Coach Tour – Best Of Spain – 14N/15D

Best Of Spain 15Days (Trafalgar)

This sample of everything Spanish reveals its best, and most debated sides – from its cosmopolitan city life to its on-going passion for Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls.
You’ll enjoy Insider moments like…sipping fresh, fruity sangria with the Martin family in their traditional hacienda’s sun-dappled courtyard, surrounded by olive groves, before discovering how they turn their olives into oil.

Day 1 : ARRIVE MADRID
Welcome to the Spanish capital, Madrid. Relax after check-in or go for a walk through the bustling streets before meeting up with your fellow travellers and Travel Director. Enjoy an evening drive to take in some of the city’s main sights followed by a Welcome Reception.
Meal(s)
Welcome Reception
Hotel : Ayre Gran Colon

Day 2 :  MADRID – BURGOS – SANTANDER
Journey over the Guadarrama Mountains to Burgos. Visit El Cid’s tomb in the vast Gothic cathedral. Cross the Ebro River and the Cantabrian Cordillera mountains to the coast. Arrive later in Santander, capital of the Cantabrian region, where you dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Dinner with wine
Hotel : Santemar

Day 3 :  SANTANDER – BILBAO – SAN SEBASTIAN – PAMPLONA
This morning in Bilbao view the Guggenheim Museum, a striking building by US architect Frank Gehry which houses a vast array of modern art. Continue along the coast to San Sebastian and see the beautiful Bahia de la Concha beach during your orientation drive. In the city of Pamplona, famous for the Running of the Bulls, walk the ancient streets before enjoying dinner at your hotel this evening.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Dinner with wine
Hotel : NH Iruna Park

Day 4 :  PAMPLONA – ZARAGOZA – BARCELONA (2 NIGHTS)
Return to the Ebro Valley and view the Cathedral of El Pilar and the Cathedral La Seo in Zaragoza. Rising gently from the sea, Barcelona is Spain’s most dynamic and cosmopolitan city. Your home for the next two nights, this fascinating metropolis dates back to Roman times and boasts a rich artistic and architectural heritage. Enjoy panoramic views across the city from Montjuic before arriving at your hotel.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Hotel : Ayre Gran Via

Day 5 :  BARCELONA SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
This morning see Gaudi’s architecture at the inspiring Sagrada Familia. Walk the Ramblas and visit Plaça Catalunya. View the monument to Christopher Columbus during your guided sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Consider joining an Optional Experience to Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna – affectionately known in Catalonia as ‘La Moreneta’.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

Day 6 :  BARCELONA – PEÑISCOLA – VALENCIA
Drive past orange and almond orchards to Peñiscola and see the ancient castle used in the film ‘El Cid’. Continue through the ‘huertas’ to sunny Valencia, the third largest city in Spain. Here your orientation includes the town hall, the Bull Ring, the Towers of Serrano and Quart, and the cathedral. Stop to view the City of Arts and Sciences which is a large-scale urban recreation centre for culture and science and designed by Santiago Calatrava. This complex is also featured in the George Clooney movie Tomorrowland.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Hotel : Primus

Day 7 :  VALENCIA – GUADIX – GRANADA
Travel inland to the ‘sierras’ to view the troglodyte cave dwellings at Guadix. Cave houses are common throughout the province of Granada but the highest concentration is in this area. Take the jagged Mora Pass to the Moorish city of Granada. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Dinner with wine
Hotel : Carmen

Day 8 :  GRANADA – COSTA DEL SOL (2 NIGHTS)
Your Local Specialist takes you on a sightseeing tour of the spectacular Moorish Alhambra Palace with wonderful views across the town and surrounding hills. Admire extraordinary architecture and the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence. Arrive on the Costa del Sol where you stay for the next two nights. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to the white washed village to Mijas.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Hotel : Melia Costa Del Sol

Day 9 :  COSTA DEL SOL FREE TIME
Today relax on the Sunshine Coast. This is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain but was once a series of quiet fishing villages. Shop for souvenirs in the old town of Torremolinos, spend time relaxing on the beach or maybe consider an Optional Experience visit to the bustling city of Malaga.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

Day 10 :  COSTA DEL SOL – GIBRALTAR* – SEVILLE (2 NIGHTS)
A scenic drive takes you past the millionaire’s resort of Marbella and on to La Linea. Cross to the Rock of Gibraltar, for free time to explore. Consider joining an Optional Experience to St. Michael’s Cave to see the Barbary Macaques (Rock Apes). This afternoon continue through the Andalusian countryside past Jerez – famous for sherry production – to Seville. Tonight you might like to experience a fiery flamenco show. *Important Visa Information: The visit to Gibraltar is subject to Gibraltarian and Spanish visa requirements. Please speak with your travel agent at time of booking to assess your specific requirements.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Hotel : Las Casas De La Juderia Authentic Accommodation

Day 11 :  SEVILLE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Travel through Seville’s tree-lined streets on a sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist. Visit Seville Cathedral and see the Giralda Tower, a former minaret converted to a bell tower. Visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus in the cathedral. See the tiled fountains, pavilions and lush palms in the Maria Luisa Park, renowned for its landscape design and walk through the imposing Plaza de España. Your guided tour finishes with a walk through the former Jewish quarter. Tonight join your companions for a delicious Be My Guest dinner at an olive oil mill where you learn how the oil is produced from the 6,000 olive trees.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast : Be My Guest Dining

Day 12 :  SEVILLE – CÓRDOBA
In Córdoba meet your Local Specialist and visit of the Mosque of the Caliphs, a jewel of Hispano-Islamic art featuring striking arches and Byzantine mosaics. Visit the remains of the 14th century mudejar-style synagogue in the old Jewish neighbourhood. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Dinner with wine
Hotel : Ayre

Day 13 :  CÓRDOBA – TOLEDO – MADRID (2 NIGHTS)
Your Local Specialist takes you on a walking tour of Toledo. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to one of El Greco’s most famous paintings – The Burial of Count Orgaz. Visit the synagogue during your guided walk through the narrow streets. Arrive later in Madrid.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Hotel : Ayre Gran Colon

Day 14 :  MADRID SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Meet your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Madrid. See Plaza España, Gran Via, Puerta Del Sol and the Cibeles Fountain before your visit of the world famous Prado Museum. The museum houses the largest collection of European art in the world, including masterpieces by Velazquez. Later enjoy free time to explore the city at leisure. This evening join your Travel Director and fellow travellers at a Farewell Dinner.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Farewell Dinner

Day 15 :  DEPART MADRID
Say ‘adios’ to your travelling companions at the end of a memorable Spanish holiday. Transfers are available. Conditions apply.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

INCLUSIONS:

Sightseeing Highlights:
City tour in Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba, Toledo and Madrid
Orientation of Burgos, Santander, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Pamplona and Valencia
Visit The Tomb of El Cid in Burgos, the Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Rock of Gibraltar, Cathedral in Seville, the Mosque of the Caliphs in Cordoba, the Synagogue and Santo Tom茅 in Toledo and the Prado Museum in Madrid
View the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, La Concha Bay in San Sebastian, the Cathedral of Zaragoza, the Castle of Pe帽iscola, Serrano and Quart Towers and the City of Arts and Sciences complex designed by Santiago Calatrava in Valencia, and the Cave Houses of Guadix
Dining
14 hot buffet breakfasts.
7 dinners
(including Be My Guest).

Travel Highlights:
Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Hand-picked 4 and 5 star accommodation
Hand-picked Insider Experiences
Optional Experiences and free time
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
VIP entry to many sights
Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
Airport Transfers