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Daily
Tour Itinerary:
NOVEMBER 5 WEDNESDAY
- DEPARTURE.
Today we depart for Spain. Enjoy superb in- flight service and wonderful
meals on our flight across the Atlantic.
NOVEMBER 6 THURSDAY - ARRIVE - MADRID.
We arrive to sunny Madrid, which is the capital of Spain. Meet our representative
who will assist us through customs. Drive into the cosmopolitan city of
Madrid and check into our hotel. Remainder of day is free for rest. In
the evening, enjoy dinner at our hotel. Dinner & overnight - Madrid
(D)
NOVEMBER 7 FRIDAY - TOLEDO/BASILICA / EL GRECO / SYNA-GOGUE of
the TRANSIT/ SANTO TOME.
Breakfast in hotel. First we enjoy Toledo and explore this luxury of Spain.
Toledo has a privileged location and natural turn of the Tagus River together
with its continuous population from ages ago, create a unique city in
which beautiful and harmonious buildings of an array of architectural
styles are found. In its medieval past, Toledo appears as an example of
the tolerance and coexistence of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian cultures.
Toledo is known for its special musical splendor and tasty traditional
recipes. The Christian presence in Toledo is most easy to see as it is
still there today. The most visible product of this is the massive Gothic
cathedral located in the center of the Muslim City. One of the most remarkable
Spanish artists was El Greco who came to Spain in 1577. We visit his house,
which is now a museum of his works. Some say Dominicus Theotocopoulous,
(El Greco),
was drawn to the city of Toledo by the supernatural. His work is on display
in the Prado Museum, which boasts 33 works. Next we visit the Church of
Santo Tome where we admire the most famous painting - "El Entierro
del Conde de Orgaz" by El Greco. We continue to the Synagogue of
the Transit ordered to be constructed in 1336. After the expulsion of
the Sephardic Jews in 1459, it stopped being a synagogue and came under
religious order of Calatrava and afterwards of the Alcantara. Today it
hosts the official acts and numerous exhibits of its original Sephardic
beliefs. In the afternoon we drive back to Madrid for a visit to the Prado
Museum which houses masterpieces of Velazquez, Goya, El Greco, El Bosco,
Murillo, Rubens and more. Afterwards, we continue to the magnificent 18th
century Royal Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe. In
the evening, enjoy a great dinner in a charming Spanish restaurant. Dinner
and Overnight - Local Restaurant - Madrid (B,D)
NOVEMBER 8 SATURDAY - TRAIN to SEVILLE.
Breakfast in hotel. This morning we leave on the high speed train (AVE)
to Seville. We travel to the marvelous city of Seville with its unique
ambience and its great monuments. The Arabian bell-tower Giralda Tower,
a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Moorish styles, the enormous cathedral,
Torre del Oro, the old Jewish district Barrio Santa Cruz, where you view
narrow and colorful streets with orange trees and beautiful courtyards.
Follow the steps where Christopher Columbus began to dream of his trip
to India. Proceed to the Plaza de Espana built for the Iberoamerican Exposition
in 1929. Tonight we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Dinner and
Overnight - Sevilla (B,D)
NOVEMBER 9 SUNDAY - CORDOBA.
Breakfast in hotel. This morning we drive from Seville to Cordoba. The
long time center of Moorish Spain preserves monuments of outstanding importance
here. Perhaps most impressive is the Mezquita, the great Mosque and its
lovely garden courtyards. Also we will have a walking tour through the
fascinating Jewish Quarter. This entire area had been influenced greatly
with quaint Jewish Quarters before the expulsion. View the Moorish Mills,
Waterwheel and Roman Bridge. This evening, we will enjoy a dinner in a
local restaurant. Dinner and Overnight - Cordoba (B,D)
NOVEMBER 10 MONDAY - GRANADA.
Breakfast in hotel. We drive from Cordoba to Granada. The name Granada
is ancient and mysterious. It may mean "great castle", for the
Roman fortress which once stood on the Albaicin Hill. When the Moors came
here, the town was largely inhabited by Jews, for which they called it
Garnat -al-Yahud (Granada of the Jews). The Jews are said to have been
one of the first peoples to settle in Spain, even before the Romans. This
city was the last Muslim City to fall to the Christians in 1492 at the
hands of Queen Isabel of Castile. One of the most brilliant jewels of
universal architecture is the Alhambra, a series of palaces and gardens
built under the Nazari Dynasty in the 14th Century. We have a walking
tour of the Alhambra Palace and Generalife (summer palace). Also included
is the San Jeronimo Monastery. In the evening, we enjoy a delightful dinner
in a local restaurant. Dinner and overnight - Granada (B,D)
NOVEMBER 11 TUESDAY - COSTA del SOL/ TORREMOLINOS/ MARBELLA.
Breakfast in hotel. This morning we travel through the mountains of Malaga
to the sunny coastal road, Costa del Sol. Enjoy some free time in the
Torremolinos market and continue to Marbella. In the evening, we enjoy
a dinner in a local restaurant. Dinner and overnight - Marbella (B,D)
NOVEMBER 12 WEDNESDAY - RONDA.
Breakfast in hotel. In the middle of the mountain range, Serrania de Ronda,
at the edge of a canyon of a depth of 120 meters, you will discover Ronda
- certainly one of the most incredible places in all the land. Set high
on a plateau divided by the Tajo Gorge, the views from the city are incredible.
See what is considered Spain's oldest bullring, the Plaza de
Toros. You will notice a mixture of architectural styles: Arab, Gothic,
and Renaissance. Enjoy some free time to explore this wonderful Town of
Dreams. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Dinner and overnight
- Marbella (B,D)
NOVEMBER 13 THURSDAY - GIBRALTAR.
Breakfast in hotel. If weather permits, we will journey to Gibraltar where
you will glimpse the African continent and the famous silhouette of the
Rock of Gibraltar. There you must show your passports before entering
the "Rock", a British territory for nearly 300 years. Gibraltar
played a strategic role during both world wars. We will visit the nature
reserve, Apes and St. Michael's Caves. Drive along the Costa del Sol and
return to Marbella for some free time. In the evening, we will enjoy our
special Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. Say Adios to our tour guide.
Dinner and overnight - Marbella (B,D)
NOVEMBER 14 FRIDAY - TRANSFER TO AIRPORT.
Breakfast in hotel. Today we transfer to the airport for our return flight
to the United States. (B)
Hasta Luego!
Welcome Home With Wonderful Memories!
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