Spain Itinerary

November 2018

We've used Gate 1 Travel before so hopefully this will be good.

The package is eight nights but we have booked three additional days in Madrid before the tour begins and an additional two days at the end in Barcelona.

Escorted Package Includes

• Flights New York-Madrid, Barcelona-New York
  Other departure cities available. We booked on our own - British Airways
• Airline taxes and fuel surcharges
• 8 nights accommodations
  • 2 nights Madrid +3 additional we added
  • 2 nights Seville
  • 1 night Granada
  • 1 night Valencia
  • 2 nights Barcelona + 2 we added
• Hotel taxes, fees and service charges including Barcelona city taxes
• Hotel porterage
• All transfers
• 12 meals: 8 breakfasts, 4 dinners with wine M S V B
• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
• Services of local guides in all major cities
• Entrance fees per itinerary
• Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring

Nov 12 - MONDAY Depart for Spain

Limo - Booked

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 Nov 13 - TUESDAY Arrive Madrid

Transfer to hotel BOOKED GATE 1

Ayre Gran Hotel Colon, Madrid
Standard Room with Breakfast

Time difference +6 hours

ON OUR OWN

Weather forecast (at Nov 10)

Easy conversion - 16 C is 61 F

Nov 14 - WEDNESDAY Madrid
Breakfast

ON OUR OWN

Nov 15 DAY 1, Thursday - Depart for Spain

Breakfast

ON OUR OWN

Nov 16 DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Madrid

Arrive in the lively metropolis of Madrid, capital of Spain since 1561. Transfer to your hotel with time to rest and relax or, get acquainted with this beautiful city.
Breakfast

ON OUR OWN

Tonight, a Welcome Cocktail and orientation meeting with your Tour Manager on the fascinating discovery of Spain that awaits you, followed by a Welcome Dinner
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Dinner

Nov 17 DAY 3, Saturday - Madrid City Tour
Today's tour of Madrid's impressive architecture begins at the Plaza de Cibeles with its striking buildings. 

Continue via the elegant Plaza Mayor to the magnificent Royal Palace, Europe's second largest, and to the Plaza de España dominated by the monument to Cervantes, famed author of Don Quixote. 

Then, on to the renowned Prado Museum; stand before an astonishing collection of masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya, El Greco and more.

 The rest of the day is yours to explore this city of great monuments and museums on your own, 

or join the optional afternoon tour to Toledo. Enjoy a walking tour among the most famous monuments, visiting the St. Tome Church with its El Greco masterpiece and Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue with its beautiful Moorish architecture, the oldest synagogue in Europe still standing.

 Tonight, opt to explore Madrid’s fabulous restaurants and non-stop nightlife
Optional: Half Day Toledo (PM) BOOKED!
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Breakfast

Nov 18 DAY 4, Sunday - Travel to Seville
This morning, enjoy a scenic drive through the arid landscapes of Don Quixote's La Mancha, featuring panoramic views of its famous windmills. 

Arrive in Cordoba, founded by the Romans. The most famous site in the city is the Mezquita de Cordoba, once the largest mosque in the world that was transformed into a cathedral in the 16th century.

 The walking tour of the city includes the ancient Jewish Quarter, with its labyrinth of winding narrow streets and picturesque squares. The medieval synagogue on Calle de los Judios is one of only three originals still remaining in Spain. 

After lunch on your own, travel to Seville, capital of Andalucia for dinner and overnight
Arrived 7:45

Overnight: Seville
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 8PM

Nov 19 DAY 5, Monday - Seville City Tour
Leave 9
The morning tour of Seville begins at beautiful Plaza de España and the fragrant gardens of Maria Luisa Park by the Guadalquivir River before visiting the quaint Barrio Santa Cruz with its narrow, winding streets. 

Continue with a visit to the Cathedral of Seville, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world and burial site of Christopher Columbus. Built on the site of the former great Mosque, its original minaret, the Giralda Bell Tower, still stands. 

Remainder of the day is at leisure in the bustling downtown area to discover this vibrant city on your own. 

Tonight, enjoy an optional Flamenco Show performed by some of Seville's leading Flamenco artists

Optional: Evening Flamenco Show (PM) BOOKED 1 drink 
Overnight: Seville
Meals: Breakfast

Nov 20 DAY 6, Tuesday - Drive to Granada, Alhambra Palace
After breakfast, travel to Granada.  B/F starts 7:00 Bags out 8:00  Leave 9:00

Today's sightseeing of Moorish Granada is highlighted by a visit to the 13th century Alhambra Palace,* one of Spain's most celebrated monuments, dramatically perched atop Assabica Hill and overlooking the entire city. This imposing hilltop fortress, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world's finest examples of Moorish art and architecture. During the reign of the Moors, the Alhambra served as the residence of the royal family. See spectacular views of the town and the Sierra Nevada Mountains
*Alhambra Palace visiting times, which may include evening hours, as well as which areas of the complex are accessible on the day of your visit, are determined solely at the discretion of the Alhambra Palace. Your itinerary will be arranged by your Tour Manager to accommodate the designated time of entry. 

Dinner on your own.

Overnight: Granada
Meals: Breakfast

Nov 21 DAY 7, Wednesday - Travel to Valencia
B/F 7 Bags out 7 leave 8
2 breaks truck stops arrive 

Today head north through the groves of olives, almonds, lemons and oranges to the garden city of Valencia. Discover this treasure trove of Roman and Arabic architecture before continuing to the City Gates, City Hall and Gothic Cathedral. 

Arrive at the huge Arts and Science City designed by contemporary artist Santiago Calatrava, with its extraordinary avant-garde architecture that includes impressive buildings such as the Hemisfèric and Oceanogràfic. 

The rest of the day is yours to discover independently. Tonight, enjoy dinner together 

Arrived hotel 7

Overnight: Valencia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 8:30

Nov 22 DAY 8, Thursday - Drive to Barcelona, Barcelona City Tour
B/F opens 7 Bags out 7:45 Leave 8:45

Depart Valencia and drive along the coast of Catalunya to sensational Barcelona. Upon arrival, drive along the Old Harbor to the Plaza Catalunya, the city's bustling main square. 

Pass the famous works of Gaudi, the master architect, including the Casa Batllo, seemingly constructed from skulls and bones. Then, continue on to view the iconic symbol of Barcelona, Gaudi's masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, a colossal church that is legendary and still unfinished. Ascend Montjuic Hill, home to the Olympic complex, a number of sports facilities built for the 1992 Summer Olympics with the Olympic Stadium at its center. 

The rest of the day is at leisure for individual pursuits. 

Tonight, enjoy your first taste of Barcelona's rousing nightlife and fabulous cuisine 

Overnight: Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast

Nov 23 DAY 9, Friday - Full Day in Barcelona

Today, spend a full day at leisure in Barcelona, 

or join the optional tour to Montserrat. Visit the Royal Basilica, where you will see the famous 12th-century Romanesque sculpture of "Virgen Moreneta". 

On your last night in Spain, join your fellow travelers for a festive Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant 

Optional: Half Day Montserrat Tour (AM)  BOOKED
Overnight: Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Nov 24 DAY 10, Saturday - Depart Spain
Bid "adios" to Spain. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

ON OUR OWN


Nov 25 Sunday 

Breakfast

ON OUR OWN

Nov 26 Monday Depart Spain

Breakfast
Transfer to airport BOOKED GATE 1