SPAIN & italy : andalucia, mediterranean coast & classic italy 16 days
Madrid - cordoba - seville - granada - valencia - barcelona - civitavecchia - rome - asis - siena - florence - bologna - padua - venice - montepulciano - rome

itinerary, prices & Inclusions

Day 1 (Sat.) MADRID
Meet and greet at the airport. Take a transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure Accommodation at the hotel. Courtyard Marriott Madrid Princesa / Riu Plaza España Hotel.

Day 2 (Sun.) MADRID
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning Madrid panoramic city tour; find the medieval origins of the city, like the Arabic fortress, at the Barrio de la Morería, famous for its historical buildings. Drive through the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs characterized by Phillip II and its Renaissance and Baroque style buildings, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. Admire the XIX C. works such as Prado Museum. The contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. Afternoon free to continue exploring the wonders that the city has to offer. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 3 (Mon.) MADRID – CORDOBA – SEVILLA
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart from our established hotels in Madrid. Please refer to your documentation for detailed departure information. Drive along La Mancha, Don Quixote’s land. Brief stop at typical site in Puerto Lapice. Cross through the natural border of “Despeñaperros” and get into Andalusia, a region for itself that shows and enormous heritage from a splendorous past. Reach Cordoba. Impressive tour of its   Mosque and other sites that will ease our mind and spirit strolling through its narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, after a short two hours ride reach Seville. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. Meliá Lebreros Hotel.

Day 4 (Tue.) SEVILLA
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning panoramic city tour visiting: the exterior of the Cathedral (the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peters in Rome), Santa Cruz quarter (a natural scenario of “Carmen” as well as a precisely where the myth of “Don Juan” developed), Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España. Afternoon at leisure for you to discover exclusive views, specific flavours of this active full of light city. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. Optional Flamenco Tour.

Day 5 (Wed.) SEVILLA – GRANADA
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive east through the Caliphate road to the heart of ANDALUSIA observing an endless number of olive trees on the way to Granada and its incredible and amazing monumental environment, last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms up to 1492. Visit the world famous Alhambra complex and Generalife Gardens that have inspired several authors with its sound and sights, such as the “Tales of the Alhambra” by W. Irving. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. Optional Gipsy Flamenco show at Sacromonte quarter. Meliá Granada Hotel.

Day 6 (Thu.) GRANADA – VALENCIA
After breakfast at the hotel start driving looking for the Mediterranean coast. Via Murcia, capital of the fertile garden of the Segura river, continue north via Alicante, the second largest city within the region of Valencia. Reach Valencia one of the main capitals of the Mediterranean coast with its modern Arts and Sciences Architectural Complex integrated by six elements: Hemispheric, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanographic, Palau de les Arts and Ágora. Valencia is also the home of the internationally well renowned and delicious “Paella”, Accommodation at the hotel. Nh Valencia Las Artes Hotel.

Day 7 (Fri.) VALENCIA – BARCELONA
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of this bright city including a drive through the old city showing the most prominent buildings, we will then be driven past the old riverbed of the Turia to the most avant-garde complex “Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias” to watch the emblematic exteriors of the six buildings. Early afternoon departure northward all along the Mediterranean coast to Catalunya, via Tarragona, the Roman Tarraco. Reach Barcelona principal Mediterranean city homeland of the famous architect Gaudí symbol of the Catalonian modernism. Accommodation at the hotel. Catalonia Barcelona Plaza / Melia Barcelona Sarria Hotel.

Day 8 (Sat.) BARCELONA (overnight on-board)
Breakfast at the hotel.  Panoramic tour of Barcelona visiting the highlights of the city. Discover the amazing views from Montjuic, the monument to Columbus and the Olympic Port as well as the most emblematic monuments of Gaudí: La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Free afternoon to explore on your own and to savor the typical gastronomy until your transfer pickup from the hotel to the port to board the ferry towards Civitavecchia. Departure at 23.59h and night on board.

Day 9 (Sun.) CIVITAVECCHIA – ROME
Breakfast and lunch on-board the Ferry. During the time of journey you can enjoy the variety and quality of services offered by these latest generation Ferries; large outdoor space with swimming pool (adults and children), sun loungers, bar; party room; discotheque; videogame room; cafeteria (open 24 hours); self-service restaurant; a la carte restaurant; boutique; Internet room; health center and gym with techno-gym machines. Arrival at Civitavecchia at 20:00 hrs. Disembarkation and transfer to Rome. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Bettoja Hotel.

Note: The estimated time of arrival in Rome is at 22:00 hrs. approx. then, we suggest you take into account when scheduling your free dinner.

Day 10 (Mon.) ROME – ASIS – SIENA - FLORENCE
Breakfast at the hotel. 07:15 hrs. Departure from your hotel by a deluxe coach, you will arrive in Assisi, ready to explore, at your own leisure, this tiny town surrounded by walls, built in the middle Ages. Take your time to visit the basilica of St. Francis, where you will see masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue and, then, have free time for lunch (not included). Board on the bus to reach Siena, a Unesco World Heritage Site, world-known for the Palio, the historical horse race around the shell-shaped town square: Piazza del Campo. Next, you will continue on to Florence where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner and a well-earned night of rest. Overnight at the hotel. Florence Raffaello / Ricasoli Hotel.

Day 11 (Tue.) FLORENCE
After breakfast at the hotel, you will spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Based on Etruscan-roman origins, the city flourished in the Middle Ages as a free “Comune” and was further refined during the Renaissance. You will be fascinated by the uncountable monuments, churches and buildings as Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo. On your visit, you will be amazed by its magnificent dome built by Filippo Brunelleschi. Cross a small piazza to see the “Campanile” tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery, with its bronze doors where Michelangelo imagined the “Gates of Paradise.” In the heart of the city, you will see Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional), one of the four main historical Marine Republics of Italy. There, you will tour the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Duomo, Pisa’s symbol “the Leaning Tower” and the Baptistery. Dinner at leisure and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 12 (Wed.) FLORENCE – BOLOGNA – PADUA - VENICE
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Bologna. There, you will discover the elegant city centre with its “porticos”, its shopping streets and so on. From Piazza Malpighi you will walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore (Neptune square and Major square) in the heart of the city, then King Renzo’s Palace; Palazzo Podestà and the basilica of San Petronio, one of the biggest in the world. Bologna it’s a real gourmet’s heaven…don’t miss a tasty meal at your own leisure! In the afternoon, continue toward Padova, with Sant’Antonio Basilica: one of the most visited churches by pilgrims of the catholic world. Later in the afternoon, arrival in Venice: the City of Love, one of the most romantic cities of the whole world and, undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man! Check in at your hotel for dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 13 (Thu.) VENICE
Breakfast at the hotel, enjoy your private water-taxi transfer to Piazza San Marco, with “Skip the Line” tickets to visit the splendid St. Mark’s Basilica and, after this, check out the most iconic places of the “Floating City”: the Palazzo dei Dogi, symbol of Venice’s glorious past, the legendary “Bridge of Sighs”. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Accommodation at the hotel. Carlton G. Canal (Isla Venecia) Hotel.

Day 14 (Fri.) VENICE – MONTEPULCIANO (Tuscany wine region) - ROME
After breakfast, departure from Piazzale Roma heading to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches and castles and its delicious wines. You will proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Nobile” wine, on purchase in local wine houses, Montepulciano also hosts an annual jazz and wine festival every July. Traditional Tuscan LUNCH in a typical restaurant is included. Afterwards, spend the afternoon discovering Montepulciano at your own pace, enjoying free wine tastings in many wine shops and free time for shopping. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome to check in into your hotel and accommodation. Bettoja Hotel.

Day 15 (Sat.) ROME
Between 7:45 - 8:00 am, after breakfast at the hotel, departure from the hotel for the included tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peters’s Basilica with our exclusive “Skip the Line” access! No stress to reach the area: upon arrival, your guide will lead you into the museums where you’ll visit one of the most important art collections of the world. Walk along the beautiful Galleries of Tapestries and Geographical Maps before admiring Raphael’s Rooms and, then, the amazing Sistine Chapel. After this incredible masterpiece, you will be taken by a privileged door to St. Peters’s Basilica: the biggest church in the world! The tour ends on St. Peter’s Square: enjoy the rest of the day to explore the city at your own leisure or get any one of our selected tours for the afternoon or at night! Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 16 (Sun.) ROME
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport. END OF OUR SERVICES.

- This tour might be a combination of different programs. If applies there might be a change in the tour escort and passengers between the programs.
-  In the event that the panoramic tour of Madrid is not operated for technical reasons will be replaced by the Madrid Hop-on Hop-off Bus 1 day instead.
- During stay in Madrid, Ferry journey and Rome, tour escort service is not available.
- Passengers must pass the security checkpoint to board the Ferry with their own luggage.
- Lunch provided on board the Ferry will be self-service.
- Passport details are required at time of the booking.

Highlights

• Cordoba's Synagogue is located in the Jewish Quarter. Accessed from the street there is the courtyard that takes to the prayer’s rooms.

• La Alhambra is contemporary history of Granada’s arab past. Its buildings, towers, palaces, patios and gardens make La Alhambra one of the most visited monuments in Spain.

• The City of the Arts and Sciences is an architectural and cultural complex designed by Santiago Calatrava. It stands out for the modern architecture of the Hemisfèric which resembles a giant eye.

• Rome, Florence and Venice. Three open-air museum cities that bring together Renaissance.

INCLUSIONS

• Guided visits in Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada (Alhambra & Generalife Gardens), Valencia, Barcelona, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Padua, Venice (St. Mark’s Basilica), Tuscany wine region and Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica) in Rome

• Tour escort during the tour.

• Headsets during sightseeing tours in Italy.

• Ferry Barcelona – Civitavecchia (Rome) in standard ocean-view cabin.

• Air conditioned deluxe motor-coach.

• Accommodation at selected class.

• Daily Breakfast and 8 meals

• In & Out Transfers as per itinerary

• Exclusive “skip the line” for sightseeing tours of St. Mark’s Basilica & Vatican Museums.

• Entrance tickets to: Cordoba Mosque and Alhambra de Granada.

EXCLUSIONS
• Personal expenses, International airfare, Visa fees
• Customary gratitude to your guide and driver