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GRAND TOUR OF SPAIN - 2010
16 days incl. air, or 15
days from Madrid to Madrid (CO-6850)
Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours 
Vacation Overview
Get to know
multi-faceted Spain on this fascinating vacation. Start and end your tour
in Madrid, Spain’s grand capital. Visit the Aranjuez Royal Palace, a
favorite residence of the Spanish royalty originally built in the 14th
century. Marvel at the Cuenca “hanging houses” and at the ancient winding
streets of Valencia. Drive along the Mediterranean coast and stop at
Peniscola Castle on the way to beautiful Barcelona, the second-largest
city in Spain. Enjoy a sightseeing tour in Barcelona. Travel through
Catalonia, stop in Saragossa, and continue to Pamplona, known for its
running of the bulls. Carry on to Basque Country: visit the Sanctuary of
Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the seaport city of Bilbao, and the provincial
capital of Burgos. The heart of Spain reveals even more stunning cities,
such as Segovia, Avila, and Salamanca, known for their unique historical
centers and acclaimed for their wine production. Next, head south into
sunny Andalusia for two overnights in spectacular Seville. Sample some
sherry wine in Jerez; stop in the white-washed village of Ronda; visit
the exotic Alhambra complex, residence of the Moorish kings, in Granada;
enjoy the labyrinth of Cordoba’s old Moorish quarter surrounding the
exquisite Mezquita; and retrace the footsteps of Don Quixote as you
travel through the region of La Mancha, famed for its windmills and
castles. In Madrid, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour and drink in the
beauty of this elegant city. You’re sure to have lifetime memories from
this Grand Tour of Spain vacation.
Itinerary
Day
1 Fri. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day
2 Sat. ARRIVAL IN MADRID, SPAIN
Check
into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring lively
Madrid. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)
Day
3 Sun. MADRID-ARANJUEZ-CUENCA-VALENCIA
Start
the day by driving to nearby Aranjuez in the Castilian Plain, where you
stop to visit the Royal Palace, originally built in the 14th century.
Although burned down both in 1727 and 1728, it was splendidly rebuilt and
became a favorite residence of Spanish royalty. Continue traveling
southeast to the magnificently located old town of Cuenca, which stands
high above the precipices of the Rivers Jucar and Huecar. It is famous
for its “hanging houses” that are suspended over the Huecar ravine.
Journey on to Valencia for two overnights. (B,D)
Day
4 Mon. VALENCIA
Valencia
is known mainly for its wonderful climate and the quality of its light.
Enjoy a drive along wide avenues lined with fig and palm trees and along
the old quarter’s narrow streets with its fine gothic houses and typical
patios. Time to do some shopping or more personal sightseeing and, of
course, the option of joining an excursion. (B)
Day
5 Tue. VALENCIA-PENISCOLA-BARCELONA The gorgeous shores of Barcelona
An
interesting day starts with a drive north to the nearby Castellon for a
visit of its Peniscola Castle, built by the Knights Templar in the 14th
century. The promontory on which the castle and town are located is a
fine reminder of medieval times. Continue your journey through orange
groves and seaside resorts past Tarragona to Catalonia’s lively and
beautiful capital, Barcelona. (B)
Day
6 Wed. BARCELONA
This
morning’s sightseeing with a Local Guide will include a drive around
Montjuic to see the Olympic Stadium and a great panoramic view of the
port and city. The drive continues to the city center to Plaza Catalunya
and Paseo de Gracia to admire the greatness and eccentricity of Gaudi’s
architectural masterpieces in the Houses Battlo and Mila and the Sagrada
Familia (entrance fees not included). (B,D)
Day
7 Thu. BARCELONA-SARAGOSSA-PAMPLONA
See
more of Catalonia as you drive northwest to Saragossa on the banks of the
River Ebro. During your stop you’ll have time to see the Sanctuary of our
Lady of the Pillar. Continue north through fertile valleys and the Rioja
wine growing region to the Basque Country and on to the capital of the
ancient Kingdom of Navarra, Pamplona, for an overnight stay. (B)
Day
8 Fri. PAMPLONA-BILBAO-BURGOS
Start
the morning by driving further into Basque Country for a visit to the
Sanctuary of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus.
Journey northwest to the port town of Bilbao. Time for an optional visit
to the spectacular Guggenheim Museum. Apart from its amazing collection
of modern paintings, the building itself, by Frank Gehry, is considered
one of the 20th century’s great architectural masterpieces. In the
afternoon, travel south to Burgos. (B,D)
Day
9 Sat. BURGOS-SEGOVIA-AVILA-SALAMANCA Sego
Today,
head southwest into Castile. Enjoy some grand scenery as you travel to
the edge of the Sierra de Guadarrama, a green oasis in the Castilian
desert. Stop in Segovia, magnificently perched on a rock formation at an
altitude of 3,280 feet. The cathedral, the alcazar, and the Roman
aqueduct are some of its more famous sights. Next, drive west to Avila
for a short visit before continuing to Salamanca in time to enjoy the
extraordinary beauty of its Plaza Mayor. (B,D)
Day
10 Sun. SALAMANCA-SEVILLE Seville
Leave
early this morning and cross the mighty Tagus River and the Guadarrama.
Stop in Caceres, declared World Heritage city by Unesco for its blend of
Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance styles. Enjoy
more Spanish landscapes before reaching Seville, one of Spain’s most
colorful cities. (B,D)
Day
11 Mon. SEVILLE
A
full day at leisure. Perhaps you’d like to spend this morning enjoying an
optional sightseeing tour including the main highlights of the vibrant
city. (B)
Day
12 Tue. SEVILLE-JEREZ-RONDA-GRANADA
A
day to see the best of Andalusia. Head first into the Jerez region for a
sherry-tasting stop. Next, journey by way of the typically white painted
villages to the town of Ronda, famous for the ravine which literally cuts
it in two and, of course, its bullfighting connections. Overnight in
Granada in the shadow of the mighty Sierra Nevada. (B,D)
Day
13 Wed. GRANADA-CORDOBA
Granada
was the Arabs’ most treasured city; they still mourn its loss in their
prayers. Learn more about it on the included visit with a Local Guide.
More grand scenery this afternoon as you travel to Cordoba on the banks
of the Guadalquivir River. (B,D)
Day
14 Thu. CORDOBA-MADRID
This
is perhaps Spain’s most Moorish city with its great mosque, the Mezquita,
one of Islam’s most important pieces of architecture outside the Arab
world. You’ll enjoy the small, white-washed houses, the winding streets,
and the colorful squares. Later, journey into the very heart of La
Mancha, famed for its castles and windmills. Reach Madrid in time to
enjoy a relaxed evening. (B)
Day
15 Fri. MADRID
This
morning the optional trip to Toledo is most rewarding. The splendid
setting of this old walled city above the Tagus was made famous in El
Greco’s painting, and even now it’s like a great open-air museum of
Spanish history and art. Later, join the included Madrid city
sightseeing. Not only because it’s the capital of Spain, but also because
it is situated 2,180 feet above sea level, the Spaniards say it's the
nearest thing to heaven. (B)
Day
16 Sat. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers
may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.
Dates
and Prices
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Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
|
Tour
Start Date
|
Return
Date
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Land/Cruise
Price Only
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Status
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Popular
Departure
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3/12/2010
|
3/13/2010
|
3/27/2010
|
$1,679.00
|
Available
|
|
3/26/2010
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3/27/2010
|
4/10/2010
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$1,679.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
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4/9/2010
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4/10/2010
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4/24/2010
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$1,749.00
|
Available
|
|
4/23/2010
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4/24/2010
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5/8/2010
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$1,749.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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5/7/2010
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5/8/2010
|
5/22/2010
|
$1,779.00
|
Available
|
|
5/21/2010
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5/22/2010
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6/5/2010
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$1,779.00
|
Available
|
|
6/4/2010
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6/5/2010
|
6/19/2010
|
$1,779.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
6/18/2010
|
6/19/2010
|
7/3/2010
|
$1,779.00
|
Available
|
|
7/2/2010
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7/3/2010
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7/17/2010
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$1,739.00
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Available
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7/16/2010
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7/17/2010
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7/31/2010
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$1,739.00
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Available
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|
7/30/2010
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7/31/2010
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8/14/2010
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$1,739.00
|
Available
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8/13/2010
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8/14/2010
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8/28/2010
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$1,739.00
|
Available
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|
8/20/2010
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8/21/2010
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9/4/2010
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$1,739.00
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Available
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|
8/27/2010
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8/28/2010
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9/11/2010
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$1,789.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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9/3/2010
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9/4/2010
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9/18/2010
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$1,789.00
|
Available
|
|
9/10/2010
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9/11/2010
|
9/25/2010
|
$1,789.00
|
Available
|
|
9/17/2010
|
9/18/2010
|
10/2/2010
|
$1,789.00
|
Available
|
|
9/24/2010
|
9/25/2010
|
10/9/2010
|
$1,789.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
10/1/2010
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10/2/2010
|
10/16/2010
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$1,789.00
|
Available
|
|
10/8/2010
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10/9/2010
|
10/23/2010
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$1,789.00
|
Available
|
|
10/15/2010
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10/16/2010
|
10/30/2010
|
$1,725.00
|
Available
|
|
10/22/2010
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10/23/2010
|
11/6/2010
|
$1,725.00
|
Available
|
|
10/29/2010
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10/30/2010
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11/13/2010
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$1,725.00
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Available
|
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11/5/2010
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11/6/2010
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11/20/2010
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$1,675.00
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Available
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Popular
Departure - due to itinerary and time of year, this departure
historically sells out quickly. Early booking is encouraged.
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