The Experience
Sample olive oil in Granada, sherry in Jerez and tapas in Seville on this comprehensive journey through Spain, complete with a flamenco dancing and singing performance in a private palace. Day 1: ARRIVE IN BARCELONA, SPAIN
Upon arrival you are met by your A&K representative and escorted to your hotel. Get to know your fellow guests at tonight,™s welcome dinner.
El Palace Hotel Barcelona | Meals: D
Day 2: BARCELONA / Heart of Catalonia
Explore the BoquerÃa, perhaps the finest food market in all Europe. Visit Sant Jaume Square, the cathedral and the elegant Eixample district. Finish with a tour of GaudÃ,™s sensational Sagrada Familia Basilica.
El Palace Hotel Barcelona | Meals: B
Day 3: GRANADA / Spain,™s Islamic Heritage
Fly to Granada and visit the Alhambra, one of the most beautiful examples of Islamic architecture in the world, and then the extraordinary district of the AlbaizÃn, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, savor a uniquely Spanish experience: a tasting of local olive oils.
Hotel Alhambra Palace | Meals: B L D
Day 4: MARBELLA / Historic Málaga
Depart for Marbella, stopping en route in Málaga to visit the beautifully restored historic center and to see the Picasso and Carmen Thyssen Museums. Continue to Marbella, the finest resort on the south coast of Spain, and spend the afternoon as you like.
Hotel Fuerte Marbella | Meals: B
Day 5: GIBRALTAR / Europe,™s Last Outpost
Travel west to the Rock of Gibraltar, visiting St. Michael,™s Cave and observing Gibraltar,™s Barbary macaques, the only wild monkeys in Europe. Return to Marbella and explore its shops and restaurants at your leisure.
Hotel Fuerte Marbella | Meals: B L
Day 6: SEVILLE / Ronda and Jerez
Journey into the heart of AndalucÃa, first up the winding hills to Ronda, one the most beautiful white villages, in all of Spain. Continue through the mountains to Jerez, home of golden sherry, where you visit a bodega to learn about sherry and taste its different varieties. After time at leisure, the road takes you to Seville. This evening, join your fellow guests on a tapas tour through Seville,™s finest taverns, for a flavorful Culinary Connection.
Hotel Alfonso XIII | Meals: B L D
Day 7: SEVILLE / Sunny Santa Cruz
Explore this uniquely lovely city: the Royal Palace of the Alcázar, the enormous Gothic cathedral and of course, the flower-filled Santa Cruz district. The afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own. Tonight, celebrate a Musical Connection when you ride a horse-drawn carriage to a beautiful palace, where the owners host your private dinner. Then, enjoy an unforgettable performance of flamenco dancing and singing on the patio of this historic home.
Hotel Alfonso XIII | Meals: B D
Day 8: CÓRDOBA / Streets of Flowers
Set out for Córdoba to visit the extraordinary Mezquita, the cathedral and former great mosque of Córdoba, and walk its flower-lined streets. Later in the afternoon, board your high-speed AVE train to Madrid.
Hotel Ritz Madrid | Meals: B
Day 9: MADRID / Masterful Art & Architecture
View works by the great Spanish masters El Greco, Velázquez and Goya in the Prado Museum. Then, visit the Royal Palace, followed by a short walk to the Plaza Mayor, and the marvelous San Miguel market, arriving in time to savor its mouth-watering ensemble of tapas bars for lunch at leisure. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a farewell dinner.
Hotel Ritz Madrid | Meals: B D
Day 10: DEPART MADRID
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: B