SPAIN
Madrid-Seville-Barcelona
April 7-14, 2012
Step inside the grand Moorish palace of the Alcazar; gaze at treasures – inside and out – at the world renowned Picasso Museum in Barcelona; Take guided tours of Madrid and historic Toledo, and you will understand the historical, cultural and religious passion throughout this carefully woven Spain tour.
Spain is a colorful pageant of art, history and culture set against a backdrop that spans sunny Mediterranean shores and grand mountain ranges, dotted with groves of oranges and olives. Explore Andalucía, resplendent with Moorish regal flair. Feel the passion of the Flamenco.
TOUR INCLUDES
- Round-trip transportation from Montauk to JFK
- Round-trip airfare from New York City
- Round-trip airport/hotel transfers
- Baggage handling at airports & hotels
- Great hotels in Madrid, Seville and Barcelona
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- Daily breakfast and dinners as per itinerary
- All guided sightseeing including entrance fees
- Train ride from Madrid to Seville
- Flight from Seville to Barcelona
ADDED FEATURES
- Welcome to Spain dinner.
- Welcome to Seville drink
- Panoramic Horse-drawn carriage tour of Seville
- Optional Flamenco dinner and show in Seville
- Free time in Madrid & Barcelona for shopping & exploring
- Special Farewell Dinner in Barcelona
Our Itinerary
Day 1 – Saturday, April 7: Depart USA
overnight flight to Madrid
Day 2, Sunday, April 8: Arrive Madrid (D)
After your arrival in Madrid you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Day 3, Monday, April 9: In Madrid and Toledo (B)
Morning sightseeing in the beautiful Spanish capital takes us to view the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol and Plaza España with its monument to Cervantes. We also include the historic Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Oriente, the famous Cibeles fountain, Neptune’s fountain, the impressive Castellana Avenue, Christopher Columbus square, as well as the main shopping areas, parks and gardens such as the beautiful Retiro Park. In the afternoon, we head south to the ancient Castilian capital of Toledo. Once the model of religious tolerance in Europe it became the home of horrors through the Spanish Inquisition. The entire town is a national monument; tiny streets surrounded by Gothic and renaissance buildings allow one to ‘feel’ the history. Its churches and palaces house some of Spain’s best artistic treasures. Additionally, the city boasts a wealth of local crafts such as the famous “Damasquinado”, gold woven into iron. The tour will include visits to the Cathedral, and a visit to the Chapel of St. Tome which houses “The burial of Count Orgaz”, a masterpiece painted by El Greco. Our sightseeing here includes the tiny streets surrounded by historic buildings, the 13th-century Gothic Cathedral and with time for shopping for the famous damascened Toledo steel. Dinner on your own.
Day 4, Tuesday, April 10: In Madrid (B)
A full day free for independent exploration and shopping. Madrid is a beautiful city combining cobbled, antiquated streets with imperial, tree-lined avenues. ornate buildings in the old town juxtaposed with the beautifully designed glittering, modern steel towers of the commercial district reaching high into the clear blue skies. Added to this is the slightest excuse for a statue, or a square with a fountain, which results in a city full of attractions to catch your eye at every turn. Madrid also has some of the world’s most prestigious and exciting museums can be visited in what is called the triangle of Art. Three famous museums, including the Prado are situated so close to each other that one could do all of them in just a day. Dinner on your own at one of our recommended restaurants.
Day 5, Wednesday, April 11: To Seville (B)
Early departure by high-speed train for Andalusia and Seville. After checking into our hotel, a welcome drink and lunch on our own, we have a 45 minute panoramic sightseeing tour by horse-drawn carriage that is a step back in time as we observe 700 years of influence by the Moors. Admire Maria Luisa Park and its beautiful pavilions built at the early 20th century for the Iberian American Exhibition of 1929, with the Plaza de España being the most impressive and emblematic monument. Have a glimpse at the Golden Tower, a former Arabic lighthouse which purpose was to protect the river from the pirates and later on register all the goods coming from the Americas. You will also see the old Tobacco Factory (today University of Seville) the Guadalquivir River Banks and some of its 9 bridges or the San Telmo Palace (the former maritime school). The tour will finish at the foot of the Cathedral and Alcazar, two very special sights we will visit inside. The Cathedral of Seville, the biggest Gothic Cathedral in the world. It was built in the 15th century, after the destruction of the old Mosque. All that remains from this Muslim Mosque is the 200 foot high Minaret, called La Giralda and it has become the symbol of the city. This is the most impressive building in Seville and also houses the impressive tomb of Christopher Columbus. Then,opposite to the Cathedral, we will see “Alcazar”, the Arab Kings Palace, preserved by the Christians because of its beauty and artistic meaning. This is the place where Isabel and Fernando welcomed Columbus from America. Back to the hotel for dinner on your own, or you have the opportunity to experience authentic Andalusian at a an optional dinner/flamenco show.
Day 6, Thursday, April 12: To Barcelona (B)
Morning at leisure in Seville. Mid afternoon transfer to the airport for the short flight to Barcelona…Europe’s new “IN” city. upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for the afternoon and evening on your own.
Day 7, Friday, April 13: In Barcelona (B/D)
This morning, we will have a tour of Spain’s 2nd largest city. This tour is devoted to the Medieval part of the city including the lively and well known Ramblas Boulevard, the Columbus Monument, the Basilica of Santa Maria Del Mar, the City Hall, the Gothic Quarter and the famous Cathedral. Balance of the day at leisure on your own to see the “Modern Barcelona” that cradles Modernist Architecture including the Passeig de Gracia where you can see Gaudí’s wonderful buildings, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, and the popular historic Plaza de Catalunya. Maybe take in the Picasso Museum, located in the increasingly popular Born Quarter, very close to the Gothic Quarter, with its unique collection of works done by the painter in his youth. It was while Picasso was in Barcelona that the “New Barcelona” was in the process of fashioning its appearance. This evening we will have a special farewell to Spain dinner.
Day 8, Saturday, April 14: To New York (B)
We bid Spain adios as we board our flight home.
Hotels (or similar)
HOTEL ALCALA TORRE – MADRID
Magnificent skyscraper with 15 floors with excellent panoramic views and the newest technological innovations. The hotel is located in the heart of the centre of Madrid, at the beginning of the famous calle Alcalá, between Gran Vía and the Puerta del Sol This noteworthy building is a replica of the famous skyscraper in Chicago and has a total of 15 floors, with beautiful views of Madrid which begin to impress after the fifth floor. Its 59 modern rooms are equipped with hydro-massage showers, laptop computers in all the rooms, and free Internet connection.
HOTEL GIRALDA – SEVILLE
This hotel is located in the historic center of Seville. It is very near to the beautiful, typical quarter of Santa Cruz and a few minutes walk away from monuments such as the cathedral, La Giralda and Maria Luisa Park. Lovely and comfortable rooms with all the amenities of a first class hotel.
HOTEL GALLERY – BARCELONA
Gallery Hotel is a 4-star superior hotel exceptionally positioned in the centre of Barcelona just a stone’s throw from Paseo de Gracia and with Plaza Cataluña nearby. The Hotel has 115 rooms offering you comfort and tranquility. Every last detail is taken care of to guarantee your stay will meet your every expectation. In the El Café de Gallery restaurant – Terrace you will find top quality cuisine along with a long list of wines you can enjoy either in the calm of our outdoor terrace or at your leisure inside the restaurant. Gallery Hotel stands in a league of its own in the heart of Barcelona, with a highly personalized service combined with a friendly atmosphere and avant-garde cuisine.
PRICE PER PERSON
Double occupancy $2,599
Add to above costs:
U.S. airline facility, security, taxes and Fuel Surcharge $299
(This is the current charge but is subject to change by airline at time of ticketing.)
Prepaid Gratuities $75 (for guides, escort, drivers, wait-staff, hotel staff, baggage porterage).
Single room supplement $499
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