Day 2, June 7th, Monday - arrival in Spain
Today you will arrive in Bilbao, an industrial city thriving with an economic regeneration. The city has excellent cafes and restaurants, great shopping and a
well-established arts and cultural scene.  You’ll be greeted at the airport by Philippe, our tour director, and transferred to your local hotel where a comfortable room awaits. You’ll have plenty of time to freshen up and rest from your day of travel.
This evening, you’ll enjoy a fine welcome meal. Afterwards, if you’re feeling up to
it, why not join Philippe for an informal walk in Bilbao’s historic district?
(D)

 

Day 3, June 8th, Tuesday - Guggenheim Museum and San Sebastian
A really wonderful day begins at Bilbao’s world-famous Guggenheim Museum, an astounding piece of architecture by Frank O. Gehry and described by some as “the greatest building of our time”. You’ll have time to tour the museum, which boasts
an impressive collection of modern art. This afternoon we will travel into the very picturesque hills of the Basque Country. We will stop in the legendary town Gernika. After the town was bombed by the Nazis in 1937, Picasso immortalized the scene in his classic painting. Afterwards our journey along the Basque coast continues, bringing us to the lovely resort town of San Sebastian. Set around a neat, shellshaped bay and enclosed by low rolling hills, the fashionable seaside town of San Sebastian has long been a popular holiday resort for the aristocracy and it’s easy to see why.
It has fabulous beaches and boasts an atmospheric Old Town with narrow, lively streets crammed with tapas bars. A hearty dinner awaits! (B,D)

 

Day 4, June 9th, Wednesday - San Sebastian to Barcelona
Today, you’ll experience the sights, smells and sounds of a quiet Spanish town
coming to life as we enjoy an early morning walking tour through the historic district of San Sebastian. You’ll see the old town square which once served as a bull fighting arena. Our walk will also include a visit to the fishing port as well as a walk along
the famous Concha beach. Afterwards, you’ll have plenty of free time to sightsee,
shop or explore this San Sebastian at your leisure. Later in the day, we will return
to Bilbao by scenic route, and board a short flight to Barcelona. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to our hotel in the heart of the city. A wonderful Tapas dinner awaits! (B,D)

 

Day 5, June 10th, Thursday - Barcelona
Today you will discover one of the most enchanting cities on earth, Barcelona.
A thriving Mediterranean port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, Barcelona possesses a Spanish sophistication and cultural dynamism all of its own.
It’s a very fashionable, elegant and pretty city. From Antonio Gaudí’s extraordinary architecture to the museums which showcase, among others, the talents of Picasso and Joan Miró, there is so much here to see and do. A complete city tour this
morning will introduce you to the many neighborhoods of Barcelona - from it’s
Gothic Quarter to the Eixample District. You’ll visit Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece - the Sagrada Familia church, the city’s Olympic grounds (1992 Summer Olympics),
the Boquería Market and one of the most famous streets in all of Spain - The Ramblas. This afternoon, you’ll have free time for lunch, shopping and exploring this fabulous city. As always, Philippe will be on hand to assist you should you need suggestions
or directions. (B)

 

Day 6, June 11th, Friday - Barcelona - Madrid - Cordoba - Seville
Rise and Shine! Today is a busy day of high speed adventure as we travel by Spain’s famous “AVE” high speed train to Seville. We’ll cross the entire breadth of Spain enjoying fine scenery  and making stops at important places along the way. Sit back, relax, enjoy breakfast in the comfort of your seat as the Spanish countryside glides
by your rail cars’ large picture windows. In two hours and thirty-eight minutes, we will have covered the 386 miles between Barcelona and the Spanish capital, Madrid.  A city tour of all of the major highlights of Madrid (Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace)
and lunch await. This afternoon, our high speed journey continues as we travel south to historic Cordoba where we will visit the legendary cathedral which was built atop an 8th century Mosque. You’ll marvel at the beauty of Moorish architecture and
learn about the centuries of Islamic occupation of Spain. After our tour, we will continue our rail journey southwards to Seville.
(B,L,D)

 

Day 7, June 12th, Saturday - Seville
An amazing day, in one of the prettiest and most romantic cities on earth, begins
with a complete city tour of Seville’s main highlights.  You’ll visit the Alcazaba
which was once a Moorish palace and which is today one of the Royal Palaces used
by Spain’s current royal family.  You’ll also visit the incredibly beautiful Cathedral,
a gothic masterpiece which, like  the cathedral at Cordoba, was built atop an ancient mosque. You’ll see the Cathedral’s astounding golden altar as well as Christopher Columbus’ tomb. The Mosque’s famous minaret, which towers above Seville, was converted into the Cathedral’s bell tower centuries ago.  A walk up to the top offers breathtaking views of the city in every direction. Afterwards, you’ll have free time
to shop and explore Seville at your leisure. This evening, you’ll experience an authentic Flamenco show and a wonderful dinner in the heart of the old city. (B,D)

 

Day 8, June 13th, Sunday - Andalusia - Gibraltar - Costa del Sol
This morning we will travel south through picturesque Andalusia to the British garrison at Gibraltar. The Rock of Gibraltar is legendary - it guards the entrance to
the Mediterranean from the Atlantic and is a mere 13 miles from Africa.  As such it
has held an extremely significant strategic importance throughout history. Much
to the ire of the Spanish, the town is a British possession. We’ll cross the “border”
and visit this remarkable town of less that 5 square miles. We’ll travel to the top of
the rock where you’ll visit St. Micheal’s Cave, a remarkable natural cave which was used during WWII as a military hospital. You’ll likely see some of the Rock’s famous Barbary Apes along the way, not to mention stunning views of the Straight of Gibraltar, the Mediterranean Sea, and if the weather is clear enough, Morocco in
the distance! After our tour of the Rock of Gibraltar, you’ll have a bit of free time
to enjoy some duty-free shopping in the center of Gibraltar. This afternoon, we continue our route, traveling to Spain’s famous Costa del Sol and the resort town
of Marbella, where we will overnight. (B,D)

 

Day 9, June 14h, Monday - Costa del Sol - La Ronda - Granada
Today we will travel into the coastal mountains of Andalusia to the incredible town
of La Ronda. Perched high in the hills, La Ronda retains much of its historic charm, particularly its old town. It is famous worldwide for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge that carries the rio Guadalevín through its centre. Visitors make a beeline for the 18th century Puente Nuevo 'new' bridge,
which straddles the 100m chasm below, for its unparalleled views out over the Serranía de Ronda mountains. You’ll enjoy an informal walk through La Ronda
and some free time to shop and explore on your own afterwards. After lunch, we
will continue our route through the countryside, crossing many typical Andalusian towns on our way to historic Granada. (B)

 

Day 10, June 15th, Tuesday - Granada and the Alhambra
Granada has been justly praised for its delightful location and for the richness of
its Moorish architecture, which is equal to anything to be found in North Africa.
Your day begins with a walking tour of the Alhambra, a vast and elaborate fortress and palace which dates to the mid 1300’s.  Built by Ibn Ahmar and later expanded
by successors, this magnificent and imposing complex has ornate domed ceilings, colorful tiles and enigmatic inscriptions. It is perhaps most famous for the
Patio de Los Leones, a delightful arcaded courtyard with a lion fountain at its centre. You afterwards explore the exquisite gardens of the Generalife, the summer palace
of the caliphs.  Generalife can translate as ‘the garden of the lofty paradise’, and its grounds are beautifully designed with waterfalls, walkways, courtyards, and smaller, secret gardens. Returning to the centre of the city, we will visit the Royal Chapel, where the founders of modern Spain, the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella are buried. It adjoins the cathedral, built in the early Renaissance style on the site
of the former mosque.  This afternoon, you’ll have time for last minute errands and souvenir shopping before our farewell dinner. (B,D)

 

Day 11, June 16th, Wednesday - return flights to the USA
A final morning in Spain, as today we transfer to the local airport for our return
flights home. (B)

 

 

Rate includes:
- all your hotel accommodations (3 & 4* hotels)
- all land and air transportation in Spain
- 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 dinners
- entrance fees to all of the activities in the itinerary / and much more!
   Call us for details!
- kindly note that these rates are “land only” and do not include airfare.

 

 

 

AIR ARRANGEMENTS will be handled separately. 
Current airfare is $1,550.00 per person, from Los Angeles to Bibao via Madrid
and return from Grenada to Los Angeles via Madrid.  Current fare includes taxes
and service fees and are subject to change without notice. 
Fares are not guaranteed until tickets are issued.