Iberian Peninsula Itinerary

12 days

Day 1

ARRIVE at Madrid

Fly on a luxury airliner across the Atlantic to the largest city in Spain: Madrid.

Day 2

Madrid > Toledo

Visit the 13th-century gothic CATHEDRAL, and the CHURCH OF SANTO TOME, home to El Greco’s painting The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.

Prospective lodging: Barcelo Torre Arias or similar.

Day 3

madrid

Visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM to admire one of the world’s finest collections of European art.

Afterward, view the Royal Palace, and Puerta del Sol.

Prospective lodging: Barcelo Torre Arias or similar.

Day 4

madrid > Barcelona

After breakfast, head to Barcelona, ​​Spain's second largest city, to visit the splendid “Sacred Family Church” of the architectural wonders of Gaudí.

Depart to Zaragoza and then drive to Barcelona. Enjoy orientation of the monuments of the city including the Basilica of El Pilar, and the City Hall.

Prospective lodging: Frontair Congress or similar.

Day 5

barcelona

View the cathedral and the Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, a large, unfinished Roman Catholic Basilica. Park Guell, one of Barcelona's largest urban parks designed by Gaudi, the famous Catalan architect. Originally planned to be an exclusive area for the richest families of Barcelona's bourgeoisie, it later became a public park.

Then drive up Montjuic Hill to the site of the 1992 Olympic Stadium, and 1929 Expo Pavilion.

Prospective lodging: Frontair Congress or similar.

Day 6

barcelona > Valencia

Head south through the groves of olives, almonds, lemons and oranges to the garden city of Valencia. Visit the ancient City Gates, the octagonal clock tower, and the Cathedral.

Valencia is the birthplace of the its famous seafood fried rice dish: paella, which you can try in the evening. View the incredible Arts and Science City designed by contemporary artist Calatrava.

Prospective lodging: Holiday Inn Valencia or similar.

Day 7

valencia > Granada

Enjoy majestic mountain views of the Sierra Nevada on your way to Granada.

Explore the exquisite Alhambra Palace with its famous Lion Courtyard, built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century and stroll through the exotic water gardens of the Generalife.

Prospective lodging: Macia R. Alhambra or similar.

Day 8

granada > cordoba > seville

Depart for Cordoba and visit the amazing Mosque of the Caliphs and see the Roman Bridge and a beautifully restored 14th-century synagogue and walk around the Jewish Quarter with its narrow streets and Andalusian patios.

Afterward, depart to the Cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. View the Giralda Tower overlooking the Guadalquivir River.

Visit the Barrio Santa Cruz (the old Jewish quarter) and the burial site of infamous explorer Christopher Columbus. Drive to the Plaza de Espana and explore Maria Luisa Park.

Prospective lodging: Vertice or similar.

Day 9

seville > Lisbon

Enjoy the elegant Liberdade Avenue and take the opportunity to view the Monument of Discoveries.

Visit the famous monastery Mosteiro dos Jeronimos and the Tomb of Vasco da Gama, and view the nearby Tower of Bel?m, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites from the mid-16th century; and see the Discoveries Monument commemorating Portugal's "Age of Exploration" of the 15th and 16th centuries.

Prospective lodging: Letucia or similar.

day 12