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You can request to book this tour privately, travelling only with people you know.
DAY 1: WELCOME TO MADRID
You will be met and transferred to your hotel. The day is at leisure to begin exploring. Later, join your fellow travelers and your tour director for a welcome reception. Meals: WR
Accommodation at the Catalonia Goya, Madrid, or similar
DAY 2: MADRID SIGHTSEEING
We begin with a guided half-day city tour of Madrid. Our drive takes us through the Gran Vía and the Passeo de Castellana, past the Plaza de España, Plaza de Oriente, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Atocha Station, the fountain of Neptune, Cibeles fountain, the Bullring, the Santiago Bernabeu soccer stadium, and many more. The afternoon is for leisure. Meals: B
Accommodation at the Catalonia Goya, Madrid, or similar
DAY 3: TOLEDO EXCURSION
We visit Toledo, a city with a wealth of monuments. It is known as the “city of the three cultures” because Christians, Arabs, and Jews lived there together for centuries. During our guided tour we visit the Santo Tome Church and the Synagogue of Santa María. From Toledo, we return to Madrid where the afternoon is at leisure. Meals: B
Accommodation at the Catalonia Goya, Madrid, or similar
DAY 4: MADRID TO BILBAO VIA BURGOS
We Depart for Bilbao. On the way, we stop in Burgos. Upon arrival S/S of Burgos with a local guide including the visit to the Cathedral. There is time for lunch on your own. From there, we continue to Bilbao where we have a tasting of local tapas called pintxos. Meals: B, D
Accommodation at the Catalonia Gran Via Bilbao, Bilbao, or similar
DAY 5: BILBAO SIGHTSEEING
On our visit to Bilbao, we see the vibrant old town with many shops, squares, and typical Basque tavernas. We enter the Guggenheim Museum, an architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Gehry. The collection includes large-scale and site-specific art by such contemporary artists as Jeff Koons and Willem de Kooning. The remainder of the day is free. Meals: B
Accommodation at the Catalonia Gran Via Bilbao, Bilbao, or similar
DAY 6: PAMPLONA, BASQUE VILLAGES & SAN SEBASTIAN
After breakfast, we depart for San Sebastian. En route, we visit Getaria, a charming Basque coastal village. Upon arrival in San Sebastian, we see the Maria Cristina Hotel. It is here, at the Kursaal, that the film festival takes place. We also see La Concha beach, a crescent-shaped urban seaboard. In the afternoon we arrive in Pamplona. Dinner is served later that night. Meals: B, D
Accommodation at the Maisonnave, Pamplona, or similar
DAY 7: PAMPLONA TO BARCELONA VIA ZARAGOZA
After breakfast, we have a half-day guided sightseeing tour of Pamplona featuring the Ciudadela, the City Walls, parks, and gardens. We will hear about the ‘Running of the Bulls’ race, part of the San Fermin festival. From Pamplona, we continue to Zaragoza for lunch on your own. Later that afternoon, we arrive in Barcelona and the rest of the day is at leisure. Meals: B
Accommodation at the Catalonia Gracia, Barcelona, or similar
DAY 8: BARCELONA SIGHTSEEING
Our guided half-day sightseeing tour includes Barcelona’s most important artistic jewels of Gaudi’s Batlló, Casa Milá, the Cathedral Sagrada Familia, and Guell Park, declared an artistic monument and mankind’s heritage by UNESCO. In the afternoon you are free to explore more on your own. Join your fellow travelers and your tour director for the farewell dinner. Meals: B, D
Accommodation at the Catalonia Gracia, Barcelona, or similar
DAY 9: BARCELONA DEPARTURE
Transfer to Barcelona airport after breakfast. Meals: B