Andalusia & Mediterranean Coast with Barcelona

Join the group at the meeting point at 8:30 in the morning (Departure from established hotels in Madrid. Please refer to your documentation for detailed departure information). From there, drive southward through the fields of La Mancha, literary antihero Don Quixote’s homeland. After a brief stop at Puerto Lapice, cross through the natural border of Despeñaperros and delve into Andalusia, a region filled with an enormous heritage from a splendorous past. Once in Cordoba, go on an impressive tour that will take you to its mosque and many other sites. Ease your mind and spirit by strolling through the narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, after a short two-hour ride, reach Seville. 

Overnight in Seville.

After breakfast at the hotel, head out on a morning panoramic tour of the city. Marvel at the exterior of the second largest cathedral in the Catholic world after St. Peters in Rome, before continuing to explore the Santa Cruz quarter. This charming neighbourhood is a natural setting for “Carmen” and where the myth of “Don Juan” developed. Later visit Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España. The afternoon is free for you to spend at leisure discovering exclusive views or specific flavours of this lively city.

• Overnight in Seville.

Wake up to breakfast at the hotel before driving east through the Caliphate road and into the heart of Andalusia. Along the way, contemplate the endless number of olive trees that flank the road to Granada and its incredible monumental environment, last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms up to 1492. Once you set foot in this historical city, visit the world-famous Generalife Gardens that have inspired several authors with its sound and sights, such as the well-known “Tales of the Alhambra” by W. Irving.

• Overnight in Granada. 

After breakfast at the hotel, start driving towards the Mediterranean coast. After passing through Murcia, capital of the fertile region of the Segura river, turn north via Alicante, the second largest city in the region of Valencia. Once you reach Valencia, step off the coach and start discovering one of the main capitals of the Mediterranean coast, which is also the hometown of the world-famous and delicious paella. Make sure to find a restaurant in which to try it while staying here.

• Overnight in Valencia. 

Charge your batteries with breakfast at the hotel before joining a morning city tour of this bright city, which includes a drive through the old city. You will get to admire the most prominent buildings Valencia has to boast, and drive past the old riverbed of the Turia, all the way to the avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences complex and contemplate the emblematic exteriors of its six buildings. In the early afternoon, depart northwards and drive along the Mediterranean coast to Catalonia. Along the way, pass through Tarragona, known in ancient Rome as Tarraco. Then reach Barcelona, homeland of the famous architect Gaudi, a true emblem of Catalan modernism.

• Overnight in Barcelona.

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a morning city tour of Barcelona, well-known worldwide for hosting the 1992 Olympic Games. Drive along this breath-taking city’s main avenues and marvel at its impressive modernist buildings, the most spectacular of which are by Gaudi, such as La Pedrera and Casa Milá. Many of these buildings are listed as World Heritage Buildings by UNESCO. Later, see Montjuic Park with its spectacular views of the city and harbour; the Olympic Ring; the monument to Columbus; and the Olympic Port. Finally, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the city at leisure, making the most of its many attractions and varied gastronomy.

• Overnight in Barcelona.

After breakfast at the hotel, return to the southwest through an industrial and agricultural area and passing through Zaragoza, the capital city of the region of Aragon. It lies on the banks of the gorgeous Ebro River, the most copious river on the Iberian Peninsula. Zaragoza, known as Cesar Augusta during the Roman period, played an important role throughout Spanish history and its architectural and cultural heritage speak volumes about it. Enjoy some free time to see the impressive Baroque architecture of the Basilic-Temple of Our Lady Pilar. Continue then to Madrid, where the tour reaches its conclusion.

• Breakfast included.