Spanish Highlight - 8 D / 7 N

Welcome to Spain - The land of Flamenco and Bull-fighting! On arrival in Madrid, you will be welcomed by your Southern Travels representative and transferred to your hotel. As the capital of the Spanish Empire, Madrid was once the richest and most powerful city in the world. The power and glory of Madrid is reflected in its parks, plazas, boulevards and in the pride and panache of today''s Madrilenos. Among the splendid attractions of Madrid are the Prado Museum; home to masterworks of Goya, Velazquez and El Greco: the 19th century Villahermosa Palace now the Thyssen-Bornemizsa Museum; the Reina Sofia Art Centre showcasing more than 300 modern works by Dali, Miro & Picasso among others; the 18th century Royal Palace on the lovely Plaza de Oriente the bustling Puerta del Sol with its many shops, restaurants and tapas bars. Rest of the day is at leisure to explore this vibrant city on your own. This afternoon, why not take an optional tour to Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and admire its beauty through the architectural heritage? Or, spend the evening sampling tapas. No trip to the capital of Spain is complete without visiting the tapas bars. This it is the ideal way to experience Spanish culture and discover its enchanting bars

Explore Madrid on a panoramic city tour with an English speaking driver cum guide. Admire the facade of the Royal Palace, the Sabatini Gardens, Campo del Moro and many more.

This morning, transfer on your own from hotel to Madrid train station. Board your AVE high-speed train to Cordoba. Lying on the banks of the river Guadalquivir and flanked to the north by the Sierra Morena the city of Cordoba is considered one of the must see cities with a mesmerizing historical center declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city boasts a rich historical past from Roman, Moorish, Jewish and Christian civilizations all contributing to a diverse mix of architectural styles and crafts. On arrival in Cordoba, transfer on your own to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city.

Today, embark on a walking tour of the historical city of Cordoba. This tour through the streets of Cordoba allows you to get to know the history and traditions of this intriguing city, with its beguiling mix of Roman, Arabic and Spanish history. See top city attractions like Mezquita, a unique work of its type, is the representation of Caliphal art, Alcazar of the Christian Kings with its sunken gardens and its magnificent Mossaics Hall, The Synagogue; the only one existing in Andalucia and the Jews Quarter.

This morning explore Seville on city tour with a romantic river cruise. Discover the Guadalquivir River in Seville, also known as the romantic river and the only navigable rive in Spain. Admire the varied architecture of its bridges, the monuments by the banks or the avant-garde landasacpe. See the key river sites, including Torre del Oro, La Giralda, La Maestranza Bullring and many more.

In the morning, explore Alhambra, listed under the World Heritage Sites list of the UNESCO and is indisputably the most well-known monument of the city and one of the most visited in Spain. It has a defensive area, the Alcazaba, the Nasrid Palaces, named after the Dinasty of the Kingdom of Granada, and the Gardens of the Generalife. Perched high on the hill overlooking the city, the incredible palace complex was first built as a fortress at the start of the 13th century. Successions of Spanish rulers made Alhambra their home, and the fortress grew into a medina (little hilltop city) with numerous palaces and lavish gardens. It is a treasure trove of Moorish architecture and you'll see several of its wonders as you tour its highlights. Admire decadent rooms inside the Nasrid Palaces like the Hall of Ambassadors (Salon de los Embajadores) and Myrtle Courtyard (Patio of los Arrayanes), and marvel at the architecture of Pedro Machuca at the Palace of Charles. After exploring the palaces, head to the Generalife Gardens to discover where the sultans and Moorish kings of bygone days once relaxed. Featuring abundant flora and distinctive water features, the gardens also comprise two further courtyards, which you will see, the Patio de la Acequia and the Patio de la Sultana.

Discover Barcelona on a panoramic city tour with an English speaking driver cum guide. Admire the facade of the Cathedral and the iconic Sagrada Familia, see the Olympic Village, the Columbus monument and the Montjuic Mountains.

Today you will be transferred to Barcelona Airport for your flight back home. We trust that you enjoyed your Vacation. Please do give us your valuable suggestions on feedback@southerntravels.in