La Mancha to the Mediterranean

Day 1 – Toledo

Your guide waits to greet you at the Madrid airport, then transfer you to the golden city of Toledo; a location as spectacular as it is rich in history. Pass by the windmills of La Mancha, made famous by Cervantes in his epic Don Quixote. Tour the old Moorish city of Toledo, rich in religious, artistic, and political history. See the Old Synagogue and the Church of Santo Tomé, and visit the Cathedral with its masterpieces by El Greco. Finally, tour a sword workshop to see the world–famous Toledo blades made.

Day 2 – Madrid

Return to the capital for a Madrid City Tour. See the Plaza de España, the Plaza Major, the Royal Palace and the Puerta de Alcalá. Later enjoy a guided tour of the Prado Museum, probably the greatest gallery of classical paintings in the world. Savor some of Spain’s delicious specialties tonight at a tapas dinner.

Day 3 – Madrid

Tour Segovia, where you will visit the turreted Alcázar and see the old town with its impressive cathedral, the picturesque streets and the well-preserved Roman ruins, including an actual working aqueduct. Continue on to see El Escorial, site of the monastery of San Lorenzo el Real. Construction began in 1563 and the monastery was completed in just 21 years, an amazing feat considering there are almost 1,200 doors and 2,600 windows! Return to Madrid for dinner. Option: Thrill to the stamping heels, soulful songs, guitars and clicking castanets of a colorful Flamenco performance tonight.

Day 4 – Barcelona

Transfer via Zaragoza, once the residence of the kings of Aragon. A City Tour takes you to the Pilar Basílica, one of the most visited places of pilgrimage in all of Spain. Also see the 3rd century Roman town-walls, the Moorish Palacio de la Aljafería, and La Audiencia, one of the most beautiful palaces in Aragón. Arrive in Barcelona, an attractive Catalan city stretching along the Mediterranean shore.

Day 5 – Barcelona

Discover Barcelona on a guided City Tour. See lush gardens and a panoramic view from the top of Montjuïc, the Olympic Stadium, the Columbus Monument, Barrio Gotico, Palacio Nacional, and visit Gaudí’s amazing (and unfinished) Church of the Sagrada Familia. Spend the afternoon on the golden sands of the seaside resort of Sitges, located near Barcelona on the Costa Dorada. This evening your guide will lead you on a Walking Tour of Las Ramblas, the most famous street in Barcelona. Here you can see everything from fire eaters to “living statues” in silver and gold.