touring
ANDALUCIA AND MADRID By air and rail 7 nights / 8 Days
Discover authentic Andalucían culture with this rail holiday , the ideal way to travel around the southernmost region in Spain . Begin by flying into Madrid , where you spend your first night before travelling by train between the three greatest cities of Andalucía : Seville , Cordoba and Granada . Home to mediaeval Islamic architecture , bullfighting and flamenco , sherry and tapas , these historic and atmospheric cities can be explored with the help of a number of included excursions to help you make the most of your touring holiday .
SUGGESTED TOURING ITINERARY
DAY ONE
Begin your holiday by flying from London to Madrid , where you spend one night at Hospes Madrid , a boutique hotel conveniently located next to Parque del Retiro . You have the rest of the day to explore the city , with its many attractive plazas and museums , including the Prado , the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia which houses Picasso ’ s Guernica . In Old Madrid visit the Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace .
DAY TWO
Leave Madrid the following morning at about 9 am ( or later if you want more time to explore the capital ), travelling by high-speed train and arriving into Granada at lunchtime . Spend two nights in Granada , staying at Hospes Palacio de los Patos , a 19th Century palace with a striking modern wing .
DAY THREE
Granada , nestling at the edge of the Sierra Nevada mountains , is one of Spain ’ s most fascinating cities . During your stay we include a shared tour of the Alhambra palace , a UNESCO world heritage site , started in 1232 by the rulers of the Nasrid dynasty . The tour includes visits to the Royal Palaces , Gardens and Carlos V ’ s Palace , after which you have the rest of the day at leisure to explore Granada . An authentic Andalucían Flamenco show is included in the evening . The rest of your time here in Granada is yours to explore perhaps visiting the narrow streets of the Albaicin quarter or the Generalife , the country estate of the Nasrid kings .
DAY FOUR
Leave Granada this morning by train to Córdoba , arriving just over two hours later . Stay for two nights at Hospes Palacio del Bailio , which occupies historical buildings surrounding a number of pretty patios .
DAY FIVE
Spend the day in Córdoba , a city which is set on the Guadalquivir River at the heart of rural Andalucía , boasting cobbled streets decorated with wrought-iron balconies and many historical attractions as well as restaurants and nightlife . We include entrance tickets to Córdoba ’ s mosque ( Mezquita ), the largest Islamic structure in Western Europe and a UNESCO protected site . Spend the
Cordoba , the Mosque
Alcazar of Seville rest of the day exploring this fascinating city , perhaps visiting the workshops of silversmiths or the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos before enjoying a romantic three-course dinner in an intimate restaurant , where you sample typical Andalucían dishes .
DAY SIX
You leave Cordoba mid-morning and arrive in Seville just 45 minutes later . Spend two nights in Seville at Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza , a four-star townhouse set among the cobbled courtyards in the centre of the city .
DAY SEVEN
Seville is the capital of Andalucía and Spain ’ s fourth largest city . Art and architecture are very important here , where the centre is formed of a maze of narrow lanes and hidden plazas . Enjoy a short included guided tour of the city centre , visiting the main sights of the Barrio de Santa Cruz and then in the evening we include an introductory presentation on Iberian ham and ham cutting . Be sure to wander back to visit the Real Alcazar , the Royal Palaces with their Moorish craftmanship and landscaped gardens , the Cathedral and belltower ( La Giralda ) and marvel at the numerous colourful azulejos , glazed ceramic tiles .
DAY EIGHT
After two nights in Seville , take a taxi to the airport for your flight back to the UK .
PRICES Prices from £ 1,690 per person for first class rail travel in Jan , Feb , Jul , Aug , Nov and Dec , based on two people sharing . Or from £ 1,995 per person for first class rail travel in March , April , May , June , Sep , Oct , based on two people sharing .
WHAT ’ S INCLUDED
• Scheduled flights with Easyjet or British
Airways , London to Madrid , Seville to London
• First class rail travel on all trains within Spain
• Accommodation with bed and breakfast based on two people sharing a standard double room as follows : One night at Hospes Puerta de Alcala in Madrid . Two nights at Hospes Palacio de los Patos in Granada Two nights at Hospes Palacio del Bailio in Cordoba Two nights at Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza in Seville
• Córdoba : Entrance tickets to the mosque and a ‘ Caliphal ’ dinner which includes a
selection of tapas , main course , dessert , coffee and mineral water .
• Granada : A shared tour of the Alhambra and a Tablao Flamenco show .
• Seville : A shared walking tour ( 2.5 hours ) and an Iberian Ham Cutting presentation .
For expert advice call our travel consultants on 01392 441276 15