Day 1 - Welcome to Madrid
On arrival at the airport,
you’ll be warmly greeted and chauffeured to your choice of first class
or deluxe hotel. The balance of this day is free to relax, enjoy and
explore as you wish.
Day 2 - Choose Your Sightseeing in Madrid
Spain’s
capital is a modern cosmopolitan city offering much to see and do:
historic landmarks, great art, and a vibrant cultural life. Today you’ll
have the opportunity to pursue your own personal interests and to
tailor your stay in this captivating city. Just choose one of these
included tours and delight in the intimacy and thoughtful engagement of
touring with your own personal guide! Meals B
Half-Day Walking Tour of Madrid de los Austrias and Royal Palace:
Built during the reign of the Habsburg Dynasty that ruled much of
modern-day Europe from their capital in Vienna, El Madrid de los
Austrias is the name used for the capital’s historic city center. With
insight and information from your engaging guide, you’ll explore its
charming squares and cobblestone streets, including the handsome Plaza
de la Villa and impressive Plaza Mayor. Then visit the Royal Palace,
official residence for the King of Spain until 1931. Filled with great
works of art by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco and other master painters,
this 18th century landmark is now used mainly for official state functions. Tour Duration: 4 Hours
Half-Day Tour of Madrid’s Museums:
Join your expert private guide to explore two of Europe’s greatest art
museums, starting with the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Formerly in
private hands, its vast collection is a journey through the history of
art—from medieval Italian painters of the 14th century and the 17th-century Dutch School to French impressionism and important 20th-century
avant-garde works by Kandinsky, Dali, Lichtenstein and others. Then
continue to the world-famous Prado Museum, one of the first public art
galleries in the world. Among its enormous collection are important
masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, Bosch, Rubens, Titian, and other giants
of European art. Tour Duration: 4 Hours
Tapas Walking Tour:
With tapas restaurants now found in cities across America, many
travelers are familiar with this wonderful Spanish tradition. But here
in Madrid, tapas is more than just small-plate dining; it’s a cultural
tradition that is as much about the people and the conversation as it is
about the food. Choosing lunch or dinner time, you’ll join our engaging
foodie guide to stroll along the charming streets of Madrid’s historic
city center, stopping along the way in some of your guide’s favorite
haunts to savor a variety of traditional tapas dishes paired with fine
Spanish wine. Tour Duration: 3 Hours
Dinner to the Sound of Flamenco:
With Andalusian roots in southern Spain, authentic flamenco is a
complex art form incorporating poetry, singing, guitar playing,
polyrhythmic hand-clapping and, of course, dancing. Known as Tablao
Flamenco, there are many places in Madrid where you can enjoy a flamenco
show. This evening, we’ll take you to the best Tablao Flamenco in the
city, recipient of numerous accolades including the prestigious City of
Madrid Award. Enjoy fine Spanish cuisine and an unforgettable evening of
Flamenco.
You can also purchase any of these tours in advance for additional sightseeing to enhance your time in Madrid. CLICK HERE for a complete list of our Privately Guided Sightseeing Tours.
Day 3 - Madrid at Your Leisure
Carefully
selected for their prime locations, our first class and deluxe hotels
in Madrid offer the perfect base for exploring the city on your own. If
you prefer additional privately guided touring, we offer a wide variety
of sightseeing tours to complement your stay here in the capital. See a
complete list of our privately guided excursions in and around Madrid.
Meals B
Day 4 - By Rail to Granada
After
breakfast, you’ll be chauffeured to the rail station to continue your
journey. Sit back in first-class comfort and enjoy the scenery en route
to Granada. On arrival, you’ll be met and escorted by private vehicle to
your choice of first class or deluxe hotel. The rest of this day is
yours to enjoy as you wish. Meals B
Day 5 - Tailor Your Sightseeing in Granada
Situated
at the foot of the mighty Sierra Nevada mountain range, Granada is one
of the most interesting Andalusian cities, with a rich cultural heritage
that reflects its distinctive Moorish influence. Today you can pursue
your own personal interests and tailor your exploration of this
fascinating city. Just choose one of these included excursions and
delight in the attentive, thoughtful engagement of touring with your own
private guide. Meals B
Half-Day Tour of the Alhambra: Founded as a simple walled citadel, the Alhambra #WHS# developed into a sprawling fortified palace complex; by the late 13th
century, it was the seat of power for the Nasrid emirs, the last Muslim
dynasty in the Iberian Peninsula that ruled the Emirate of Granada
through the 1400’s. From the opulent Nasrid Palaces to the enchanting
Generalife Gardens, this is one of Spain’s greatest sites and an
enduring symbol of the country’s Moorish legacy. Enhanced by your
guide’s extensive knowledge, this private tour is a journey through some
of Spain’s most fascinating historical chapters. Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours
Tour of the Albaicín and Tapas:
Predating the Alhambra by a couple centuries, the Albaicín #WHS# is
Granada’s oldest district where buildings of the Nasrid Dynasty and
later constructions of the Christian tradition coexist harmoniously.
Accompanied by your engaging personal guide, you’ll begin your
exploration with a magnificent twilight view of the Alhambra and its
dramatic mountain backdrop. Then continue along the charming, winding
cobblestone streets of the Albaicín as your guide shares history and
insight. Along the way, you’ll stop by a couple of their favorite local
bars to enjoy tapas and a glass of fine Spanish wine. Tour Duration: 2.5 Hours
Day 6 - Onward to Malaga
Your private car
and driver will meet you at your hotel and together you’ll make the hour
and a half journey to Malaga. The rest of the day is free to enjoy as
you wish. Meals B
Day 7 - Coastal Spain
Enjoy
your day in Malaga with a privately guided half-day walking tour of the
city including all of the iconic sights, culminating with a visit to
the famous Picasso Museum and Alcazaba. Enjoy your evening in Malaga as
you wish. Meals B
You can also purchase tours in advance for additional sightseeing to
enhance your time in Malaga. See a complete list of our Privately Guided
Sightseeing Tours.
Day 8 - Up to Seville
After breakfast, you
will be met by your private driver and chauffeured to Seville, enjoying a
stop in historic Ronda en route. Ronda is dramatically perched above a
deep gorge and offers a wealth of cultural and historic intrigue, making
for a lovely place to have lunch on your own today. Afterwards, your
driver will bring you to your choice of first class or deluxe hotel.
Meals B
Day 9 - Day 9 - Customize your Day in Seville #WHS#
With
important monuments that reflect centuries of Moorish influence as well
as Spain’s ascendancy as an ecclesiastical and maritime power, Seville
is home to three distinct UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today, you have
the opportunity to customize your sightseeing to your personal interests
and style: Just choose one of these included, privately guided
excursions. Meals B
Half-Day Tour of Monumental Seville – Cathedral + Alcazar:
Founded in 1403 on the site of a former mosque, Seville’s magnificent
Cathedral #WHS# reflects both Gothic and Renaissance styles,
encompassing 700 years of history and architecture. With its five naves,
it is heralded as the largest Gothic building in all of Europe. In
addition to your guided visit of the Cathedral, you’ll also tour the
ornately decorated Alcazar Palace and its stunning Andalusian gardens.
Dating back to the 10th century, this is one of the oldest
royal residences in Europe; it is a masterpiece of Mudjar architecture—a
style that reflects a unique blend of Moorish and Christian
influences. Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours
Guided Visit to Hospital de la Caridad and Archivo de Indias:
History enthusiasts will love this privately guided tour, featuring two
of Seville’s most historic treasures. First up is the Archivo General
de Indias, situated in a 16th-century landmark building that
once housed the Consulate of the Merchants of Seville. Established as an
archive in 1785, it is home to the world’s greatest collection of
documents related to the history of the earliest European explorers in
the New World and the Spanish Empire in the Americas. Next, you’ll visit
the Hospital de la Caridad. Founded in the 17th century by a
wealthy nobleman as a charitable institution to care for the poor and
sick, it’s famed for its Baroque architecture and impressive art
collection. Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours
E-Bike Introduction to Seville:
Joined by your private guide, enjoy a pleasant walk from your hotel to
the Cathedral, where you’ll pick up your e-bike and safety helmet. From
here, you’ll enjoy a guided biking tour through Seville encompassing
some of the city’s most important historic sites and beautiful
landmarks. See the Giralda Bell Tower, originally built in the 12th
century as the minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville, and take in
breathtaking views of the Alcazar. See the lovely Park of Maria Luisa
and continue through the Plaza de España to the Guadalquivir River. Tour Duration: 2 Hours
You can also purchase any of these tours in advance for additional
sightseeing to enhance your time in Seville. See a complete list of our
Privately Guided Sightseeing Tours.
Day 10 - Enjoy Your Free Day in Seville
This
entire day is yours to relax, shop, or discover more of Seville at your
own pace. If you prefer additional privately guided touring, we offer a
variety of excursions throughout the area that you might choose to
enhance your stay. See our complete list of privately guided tours,
cultural activities and exciting excursions. Meals B
Day 11 - Depart Seville
After breakfast, you’ll be chauffeured to the airport or rail station for your onward journey. Meals B
All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability and are quoted in U.S. Dollars. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour
operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material
provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates
are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators.
Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices
on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors,
omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to
confirm availability and pricing.
