The Heart of Spain

Day 1 – USA-Madrid

Depart for Spain.

Day 2 – Madrid

Bienvenido a Espana! Your TSA Tours representative will introduce you to your host family or transfer you to your hotel. Get acquainted with Madrid this evening.

Day 3 – Madrid

On a Madrid City Tour see the Plaza de Espana, the statue of Cervantes, the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor and other highlights of this lively capital. Later explore the Prado Museum located in the heart of Bourbon Madrid. While at the magnificent Prado, don’t miss Goya’s Majas, Rubens’ The Three Graces, and Spain’s favorite painting, Las Meninas by Velázquez.

Day 4 – Madrid

Your day begins in the ancient walled city of Avila, where you will visit the massive Cathedral de San Salvador. Then 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. Next visit the Valle de los Caidos, the Valley of the Fallen. Located in the Guadarrama Mountains, this monument was built to honor those slain in the Spanish Civil War. 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!

Day 5 – Madrid

Visit the cathedral, and see the Old Synagogue, the Alcázar, the Royal Palace, and the Church of Santo Tomé in Toledo. Also visit a sword workshop. The city is renowned for its damascene ware—black steel inlaid with gold, silver and copper thread. Near Toledo you will see the famous Castilian windmills immortalized in Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote.

Day 6 – Seville

En route to Seville, stop in Cordoba for a City Tour to see the two famous gates of La Calahorra and Puerta del Puente. Stop at the Alcázar of Catholic Kings and continue to the Old Mosque. For those who are participating in homestays, you will meet your new families.

Day 7 – Seville

This morning your Seville City Tour takes you through the city and its parks, including the Parque Maria Luisa. You’ll see the Torre del Oro, the Museum of Fine Arts and Casa de Pilatus (Pilate’s House), a palace that is mixture of Mudejar, Renaissance and Gothic styles. Also visit Seville’s Giralda and its 15th century cathedral, the third largest in Europe. The cathedral is the resting place of Christopher Columbus.

Day 8 – Seville

Spend a free day with your advisor or host family, perhaps doing a little last minute sightseeing or picking up a few souvenirs. Optional: Tour the beautiful Moorish city of Granada. Visit the Royal Chapel, the Alhambra and the Alcaiceria. See the Gardens of the 14th century Generalife, the summer palace of the Kings of Granada, and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Day 9 – Depart

Travel on the famous AVE train to the Madrid Airport. Depart for home with memories of the Spanish countryside to savor and share at home for years to come.