13-Nights Sensational Spain from $2,449

Cosmos

OFFER ID 1475362

Your 14-day affordable tour of Spain begins and ends in elegant Madrid. In between, you’ll discover Spain’s sensational sites and legendary locales of history, culture, and cuisine. We have planned visits to the cities of Bilbao, San Sebastian, in the Basque Country and Pamplona-city of the running of the bulls, toreadors, and Hemingway’s famous novel, "The Sun Also Rises." Venture through countryside vistas of fields and vineyards to Saragossa on the banks of the Ebro Rive, and visit the Sanctuary of our Lady of the Pillar. Take two days to absorb the beauty and history of Barcelona, learning more about its famous sights and and panoramic views on the included guided orientation. Drive along the Costa Dorada and Costa del Azahar to the vibrant art nouveau and modern style of Valencia-the home of paella! Travel inland to Granada, situated at the foot of the mighty Sierra Nevada and the confluence of four rivers. Experience the Moorish influence, old-style tapas bars, exotic tearooms of the Albazyn quarter, and historical sites in this university city. You’ll relish a guided tour of the magnificent Alhambra Complex*, built by Moorish kings in 889 AD. More stunning architecture awaits in Cordoba-including the whitewashed houses of the Jewish quarter and the Moorish and Renaissance architecture of the Mezquita. Your introduction to the Andalusian capital of Seville includes a guided city tour, to see its majestic cathedral, Alcazar palace, and Plaza de España. Complete the journey through Cáceres and Salamanca to Madrid. This comprehensive, value-minded tour of Spain is a wealth of experiences in beauty, landscapes, arts, and rich cultural traditions to treasure.

13 nights from $2,449 per person

Itinerary

Sensational Spain

Day 1 ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN Check into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions. (D)

Day 2 MADRID–SEGOVIA–RIBERA DEL DUERO–BURGOS The first visit of the day is Segovia, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its soaring Roman aqueduct and breathtaking fairytale fortress. Traveling through Castille and Leon, we reach the Ribera del Duero area, which follows the course of the Douro River and is noted for producing some of Spain’s finest wines. Get a taste at a local wine cellar, then continue to Burgos, known for its landmark cathedral.
Today’s Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km (B,D)

Day 3 BURGOS–BILBAO–SAN SEBASTIAN–PAMPLONA The day is dedicated to discovering the Basque Countries as we visit the city of Bilbao, with its contemporary architecture, and San Sebastian, with its beautiful sandy beach. On to Pamplona, famous for the running of the bulls.
Today’s Distance: 217 mi/ 350 km (B)

Day 4 PAMPLONA–SARAGOSSA–BARCELONA Vistas of the Rioja wine-growing region greet you this morning as you travel towards Saragossa on the banks of the Ebro River. Here, visit the Baroque-style Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Pillar before arriving in Barcelona, Catalonia’s lively capital.
Today’s Distance: 311 mi/ 500 km (B)

Day 5 BARCELONA This morning’s sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a drive around Montjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium and to marvel at the incredible panoramic views of the port and city. On to Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire the greatness and eccentricity of Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces. (B)

Day 6 BARCELONA–VALENCIA Travel along the Costa Dorada today and on to the Costa del Azahar (Orange Blossom Coast) to arrive in Valencia, birthplace of paella! Combining striking modern architecture with Art-Nouveau-style buildings and the Old Town, Valencia is one of the most innovative Spanish cities enjoying a very high quality of life.
Today’s Distance: 217 mi/ 350 km (B)

Day 7 VALENCIA–GRANADA Spectacular scenery unfolds as you travel inland towards Granada, beautifully situated at the foot of the mighty Sierra Nevada and at the confluence of four rivers. Granada is a compelling city where Moorish influence, old-style tapas bars, and historical sites coexist with a young population of university students, graffiti, and exotic tea houses in the Albazyn quarter.
Today’s Distance: 303 mi/ 487 km (B,D)

Day 8 GRANADA Today, your Local Guide will bring to life the world-famous Alhambra complex*. Built by Moorish kings in 889 AD, this magnificent hilltop palace-fortress features lavish gardens, and is the epitome of architectural beauty. (B)

NOTE:
*Alhambra complex: Entrance to Nasrid Palace is not guaranteed.

Day 9 GRANADA–CORDOBA–SEVILLE Visit Cordoba, known for the white-washed houses of the Jewish quarter, but also for its magnificent 8th-century Mezquita, a mosque inside which a cathedral was built following the Reconquista. Admire its splendid giant arches, domed shrine of Byzantine mosaics and 856 jasper, onyx, marble, and granite pillars. Continue your journey through picturesque Andalusia, on to vibrant, festive Seville! Tonight, a chance to join an exciting optional Flamenco show to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Today’s Distance: 199 mi/ 320 km (B,D)

Day 10 SEVILLE An included city tour reveals the best of this vibrant Andalusian capital today: see the majestic cathedral; beautiful La Giralda minaret tower, a symbol of Seville; the Real Alcázar palace with its extravagant Moorish architecture; and the landmark Plaza de España, built for the Ibero-American Expo in 1929. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 11 SEVILLE–CÁCERES–SALAMANCA Stop in medieval, walled Cáceres, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic, and Italian Renaissance styles. Later, cross the Tagus River and the Guadarrama mountains to arrive in Salamanca. Here you will experience the ambiance and unique Spanish Baroque beauty of Plaza Mayor, heart of the city and one of the most extraordinary public squares in the country.
Today’s Distance: 289 mi/ 465 km (B)

Day 12 SALAMANCA–ÁVILA–MADRID On to Ávila, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its imposing city walls, monumental gates, 88 watchtowers, and 2,500-plus turrets. This city is the essence of Castilla and the epitome of old Spain. Upon arrival in Madrid, enjoy a guided tour of the city, discovering its royal elegance and its vibrancy. You’ll appreciate the abundance of museums and cultural livelihood.
Today’s Distance: 134 mi/ 215 km (B)

Day 13 MADRID Spend the day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace or to join one of our optional excursions or activities. (B)

Day 14 MADRID Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Featured Destinations

Valencia

Valencia is one of the biggest, liveliest cities in Spain. It is located at the Mediterranean sea with beaches right in its heart that offer every kind of sports. With its active nightlife and various cultural offerings, Valencia is one of the most dynamic cities in Spain. One of the most famous buildings in Valencia is the Cathedral and its tower named, "El Miquelet" (Little Michael) which was built between 1381 and 1424. Try Spain's most famous food right where it was born: "Paella Valenciana". Valencia is the city where "El Cid", Spain's national hero, fought against the Moors, and popular festivals in the city and many villages around still remind of this epoch.

Excursions

Spain: Valencia Highlights Tour - 5 hours

Highlights of Valencia (4 hours)

Pamplona

Also known by its Basque name of Iruna, Pamplona, Spain, is a proud, prosperous, devout and usually conservative town with city walls and cobbled streets. The city, 195 mi/315 km northeast of Madrid, is the capital of the green province-region of Navarra, which borders France.

The central square is the Plaza del Castillo, dominated by the Neo-classical Palacio del Gobierno de Navarra and also home to one of Spain's finest cafes, the Cafe Iruna. The streets of the old town fill the space between this square and the cathedral, largely Gothic in style but with a facade added in the 18th century. The other main sight not to miss is the Museo de Navarra in a converted hospital, which has some large Roman mosaics among its other historical and archaeological exhibits.

The town's sedate personality gets turned upside down during the fiesta of San Fermin that runs 6-14 July each year. Immortalized in Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, the fiesta's most famous event is the running of the bulls. Each day at 8 am, the brave, foolish or drunk take to the narrow, barricaded streets to run alongside (or away from) six fighting bulls.

Less dangerous (but still exhausting) are the other activities that run the full week of the festival, including parades of giant figures, marauding bands, fireworks, endless dancing and lots of drinking.

If you can handle only a day or two of such merriment, try to make it to the first day or two of the fiesta (the weekend is the busiest time). The celebration that explodes at noon on 6 July is an incredible sight (plan to be soaked by champagne).

If you hope to stay in the city, accommodations should be booked at least a year in advance—be sure to get a room facing away from the street because the noise is relentless. Temporary campsites are set up on the outskirts of the city, and shuttle buses provide transport into town. Note also that petty crime is rife at this time.

Pamplona makes a good base from which to explore the rest of Navarra. Highlights of the province are the restored fairy-tale castle at Olite, the carved portal of the church at Sanguesa, the medieval town of Estella (Lizarra), the pilgrim bridge at Puente La Reina, the two monasteries of La Oliva and Leyre, Javier Castle (birthplace of St. Francis Xavier) and, near the French border, the tiny town of Roncesvalles, a traditional starting point for pilgrims heading across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia via the Saint James' Way.

Salamanca

Barcelona

Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Spain, is a tremendous place to be. Though it boasts outstanding Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, and some great museums – most notably those dedicated to Picasso and Catalan art – it is above all a place where there's enjoyment simply in walking the streets, stopping in at bars and cafés, drinking in the atmosphere. A thriving port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of the country. In part this reflects the city's proximity to France, whose influence is apparent in the elegant boulevards and imaginative cooking. But Barcelona has also evolved an individual and eclectic cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Scattered as Barcelona's main sights may be, the greatest concentration of interest is around the old town (La Ciutat Vella). These cramped streets above the harbor are easily manageable, and far more enjoyable, on foot. Start, as everyone else does, with the Ramblas.

Excursions

Barcelona: A Walk Through Barcelona and The Sagrada Familia Park Guell for Families- 6 Hours

Your chauffeur and your guide will
be waiting for you at the port. They will be at disposal for 8 hours. Your chauffeur will drive you to the city center of Barcelona.

A Walk Through Barcelona
You will start your day by an exciting 2-hour walking tour of the oldest parts of Barcelona: the Barri Gothic and Born neighborhoods. You will follow your guide as he/she leads you into the small, narrow streets to discover the vibrant, trendy ambiance of Born and the historical atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter. You will see the Santa Maria Del Mar church, the Royal Palace and the world famous “Las Ramblas” avenue. The fun facts and stories
told by our guide will keep your children highly engaged. The children will each get a game booklet to keep them engaged and entertained. After this tour, you will enjoy a
lunch break. Your guide will be there to give recommendations depending on your taste.

Included:

A Walk Through Barcelona:
Private certified guide
2 hour walking tour
Game booklet for
each child
2-hour experience

The Sagrada Familia and Park Güell
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a 3-hour tour inside the two iconic Gaudi sites in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia and the Park Güell. You will follow your guide inside the
jaw-dropping and daring church and listen to the stories about its architecture, construction and future. After 1,5 hours spent in the Sagrada Familia, you will head out to
Park Güell. There you will witness the beauty of Gaudí’s mosaics as well as enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Barcelona. To keep the children entertained during this 3-hour tour, they will all get their own fun-filled game booklet. A perfect way to combine both educational discovery and fun!

The Sagrada Familia and

Park Güell:
Private certified guide
Skip-the-line tickets to
Sagrada Familia and
Park Güell
Transfer in a private
mini van
Game booklet for
each child
3-hour experience

At the end of the tour, depending on your cruise departure time, your chauffeur will drive you back to the port.

Art and Architecture in Barcelona (8 hours)

Gaudi’s Barcelona (4 hours)

Seville

Seville is one place most beloved by visitors to Spain. Although today Moorish influence is architectonically most evident - Andalusia was occupied by Moors for about 800 years - it has been a cultural center long before. Seville was home of famous and infamous figures of history, the legendary "Don Juan" started from here to conquer the hearts of women across all Europe, while Columbus started from a port close to Seville to discover a new world. Prosper Merimée's "Carmen", who couldn't make her decision between the officer Don José and the bullfighter Escamillo, can still be watched today in opera houses. Seville is the very heart of Andalusian culture and the center of bullfighting and Flamenco music. Take it easy and interrupt sightseeing from time to time to have a few "tapas", those typical "small spanish dishes", and a glass of Sherry wine in one of the many bars in this city.

Excursions

Historic Influences of Seville (8 hours)

Granada

Burgos

Madrid

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

10/05/2024 - 10/18/2024

from $2,449 per person

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $2,449 per person

Length

13 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Moderate
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.

Remarks

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1475362

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Seven Lands & Seas Travel

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