The Amazing and Exotic Spain

Day 1: Origin – Barcelona

Arrival in Barcelona. Meet and greet and transfer to the hotel.

Half day trip to Montserrat P.M

Start your half day trip from Barcelona in a comfortable bus to the mountain of Montserrat which rises majestically to 4,051 feet (1,236 meter). The rocks of Montserrat were formed by natural cement of sand during the centuries.

The wind and rain shaped the mountain into strange and varied forms. The popular imagination has seen human or animal shape in some of these peaks, giving those names and inventing legends to explain their fantastic origins. This trip to Montserrat will give you the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful and breathtaking views of the Montserrat Mountain, one of nature’s special creations. You will go up to Montserrat with the Cog-Wheel Train, which leaves you in the middle of the Monastery. It is a 15-minute trip with a spectacular view of the mountain. The train has panoramic windows which make the journey an interesting attraction in itself. You will visit the Royal Basilica of Montserrat, which holds the famous 12th century Romanesque carving of Verge Moreneta (the Black Virgin). You will be able to see this famous statue of the Black Virgin from a distance. The Benedict sanctuary of Montserrat was founded in 1025 AD and provides a mystical backdrop for the Virgin of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia who is enshrined in the monastery’s Royal Basilica. The little monastery soon began to receive pilgrims and visitors who contributed to the spread of stories of miracles and wonders performed by the Virgin. You will be given some free time to visit the audiovisual exhibition about the history and creation of Montserrat. The exhibition is based on three fundamental pillars: mountain, monastery and sanctuary. It explains to its visitors the history, natural creation and significance of this pilgrimage site. And taste typical liquors of Montserrat.

What’s Included

• Air conditioned motor coach.
• Bilingual official guide.
• Taste of 4 typical liquors, handmade by the monks of the monastery.
• Entrance to the audiovisual exhibition in Montserrat. Cog – Wheel Train.
• Hotel pickup and drop-of. Overnight in the hotel.

What’s Not Included:

• Food and drinks, unless specified.

Day 2: Barcelona

Breakfast in the hotel. At 9:30 am, be at your meeting point in Plaza Catalunya to leave for a half day city tour of Barcelona which includes entry to Sagrada Familia and Spanish Village. After the tour, enjoy rest of the day at your own pace in the city. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 3: Barcelona – Ibiza

Breakfast in the hotel. At convenient time, transfer to the airport for departure to Ibiza.

Arrival in Ibiza. Meet and greet and transfer to the hotel.

Meeting with your Personal Assistant at the hotel, who will be with you along these 3 days and will take care of all your needs. Extra activities are for you to choose. Dinner in a restaurant.

Day 4: Ibiza

Breakfast in the hotel. Boat trip to Formentera. You will pass the day on the island, where you can choose to do aquatic activities or rest in your private boat. You will enjoy the best sunset in their beachclubs. Dinner in a restaurant.

Day 5: Ibiza

Breakfast in the hotel. Choose an activity for you to enjoy the morning and then we will go to discover the old town of Ibiza and will go shopping around their streets filled with amazing shops. After the tour, enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace in the city.

Day 6: Ibiza – Sevilla

Breakfast in the hotel. At convenient time, transfer to the airport for departure to Sevilla.

Arrival in Sevilla. Meet and greet and transfer to the hotel. At 6:30 pm be at “El Patio Sevillano” flamenco venue to enjoy a show with drink. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 7: Sevilla

Breakfast in the hotel. Full day Granada Tour pecial charm of its exquisitely detailed Islamic art and architecture.With our day trip Alhambra Granada guided tour, you’ll have at your disposal one of our official tourist guides, expert interpreters of Granada’s heritage, who will guide you through every part that forms the “red fortress”. He will also answer any queries that you may have about this spectacular monument.

Tour’s itinerary:

• The Alcazaba fortress: the most antique area of the Alhambra’s complex. In the past it was a military precinct
• Nasrid Palaces: including many rooms, enhancing the Palace of Mexuar, Palace of Comares and Palace of Leones – truly a grand exposition of Nasrid art
• The Generalife: sultan’s summer palace, situated at East of the Alhambra and surrounded by wide gardens filled with a great variety of vegetation, framed by a beautiful Islamic landscape. The order of the visit of different areas will be determined by the time of entry to the Nasrid Palaces.

INCLUDED:

• Entrance fees to the Alhambra (Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba fortress, Generalife Gardens and Palace of Charles V).
• Professional Spanish, English and French speaking guide.
• Free time to walk around the historic city center.
• Pick up at the hotel.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Lunch, beverages or other services not specified above.
• Overnight in the hotel.

Day 8: Sevilla – Madrid

Breakfast in the hotel. Today enjoy your hop on hop off day pass in Sevilla. You also have Guadalquivir river eco-cruise, take the opportunity of living a unique experience to discover Seville from a different, privileged perspective, on board this cruise, admiring its elegant bridges, medieval castles and towers, and many fascinating monuments. At convenient time, transfer to the train station for departure to Madrid.

Arrival in Madrid. Meet and greet and transfer to your hotel and check-in. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 9: Madrid

Breakfast in the hotel.

Toledo (AM)

Discover the “City of the Three Cultures”! Located 70 km away from Madrid is Toledo, a beautiful city-museum declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is one of the oldest towns in Europe and has a great artistic beauty and buildings from almost all periods in history (Arabian, Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque style). Toledo is called the “City of the Three Cultures”, since Christians, Muslims and Jews lived together. In the XVI century, it was also the place of residence of the great painter El Greco.

Itinerary

Outside view of the Cathedral; Church of St. Tomé with El Entierro del señor de Orgaz, masterpiece of El Greco; Synagogue of Sta. MarÍa la Blanca; Museum of Victorio Macho; Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes; famous technique of damascene (incrustation of precious metals in steel) and panoramic sightseeing of Toledo. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Sightseeing Tour of Madrid (PM)

Madrid shows the multiple contrasts inherited through the History. You will be able to find the medieval origins of the city, like the Arabic fortress, at the Barrio de la Morería, characterized by the antiquity of its buildings and the taste of its typical restaurants. We will also cover the Hapsburg Madrid of Felipe II, with its Renaissance and Baroque buildings, walking and taking pictures on Calle Mayor, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa. Then, we will also see the Bourbon Madrid and the urban layout made by Carlos III, the Royal Palace, the Cibeles Fountain, Neptune Fountain and the Puerta de Alcalá. We will also visit the works from the kingdom of Joseph Bonaparte on the 19th century, such as Prado Museum. We will get to know contemporary Madrid on areas such as Gran Vía, Paseo de la Castellana, Barrio Salamanca, Plaza de Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as the commercial and financial areas of modern Madrid, like the emblematic Ventas Bullring or Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. During this tour, we will stop at the famous Hard Rock Café, where you will enjoy a free drink.

What’s Included

• Air conditioned motor coach.
• Multilingual Official guide.
• Entrances to the monuments included in the tour of Toledo as detailed

What’s Not Included

• Lunch, beverages or other services not specified above.

Day 10: Madrid – Departure

Breakfast in the hotel. At convenient time, transfer to the airport for departure.

Important Notes

From 1st November 2012 there is a city accommodation tax in Barcelona that is not included in the quote. For 4* hotels this tax is of 1,25 €/pax/night for a maximum of 7 nights. This tax must be paid directly by the guest in the hotel. Children under 16 years of age don’t have to pay this tax. Standard check-out time at each hotel is 12:00 noon. Check-in time will be 3:00 pm afternoon.