Andalucian Capitals & Mediterranean Coast - 7 Days

Madrid – Cordoba – Seville. Depart from Madrid. Travel south through La Mancha, the land of Don Quixote, passing the traditional village of Puerto Lapice before crossing the natural border of Despeñaperros into Andalusia and then reaching Cordoba. Here we visit the remarkable Mosque - Cathedral, one of the greatest examples of Islamic architecture in Europe, and stroll through the narrow lanes of the Jewish Quarter. Later, we continue to Seville with a short two-hour drive. Accommodation at the hotel.

After breakfast, we enjoy a panoramic city tour of Seville, including entrance to its Cathedral - the second largest in the Catholic world after St Peter’s in Rome and the resting place of Christopher Columbus. We explore the charming Barrio de Santa Cruz, setting of Bizet’s "Carmen" and the place where the myth of Don Juan developed. Continue to Maria Luisa Park and the impressive Plaza de España.

The afternoon is free for you to discover Seville at your own pace and enjoy the flavours of this vibrant Andalusian capital. Accommodation at the hotel.

Seville – Granada. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. We then travel east along the historic Caliphate Route, passing vast olive groves on our way to Granada - where we visit the world-renowned Alhambra and the beautiful Generalife Gardens, where flowing water, geometric hedges and carefully planned terraces create a peaceful retreat overlooking the city. Accommodation at the hotel.

In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional Flamenco Zambra show.

Granada– Valencia. After breakfast at the hotel, we head east to Valencia, one of the main cities of Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Here we see the striking City of Arts and Sciences complex, a bold example of contemporary architecture comprising the Hemisferic, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanografic, Palau de les Arts and Agora. Valencia is also recognised as the birthplace of the internationally renowned "Paella". Accommodation at the hotel.

Valencia – Barcelona. Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we tour Valencia, driving through the historic city and past the former Turia riverbed to admire the futuristic exteriors of the City of Arts and Sciences.

In the early afternoon, we travel north along the Mediterranean coast towards Catalonia, passing Tarragona - ancient Roman Tarraco. We arrive in Barcelona, a leading Mediterranean city and the home of Antoni Gaudi, the great exponent of Catalan Modernism. Accommodation at the hotel.

After breakfast, we explore Barcelona on a morning city tour. We drive along its grand avenues to admire Gaudi’s modernist masterpieces, including La Pedrera or Casa Mila and Casa Batllo - recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We also visit Montjuic Park for panoramic views of the city, see the Olympic Ring from the 1992 Games and the Columbus Monument.

The afternoon is free for you to continue discovering Barcelona and enjoy its varied gastronomy. Accommodation at the hotel.

Barcelona – Zaragoza – Madrid. After breakfast, we depart southwest through one of Spain’s key industrial and agricultural regions. We arrive in Zaragoza, capital of Aragon, set on the banks of the River Ebro - the longest river in Spain. Known as Cesar Augusta in Roman times, the city has played an important role in Spanish history.

You have free time to visit the impressive Basilic-Temple of Nuestra Senora del Pilar. We return to Madrid, where your tour ends with drop off.