Independent Spain vacation, Moorish Heritage

With their invasion in 711 A.D., almost the entire Iberian Peninsula fell under Moorish control. During the subsequent centuries, the Christians from their stronghold in the northernmost province of Asturias, slowly began to win back the lost territory, until in the mid-13th century only the area that today coincides with Andalusia remained in the hands of the Moors. This route offers the possibility to enter the heart of Arabic Spain. Cordoba, famous for its Mezquita or mosque, was in the 10th century a city of almost a million people, many of whom came from Damascus. The splendid heritage they left behind in Cordoba is to be found at each and every corner. Seville, with its Giralda or golden tower, was an important city to the Almohades, an ancient Berber tribe of northern Africa, whose empire stretched into Spain to the northern limits of Andalusia. Granada, the ultimate stronghold of the Moors on the peninsula, fell to the Catholic Kings in 1492. It has superbly conserved Arabic buildings such as the famous palace of Alhambra, where, tradition has it, Boabdil (the last king of the Nasrid tribe in Spain) shed tears at the loss of his empire.

Itinerary

Day 1. Madrid

Arrival in Madrid. Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to hotel of choice.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight.
Tour options: Madrid panoramic in private car with driver, private visit to two museums, and a Walking Tour of Old Madrid with stops at some of the best taverns to sample wine and "tapas".

Day 2. Madrid

Breakfast. You will be met by our guide at the hotel for a City Walk Old Town of Madrid (private guide service).
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight.
Optional tour to Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial.(private car/driver service or motorcoach tour ).

Day 3. Madrid-Cordoba-Seville

Breakfast. Private transfer from hotel to Atocha station to catch AVE (high speed train) to Cordoba. Upon arrival, you will be met by a guide and join a small group to be taken by minibus to visit the Mezquita of Cordoba and the Jewish Quarter. After the visit and some free time, you will continue by AVE to Seville. Upon arrival in Seville, a private car will be waiting to transfer you to your selected hotel. Overnight stay in Seville.

You can select the option of sleeping in Cordoba, as well as visiting Cordoba with a private tour.

Day 4. Seville

Breakfast buffet. You will meet your guide in the hotel reception for a private tour of Seville, which will include a visit to the Cathedral and the Reales Alcazares as well as the Santa Cruz Quarter. Afternoon free.
Overnight stay in Seville.

Day 5. Seville-Granada

Breakfast. You will be met by your driver at the hotel for transfer to Granada by motorcoach tour. Upon arrival, you will visit the Alhambra Palace (join a group visit). You will be picked up at the meeting point and transferred to hotel of choice.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight.
Optional private guided tour in Albayzin Quarter.

Day 6. Granada-Madrid

Breakfast and free morning in Granada. Transfer by chauffeur driven car to Granada station to take train to Madrid. Upon arrival, private transfer to selected hotel. Overnight stay in Madrid.

Day 7. Madrid

Breakfast. You will be met by your driver at the hotel for departure transfer to the Madrid airport. End of Services. Optional extension program from Granada to Costa del Sol or connections from Madrid to other cities.

Includes

3 nights in Madrid, hotel of choice with daily buffet breakfast. AVE (bullet-train), tourist class, non-smoking: Madrid-Cordoba-Seville. Talgo train, tourist class: Granada-Madrid. 2 nights in Seville, hotel of choice with daily buffet breakfast. 1 night in Granada, hotel of choice with daily buffet breakfast. Private transfers with English speaking driver except Seville to Granada (seat in coach). Cordoba & Granada sightseeing (seat in coach with local guide and entrance fees to monuments: Alhambra and Mezquita). Seville private City Walk with local guide and entrance fees to the cathedral and Royal Alcazares . Madrid private City Walk Old Town with guide. Taxes

All mentioned transfers are with English-speaking driver according to the program

This is a suggested tour and is customized for each client.