Day 1
Madrid - Toledo - Consuegra - Granada
Our first stop of the day is only a short drive away at the Imperial City of Toledo (World Heritage city). You will have two hours to lose yourself in the cobblestone streets. Be sure to check out the famous Cathedral featuring art works by El Greco and poke your head in one of the numerous stores filled with hand crafted steel swords. We will continue towards Granada via the route of Don Quixote -The Man from La Mancha! As a bonus we make a stop at Consuegra - where Don Quixote famously tilted at the windmills (he thought they were giants!). Great photo opportunity of the eleven windmills and ruined castle overlooking the plains of La Mancha.
Arrival into Granada will be in the early evening and after check-in we will have an orientation walk through the city via the Albaycin (Moorish quarter). You have the opportunity of checking out some local tapas bars with your Guide. Head to the Sacromonte Caves later at night for the option of seeing a live Flamenco show. Granada is a student town, so those with the stamina will find plenty of opportunities for partying late into the night!
Day 2
Granada
You have the entire day to explore Granada at your leisure. You may even choose to make a day trip to the Sierra Nevada, Spain’s highest mountain. Your Guide will provide you with a list of recommended sights/attractions to visit. Be sure not to miss the most famous Moorish relic and most visited sight in Spain – The Alhambra. Allow yourselves around 3 hours to explore the palace and the Generalife gardens – this will certainly be a highlight of your trip! The entrance and local guide is included in your tour. Meet with the group later in the evening for some more tapas bar hopping.
Day 3
Granada – Seville via Jerez
Jerez de la Frontera became famous throughout the world for its sweet wines named after the town, which the British pronounced "sherry". It is called "de la Frontera" because it once stood on the frontier between the Moorish and the Christian realms. Jerez is also famous, throughout the world, for its magnificent dancing horses and brilliant singers and dancers of flamenco. We will stop for 2hrs to take a tour of the Tio Pepe - Gonzalez Byass factory, have an orientation walk around the centre of town, and to have lunch. From here it’s onto Seville. After check-in we will take you on a short orientation walk, including a walk to the famous Alcazar palace. Afterwards you will have free time to explore Seville on your own; Make sure you check out the Cathedral (the 3rd largest in the world, where Columbus’ remains are allegedly held), the Santa Cruz (Jewish) Quarter, and the Plaza España in the Maria Luisa park.
If the afternoon sun is making you sleepy, take a siesta! The locals will be, and it is likely to be a late night! Seville has its own style of flamenco, ‘sevillanas’, with the dancing not kicking off in bars until midnight. Party until the sun rises on the banks of the Gualdaquivir river, where revellers take advantage of the outdoor bars lining the river banks.
Day 4
Seville – Cordoba - Madrid
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before departing Seville. In just 2 hours we will reach Cordoba. We will visit Cordoba’s most famous monument, the Mezquita – originally a mosque, a Christian cathedral was built in its centre in the 16th century. Wander through the Jewish quarter, great photo opportunities of the colourful flower-filled Cordoban patios. Then it's back to Madrid and the end of your tour.