Spain
Flamenco, matadors, Rioja, FC Barcelona, siestas and castanets. Spain is a country of which we seem to know so much about, and yet so little. History books fail to mention the worthy Valencian who first prepared paella. No ode is dedicated to the open-hearted people of Madrid. Little is widely known about its Moorish architecture apart from the Alhambra. And poets are mysteriously silent on the subject of golden-fried calamari. As you will realise, within your first few minutes here; hearing about Spain and being in Spain are two very different things.City Information
Madrid
As awe-inspiring as Madrid’s many cathedrals, frescoes and museums undoubtedly are, you will find yourselves charmed by its less celebrated symbols. The local tapas bar; the poignant strains of a Spanish guitar; and of course, the natural amicability of Madrileños (the locals). Here guests are welcomed rather matter-of-factly, with a ‘If you’re in Madrid, you’re from Madrid’. It’s not just the city’s edifices that draw its guests; it’s its way of life.Barcelona
Barcelona has a certain dreamlike quality to it, lent in no small measure by the street performers of La Rambla, vibrant murals and the artistic outpourings of everyone from Picasso to Antonio Gaudí. But it is its wholehearted earthiness that defines it. Boys in FC Barcelona’s colours. Wholesome Catalan meals. Languid old men enjoying a game of bowls. Barcelona wears the mantle of an artistic Mecca with unpretentious ease.Seville
While modern Seville has all the requisites of the vibrant new age, you’ll always find some traces of its bewitching tradition. Winding medieval lanes. The scent of orange blossoms. The casual inclusion of the bulwarks of art and culture into everyday life (hardly surprising, remember Rossini’s The Barber of Seville?). And those hallmarks of Andalusian culture — flamenco dancers and matadors. Andalusia’s capital captures all its romanceMarbella
It’s a millionaires’ playground with Hollywood A-listers around every corner. Of the ancient fishing village it once was, only the most imperceptible traces remain. Play a round of golf, walk by its ramparts, sip on Rioja; Marbella likes it languid.Valencia
Ancient monuments recall the past; the City of Arts and Science defies it. It’s by the beach; but its favourite pastimes have little to do with it. Old traditions exist, but rather than be observed with sombre rituals, it’s typified by a mad celebration that is the Fallas de San José. Valencia flits from one identity to another with abandon. Eat some paella, drink whatever comes your way and enjoy the ride.Granada
The influence of ancient Moorish rulers is more palpable at Granada than anywhere else in Spain. But for all its disparity from its country, it shares its ability to stay young while amidst overwhelming history.
City tour of Madrid with Royal Palace
With a 250-year-old heritage, the Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the finest palaces in Europe. Sprawled over thirteen hectares of land, it is the official residence of the King of Spain and is often used for state occasions. Visitors today get to see 50 out of the 2,000 exquisitely designed rooms in the palace.
Visit to the Alhambra
Known as the jewel of Moorish Spain, Alhambra was a palace, a citadel, a fortress and a home for the Nasrid Sultans. It is one of the finest examples of Arabic architecture in Spain and one of the better known Islamic works of art.
Visit to the Ciudad De Las Artesy Las Ciencias
Visit Ciudad de las Artesy las Ciencias or ‘The City of Arts and Sciences’ – a unique entertainment-based scientific and cultural complex in the city of Valencia. It is made up of an interactive science centre, a landscaped vantage point, an IMAX cinema, an aquarium believed to be Europe’s largest, and the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía.
Panoramic City tour of Barcelona
Visit the Cathedral, the Gothic Quarter and Plaza St. Jaume. Tour the Olympic Village, enjoy a panoramic view of the city and port in Montjuich, and go past the Columbus Statue, the Olympic Stadium and Palace Sant Jordi. Enjoy a glass of the finest Catalonian Cava when you visit the Spanish Village.
OLA MADRID (13D/12N)
YOUR ITINERARY
Madrid 2 nights
Seville 2 nights
Marbella 3 nights
Valencia 2 nights
Barcelona 2 nights
Madrid, Seville, Marbella, Valencia, Barcelona.
From baroque cathedrals to Islamic citadels; from bullfighters to flamenco dancers; from the rugged mountain ranges of Sierra Nevada to the crowded beaches of Barcelona; experience it all and more as you spend twelve exotic days in Spain.YOUR ITINERARY
Madrid 2 nights
Seville 2 nights
Marbella 3 nights
Valencia 2 nights
Barcelona 2 nights
DAY 1
Welcome to the capital of the Spanish Empire. Travel from the airport to Villa de la Reina Hotel and spend the day exploring the culturally rich city of Madrid. DAY 2
After a hearty breakfast, proceed to a city tour of Palacio de Oriente, also known as the Royal Palace of Madrid. With a 250-year-old rich heritage, the Royal Palace is the official residence of the King of Spain and is used for state occasions. Overnight at the hotel. DAY 3
After a buffet breakfast, travel by a high-speed train to the festive city of Seville and check into the Petit Palace Santa Cruz Hotel. Later in the afternoon, proceed for an artistic tour of the city. Spend the night in Seville. DAY 4
After breakfast, you have the whole day free to explore the beautiful capital of Andalusia. The city serves some of the best tapas and you can savour some at any of the local restaurants here. Overnight at your hotel. DAY 5
After your buffet breakfast, take the train to Málaga. From there, travel to Marbella where you will check in at the Andalucia Plaza Hotel. Overnight in Marbella. DAY 6
After breakfast, spend the day exploring Marbella. Visit the old part of town and the art galleries and bistros in Orange Square or book your personal horse carriage and travel around the La Alameda park. DAY 7
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a full day excursion to Granada via the Las Pedrizas toll road. Visit the iconic fortress of Alhambra. Return to Marbella, where you will spend the night. DAY 8
After a buffet breakfast, travel to the train station where you will board the train to Valencia. On reaching, check in at Valencia Reina Victoria Hotel where you will spend the night. DAY 9
After breakfast, spend your day at Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias or ‘The City of Arts and Sciences’, a unique entertainment-based scientific and cultural complex. Overnight at the hotel. DAY 10
For breakfast, make your way to the train station from where you will catch the train to Barcelona. Upon reaching, check in at the Catalonia Ramblas Hotel, where you will spend the night. DAY 11
After your buffet breakfast, proceed for a panoramic tour of the city of Barcelona. Visit the Olympic Village, drive past the Columbus statue and enjoy a glass of Spain’s finest wine at the Spanish Village. Overnight at your hotel.
Welcome to the capital of the Spanish Empire. Travel from the airport to Villa de la Reina Hotel and spend the day exploring the culturally rich city of Madrid. DAY 2
After a hearty breakfast, proceed to a city tour of Palacio de Oriente, also known as the Royal Palace of Madrid. With a 250-year-old rich heritage, the Royal Palace is the official residence of the King of Spain and is used for state occasions. Overnight at the hotel. DAY 3
After a buffet breakfast, travel by a high-speed train to the festive city of Seville and check into the Petit Palace Santa Cruz Hotel. Later in the afternoon, proceed for an artistic tour of the city. Spend the night in Seville. DAY 4
After breakfast, you have the whole day free to explore the beautiful capital of Andalusia. The city serves some of the best tapas and you can savour some at any of the local restaurants here. Overnight at your hotel. DAY 5
After your buffet breakfast, take the train to Málaga. From there, travel to Marbella where you will check in at the Andalucia Plaza Hotel. Overnight in Marbella. DAY 6
After breakfast, spend the day exploring Marbella. Visit the old part of town and the art galleries and bistros in Orange Square or book your personal horse carriage and travel around the La Alameda park. DAY 7
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a full day excursion to Granada via the Las Pedrizas toll road. Visit the iconic fortress of Alhambra. Return to Marbella, where you will spend the night. DAY 8
After a buffet breakfast, travel to the train station where you will board the train to Valencia. On reaching, check in at Valencia Reina Victoria Hotel where you will spend the night. DAY 9
After breakfast, spend your day at Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias or ‘The City of Arts and Sciences’, a unique entertainment-based scientific and cultural complex. Overnight at the hotel. DAY 10
For breakfast, make your way to the train station from where you will catch the train to Barcelona. Upon reaching, check in at the Catalonia Ramblas Hotel, where you will spend the night. DAY 11
After your buffet breakfast, proceed for a panoramic tour of the city of Barcelona. Visit the Olympic Village, drive past the Columbus statue and enjoy a glass of Spain’s finest wine at the Spanish Village. Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 12
This morning, bid farewell to the city as you set
off to the airport to catch your flight home.