TOUR STARTS FROM BARCELONA - Explore Spain's Andalucia region on a 5-day tour from Barcelona. Visit the colorful Spanish region that's famous for Moorish architecture, bullfights, and, of course, flamenco! Stay in great hotels and enjoy sightseeing tours of Madrid, Seville, Granada, and Cordoba.
Andalusia is in the south of the Iberian peninsula, in south-western Europe. It is directly south of the autonomous communities of Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha. It is situated west of the autonomous community of Murcia and the Mediterranean Sea. East of Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean; and north of the Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar. Andalusia is the only European region with both Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines. At the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar, the small British overseas territory of Gibraltar shares a three-quarter-mile land border with the Andalusian province of Cádiz.
At a glance
SUN | Early departure to Madrid with a stop in Zaragoza |
MON | Leave for Cordoba (City tour). Overnight in Seville |
TUE | Morning city tour. Afternoon at leisure. |
WED | Travel to Granada. Visit the Alhambra & Generalife |
THU | Onwards to Toledo (City tour). Arrive in Madrid |
Highlights
> Weekly departures from Barcelona
> See Spain's Capital Madrid
> Explore the historical cities of Cordoba, Seville, Granada and Toledo
> Sightseeing tours with professional English Speaking guides
> Entrance fees are included
Quick Contact
Itinerary
Barcelona - Zaragoza - Madrid
- Depart from Barcelona at 8:00 a.m. through Lerida and Zaragoza for a shortstop
- Continue on to Madrid.
- Overnight at your hotel in Madrid.
Madrid - Cordoba - Seville (B-D)
- Breakfast at your hotel in Madrid.
- We then travel through La Mancha country; to Cordoba.
- Sightseeing tour; visit its famous Mosque-Cathedral and Jewish Quarter.
- Continue to Seville.
- Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Seville.
- Optional tour to attend a flamenco show.
Seville (B-L)
- Half board (2 meals) at the hotel.
- Breakfast at your hotel
- Morning city tour visiting the Barrio de Santa Cruz with its narrow streets; the Park of Maria Luisa and Plaza de Espana; with a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city.
- Optional Artistic tour including the Royal Alcazar Palace.
- The afternoon is at your leisure to continue discovering the city.
- Overnight at your hotel in Seville
Inclusions
- Transportation in deluxe AC vehicle with panoramic windows and maximum comfort and safety.
- Experienced multilingual and English-speaking tour conductors during the tour helping you with your accommodations and assuring you of a pleasant vacation.
- Sightseeing tours as indicated, with expert local guides and entrance fees to the monuments.
- Accommodation in First Class hotels in double room sharing
- Transportation of one baggage per person.
- Meal plan: as per itinerary.
Exclusions
- International flights – Departure & Fuel taxes (Contact us for best airfares)
- Personal expenses, meals and drinks unless otherwise specified
- Travel insurance
- Spain Visa fee
- Tips
- Services not stated in the itinerary
Validity
- DEPARTURES: Sundays
Rate valid for travel between 15 MAR 23 and 15 MAR 23
High Season supplements applicable for 23 & 30 APR and for travel between 01 JUL and 31 OCT 23
Contact us for any other travel date required
Country information
Best time to go
Spain has a perfect climate for anyone between April to May and again from September to October. During these months enjoy a mild climate and lesser crowds. Summer (June to end August) are the peak tourist months, where travelers flock to Spain to soak up the sun. Temperatures dip from November onwards and depending on where you travel, winter gear will be required.
Spain food & drink
Gastronomy in Spain is an adventure and changes from region to region. Each province claims its own unique flavour
A budget way to sample the local food is to order Menus del Dia (Menu of the day). It includes a soup or a salad followed by a main course with a side dish. Dessert ends of your meal
Sangria is Spain’s most known drink: a fruit punch made of red wine with chopped fruit mixed with honey and orange juice
Culture and Language
Life in Spain has experienced swift changes in recent years. However, hospitality, chivalry and courtesy is still the basis of every Spaniard towards visitors and a handshake is a common way of greeting a person. Lunchtime is taken between 14:00 and 15:30 and evening meals between 21:00 and 23:00. So plan your meals well. Spain has harshest anti-smoking laws in Europe.
The official language is Spanish (Castilian). English is widely spoken/understood in all major tourist destinations. Advisable is to learn some Spanish words/phrases, especially when traveling outside the main tourist areas.
Getting around
Domestic Air Travel in Spain is mostly inexpensive. Spain has an extensive bus and rail network and rates are very affordable. High-speed trains run between most popular cities. Taxis are safe and easy to find in all the main cities. A surcharge will be levied is your journey starts/ends at an airport, bus Terminal or Rail station.
Tipping
VAT (IVA) of 10% is included in your bill. Restaurants & Bards, an additional 5% is normal. Most people leave small change when settling their bill.
Traditional dishes
Paella: Spain’s most famous dish made of rice, seafood, green vegetables and lots of seasoning
Tapas: small bites served before dinner. A Popular Tapas dish is Patatas Bravas (Served with a spicy sauce)
Gazpacho: Cold vegetable food with a tomato base
Pollo al Ajillo: chicken sautéed or simmered in white wine or sherry served with potatoes and a salad
Churros con chocolate: deep-fried twisted pastries served with dark chocolate
Andalusia's interior is the hottest area in Europe. With cities like Córdoba and Seville having an average high of around 36 °C in summer. Late evening temperatures can sometimes stay around 35 °C until close to midnight. Daytime highs of over 40 °C are quite common. Similarly, Seville also has the highest average annual temperature in mainland Spain and mainland Europe (19.2 °C), closely followed by Almería (19.1 °C)
Córdoba
Córdoba is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. It was conquered by Muslim armies in the eighth century. It then became the capital of the Islamic Emirate and the Caliphate of Córdoba, including most of the Iberian Peninsula.
Caliph Al Hakam II opened many libraries in addition to the medical schools and universities which already existed. Making Córdoba a center for education. During these centuries, Córdoba became a society ruled by Muslims, in which all other groups had second-class status. It returned to Christian rule in 1236, during the Reconquista. Today it is a moderately sized modern city; its population in 2011 was about 330,000. The historic center was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Córdoba has the warmest summer high temperatures in Spain and Europe. With average high temperatures around 37 °C (99 °F) in July and similar heat in August.
The Mosque of Cordoba was built during the Muslim empire and was reconverted into a Catholic cathedral. It is the third biggest mosque in the world and stands out for its hundreds of decorated arches and columns that hold its roof.
The Cathedral of Sevilla is the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world. Is a sign of its wide cultural and artistic past.
La Alhambra is a contemporary history of Granada’s Arab past. Its buildings, towers, palaces, patios and gardens make La Alhambra one of the most visited monuments in Spain.