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The images of Spain… Don Quixote tilting at windmills, Don Juan, Pablo Picasso, the Moors, Salvador Dali, the guitar of Andres Segovia, Hemingway, bullfights, fiery rhythms of flamenco, miles of sun drenched beaches, lazy afternoon siestas, costumed religious festivals and tapas bars flowing with tantalizing “small plates”, wine and life. Spain has become synonymous for sun, fun and passion. Among the pleasures of visiting Spain are fine dining, eating Paella and Mediterranean seafood and discovering wonderful wines.

A Wine, Art and Gastronomy Extravaganza
Throughout Spain

April 9-20, 2010
Call For Pricing

Welcome to Spain with regions like Andalucia with its vivid color and charm, its Flamenco dancers, bullfighters and ‘Pueblo Blanco’ begonia-covered villages, and Castilla y Leon which enjoys amazing wines, castles and rugged country side, as well as maritime cuisine. You will discover a culture and its foods and wines previously unknown to you. The variety of rich land masses produce some of Spain’s finest wines and olive oils below medieval towns such Ronda and Salamanca. World-renowned Museums with precious works of arts like the Prado in Madrid, and Unesco world heritage sites like Park Guell in Barcelona along with shopping and Spanish flair await you through your travels in Spain.

About Spanish Wine

Spain has a long history of producing fine wines, particularly the red wines of Rioja. Surprisingly, however, this famous name is just one small region among many, some of which produce equally good wines. Some of these regions are huge, and account for the fact that Spain has the largest area of land dedicated to viticulture of any country in the world. Red wines are often labeled as Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva. Where we will visit in Rioja and the Ribera del Duero, Crianza wines are two years old, with at least twelve months spent in cask. Reservas are three years old (at least one year in cask) and Gran Reservas five years old (two in cask, three in bottle).

• 4 and 5 Star hotels – 12 days and 10 nights in 4 star and 1 night in 5 star hotels
• All Breakfasts, 2 Dinners, 4 Lunches
• 1 Tapas tour in Madrid * Tapas dinner
• 7 Wine tastings, education and vineyard visits
• Cooking Demonstration at a famous restaurant in Ronda
• Flamenco Show with drinks in Sevilla
• Guided city tours - 7 half-day and 1 full-day
• 1 evening Tour of the Magic Fountain and Poble Espanol in Barcelona
• We provide ample private time and flexibility to adjust daily excursions and activities
• Full-size luxury motorcoach for all touring and transfers
• 1 air flight from Granada to Barcelona
• 1 high-speed AVE train from Madrid to Seville
• Tour escort and bilingual guides as needed
• Limited to 26 travelers

ITINERARY

Day 1. Friday: Depart USA for Madrid Spain

Day 2. Saturday– Madrid
The capital of Spain located in the heart of the peninsula in the center of the Castillian plain is a cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family. Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife. In the afternoon starting with a half-day visit of some of the famous sites of Spain’s capital city, such as the Prado Museum, The Palacio Real and Placa Major. After a short rest depart for a Tapas tour for dinner and seeing the city by night. Overnight at your 4 star hotel in Madrid.

Day 3. Sunday– Madrid-Toledo-Madrid
After breakfast, depart for a half-day visit of Toledo and the Osborne Wineries for your first wine tasting experience of the trip with lunch. Toledo is a fortified city built on a hill overlooking the Tagus River and is without a doubt one of the monumental cities of the world. An important city in the Middle Ages, it was Spain's capital until the 16th century. Nearly all the different stages of Spanish art are represented in Toledo: Moorish-Mudejar-Jewish buildings, such as the Transito and Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogues; Gothic structures, such as the splendid cathedral and Renaissance buildings. In the 16th century, the city became home to El Greco, and Toledo has many of his paintings, among which is "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz", his masterpiece which is housed in the Mudejar Church of Santo Tome. Evening free at leisure. Overnight at your 4 star hotel in Madrid.

Day 4. Monday– Madrid–Segovia-Aranda
After breakfast we depart for Segovia to visit this famous city and have lunch before moving onto to Aranda in the heart of Ribera Del Duero. You will visit one of the Bodegas (wineries) comprised of a series of underground galleries 12m deep. Many were excavated in the 13th and 14th centuries. With your second wine tasting experience taking place prior to dinner at the hotel. Overnight at your 4 star hotel in Aranda.

Day 5. Tuesday– Aranda-Penafiel-Salamanca
We begin with a visit of the town of Peñafiel, and its magnificent castle from the 11th century, home of a newly opened wine museum. Lunch will be enroute. After arriving in Salamanca in early evening, we will depart for wine tasting followed by dinner at your hotel. Overnight at your 4 star hotel in Salamanca

Day 6. Wednesday– Salamanca-Avilla-Sevilla
We will spend a half-day with some of Salamanca’s treasure like its 2 Cathedrals. Salamanca was famous during the Renaissance due to its important university, one of the first in Europe. The city has exceptionally beautiful architecture, such as its two cathedrals (the old Cathedral, in Romanesque style and the New Cathedral, Gothic in style with Plateresque elements), the arcaded Plaza Mayor, or main square, and the Renaissance University building, with a splendid façade. Then we depart for Avilla for a short visit before taking the AVE high speed train from Madrid to Sevilla. Arrive Sevilla and check into your hotel in the old town. The remainder of the evening is free. Overnight at your 4 star hotel in Sevilla.

Day 7. Thursday–Sevilla
After breakfast, depart for a half-day visit of Seville, a city rich in history, neighborhoods, art, music, museums, cathedrals, and architecture. You will explore the Santa Cruz district, known for its narrow winding streets, old buildings and secluded squares. You will marvel at the Seville cathedral, the largest Gothic building in the world, and the 3rd largest church in Europe after St. Peters, Rome and St. Pauls, London. You will enjoy lunch at one of the many side-walk cafes or restaurants. Take the rest of the day at leisure. Evening Flamenco Show in the Santa Cruz area, Overnight at your 4 star Hotel in Sevilla.

Day 8. Friday– Sevilla-Jerez-Ronda-Granada
After breakfast, depart for a full-day “gastrooenology” trip starting with the Gonzales Byass winery in Jerez where you will visit its famous bodegas before proceeding to Ronda where a specially organized cooking demonstration and lunch will be made for you at one of Rondas best restaurants set on the Gorge dividing the Old and New Cities. Depart for Granada. Check into your 5 star hotel and have the rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight at your 5 star Hotel in Granada.

Day 9. Saturday– Granada-Barcelona
We will begin with a half-day excursion in Granada to visit the Alhambra and its many gardens. The magical use of space, light, water, and decoration characterizes this moorish piece of architecture that dates back to the 11th century. Granada, which lies at the base of the snow caped Sierra Nevada range, is full of romance and folklore. After lunch in a local restaurant, you will have time to explore this magical place, before departing to Granada airport for your 1-hour flight to Barcelona. We have planned an evening visit to the Magic Fountain and Poble Espayol where you can eat dinner at one of the many restaurants. Overnight at your 4 star hotel in Barcelona.

Day 10. Sunday– Barcelona and free afternoon
After breakfast, leave to visit the Gothic area of Barcelona and Gaudi’s park Guell now a UNESCO world heritage site. Barcelona stands on a plain that slopes gently down from the Sierra de Collserola (with its highest mountain, Mount Tibidabo, at 512m) to the sea. The City's civic and political centre is situated in the square known as Plaça de Sant Jaume, where the palaces of the Generalitat and the Town Hall stand in the Old Gothic Quarter. The remainder of the day is yours to take advantage of great shopping or a walk down Las Ramblas to be entertained by jugglers, dancers, mimes and flower stalls. Don’t forget to pop in and see the famous fresh produce market, the Boqueria, the scents that will welcome you are just amazing. Overnight at your 4 star Hotel in Barcelona

Day 11. Monday– Barcelona-Catalunya-Barcelona
After breakfast, we depart for the Codirniu Cava Winery for a visit and Cava (Spanish sparkling wines) tasting. We will follow with the Monastery of Montserrat, departing after seeing the famous boys choir perform in the Bacilica. Next is the Pere Ventura Winery for wine tasting followed by lunch. Return to Barcelona and take the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at your 4 star Hotel in Barcelona. We will enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Day 12. Tuesday– Depart from Barcelona to U.S.A.