|
|
HIGHLIGHTS
OF SPAIN 10 DAYS
A
land rich in history, culture and geographical diversity
Spain offers one of the most alluring travel destinations
in Europe. With her old villages and busy cities, sun baked
countryside and Magnificent coasts, Spain offers a tantalizing
array of attractions. The new Spain is a country of full
vitality and excitement. The new era Spain is optimistic
and merry,sensual and communicative; her people are warm
and exude a natural cordiality, forward looking spirit and
an irresistible joie de vivre. The country is a museum for
art lovers and for those who appreciate history as well
as for those who want to plunge into its exciting nightlife.
The modern cities of Madrid and Barcelona are encharming
and the cities fallen under Roman or Arabic influence like
Avila,Granada, Malaga are indicative of Spain colonial past.The
beaches of Malaga and Costa Brava offers endless hours of
unspoilt beach fun and the high plateau of La Mancha brings
to fore the exploits of Cervantes errant knight Don Quixote.
|
| TOUR
HIGHLIGHTS
* Madrid
* Cordoba * Sevilla * Torremolinos
* Granada * Costa del Sol * Malaga
THE
TOUR FEATURES |
|
Day
01: Madrid (D)
Arrive Madrid. Your complimentary
transfers depart from Madrid airport
at 08.30, 10.30, 13.30 & 15.00
hrs to your hotel, the afternoon is
at leisure. This evening join your
fellow passengers for a welcome drink.
Hotel: Cuzco or similar |
| Day
02: Madrid Barcelona (B,D)
This morning we follow the wide arid
plains of Castille. After passing
Guadalajara, we follow the Jalon River
Valley, dotted with Mudejar Towers
which are survivors of the bygone
era of Moorish domination in Spain.
Now we continue eastwards, passing
Zaragoza in the province of Aragon,
before experiencing a different culture
and language in Catalunya. For the
next two nights we stay at the dynamic
city of Barcelona. |
|
Day
03: Barcelona Sightseeing (B,D)
Barcelona was host of the 1992 Olympic
Games and a view of the games complex
is just one exciting feature of our
guided tour. We also visit the Gothic
quarter, where we see the ancient
cathedral. Then we continue to the
famous Ramblas, with its open air
markets and cafes. In contrast to
the old part of town, we drive along
the broad, elegant avenues of the
city to admire Gaudi's extraordinary
unfinished creation, the Sagrada Familia
church. Tonight we enjoy a highlight
dinner with wine and entertainment,
and visit all of Spain in one park
at the 'Pueblo Espanol'! |
|
Day
04: Barcelona Valencia (B,D)
We bid farewell to Barcelona and follow
the Costa Dorada south, stopping in
Penscola to view the white walled
cottages clustered around the sea
lapped castle used in the film 'El
Cid'. We continue past the famous
orange groves to Valencia, our home
for the night. An orientation tour
shows us the 15th century City Gates
of Serranos and Cuarte, the Gothic
Generalidad Palace, El Miguelete Cathedral
with its famous octagonal bell tower,
and the 14th century Church of Our
Lady of the Forsaken. |
|
Day
05 : Valencia Granada (B,D)
Leaving Valencia this morning we pass
through the stately waving palm tree
forests of Elche and then past the
lemon groves in Murcia. We drive amid
the superb scenery of the Sierra Nevada
with magnificent mountain views on
all sides, as we cross the Mora Pass
to reach glorious Granada, capital
of the Moorish Kingdom of Spain. |
|
Day
06: Granada Seville (B,D)
'There is no pain in life so cruel
as to be blind in Granada!' cries
the inscription on the walls of the
Alhambra. Bathed in soft morning light,
we explore this exquisite palace;
a fantasy of stone cut lace, arabesque
gardens and fountains, built as a
citadel by the Moors in the 13th century.
We also visit the exotic water gardens
of the Generalife, the royal summer
residence. Now a beautiful drive through
gleaming sunflowers brings us to Seville,
capital of Andalucia and one of the
most charming cities in Spain. We
stay here for the next two nights.
|
|
Day
07: Seville Sightseeing (B,D)
Seville has a distinctive character
and presence which our local guide
unfolds for us. We visit the massive
cathedral, burial place of Christopher
Columbus and enriched with the spoils
of the New World. We pass the Moorish
Giralda Tower and the Santa Cruz quarter
with its flower-decked balconies,
before seeing the Alcazar. Then we
see the ultra modern Expo site and
a scale model of the vessel 'Victoria',
the first to circumnavigate the globe.
Tonight, perhaps do as the locals
do, and eat at a traditional tapas
bar? |
|
Day
08: Seville Madrid (B,D)
We set off early this morning, driving
along the Guadalquivir valley, to
stop in the perfectly preserved Moorish
city of Cordoba. We see the famous
2000 year old bridge before a guided
visit to the magnificent Mezquita,
an 8th century mosque with a Christian
church built inside it. Then across
the mountains of the Sierra Morena
and the plains of La Mancha, following
in the steps of Don Quixote, on our
way back to Madrid, for our two night
stay. |
| Day
09: Madrid Sightseeing (B,D)
This morning we enjoy a sightseeing
tour along the noble avenues to see
the statue of Cervantes' fictional
hero, Don Quixote in the Plaza de
Espana. We continue past Cibeles Fountain
and the Parliament, and cross the
Puerta Del Sol. We then visit the
Prado Museum to admire the paintings
of Velazquez. (On Sunday departures,
when the Prado is closed, this visit
will be substituted by a visit to
the Royal Palace). Now time to relax
at a café or shop in the elegant boutiques
of Serrano? Tonight, why not join
a farewell dinner, in the heart of
town, with wine and music? |
|
Day
10: Madrid (B)
Our tour ends today with a transfer
to Madrid Airport. |
|
SOME
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
GENERAL TIPS BE SENSITIVE TO LOCAL
CUSTOMS
WELCOME DIVERSITY What may seem strange
to you may be a custom that
has survived thousand of years. These
customs deserve your respect and understanding.
Do not criticise the least.
DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE YOU
TRAVEL
Be informed about the local customs,
etiquette, including the do's
and dont's. Become familiar with different
practices such as public greetings,
religious customs, greetings
between men and women, and the preparation
of food and eating of food.
KEEP AN OPEN MIND When conversations
focus on local politics, religion,
customs and methods of dress, be objective
and try to understand points of view
from the local perspective.
GREET AND THANK ALL AT EVERY NOOK
AND STEP WHATEVER HIS/HER POSITION
Show your hosts the kind of respect
that you would expect if they
were visiting you. |
|
