March 12 - 19 & May 22 - 29, 2002
Available to Groups Year-round
    

Day 2 Madrid
Welcome to romantic Spain! We are met at the airport by our guide and taken to our deluxe motorcoach. En route to our hotel, we will be treated with a tour of the city's historical and cultural sights. Our first stop will be the Palacio Real, (Royal Palace). The palace was home to Spain's monarchs from 1764 to 1931. We'll visit the Plaza Mayor (medieval Madrid) which is lined with beautiful buildings and the city's oldest church, San Nicolas de los Servitas. After lunch, we'll visit the Prado, one of the world's largest museums. Housed in a splendid eighteenth-century building, it features the works of Rubens, El Greco, Titian and Durer. Dinner is at our hotel. Overnight in Madrid.

Day 3 Toledo And Cordoba
We depart Madrid this morning for Toledo, the home of El Greco. The city was once the capital of Roman Spain. The winding streets still show the evidence of the strong Moorish, Jewish and Christian influences. We'll stop at El Greco's Home and the Alcazar (Moorish fortress). After lunch, we travel south to Cordoba. At the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, the city's royal palace, we'll step back into time to the headquarters of the Inquisition from 1428 to 1821. Today it contains ancient archaeological finds, several large Roman mosaics and an ornate garden. Other sights include the Puento Romano (Roman bridge), which spans the Guadalquivir and the Torre de la Calahorra (built in 1369 to guard the entrance to the city). Dinner and overnight in Cordoba.

Day 4 Seville
Following breakfast we drive to the colonial city of Seville (considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe). We'll begin our sightseeing at the Catedral (the world's largest Gothic church). The church was built during the seventeenth-century on the site of a former mosque (the bell tower was originally the mosque's minaret). We'll wander through the Barrio Santa Cruz (the old Jewish quarter) with twisting alleyways and beautiful patios. After lunch we'll visit the stately Alcazar (royal palace). Dinner and overnight in Seville.

Day 5 Gibralter And Granada
This British colony is grafted onto a steep and rocky Spanish hillside. The "Rock" has been a British colony since 1704. Although Gibraltar is small (only two miles long), there are several interesting attractions not to be missed. We'll ride a cable car 1,350 feet up to the Top of the Rock (with spectacular views of Africa on clear days). While up here we'll explore the interior of St. Michael's Caves and a twelfth-century Moorish castle. Our motorcoach travels along the Costa Del Sol towards Granada. Upon arrival, we'll visit the magnificent thirteenth-century Moorish Alhambra Palace. Dinner and overnight in Granada.

Day 6 Granada Sightseeing
Granada is a gorgeous city, with fountains, plazas and parks. We'll begin our sightseeing at the Alhambra-- a massive, thirteenth-century palace. After lunch we'll pay a visit to Capilla Real (a Gothic chapel housing the remains of Ferdinand and Isabella). The remainder of the day is at leisure. Be sure to explore El Albaicin (the old Moorish quarter) - an amazing labyrinth of white houses and private villas.

Day 7 Madrid
Following breakfast, our motorcoach returns us to Madrid where we will have a day of leisure for last minute shopping or visiting one of the city's numerous museums. You may learn about Madrid's history and culture at the Museo de la Ciudad. Modern art lovers will enjoy the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. The white walls and pleasant courtyard of this building house such Spanish greats as Dali, Picasso and Miro. Relax at an outdoor café in Parque del Retiro, a large park where you can rent a rowboat on the estanque (pond). Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel. Overnight Madrid.

Day 8 Depart Spain For Home
Adios, Espana! We are transferred to the airport for our flight home to the US.

Price Per Person: March, $1177.00
May, $1408.00

Price Includes: Airfare from NYC, 6 nights accomodations in 4 star hotels, breakfast & dinner daily, air-conditioned motorcoach, entrance fees and sightseeing as listed, fully escorted, local guides, luggage handling.

Not included: Air taxes, tips & gratuities, and transfers in the US.

Attention Group Leader. Customize this tour for your group. Call the tour planning professionals at Pilgrim.
800 322 0788