QUALITY CULTURAL DESTINATIONS – 10 NIGHTS
Unesco Highlights of Spain
Day 1 – Welcome to Spain! Discover the legacy of Gaudí in Barcelona
Today, guided by our local expert, today you will discover the legacy left by Gaudi in Barcelona in our “Architectural City Tour”. You will visit the impressive Sagrada Familia, the work of his lifetime, still under construction. From the Park Güell you will not only enjoy the best views of Barcelona, but also all the characteristics of his unique colorful world. You will walk the Passeig the Gracia stopping by the great Milá House and the dragon-like Batlló House.
Day 2 – Enjoying Barcelona
Today you will have time to self-explore the city. There are many places worth visiting: the typical boulevards or “Las Ramblas” that end in Colon Square where people meet.
A very interesting visit in Barcelona is the great Palau de la Musica. This emblematic building, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is located in the quaint El Born neighborhood. The great Concert Hall is an explosion of color, shapes and light, a masterpiece of decorative arts. If you want to visit it, we will help you to book the tickets in advance.
We also suggest a stroll through the quaint streets of El Born neighborhood. Don’t miss the city’s most spectacular Gothic building: Santa Maria del Mar. If you want to do some shopping in the Passeig de Gracia you will find the finest boutiques.
Day 3 – Travelling to Seville, the most beautiful city in Spain!
Many different cultures have been present in Seville’s History. Its legacies include the cultural, architectural and artistic beauty that has been carefully restored along the streets, palaces and museums. Your guide will show you this unique city walking down its old City. You will visit the Cathedral, Giralda, Plaza de España, Alcazar, Torre del Oro and walk in the Barrio Santa Cruz.
Day 4 – Day trip to Cordoba a journey back in history.
Cordoba was one of the most important cities during the Roman Empire. Our private guided tour will allow you to know better this small and special city. The smell of fresh geraniums and orange blossom greets you as you enter Córdoba’s old town, luring you into this glorious piece of Spanish history. The star attraction of Córdoba is the UNESCO World Heritage Mosque-Cathedral, first a pagan temple, then a Visigoth Christian church, a mosque under the Umayyad Moors, and finally a cathedral after the Reconquista. This architectural gem has kept the best features of each time, giving a colourful insight into Córdoba’s past.
Day 5 – Seville like a local, tapas tour in Triana!
Today you will take a tour to Triana. This area of Seville was for centuries a working class and mariner’s suburb, full of gypsy flamenco and famous bullfighters. You will step away from the city centre monuments and the tourist bustle. Our expert guide will tell you swashbuckling tales from the times of Columbus and the Spanish inquisition, you will discover the origins of Triana’s renowned ceramic tradition, and you will meet some of Seville’s most unique characters of today and yesterday. You will combine this tour with a tapas tour. “Tapear” (to go out to have tapas) is one of Spain’s most famous and enjoyable ways of having a meal. It normally involves visiting a number of bars, trying the local specialities and sharing each dish with your companions.
Day 6 – Road trip to Granada visiting Antequera
Today on your way to Granada we suggest visiting the Dolmens Site in Antequera, the latest monuments in Spain to be included in UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
The site is formed by three megalithic monuments: the Menga and Viera dolmens and the Tholos of El Romeral. These three tombs were built during the Neolithic and Bronze Age (over 4000 years ago…) out of large stone blocks and are buried beneath their original earth tumuli. They are one of the most remarkable architectural works of European prehistory.
By Olaf Tausch – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44317020
Day 7 – Discovering the stunning Alhambra Palace
Today you will discover why the famous saying says: “Give him some alms, woman, because there is nothing in life as the pain of being blind in Granada“ (Francisco Icaza)
Believe it or not, one thing is for sure, Granada has a hypnotic charm and beauty for everyone that visits it.
Not only the breathtaking Alhambra and Generalife make this city unique but the old quarters of Albaicin and Sacromonte make Granada worthy for its fame.
You will take a private tour to Alhambra and Generalife. This World Heritage Site is the most emblematic monument in Granada and one of most amazing in the World.
Day 8 – High-speed train to Royal Madrid
Today you will discover the “Madrid de los Austrias”. When the Habsburg dynasty reigned the country, they built many public works. This private walking tour will take you to the downtown streets. You will visit the Plaza Mayor and the Puerta del Sol among other highlights of this fascinating city.
Today you will visit the Prado Museum. You will have the chance to admire the work of two geniuses of universal painting: Francisco de Goya and Diego Velázquez. The Prado Museum houses the vast majority of their artworks namely the “Meninas” (Velázquez) and the “Clothed Maja” and the “Naked Maja” (Goya).
Day 9 – Day trip to Toledo, the city of the three cultures
Toledo is considered to be a “second Rome” for its cultural legacy. Christians, Arabs and Jews lived together there for centuries that is why this city is also known as the “city of the three cultures”. The legacy of three major cultures that occupied the city, Jewish, Christian and Muslim have resulted in an evocative architectural amalgam, that gives this city has an aura of mystery. The Old town of Toledo was declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1986. Another must see in Toledo is El Greco masterpiece The Burial of the Count of Orgaz at the church of Santo Tomé.