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7-Nights Discover Moorish Spain - National Geographic Journeys from $1,959
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1532829
Journeys: Discover Spain
Andalucia exudes history and romance, from its grand plazas and iconic architecture to soulful traditions and evocative alleyways. Experience the spirit of southern Spain on a captivating voyage through five alluring cities. Explore Madrid’s famed museums, join a local historian along the cobblestoned streets of El Greco’s Toledo, and take a flamenco lesson in Granada. Along the way, glimpse the region’s Moorish legacy amid a string of spectacular UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Highlights
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Toledo, Explore the Alhambra (one of the greatest achievements in Moorish architecture), Enjoy a private Flamenco lesson
Accommodation
Hotels (7 nts).
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guide.
Group Size Notes
Max 16, Avg 12.
Meals Included
7 breakfasts, 1 dinner
What's Included
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Historic City of Toledo visit, Toledo
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Flamenco Dancing Experience, Seville
Your Foodie Moment: Anton Martin Market Tour, Madrid. Explore Cordoba including the Mezquita (mosque) and the medieval Jewish quarter. Granada orientation walk including a guided visit of the Alhambra. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
7 nights from $1,959 per person
G Adventures: Journeys: Discover Spain
Day 1: Madrid
Arrive at any time.
Please make your own way to the joining hotel.If arriving early, head out and explore the city. Madrid has it all; history, architecture, museums, galleries, beautiful parks, and wild nightlife. The capital's most exciting street is the Gran Vía, but be sure to visit the Plaza Mayor – the true heart of Madrid. Enjoy a coffee in one of the plaza’s many cafés and watch the world go by.After the group meeting, opt to head out for a meal at a local restaurant with the group.
Day 2: Madrid
Spend the morning exploring Madrid, the quintessential heart of Spain, on a CEO-led orientation walk. Explore the treasure trove of cultural riches, elegant plazas, and centuries old plazas, as you walk in the footsteps of days gone by. Finish this walk at a local market and enjoy delicious samples of Spanish gastronomy. Enjoy free time this afternoon to admire the world-renowned artworks at the Museo del Prado, relax at a café, or experience the city’s legendary nightlife.
Other options for exploring the city include the Palacio Real, Real Jardin Botánico or Escorial. Experience more nightlife at the Plaza del Dos de Mayo, in the area known as Malasaña. Taste some sangria and dance to the latest music.
Day 3: Madrid/Córdoba
Drive south to the ancient walled city of Toledo, perched on a rocky headland overlooking the Tagus River. Join a local historian on a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site filled with churches, synagogues, mosques, and plazas. Explore the old quarter and glimpse the soaring tower of the city’s 13th-century cathedral, a masterpiece of high Gothic architecture. Continue on to Córdoba, a beguiling Andalusian town steeped in history. As the capital of Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain) until its fall in 1236, Córdoba was once the largest city in Europe known for its mosques, palaces, and libraries.
Head out tonight to sample some local food. Try the thick, hearty stew called "caldereta de cordero" or cool off with "ajo blanco," a hearty white gazpacho soup.
Day 4: Córdoba/Granada
Arrive in the alluring Andalusian city of Granada. Here you can discover the medieval centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visit the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, or Mezquita, where a 13th-century Catholic cathedral stands in the center of a former Moorish mosque that dates to the 8th century. Stroll the historic Jewish quarter’s maze of winding lanes and traditional whitewashed houses. This evening, enjoy an orientation walk with your CEO followed by an included dinner to savour the city’s distinctive gastronomy—a mélange of Roman, Moorish, Christian, and Jewish traditions.
Opt to visit the Granada Cathedral of the Incarnation or the Royal Chapel.
Day 5: Granada
Spend today immersed in the majesty of the Alhambra, a pinnacle of Moorish architecture in Europe. This fortress and palace built by 13th-century Nasrid sultans crowns a hilltop overlooking Granada. On a guided tour of this extraordinary World Heritage site, marvel at the intricate stuccowork, elegant archways, and intimate courtyards bursting with blooms. Later, explore on your own time as you amble through the old Moorish quarter, the Albayzín, and enjoy views of the Alhambra glowing in the twilight.
After visiting the Alhambra, opt to wander through the whitewashed historic quarter of the Albaicin, with its narrow lanes and fantastic views. This is a great place to go to catch the sunset. In the evening, opt for a night on the town. The city is filled with trendy tapas bars and has a lively music scene.
Day 6: Granada/Seville
Journey to Seville, one of Spain’s most colourful and beautiful cities, with a stop in Ronda on the way. Upon arrival in Seville, set out on a CEO led orientation walk and choose to climb the cathedral Giralda’s bell tower or visit Casa Pilatos, a prototypical Andalusian palace that combines Italian Renaissance and Spanish Mudéjar architectural styles. Get a glimpse of traditional gypsy culture by opting to witness a soulful performance of flamenco dance.
Day 7: Seville
Enjoy some free time to follow your impulses in Seville. Lose yourself among the winding alleys, flower-draped patios, and picturesque squares of the charming Santa Cruz quarter. Opt to visit the ornate Mudéjar palace and gardens of Real Alcázar de Sevilla, a World Heritage site and former filming location for Game of Thrones. Here, in the birthplace of flamenco, take a private dance class in a professional studio. This evening, put your new moves to practice as you experience the city’s upbeat nightlife on your own.
Have a chance to savour some tapas at the city's many bars and cafés.
Day 8: Seville
Depart at any time.
Vacation Details
* 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.
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.
Local Flights
There are no internal flights on this trip.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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