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About this tour

This vacation includes 2-night stays in Madrid, Costa del Sol, and Seville, giving you plenty of time to immerse yourself in the local culture. Guided sightseeing shows off the important highlights, like Madrid’s Prado Museum, Toledo’s Church of Santo Tomé with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings, Granada’s Alhambra and Water Gardens of the Generalife, and Seville’s cathedral with Columbus’ tomb. With your free day in Torremolinos, enjoy the beaches or browse through the trendy boutiques. Other features are visits to historic Ronda and a sherry bodega in Jerez. On the way back to Madrid, stop in Cordoba to visit the Mosque of the Caliphs, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry, marble, and jasper. Extend your vacation to Barcelona for two nights by AVE Train. Guided sightseeing includes a visit to the gothic quarter.Special Departure:Departure Dec 17 - Christmas Eve in Seville.

Madrid-Barcelona, Barcelona, Toledo, Madrid, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Ronda

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

(Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2: Madrid, Spain.

Arrive in (Sat.) Time to rest or to start exploring the Spanish capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions, and have a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 3: Madrid.

(Sun.) The capital since 1561, Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely turned towards the future. Your Local Guide takes you to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Then, the highlight: a visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. Afternoon at leisure. An optional excursion to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen can be arranged. (B)

Day 4: Madrid–Toledo–Granada.

(Mon.) This morning, focus on splendid Toledo. Spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River, the ancient Castilian capital attracts more sightseers from all over the world than any other Spanish town. A Local Guide takes you to the Moorish bridge, an early SYNAGOGUE, the 13th-century gothic CATHEDRAL, and the Church of SANTO TOMÉ with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Also time to visit a DAMASCENE STEEL WORKSHOP before arriving in history-steeped Granada. (B,D)

Day 5: Granada–Costa del Sol.

(Tue.) See the sights of Granada with a Local Guide and visit its main attraction, the ALHAMBRA COMPLEX. The mighty yet graceful citadel was planned by 13th-century Moorish ruler Al Ahamar. A fantasy of “lace in stone” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, it affords superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by Gypsy cave dwellers. Also amble through the magnificent WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE, the royal summer residence. Then, turn towards the sea, away from the mountains, to lively Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol. (B)

Day 6: Costa del Sol.

At Leisure on the (Wed.) Enjoy a free day at your beachfront hotel. Catch up on your postcards, enjoy the sandy beaches, browse through the trendy boutiques, and sample the many fancy restaurants. You may want to join an optional excursion to the Rock of Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704. (B)Notes:

Day 7: Costa del Sol–Ronda–Jerez–Seville.

(Thu.) Visit picturesque, historic Ronda, perched on a platform of the Sierra de Ronda and cut in two by a deep ravine, before reaching Jerez, famous for its sherry wines and magnificent horses of mixed Spanish, Arab, and English blood. Highlight today is a visit to a SHERRY BODEGA. Then, on to Seville, the vibrant capital of Andalusia. (B,D)

Day 8: Seville.

(Fri.) During your sightseeing tour with a Local Guide hear about the city’s role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712 AD, and its contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire Maria Luisa Park, the Golden Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Then, stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER, and visit the CATHEDRAL with Columbus’ tomb, the world’s largest gothic edifice. The rest of the day is at leisure. For a truly Andalusian night out, reserve a seat at our optional flamenco show. (B)

Day 9: Seville–Cordoba–Madrid.

(Sat.) In the morning, enjoy a walking tour with a Local Guide in Cordoba. See the Alcazar, the Roman Bridge, and the medieval old Jewish quarter. Tour the magnificent 8th-century MOSQUE OF THE CALIPHS, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry, marble, and jasper. Next, drive north from the fertile valley of the Guadalquivir River through the arid landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha back to Madrid. Tonight, why not join an optional dinner outing to celebrate the success of this exciting vacation? (B)

Day 10: Madrid–Barcelona.

(Sun.) Board the AVE TRAIN to Barcelona, arriving in the late afternoon. (B)

Day 11: Barcelona.

(Mon.) Morning guided sightseeing features a drive along elegant Passeig de Gracia to see the Stock Exchange, and visits to PARK GÜELL, to see Gaudi’s amazing experiment in residential planning, and to his SAGRADA FAMILIA. (B)

Day 12: Barcelona.

At Leisure in (Tue.) Full day at leisure. (B)

Day 13

(Wed.) Your homebound flight from Barcelona arrives the same day. (B)

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About Globus

Globus offers mid-range tours in popular destinations around the world. They use group rates to book services at a reasonable cost. They have a variety of tour options to fit any type traveler from single expert globetrotters to families.

Traveler profile

Most passengers are 40s-70s, especially catering to retired couples. Almost exclusively Americans.

Group size

Globus usually books a maximum of 52 passengers on their buses. There is seating for 55.

Tour directors

Bus drivers and tour guides are Globus employees but your tour will also include a few local guides. Globus tours guides are very experienced (minimum of 10 years experience before Globus will hire them) and often spend many years with the company.

Hotel type

Generally stay in centrally located 3 and 4 star hotels.

What's included

Most city tours included which include the most popular sites in each destination. Optional excursions, special dinners, etc. are extra. Some meals included and some of the meals include wine, etc.

Free time

Leisure time is built in to most destinations. Even more leisure time if you opt out of the extra excursions.

Booking Policy

CANCELLATIONS & CANCELLATION FEES:
If cancellation is received by Globus before the final payment date of your vacation, your non-refundable deposit and Travel Protection premiums will be retained in addition to any airline-imposed fees or penalties. For individual reservations, the following per person cancellation fees apply. Total price does not include discounts, promotions, or special incentives. (For group reservations, refer to the Group Policy.)

STANDARD CANCELLATION FEES:

* 45-22 days prior to commencement of services: 20% of total price plus Travel Protection premiums
* 21-8 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price plus Travel Protection premiums
* 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price plus Travel Protection premiums
* On departure day and later: 100% of total price plus Travel Protection premiums

* Prices do not include taxes and fees, may not include airfare and are based on double occupancy. Tour information including pricing may not be up to date.

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