From Madrid to Toledo to Bilbao, Small Group Tour, 9 days
DAY 1: Arrival in MadridWelcome to the capital of Spain and one of the most beautiful cities in the world - Madrid! Upon arrival your driver meets you at the airport and transfers you to your downtown hotel for check-in.
The rest of the day is free so you can start exploring the magnificent old town on your own, dine in one of the authentic local restaurants or take a good rest in your comfortable room. No meals included. DAY 2: Madrid Old Town TourFollowing breakfast you meet your guide and enjoy a fascinating walking sightseeing tour around the most brilliant attractions of Madrid de los Austrias - the amazing old town of the Spanish capital that treasures historical monuments dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries when Spain was ruled by the House of the Hapsburgh.
During the tour you take a walk around Plaza de Oriente, enter the gorgeous Royal Palace called Palacio Real, see the beautiful exteriors of the Catedral Nuestra Senora de la Almudena and stroll through Major Street. Next you proceed to Plaza de la Villa, stop by St. Michel's Market and walk down the picturesque Cava de San Miguel. Your tour finishes at iconic Plaza Mayor and breathtaking Puerta del Sol. After the touring is over you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free. Breakfast is included. DAY 3: Madrid of the Bourbons & Prado MuseumAfter breakfast your guide meets you and takes you on a walking tour to discover Madrid of the Bourbons - the historical area around the Prado Museum.
During the tour you pass the Parque del Retiro, Puerta de Alcala, Plaza Cibeles, and three monumental fountains: Cibeles, Apolo and Neptuno. Next you proceed to the Spanish Parliament building, see the Atocha train station and explore the area of the Golden Triangle of Art made up of three most important art museums of Madrid - the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemitza and the Reina Sofia. The highlight of the tour is a visit to one of the world's greatest art galleries and Madrid's top cultural sight - the Prado Museum. This venue houses a unique collection of Spanish fine art displayed in the halls and rooms of this 18th-century Neo-Classical building. You see the most significant gems of the museum's collection, including the famous masterpieces of El Greco, Velazquez, Goya, Raphael and Rubens. After the tour rest of the day is free. Breakfast is included. DAY 4: Firebird Special: El EscorialThis day is dedicated to the exploration of the historical residence of the King of Spain, located in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Following breakfast you are picked up from the hotel by your private guide and driver and go directly to El Escorial.
Upon arrival you have a tour of the city and the stunning Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Its construction began in 1563 and ended in 1584 by the order of King Philip II. The vast building complex functions as a monastery, basilica, royal palace, pantheon, library, museum, university and hospital. After the tour you are transferred back to Madrid. The rest of the day is free. Breakfast is included. DAY 5: Toledo & Train to San SebastianIn the morning you check-out from the hotel and your private driver picks you up to take you to Toledo - the historical capital of Spain.
Upon arrival you have a city tour around the mesmerizing landmarks of ancient Toledo. During the tour you walk through the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, explore the fortified city walls and see the famous UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval architecture, including the 13th-century Cathedral of Toledo and Sinagogue (entrances included). After the tour you return back to Madrid and have a transfer directly to the railway station for a high-speed train ride to San Sebastian (first class tickets are included). Upon arrival you are transferred to your downtown hotel. Breakfast is included. DAY 6: San Sebastian City TourIn the morning after breakfast you have a sightseeing tour of San Sebastian. During the tour you see the Kursaal Palace area, the historic Cathedral area and one of the most-visited tourist sites - Santa Maria del Coro's Basilica, an 18 century baroque church built on the site of an ancient Roman temple. You then proceed to the local market and shopping area, see the Old Town, the port and the bay of La Concha.
After the tour you return to the hotel and have the rest of the day free. Breakfast is included. DAY 7: Rioja Wine Tour & Visit to LaguardiaFollowing breakfast you check-out from the hotel and have a day trip to Rioja region to visit a couple of traditional wineries, producing the world famous Rioja wine under the local wine appellation in La Rioja Alta and La Rioja Alavesa. You will get a guided tour in each winery with tastings.
Later we will proceed on the region through the vineyards stopping at the medieval village of Laguardia for a guided tour and being able to enjoy the magnificent modern architecture of the most famous wineries in the area. After the tour you are transferred to your Bilbao hotel for the check-in. Overnight at the hotel. Breakfast is included. DAY 8: Bilbao City TourIn the morning after breakfast you meet your experienced guide who takes you on a fantastic sightseeing tour around the city's most interesting landmarks.
During the tour you see the Guggenheim-Bilbao museum (from the outside), explore the Casco Viejo - Old Town made up by the city's 7 calles - streets that are the origins of Bilbao, pass the beautiful Cathedral of Santiago, and enjoy the views of the Yohn's Palace or the Arriaga theater - named in honor of the "Spanish Mozart". After the tour you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free. Breakfast is included. DAY 9: Departure from BilbaoThis is the last day of your amazing tour of Spain's Northern cities! After breakfast your driver transfers you to the airport for your flight back home. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future trips!
Breakfast is included.
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We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Portugal and Spain and were grateful all along the way for the attention to detail and selection of such wonderful guides. Each guide was thoughtful, punctual, full of information and excellent at communicating in English - Susanne Hoder about her trip with us
Thanks so very much for our guided trip to Spain. Judy and I had a wonderful time. Our guides were fantastic. The hotels were great and we received a real taste of Spanish culture - Larry & Judith Nibbelink about their trip with us
Our trip to Spain was everything we have been dreaming of and more! The thing that shocked me most was that every point of the tour was soo well-organized! Everything went like clockwork. All drivers were on time and even early, and transfers went smoothly without even one little hitch - Selena & Daniel about their trip with us
Took the Spanish Delight (Private Experience program). We did have a very good trip. Everything arranged went well, really flawless—thanks very much! We particularly enjoyed the knowledgeable and fun guides in Cordoba, Seville and Granada - Paul Weiden about his trip with us
Just wanted to pass along some feedback regarding mine and Sandra's trip to Spain and Portugal. It was fabulous. Everything you set up went perfectly. It was truly the trip of a lifetime. - Janis Warner about her trip with us
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