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You are viewing the 2018 itinerary
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Showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Andalucía, this tour takes us from Spain's bustling, fashionable capital city, through the iconic Moorish citadel of Granada's Alhambra, to the elegant city of Seville, via the whitewashed passages of Cordoba's Old Town.
We meet at our dedicated departure Office at St Pancras and take the Eurostar and travel to Paris in Standard Premier Class, with a light meal and drinks served on board. After crossing Paris by coach, we join the onward high-speed service to beautiful Biarritz, for an overnight stay.
Today we leave Biarritz and transfer by coach to San Sebastian, where we join the rail service direct to Madrid, spending two nights in the lively Spanish capital.
Today we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, admiring the many architectural styles, and attractive green spaces. Following the tour, which takes place on foot and by coach, we have lunch in a typical restaurant on Madrid's Plaza Mayor. The rest of your day is free.
This morning we depart by high-speed AVE train for the journey south into Andalucía, to the fascinating city of Seville, an old port city set on the Guadalquivir River.
The city played a key role in establishing and continuing trade with South America and remains one of Spain's most active river ports. Credited with inventing tapas, Seville boasts as many as 1,000 tapas bars serving almost every conceivable type of tapas. Sevillians are known to move from bar to bar, enjoying a different small dish in each establishment they visit. On arrival in Seville we transfer to the Hotel Becquer, located in the heart of the city. This afternoon we enjoy a tour, including the beautiful and historic Santa Cruz area and the Gothic cathedral dominated by the Giralda tower.
This morning we travel by coach to Jerez, a town famous as the home of Sherry and for incredibly well trained Andalucían horses. Jerez is the authentic heart of Andalucía, with a beautiful Gothic cathedral and quiet, charming Old Town. We enjoy a spectacular Andalucían horse show at the Royal School of Equestrian Art, seeing some of the best trained horses in action. Following lunch at a 'Venta Andaluza' restaurant, typical of the region, we visit a famous Sherry winery where we enjoy a tasting before our return to Seville.
Today we travel by coach to Granada, an enchanting city scattered over seven small hills at the confluence of two rivers. Charming, romantic Granada is dominated by the exquisite Alhambra, one of the most recognisable palaces in the world, bathed throughout the afternoon in a glorious warm pink-gold glow. The city is packed with Renaissance and Baroque architecture and the streets are a joy to explore.
This evening we head for one of the tapas bars for a tapas-tasting meal together. We spend three nights at the Melia Granada Hotel.
We continue our sightseeing today with a visit to Spain's most spectacular and iconic monument, the Alhambra, which was once the residence of the Muslim Kings of Granada. The Alhambra sits proudly on a plateau overlooking Granada, with the high Sierra Nevada as its backdrop.
Dating back to the 9th century, the palace complex now boasts UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is one of Spain's most iconic monuments. Originally a small fortress, the Sultan of Granada converted the building in the early 14th century, into the stunning architectural wonder we know today. We finish our tour at a traditional restaurant, where we enjoy lunch together.
Today we continue our exploration of Granada with a sightseeing tour, visiting the Albayzin area, which boasts fantastic views of the Alhambra and retains the narrow winding streets of its medieval past. We explore this district on a guided tour and this evening we dine at a restaurant in the Albayzin Quarter with views of the beautifully illuminated Alhambra.
Our journey today takes us by coach to Cordoba, a beautiful city with a relaxed atmosphere. We spend two nights at the Hotel Hesperia Cordoba. This afternoon you are free to begin exploring Cordoba at leisure. This evening we dine together in the Taberna La Viuda.
This morning we embark on a sightseeing tour of Cordoba, which in the 10th century was the largest city in Western Europe and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The labyrinth of narrow, winding alleys and pretty squares make Cordoba a delightful city to explore on foot. Crossing the Roman Bridge and passing the 14th century Calahorra Tower, we continue to the famous Mezquita (mosque). We then tour the Jewish Quarter with its narrow white washed streets and finish at the traditional Restaurant Almudaina for a typical Andalucían lunch.
This morning we join the high-speed AVE service direct to Barcelona. We travel in Standard Plus class for this journey. Upon arrival you are free to explore this exciting city at your own pace. Barcelona has long been Spain's economic heart, and this wealth is reflect in the grand, opulent buildings which encircle the various public squares dotted throughout the city. We stay at the NH Hesperia Presidente, our base for two nights.
Take your time after settling into your hotel to explore a little of this superb continental city. You may wish to sample food in a local restaurant or cafés, which serve varieties of Spanish tapas along with food unique to Catalonia and this part of Spain. As the day winds down, perhaps take a stroll along the beach and the waterfront, and enjoy the sight of the blue waters of the Balearic Sea as the sun melts in the waves.
This morning we take a sightseeing tour of Barcelona, including a visit to the beautiful Old Town, the Barri Gotic, and the tree-lined boulevard of Las Ramblas. The rest of your day is free to enjoy the city. The inimitable Gaudí architecture and medieval churches offer contrasts on every corner, with countless street performers, cafés and shops in between. We enjoy a final farewell dinner tonight at a local restaurant.
We depart Barcelona after breakfast this morning, travelling by high-speed TGV to Paris. Enjoy the views of the Pyrenees and of Northern Spain as you bid a fond farewell to the Iberian Peninsula. After crossing the French captial by coach, we join the Eurostar, continuing on to London St Pancras International, where our tour comes to an end.
Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.
Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.
An escorted experience and all travel arrangements
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Delicious meals included
Exciting excursions and free time to explore
Enhancing your holiday experience
Enjoy a feast of cultural Spanish delights by train
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The definitive guide to our 2017/18 rail holidays to a wide range of destinations in Europe.
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