DAY 3: Toledo Excursion: Today we visit the magnificent city of Toledo. Upon arrival we’ll drive to an area known for its ‘Cigarrales’ or historic country houses above the River Tajo from where we can appreciate stunning views of Toledo city in the distance. Then later, we’ll walk through the twisting old quarter of Toledo, where you can sense and see Spain of the Middle Ages. Your guide will show you Mudejar churches from the 13th and 14th centuries. You’ll visit the Sephardic Museum at the Transito Synagogue that was built in 1357 as a private family synagogue for Samuel ha-Levi Abulafia, treasurer to the Spanish King Peter the Cruel. And you’ll also visit the magnificent cathedral. Lunch will be at a very charming restaurant situated within an historical building in the heart of the old city. Later we return to Madrid and tonight is at leisure. (B,L)

AY 4: Madrid – Seville: This morning after breakfast we transfer to the Madrid train station for our high speed train journey to Seville (2.5 Hrs) Upon arrival we make our way to the Barrio Santa Cruz to our hotel. After checking in you´ll have time to refresh before we are joined by our local guide for a full-day tour of Seville where we will explore the Barrio Santa Cruz; the Old Jewish Quarter. The quarter is dominated by the Alcazar, originally a fortress under Moorish rule (from 711 to 1248 in Sevilla) that was re-fashioned into the Palace of the Kings of Sevilla after the Christian reconquest. Its lavish stucco decoration is in the taste of the Alhambra, which we will see in Granada, and suites of Renaissance apartments. Next we will tour the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the third largest church in Christendom the largest in Europe after St Peter’s in Rome and St Paul’s in London, built on the foundations of the 12th-century Great Mosque. The tower of the old Mosque known as the Giralda still survives today. Tonight we enjoy dinner at a delightful Sevillian restaurant. The 4 star hotel Inglaterra for 2 nights (B,D) Sevilla (Seville) is the capital of Andalusia and has a chequered history having been ruled by the Romans, the Visigoths and the Moors before it was finally reclaimed by the Christians in the 13th century; two and a half centuries before the fall of Granada. The city’s character reflects this particularly in the architecture of Moorish, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque style which can be seen. The oldest pieces of Islamic architecture surviving are the late 12th century Giralda (bell tower) of the Cathedral, the Torre del Oro (1220) and a small selection of the Alcazar. But the most exhilarating Mudejar buildings are Peter the Cruel’s palace at the Alcazar, of different dates, and the Casa de Pilatos, completed in 1540. Sevilla is a compact maze of narrow streets with a fascinating choice of places to visit. The former Jewish quarter; the Barrio Santa Cruz, is fascinating by day or night with flower-lined streets, houses adorned with exquisite wrought iron and seemingly endless restaurants and taverns where the music of flamenco floats in the air.

DAY 5: Ronda Excursion: After a hearthy breakfast we set off on our excursion to Ronda for the day. Capital of a Moorish emirate in the 8th century it boasts interesting bridges spanning the spectacular gorge of the Guadalevin River. We will tour the Old Jewish quarter of Ronda seeing sights such as the Church of Santa Maria la Mayor, a former mosque with its minaret now the bell tower, the Casa Don Bosco and the famous bullring where Orsen Wells and Hemingway were regulars. We will also visit a local winery near to Ronda. Lunch today is in a very scenic location and later on we’ll have some free time before returning to our hotel in the early evening. (B,L)

DAY 6: Seville – Barcelona:This morning after breakfast we transfer to the Seville airport for our flight (90 mins) to Barcelona. Arrive in Barcelona you are met by your driver and transferred to the hotel centrally located in the charming neighborhood of Barcelona and close to the Paseo de Gracia. This afternoon meet your local expert guide for a half day tour. The tour commences in the beautiful neighborhood known as the Gothic Quarter, so called as it used to be the Roman village and still possesses remnants of its glorious past. You’ll visit the bustling Ramblas walkway too, with its numerous street entertainers. This lively tree-lined pedestrian mall stretches for 1.2 kilometres and is popular with both tourists and locals alike. Also just off of the Ramblas visit the colorful Boqueria Food Market, one of Europe’s largest and most famous food markets where we will enjoy a refreshment. Barcelona is without doubt one of Europes most exciting cities. It is a place of extraordinary architectural dazzle, achieved by what has been called both Catalán Art Nouveau and Modernisme, by architects Gaudi, Domenech i Montaner and Puig i Cadafalch. Monumental sculptures by local masters like Joan Miró adorn public spaces, and museums house extraordinary treasures ranging from works of the ancient Romans to those of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. The city is further enhanced by brightly colored outdoor markets, a magnificent Mediterranean port , and a plentiful array of stylish restaurants. Needless to say, the nightlife is splendid. This evening we will enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant. 4 star Hotel America (B,D)

DAY 7: Barcelona: This morning join your guide and driver for a tour of Gaudi’s most important sites including the remarkable Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell which you will visit inside and also see Casa Mila and Casa Batllo (outside). Then travel up Montjuic for splendid views over the city and harbour and later visit the Olympic port. This afternoon and evening is at your leisure. You may like to visit the Picasso Museum which is housed in a converted palace within the Gothic Quarter. (B)

Day 8: Excursion Monterrat: Today enjoy a guided excursion out of Barcelona to the magnificent Monastery of Montserrat – UNESCO World Heritage. Later continue to the remarkable Cordorniu winery founded in 1551 and one the oldest wineries in the world. You tour the winery where you not only learn about the cava making process but also about the magnificent modernist architecture of the winery constructed by Josep Puig I Cadafalch at the beginning of the 19th century. Following this we enjoy a lovely lunch in a traditional Catalan restaurant in the countryside. Return to Barcelona in the late afternoon and evening at leisure. (B,L)

Day 9: Departure Day: Following breakfast we transfer to the Barcelona airport for your return flight home. (B)