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| Your Itinerary |
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| Day 1 – Flight to Barcelona |
| Board your flight to Spain, from your preferred North American gateway, and relax on your way to Barcelona, Colon’s departure port on his way to discover America. |
| Day 2 - Barcelona |
| Upon arrival, transfer from the Airport to your selected hotel. After check-in the rest of the day is on your own to rest or start discovering the fascinating city. |
| Day 3 - Barcelona |
| This morning enjoy a panoramic tour, by car, with an official English-speaking guide, which includes he Olympic Village, the Montjüic Mountain with its castle at the summit. Montjüic is located along the Tibidabo, one of the two mountains that give character to the city, described in an old song as the “pearl of the Mediterranean” surrounded by mountains and the sea. There we take the cable car linking Montjuic Park to one of the large Barcelona avenues (Parallel). From the cable car you can see all of Barcelona and several of its most distinctive locations: Plaza Cataluña, the Cathedral, The Sagrada Familia (designed by Gaudi), cruise ships docked al the Port of Barcelona, the Olympic Village, Torre Agbar and the Forum area. The route of the cable takes about 5 minutes. This evening you’ll attend a Flamenco show and diner at “Palacio del flamenco”, (between 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm). The show offers original choreography and soloist numbers. The night begins with the unique and enthusiastic performance of the flamenco group. The guitar and the sound of clapping accompany the "taconeo" –tap dance- and the movement by the “bailaores”. The show also offers some classic Spanish dance to give you a glimpse of the varied Spanish repertoire. The improvisation between the musicians and the “bailaores” makes the show different every day. Return to the hotel after the show. |
| Day 4 - Barcelona |
| Today we have arranged a private walking guided tour that will take you to the Gothic Quarter and to Modernist Barcelona. Re-live History walking through the Gothic Quarter, one of the best preserved medieval quarters in the world. Discover the charming streets and squares, the unexpected corners and ancient buildings. Visit the Quadrat d'Or of the Eixample, a privileged center of Modernist Barcelona of late nineteenth century. A careful walk through this area will expose modernist buildings, the work of famous architects such as Antoni Gaudí, Domènech i Montaner and Puig i Cadafalch, among others. Do not miss this authentic open air museum. After the tour you will have time on your own to complete the visit or to go back to your preferred places. |
| Day 5 - Barcelona and Madrid |
| After breakfast at the hotel you’ll be transferred to the Barcelona train station for your fast ride to Madrid aboard the AVE – the Spanish bullet train. Once in Madrid you will be driven to your selected hotel. The rest of the morning is free. In the afternoon visit the Royal Palace of Madrid, also called Palacio de Oriente, the official residence of the King of Spain. King Juan Carlos and the Royal Family do not actually reside in this Palace, instead choosing the smaller Palacio de la Zarzuela. However, the Royal Palace is still used for state occasions, like gala dinners, receptions, weddings (the weeding banquet of Prince Felipe took place in the central courtyard of the Palace). The private rooms formerly used by King Alfonso XIII are currently in the process of restoration. This vast Palace is richly decorated by artists such as Velazquez, Caravaggio and Goya, and holds collections of tapestry, porcelain, furniture and other objects d’art, which are of great historical importance. After the visit, a walking tour will lead you to the most beautiful part of Madrid: the heritage of the Spanish Empire, reflecting the era of the Hapsburgs dynasty -16th and 17th centuries. We will visit “Plaza de Oriente”, “Almudena” street (ruins of the Madrid’s old mosque), “Mayor” street, “Palacio de Abrantes y Uceda”, “Sacramento” Church, “Plaza de la Villa”, “Calle del Codo”, “Plaza del Conde Miranda”, “Carboneras” monastery, “Plaza del Conde Barajas” and “Pasa” street, ending at the fabulous “Plaza Mayor”. Every point of interest will be explained in detail, with the narrative lightened by all kind of anecdotes and curiosities. |
| Day 6 – Ávila and Segovia |
| After breakfast, a bus will pick you up at the hotel to start your day trip towards Ávila on comfortable coach lead by an official guide. You know you’ve arrived in Avila when you see the 11th century walls that encircle the city, making it one of the few remaining fortified cities in the world. Avila can be ably described as a city of knights and Saints. With a number of Romanesque Churches, Gothic–Styled Palaces and a fortified Cathedral from 12th century, this city was the birthplace of St. Therese of Jesus, one of the greatest mystics of Catholic Church. A stop at Cerro de Los Cuatro Postes (hill of the 4 posts) to admire one of the best views of the city before visiting the Cathedral, and St. Therese’s Convent. We, then, departure for Segovia to have lunch in this very important military city during the Roman times. The city, crowned by a magnificent Roman Aqueduct, was a summer residence for the Kings of Castile and preserves one of the most notable medieval heritages of Spain. Our visit will feature the Cathedral -the last gothic cathedral built in Spain- which grace and style have won it the nickname of “Queen of Cathedrals”, the Roman Aqueduct and the Plaza Mayor. In the evening we return to Madrid. |
| Day 7 – Madrid |
| A free day in Madrid to see in depth some of the sites you have experienced already, to take advantage of the excellent shopping offered by the Spanish Capital or to take an optional tour to fascinating Toledo, a city on the Tagus river that has been witness to centuries of history and the rolling of religions in Spain. Testimony to the Moorish, Jewish and Catholic heritages, Toledo is a city that promises and delivers a wonderful day of touring. |
| Day 8 – Flight Home |
| Breakfast at the hotel before your transfer to Madrid’s airport for your flight back home. |
| Extensions: |
| You may extend your stay in Spain adding extra nights. |
| Tour Includes: |
| • Private transfer from Barcelona airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the train station • Private transfer from Madrid train station to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport. • 3 nights at chosen Barcelona hotel • 3 nights at chosen Madrid hotel • Breakfast daily • Panoramic tour of Montjuic • Montjuic cable-car tickets • Dinner & show at "Palacio del flamenco". • Private walking tour of the Gothic Quarter and Modernist Barcelona • Ticket on the bullet AVE train Barcelona-Madrid • Private walking tour of Imperial Madrid • Private visit to the Royal Palace • Full day tour to Ávila and Segovia with lunch • English speaking guide for visits • Entrance fees as required • All local taxes and service fees |
| The price does not include: |
| • Airfare between your North American gateway city and Spain (Click here to book your flights at very competitive prices) • Airport taxes and fees • Expenses of personal nature • Travel insurance • Any services not included in tour |
| Superior Option: |
| Barcelona: Hotel Catalonia Albéniz *** Madrid: Hotel Abba Atocha *** |
| First Class Option: |
| Barcelona: Hotel Catalonia Corcega **** Madrid: Hotel Catalonia Gaudi **** |
| Deluxe Option: |
| Barcelona: Hotel Majestic & Spa ***** Madrid: Hotel Villa Real ***** |
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