Spanish Explorer

Day 1 Depart UK
Once your flight lands in the Spanish capital, Madrid, you’ll be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel for 3 nights.

Day 2 Madrid
You have a free day to explore the city’s many highlights, including Plaza de Cibeles, Plaza de Colon, Puerta de Alcalá and the Palacio Real. For this evening, you can pre-book an extra optional excursion to a local restaurant for a Spanish cookery lesson.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 3 Madrid – Toledo – Madrid
Today we’ve included a full day visit to Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage town. Once the capital, Toledo is one of the oldest cities in Europe. The tour takes in some magnificent architecture from the different epochs and cultures, including Arabic, Jewish and Catholic, such as the Primate Cathedral, the St. Tome Church which features El Greco’s masterpiece ‘The Burial of Lord Orgaz’ and the church of San Juan de los Reyes. You’ll also see wonderful examples of Toledo’s famous handicraft, “Damasquinado”, which features precious metals encrusted on steel.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 4 Madrid to Cordoba
After breakfast, you’ll board the AVE high speed train to Cordoba, which is an ultra modern, ultra comfortable train travelling at speeds of up to 310 km per hour.. You’ll have free time to look around Cordoba which was the former capital of the Omeya Califat during the Arab Domination. You’ll see the wonderful Mezquita, the colourful patios with their whitewashed walls, wrought iron detail and pretty plants, and the Alcázar de los Reyes; one of the most significant palaces in Spain.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 5 Cordoba to Seville
Explore independently this morning, before travelling to Seville in the afternoon, where you’ll have chance to wander the old Jewish Quarter of Santa Cruz, with its characteristic Patios, decorated with plants and flowers.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 6 Seville
Explore at your own pace, but we recommend you visit Plaza de España, Plaza de America and the gardens of Maria Luisa Park. Don’t miss the cathedral where you can climb up the minaret La Giralda for tremendous views over the city. This evening, as an optional extra, you can visit a traditional flamenco show.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 7 Seville to Granada
After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Granada, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, stopping en-route at the village of Antequera.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 8 Granada
On today’s half day tour, you’ll walk through Granada (30 minutes) to the Alhambra, an ancient Arabian fortress, and the nearby Generalife gardens. The Alhambra is one of the most visited monuments in the world and you’ll see the most important halls including the Patio de los Arrayanes (Myrtle Courtyard) and the Patio de los Leones (Lion Courtyard). Exploring the nooks and crannies and discovering the treasures from the height of the Alhambra’s glory days is an unforgettable experience.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 9 Depart Granada
You’ll transfer today to the airport for your return flight. Alternatively you may choose to extend you stay with extra nights in Malaga.

Meals: Breakfast.

Tour includes:

Return flights to and from the UK including all UK taxes
Experience modern Spain, on a high speed AVE train from Madrid to Cordoba, and historic Spain in its key southern cities, with a trip to the magnificent Alhambra and Generalife in Granada.
Sightseeing as specified with transfers and entrance fees included
Local guides who’ll share their knowledge of the country, its history and culture
Free time to explore independently
8 breakfasts

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”