Legendary Spain with Extremadura

Overnight flight from the U.S. to Madrid, Spain.

Afternoon visit to the renowned Prado Museum. Welcome dinner (1 Night)

Explore Madrid on a city tour and learn about its history, monuments, customs, and unique character of this capital city. See the Royal Palace, the Old Quarter, and other highlights including Plaza Mayor.

Drive to Toledo, known as the “city of the three cultures”, as Christians, Muslims, and Jews coexisted here in harmony for centuries. Its cultural legacy makes it a unique city with beautiful examples of Mudéjar architecture. Continue to Guadalupe in the region of Extremadura. Walk around the narrow streets and town center which dates from the 14th and 16th centuries. Explore the Royal Monastery of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe with its now restored Moorish style gardens which witnessed decisive events in Spanish history such as the audience with the Catholic Monarchs when they offered Columbus the ships for his voyage. (2 Nights)

Depart for nearby Trujillo, known as the “Cradle of Conquistadors”, home of Francisco Pizarro, the conqueror of the Inca Empire and Hernán Cortés conqueror of México among other famous conquistadors. The elegant city of Trujillo is characterized by grand squares, beautiful old churches, palaces, and elegant manor houses, many built with the treasures from the New World.

Depart for Cáceres a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than ten towers dominate the historic quarter surrounded by Arab walls, cobbled streets, fortified homes, and Renaissance palaces. Tour the Toledo-Moctezuma Palace which dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. Drive to the nearby town of Mérida, the “Spanish Rome” a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring superb ruins. Continue into Spain’s Andalucía region. (3 Nights)

Seville is a beautiful city with a rich Moorish heritage. Tour the Royal Alcázar of Seville (Royal Palace). The Alcázar with its beautiful gardens is one of the purest and greatest examples of Mudéjar (Christian-Muslim) architecture. See the Archive of the Indies, and enter the magnificent Cathedral (burial site of Columbus), the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Walkthrough Seville’s historical Jewish Quarter. Take a horse- drawn carriage through the María Luisa Park to the splendid Plaza de España. Then, visit the typical Andalusían palace and gardens of Casa Pilatos, a prime example of Andalusían royal homes of the 16th century. Flamenco show and dinner tonight.

Short trip to Jerez and Cádiz. Jerez is known for its golden sherry, the distinctive fortified wine known worldwide. Then move on to Cádiz, the oldest city in Western Europe that boasts a fascinating history and heritage. After lunch continue on a sightseeing tour of the beautiful parts of the city and spectacular coastal views. Return to Seville.

Depart for Córdoba. Córdoba’s greatest glory was as the capital of the Moorish kingdom of El-Andalus. Tour the impressive Great Mosque, known as the Mezquita, the most important monument of all the Western Islamic world, and one of the most amazing in the world. Continue to the historic quarter of Córdoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon transfer to Granada. (2 Nights)

Enjoy a tour of the Alhambra complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Spain’s single biggest attraction. This hilltop fortress- palace is the most remarkable monument to Moorish art in Spain. Tour the Alhambra and the lush harem gardens and fountains of the Generalife, the summer palace of the Sultans. Afterward, transfer to the Albayzin quarter for a brief walking tour of this picturesque, historic neighborhood. After lunch visit the Royal Chapel where Ferdinand and Isabella are buried. Farewell dinner.

Transfer to Granada International Airport for flights back to the U.S. or continue onto Barcelona Extension.

Travel to Barcelona, one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities of Spain known as the capital of Catalan Art Nouveau. See the Barcelona Pavilion, a study in minimalism built for the 1929 International Exposition, and then explore the Sagrada Familia, a spectacular basilica, and the bizarre Park Guell, both designed by Gaudí. Visit the city’s Gothic Quarter, with its labyrinth of winding streets. Explore the Central Market, also known as La Boqueria. (3 Nights)