Guide

From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.

Others

Choose between two carefully selected activities Seville: Stroll through Barrio de Santa Cruz with a Local Expert and hear how the Jewish community has shaped the city’s history. Seville: See the city’s top sights on a panoramic tour with your Local Expert. Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary. Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you’ll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels. We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door. Granada: Visit the famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. While others wait in line, you’ll be exploring accompanied by a Local Expert, keen to share insights into this Moorish landmark. Madrid: Witness the world’s finest collection of Spanish paintings, plus an impressive international collection, as you tour the Prado Museum with an art historian. Seville: The Cristina Heeren Foundation aims to promote the teaching and conservation of flamenco and is a beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Meet the students of the foundation, learn some basic flamenco steps, and then feel the passion as they perform an emotional show. The school enables students access to cultural education that otherwise may not have occurred. TreadRights sponsorship has helped students to complete their studies in advanced guitar, singing and dance. As students complete their training, they will carry on and safeguard the traditional flamenco dance, contributing to the protection of Andalusia and Spain’s cultural heritage. The Cristina Heeren Foundation advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education and UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Barcelona: Venture inside Gaudí’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família and marvel at the contrasts of architecture. Above see its giant, tree-like pillars and spectacular vaulting. Admire the wonderful rainbow of the incredible stained-glass windows. Barcelona: With your Local Expert, drive along the elegant Passeig de Gràcia to witness some of the finest Modernist architecture as you journey through the Eixample district to see Gaudi’s extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerising Sagrada Família. Peñíscola: See the seaside castle featured in the film ’El Cid’. Valencia: See the ultra-modern Centre of Arts and Sciences and the huge gates of the old town, Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart. Seville: Guided by your Local Expert, see the Giralda Tower, former minaret of the Great Mosque and now the cathedral’s belltower. Explore the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz Quarter and emerge by the great walls of the Alcazar. Seville: Visit the Seville Cathedral with your Local Expert. Pass the altarpiece dripping with gold and see the Tomb of Columbus, held aloft by four kings. Madrid: See the highlights of the city with your Local Expert. Visit the Old Town, travelling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles, the Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace, before crossing the Puerta del Sol. Córdoba: See the 2,000-year-old Roman bridge and spend some time exploring the town. Córdoba: Visit the incredible Mezquita with your Local Expert. Admire the forest of horseshoe arches and learn how this building symbolises many of Cordoba’s religious changes over the centuries. Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Meals

4 Dinner with Wine (DW) 8 Breakfast (B) Valencia: Learn the authentic recipe of paella when you join a local chef for a Cooking Demonstration. Savour the flavours of this classic dish for dinner, washed down with a glass of Sangria, during dinner. Madrid: Toast to your travels and enjoy local specialties in one of the city’s elegant central neighbourhoods.

Transport

Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available). If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport. Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.

Accommodation

Valencia: The Barceló Valencia hotel is situated right in the centre of the City of Arts and Sciences, opposite the Queen Sofia Palace of Arts, a building designed by the renowned architect Santiago Calatrava and is situated in one of the most modern and attractive areas of the city. Madrid: Located on Madrid’s most chic avenue, the Hesperia Madrid is a centrally located, modern hotel offering comfortable and contemporary rooms.

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Insight Vacations through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your client’s responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.

Not included:

Optional

MONTSERRAT & THE BLACK MADONNA Ascend the sacred mountain of Montserrat, Catalonia’s most important pilgrimage site for a thousand years. Enjoy the spectacular panoramic views before entering the dark, ornate “Basílica Real” and reaching the mystical Black Madonna, surrounded by an altar of gold. Adult Price: EUR 40.00 BARCELONA EVENING WITH MONTJUÏC & OLYMPIC DRIVE We enjoy the beauty of Barcelona as the day ends, including a drive up to Montjuïc hill to enjoy an incredible panorama over the city and its impressive harbor. Also, enjoy free time for dinner in a Catalan restaurant with your new-found friends. Adult Price: EUR 26.00 ALBAICÍN & ROYAL CHAPEL Take a leisurely walk with your local expert through the Albaicín neighbourhood, the last bastion of Islam in Spain. Explore the intriguing maze of narrow streets with whitewashed houses and patio gardens of bygone Moorish splendour. After a photo stop at one of the most famous views of the Alhambra Palace, visit the Royal Chapel housing the tombs of the ‘Catholic Monarchs’, Ferdinand and Isabella. Adult Price: EUR 37.00 SEVILLE ALCÁZAR & PLAZA AMÉRICA Visit the fabulous Real Alcázar - a Moorish fantasy in stone, set in richly scented gardens. Wander through the Arabesque domed halls, horseshoe arches and jewel box courtyards of this royal residence, while the garden fountains and terraces provide an oasis of tranquility. Afterwards, see the fanciful pavilions built for the Ibero-American Fair of 1929 on the way to the romantic Plaza de América in Maria Luisa Park. Adult Price: EUR 40.00 DINNER IN SEVILLE WITH A HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDE Seville is Spain’s most majestic city and an evening out is a must! Tonight we’ll enjoy a lovely array of traditional Andalusian specialities, served in a local restaurant with wine, beer & soft drinks included. After a wonderful meal we’ll then finish with a magnificent horse & carriage ride through the old town of Seville which is especially magical in the evening. Adult Price: EUR 66.00 MADRID BY NIGHT An evening drive to the most historic area of Madrid including stops for wonderful views of the city and a walk through the lively streets and squares of old Madrid. Enjoy free time for dinner in one of the many restaurants and return home along the grand Avenida Castellana with its spectacular fountains. Adult Price: EUR 19.00 MADRID BY NIGHT WITH DINNER Enjoy an evening out in the nation’s stately capital city. Tonight we’ll enjoy a wonderful dinner out on the town in a carefully chosen venue, accompanied by Spanish wine and great local entertainment. What a wonderful introduction to Madrid Adult Price: EUR 61.00 TOLEDO EXCURSION A specialist guide takes you to the unique city of Toledo, Spain’s capital during the golden era, and where El Greco lived and worked. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets to visit the fine Gothic cathedral and admire the old city views along the Tagus gorge. Afterwards, visit a specialist workshop where artisans create authentic Damascene ware, an ancient art perfected by the Moors and passed down over the centuries. Adult Price: EUR 44.00

Insurance

Flights

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Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Barcelona
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Welcome To Barcelona

Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 Day 2: Barcelona, The City Of Gaudí Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Barcelona, The City Of Gaudí Relaxed Start

With your Local Expert, drive along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and some of the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district for a visit inside Gaudí’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família, to see the central nave with its giant, tree-like pillars, spectacular vaulting and the beautiful rainbows flooding in through the intricate stained-glass windows. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore or perhaps join an Optional Experience to Montserrat and The Black Madonna.
Day 3 Day 3: Along The Coast To Valencia Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Along The Coast To Valencia Relaxed Start

Follow the sunny Costa Dorada, past the rice fields of the Ebro Delta. Stop at the seaside resort of Peñíscola and see the hilltop castle used in the film ’El Cid’. Pass through the famous orange groves to Valencia and see the City of Arts and Sciences. Later see the Old City and take in its medieval charm. Valencia is home to one of the world’s greatest dishes, paella. Meet the chef of a local family-run restaurant in the heart of the Old City and learn how to make this local specialty during a Cooking Demonstration. Later, indulge in the delicious flavours of this classic dish with a glass of wine at your dinner.
Day 4 Day 4: Exquisite Granada And Alhambra
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Exquisite Granada And Alhambra

Travel south toward Andalucía, passing the castle at Lorca and troglodyte dwellings hollowed out of the soft rock near Guadix. Enjoy views of the Sierra Nevada mountains from a distance as you reach glorious Granada. This historic city was a Moorish kingdom for almost eight centuries and was the last stronghold to fall to the Catholic monarchs of Spain in 1492. Overlooking Granada stands the Alhambra, one of the most remarkable fortresses ever built. Led by your Local Expert, explore this exquisite palace, built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century. A fantasy of arabesque gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace. Later, stroll through the elegant exotic gardens of the Generalife, the Royal summer residence.
Day 5 Day 5: A Scenic Drive To Seville
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: A Scenic Drive To Seville

The morning is at your leisure to explore as you wish. Perhaps join an Optional Experience and visit the Albaicin Quarter with a Local Expert. Here, in addition to falling in love with Granada, you will also uncover its pivotal role in European history. Continue your travels to Seville, past gleaming white villages and olive groves that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Day 6 Day 6: Seville, The City Of Carmen Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Seville, The City Of Carmen Relaxed Start

Visit the Seville Cathedral, the burial place of Christopher Columbus. Explore Seville with Insight Choice. Choose to embark on a walk through the old Jewish quarter. Alternatively, join a scenic drive around the city and enjoy panoramic views. This evening, visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This private dance school is dedicated to promoting the conservation of flamenco and supports young enthusiasts from all over the world with a special focus on new talent from the Andalusian region. Feel the passion behind the choreography as you put your rhythm to the test during a dance lesson before witnessing emotions come to life in a flamenco performance.
Day 7 Day 7: Moorish Córdoba And On To Madrid
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Moorish Córdoba And On To Madrid

Set off early along the Guadalquivir Valley, passing villages and towns studded with Moorish towers and fortresses. Stop in the perfectly preserved Moorish city of Córdoba and see the famous Roman bridge, built in the 1st century BC. Meet a local historian and visit the magnificent Mezquita, a beautiful 8th-century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it. Make the most of your time at leisure and stroll the narrow streets of the city. Follow in the footsteps of Don Quixote as you travel through La Mancha and on to the capital, Madrid.
Day 8 Day 8: Madrid Of The Bourbons Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Madrid Of The Bourbons Relaxed Start

Enjoy sightseeing with your Local Expert, as they guide you through the most historic neighbourhoods in the Spanish capital. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter to discover the origins of the city. Visit the renowned Prado Museum with an art historian who will guide you through the collective works of Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and more. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax at a cafe, shop in the trendy boutiques or perhaps travel to beautiful Toledo with an Optional Experience.In the evening, join your Travel Director and newfound friends at a local restaurant in the heart of the city. Toast your adventures as you enjoy a delicious dinner of regional favourites, served with wine.
Day 9 Day 9: Depart Madrid
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Depart Madrid

Today, bid a fond farewell to your memorable journey through Spain as you transfer to the airport and reflect on the experiences and adventures you’ve had.

9 days tour

Highlights Of Spain (Classic, Winter, 9 Days)

This tour includes:

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Itinerary of your trip Highlights Of Spain (Classic, Winter, 9 Days)

Day 1: Welcome To Barcelona

Day 2: Barcelona, The City Of Gaudí Relaxed Start

Day 3: Along The Coast To Valencia Relaxed Start

Day 4: Exquisite Granada And Alhambra

Day 5: A Scenic Drive To Seville

Day 6: Seville, The City Of Carmen Relaxed Start

Day 7: Moorish Córdoba And On To Madrid

Day 8: Madrid Of The Bourbons Relaxed Start

Day 9: Depart Madrid

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