the oceanfront promenade opposite the popular El Bajondillo Beach. Leisure facilities include a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and fitness center, the Thalasso spa with saltwater relax pool, sauna and steam bath can also be enjoyed (an additional fee is payable locally for the spa). A mix of Mediterranean and international specialties are offered at both the buffet and à la carte restaurants, there is also a Central bar serving a wide variety of drinks all day and complimentary Wi-Fi access is available throughout the property.
SEVILLA CENTER, Seville
SUPERIOR FIRST-CLASS
Modern multistory Hotel, guest amenities for the business or leisure traveler, panoramic views of the city, centrally located.
Your Meals:
Full buffet breakfast daily; 4 three-course dinners: welcome and farewell dinner in Madrid, dinner at a local restaurant in Granada