¡Bienvenidos a España! Your guide awaits to escort you on a Madrid City Tour. See the Plaza de España, the statue of Cervantes, the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor and other highlights. Later enjoy a guided tour of the Prado Museum. While at the Prado, don’t miss Goya’s Majas, Rubens’ The Three Graces, and Spain’s favorite painting, Las Meninas by Velázquez. Dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Journey to El Escorial, site of the beautiful Monastery of San Lorenzo el Real, and visit the Valley of the Fallen, a monument built to honor those slain in the Spanish Civil War. On to the historic city of Segovia to see its magnificent Roman aqueduct. Built during the reign of Trajan in the first century, it is almost 2,000 years old and is still in operation! Enjoy local cuisine with the group in Segovia. Visit the imposing Alcázar of Segovia, standing on a steep-sided crag between two valleys, the cathedral and Juan II Tower. Next, visit the ancient walled city of Ávila, city of stones, city of saints. The 12th century walls are amazingly well preserved; for the best view try Quatro Postes, or Four Posts. Return to Madrid for a tapas dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Travel through La Mancha to picturesque Toledo, a town situated on a granite hill with a ring of Gothic and Moorish walls. See the masterpieces by El Greco in the splendid Cathedral. Also visit the Old Synagogue and the Church of Santo Tomé. See the Royal Palace, and visit a sword workshop. The city is renowned for its damascene ware—black steel inlaid with gold, silver and copper thread. Near Toledo you will see the famous Castilian windmills immortalized in Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote. Before continuing on, sample some of Toledo’s famous marzipan dessert. Continue to Córdoba, a city of narrow winding streets, small squares and low whitewashed houses. (B, D) 

On our guided tour of Córdoba, you’ll see the Roman Bridge, originally built after Caesar’s triumph over Pompey, the Old Jewish Quarter and the Calahorrra Tower. See the Alcázar of Catholic Kings, and visit the famous mosque cathedral (Mezquita). The city owes its fame to the brilliance of the civilizations which it has twice fostered and which each time raised it to the position of capital. Then travel through the olive groves of Andalusia to the beautiful Moorish city of Granada. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the city. (B,D)

On your guided Granada tour, visit the Royal Chapel, with amazing views of the Alhambra and Generalife. The Alhambra is a fantasy of “lace in stone,” surrounded by arabesque fountains and gardens. See the gardens of the 14th century Generalife, the summer palace of the Kings of Granada, and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains. Spend the night in the lively, cosmopolitan Costa del Sol city of Marbella. This beautiful coast is punctuated along its entire length by the ruins of Moorish towers—defenses built in the days when the Barbary pirates would attack. (B,D)

Today is free for you to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf of the Costa del Sol’s world-famous beaches. Relax on the beach, enjoy water sports, shop, and explore in this coastal city on the Costa del Sol. Called the “Sunshine Coast,” this Mediterranean region is a popular vacation spot for tourists and Spaniards alike. (B)

This morning we travel to Rhonda for a guided tour. Continue on to visit the small island of Gibraltar, a British territory that acts as a gateway between Europe and Africa. Maybe enjoy some famous fish & chips cuisine at a local restaurant. Explore the Rock of Gibraltar and the resident population of Barbary macaques (monkeys). On to Sevilla. (B, D)  

Begin a guided Seville City Tour which takes you through the city and its parks, including the Parque Maria Luisa. See the Torre del Oro, the Santa Cruz Quarter, the Bull Ring Maestranza, the Alcázar, and Casa de Pilatus (Pilate’s House), a palace that is mixture of Mudejar, Renaissance and gothic styles. Take a break for lunch today on your own at a local restaurant in the heart of the old city. One of its walls dates from the XIII century. Also visit Seville’s famous Giralda, a bell tower that was once a minaret, and its 15th century cathedral, the third largest in Europe, formerly a mosque. The cathedral is the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. (B, D)