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Day 2 • Madrid
Welcome to Spain. Upon arrival at our airport we are met by our guide and transferred to our hotel. En route we are given an "orientation tour" of the city. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore one of the city's many fine museums or simply rest up for the exciting days ahead. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel. Overnight in Madrid.

Day 3 • Madrid City Tour
Buenos Días! A busy day awaits us as we begin our formal, guided sightseeing of Madrid. We begin at the Palacio Real, the extravagant home of the Spanish monarchs from the sixteenth through twentieth centuries. Our group will take a walking tour of Plaza Mayor (medieval Madrid), an area lined with beautiful buildings and the oldest church in the city, San Nicolas de los Servitas. This afternoon we take a leisurely tour through Retiro Park with its Victorian greenhouse, Crystal Palace, small lake and swans. Afterwards we enjoy a panoramic view of the city, and ride from the elevator to the twenty-sixth floor of the Edificio de Espana. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant. Overnight in Madrid.

Day 4 • Toledo
After breakfast, our group travels to Toledo, a city consisting of five cultures. Toledo's charm lies in its colorful facades and cobblestone streets which are dominated by its striking cathedral spire. We'll visit the cathedral with its Transparente and El Alcazar, an informative Spanish military history museum. This afternoon we journey to Cordoba. We arrive in time for check-in at our hotel and dinner. Overnight in Cordoba.

Day 5 • Cordoba
Cordoba is not short on beautiful buildings. Although it is no longer a place of worship, the medieval synagogue is the only one in Andalusia to survive the expulsion of the Jews in 1492. The Puente Romano is a Roman bridge which still spans the Guadalquivir. We'll also visit the Torre de la Calahorra (the original guard entrance to the city) which is today a museum dedicated to the major cultures making up the area's history. We'll also visit the great mosque which was built in the eighth century. In the middle of the elegant structure is a Gothic cathedral which was added in 1523. Our sightseeing ends this afternoon and we board our motorcoach for the romantic city of Seville. Dinner and overnight in Seville.

Day 6 • Seville
Seville is often referred to as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The city has served as the backdrop for such famous productions as Don Juan, Carmen and Figaro. We'll begin our sightseeing at the Alcazar, the royal palace that was occupied by various cultures since early Roman times. Here we'll tour the Court of the Damsels, the Court of the Maidens and the Hall of the Ambassadors. Next on our itinerary is Seville's crowning glory, its massive cathedral (the largest Gothic cathedral in the world). The cathedral was built on the site of a former mosque in the seventeenth century. Other sites we'll enjoy today are the Basilica la Macarena, the Barrior Santa Cruz (old Jewish quarter) and the graceful Plaza de Espana. Dinner tonight is followed by the live entertainment of Flamenco dancers. Overnight in Seville.

Day 7 • Ronda & Gibraltar
We head out early this morning for Ronda. This small town is situated 425 feet above the Guadalevin River on a cliff and surrounded by mountains. Here we'll visit the Arab Bridge and the Arab Bath before heading to the British colony of Gibraltar. We'll take a cable car to the top of the Rock for a breathtaking view. Halfway up to the top we'll stop to see the Barbary apes. We'll also visit the Gibraltar museum which houses displays from the Stone Age to the present and St. Michael's Cave. Dinner and overnight is in Algeciras.

Day 8 • Tangier, Morocco
This morning we board our hydrofoil for a day in Morocco. Tangier is the closest major African city to Europe and was once known as the "Pearl of the Mediterranean". The city is in a nice setting of hills with beaches wrapping around it. We'll visit the kasbah (market) and walk the narrow, winding streets soaking in this unusual and exotic city. We return to Algeciras for dinner and overnight.
   
Day 9 • Granada
Historic Granada features many interesting sites, including the old Moorish quarter - El Albaicin. This section of the city is a maze of little lanes with old white houses and beautiful private villas. After a visit to the Royal Chapel (the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella), we head north to Madrid where we will have dinner and overnight.

Day 10 • Depart Spain For Home
We bid adiós to Espana and transfer to the airport for our flight back to the USA.

Price Includes: Round-trip airfare and air taxes, eight nights lodging in four-star hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, deluxe motorcoach transportation, baggage handling, taxes, meal gratuities, half-day sightseeing tours in Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Cordoba, Seville and Tangier, entrance fees per itinerary.

Not Included: Entrances/sightseeing/meals other than specified in itinerary, transportation and guides other than specified in itinerary, tips and gratuities to driver and guides.

Attention Group Leader. Customize this tour for your group.  Call the tour planning professionals at Pilgrim.  800.322.0788