Day 8 – Free Time and Flamenco in Seville
Flamenco in Seville
Enjoy a relaxed start and a morning to unwind, shop or continue exploring this fascinating city at your own pace. Our suggestion is to join an Optional Experience to the ancient city of Córdoba, where you will visit the magnificent Mezquita, see the old Jewish Quarter, and enjoy some free time to shop or explore as you wish. Later this afternoon, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a flamenco dance school and beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Their mission is to promote the teaching and conservation of flamenco. Feel the passion behind the choreography as you put your rhythm to the test during a dance lesson.
Stay: NH Collection Sevilla
Included Meals: Dinner with Wine
Day 9 – Head for Gibraltar, Mijas and the Costa del Sol
Head for Gibraltar, Mijas and the Costa del Sol
Head south to Gibraltar, part of mainland Spain yet an overseas territory under British control since 1704. With your Local Expert, visit the Rock of Gibraltar and St. Michael’s Cave. See the Barbary Apes, legendary guardians of the colony. Relax as you travel the scenic route along the Costa del Sol through high end resorts where the rich and famous holiday. Your journey continues through the green hills to the white-washed village of Mijas. Stroll through the old streets and gardens, taking in the views of the coast.
Stay: Meliá Costa del Sol
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 10 – At Leisure on the Costa del Sol
Costa del Sol
Enjoy the day at leisure on the sun-drenched Costa del Sol. Relax by the blue Mediterranean waters, stroll along the promenade, savour the specialities in the local restaurants or consider exploring Málaga, the birth city of Picasso.
Stay: Meliá Costa del Sol
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 – Dining with Locals and the Alhambra
Alhambra
Continue to Alfarnatejo, a quiet whitewashed village, with a population of less than 500 people, surrounded by stunning mountainous landscape. Walk the town centre to see the 18th century Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla. Travel to the oldest olive grove in the region and stop at the rural mill-factory to taste a selection of different oils, paired with locally made farmer bread. In small groups, you are invited into the home of a local family to join them for a delicious Highlight Lunch made of fresh, local produce with flavours typical of the region.
Continue to Granada to visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace with your Local Expert. Built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century, it is a wonder of beautiful gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace.
Stay: Vincci Albayzín
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 12 – On to Valencia
Valencia
Journey to Valencia. Pass through the Old City to see its ancient gates, and the City of Arts and Sciences. In your free time perhaps take a stroll to the Cathedral and El Miguelete? Alternatively sit back with a drink and watch the Valencians go about their day. Valencia is home to one of the world’s greatest dishes, paella. Meet the chef of a local family-run restaurant in the heart of the Old City and learn how to make this local specialty during a Cooking Demonstration. Later, indulge in the delicious flavours of this classic dish at your Highlight Dinner.
Stay: Barceló Valencia
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 13 – Along the Coast to Peñíscola and on to Barcelona
Coast to Peniscola
Follow the coast to Peñíscola to view the sea-lapped castle used in the film ‘El Cid’. Continue along the Costa Dorada to the Cava Bodegas at Sant Sadurni d’Anoia. During a delicious light lunch, enjoy a tasting as you learn the sparkling secrets of Spanish bubbly. Continue along the coast to reach Barcelona.
Stay: Meliá Barcelona Sarrià
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 14 – Barcelona Sightseeing
Barcelona Sightseeing
A Local Expert joins you for a drive along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and some of the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district to visit Gaudi’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família. See the central nave with its giant, tree-like pillars, spectacular vaulting and the beautiful rainbows flooding in through the intricate stained-glass windows.
At a local restaurant, join your fellow travellers to toast to newfound friends and a wonderful journey, enjoying a Celebration Dinner with wine.
Stay: Meliá Barcelona Sarrià
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 15 – Depart Barcelona
Depart Barcelona
Today, bid farewell to your journey along Spain and Portugal as you transfer to the airport. Departure Transfer: Arrive at the airport at 07:00, 09:00, 11:00.
Included Meals: Breakfast
