Historical Spain Journey: From Quixote to Columbus
Your Tour:
10 nights
11 days
15 meals
Up to 4 miles / day
Tour overview
Program activities, schedules and personnel may change due to local circumstances.
In such an event, we will inform you as quickly as possible.
Arrive in Madrid, Orientation & Welcome Dinner. (D)
Prado Museum, Lectures on Geography & Contemporary Spain (B)
Day trip to Toledo (B,L)
Day Trip to Consuegra, La Muela Castle, Consuegra Mills (B)
Transfer to Merida, Guadalupe Monastery and Walking Tour (B,L)
Transfer to Seville, Roman Ruins, Roman Art Museum (B, L)
Cathedral, Alcazar Royal Palace, Lecture on Flamenco, Flamenco Show (B)
Half Day Trip to La Rabida, La Rabida Monastery, Independent Exploration (B)
Transfer to Granada, Royal Chapel, Albayzin Walking Tour (B,L)
Alhambra & Generalife Gardens, Independent Exploration, Farewell Dinner (B)
End of program (B)
Day by Day
Day 1
Overnight: Madrid
The tour coordinator will greet everyone and we will review the program schedule, emergency procedures and answer questions. After orientation, we will set out with our tour coordinator to take a walk and explore the area around the hotel. At a restaurant, we´ll enjoy a welcome dinner with a delicious set menu.
Day 2
Overnight: Madrid
After breakfast, we will take a private bus to the Prado Museum for an expert-led visit. The Prado National Museum is one of the world’s leading galleries, with a superb collection from the 12th century to the early 19th century. Among the masterpieces are works by Bosch, El Greco, Goya, Raphael, Rubens, Titian, Van Eyck, Velázquez, and many more. The Prado has become a prized destination for art lovers.
In the afternoon, at the hotel, a local expert will join us for a presentation on Geography and Early History of the Iberian Peninsula and after a short break we´ll have a second presentation on Contemporary Spain given by the same expert.
Day 3
Overnight: Madrid
After breakfast, we will depart from the hotel by private bus for a full-day field trip to explore some of the most important sites in medieval Toledo with its heritage of three co-existing cultures: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim. A local expert will lead our walk through the walled city, in which we will be able to admire landmarks, such as the Cathedral, the Sephardic Jewish Museum, and the Church of Santo Tomé, which holds a painting by El Greco. These visits will be followed by lunch at a local restaurant. After that, we will have some short free time in Toledo to explore on our own and we will return to Madrid in the late afternoon.
Day 4
Overnight: Madrid
After breakfast, we will depart from the hotel by private bus for a full-day field trip to Consuegra. We will learn about the fascinating adventures of the most famous Spanish literary character: Don Quixote de la Mancha, as we visit the hidden interior of a windmill. Afterwards, we will visit La Muela Castle, where we will learn about the history of the building. Then, we will have some free time to have lunch.
In the afternoon, we will return to Madrid.
Day 5
Overnight: Merida
Breakfast at hotel. After check-out, we will begin our transfer by private bus to Merida. En route, we will stop in the historic town of Guadalupe. Upon arrival, we will meet a local expert who will lead us inside the Monastery. The Monastery was built in the XIV century and it is directly related to Christopher Columbus and his expedition to America. Our visit will be followed by an expert-led walk where we will learn about the history of the city. Then, at a restaurant, we’ll enjoy a delicious set menu. After lunch, we will continue our journey to Merida with approximate arrival in the late afternoon.
After checking in at the hotel and settling into our rooms, we will have an orientation walk.
Day 6
Overnight: Seville
Breakfast at hotel. After check-out, we will meet a local expert who will accompany us through the Roman Ruins and the Roman Art Museum. During these visits, we will learn more about Roman culture and the history of the Peninsula. These visits will be followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Then, we will be transferred by private bus to Seville, expecting to arrive late in the afternoon.
After checking in at the hotel and settling into our rooms, we will have an orientation walk in the area around the hotel.
Day 7
Overnight: Seville
After breakfast, we will meet with a local expert who will lead us inside one of the world´s largest Cathedral, enriched with historical treasures and art. Then, with the same expert we will visit the extraordinary Alcazar Royal Palace.
In the afternoon, we will walk to Alandis Travel headquarters, a 19th century old mansion, and participate in a lively conversation with an expert on the Art of flamenco Dance and Music. Afterwards, we will walk to a local “tablao” for a special flamenco music and dance show.
Day 8
Overnight: Seville
After breakfast, we will depart by private bus to the Monastery of La Rabida, where Columbus´ expedition to the New World started. We will have the opportunity to use our imagination and travel in time, as we climb aboard replicas of the ships they sailed on – the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. Afterwards, we will return to Seville to have the rest of the day free to explore the city.
Day 9
Overnight: Granada
Breakfast at the hotel. After check-out, we will be transferred by private bus to Granada. After checking in at the hotel and settling into our rooms, we will have an orientation walk followed by a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will meet a local expert for a walk through the Albayzin, with its well-preserved Moorish streets. The Albayzin is Granada’s oldest Arab district, situated on the hill across from the Alhambra. Afterwards, we will walk with the same expert on a field trip towards the Royal Chapel, the final resting place of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.
Day 10
Overnight: Granada
Breakfast at hotel. Afterwards, we will spend the morning at the magnificent Alhambra Palace and Generalife gardens with a local expert. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most significant examples of Islamic art.
Then, we will have the afternoon free to pack, explore or just relax. We will gather together again later at the hotel to have our farewell dinner.
Day 11
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport at a designated time.
Tour Inclusions
- Bilingual Staff
- Expert Tour Coordinator during the entire program
- Local Experts for each visit
- Local Experts for each lecture
- Private ground transportation
- Entrances fees to Prado Museum, Toledo´s Cathedral, Sephardic Museum, Santo Tomé Church, La Muela Castle, Guadalupe Monastery, Seville's Cathedral, Seville´s Alcázar Royal Palace, La Rabida Monastery, Alhambra Palace, Royal Chapel
- Enriching Experience: Flamenco show performance
- 3 Lectures
- 10 breakfasts, 4 lunch, 2 dinners
- Accommodation in 4* hotel at city center
- Worldwide Health Insurance for the duration of the program
- Tips are included throughout the program
- Taxes
Tour Pricing
- $4085 USD
Price per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement $805.
For a minimum of 15 pax.
Additional Experiences
Customize your trip according to your interests by adding any of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
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