12 Days/11 Nights

Spain’s Treasures

Bask in the sunny, castle-dotted land of flamenco dancers and conquerors! You'll stroll through medieval villages…tour exotic palaces...and sample robust food. Come meet the lively people who inhabit this "crossroads of Europe and Africa" and share in their ancient history and zest for life!

Tour Highlights

• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage cities of Segovia, Avila, Toledo and Salamanca.
• Tour unique farms and observe horse training, sherry making, ham curing and olive oil extraction.
• Explore castles, ruins, palaces and churches that rival the best in Europe.

Itinerary

Day 1-2—Chicago/Madrid/Segovia: Welcome to Spain! We'll land in Madrid, in the very heart of continental Europe's third-largest country. We'll meet the friendly English-speaking guide who will be with us for our entire journey.

After a brief city tour of Madrid, we'll travel north to the walled hilltop city of Segovia, nestled high above the plains. At our hotel we'll enjoy traditional Spanish hospitality with a refreshing sangria drink and delicous dinner before retiring. Meals included: D.

Day 3—Segovia/Avila/Salamanca: Your sense of awe will reach new heights this morning as we start our day at the world-famous Roman Aqueduct that looms over 95 feet above Segovia. This massive, 163-arch stone structure, designed to carry in fresh water, was built without any mortar almost 2,000 years ago!

You'll also admire the soaring pinnacles, tower and dome of The Cathedral, the last great Gothic church in Spain. At the Alcázar, a massive castle and fortress, you'll marvel at the "witch's hat" towers and elaborately furnished rooms.

We'll stop in Avila for lunch on your own. This charming city is one of the best-preserved walled cities in the world. We'll continue west to the university town of Salamanca, our home for the next two nights. Meals included: B, D.

Day 4—Salamanca: This morning, we'll travel south to the city of Guijuelo to visit a factory that produces Jamón Ibérico (Iberico Ham). Produced only in Spain, Jamón Ibérico is prized all over the world for its smooth texture and distinctive, savory flavor.

After lunch, we'll return to Salamanca for a guided walking tour. First, you'll marvel at the lustrous altarpiece panels and magnificent stonework of Salamanca's older 12th-century and "newer" 16th-century cathedrals.

Then we'll walk in the footsteps of great scholars through Salamanca University, one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious universities, founded in 1220. You'll be dazzled by its collection of masterful art pieces.

Later, you'll be charmed by the Casa de las Conchas, a beautiful library covered in delicate scallop shells carved from stone. You'll thrill to the finest-designed mansion of the Spanish Renaissance and the enchanting Plaza Mayor. Completely framed by graceful arches and once used for bullfights, it's perhaps one of the grandest squares in all of Europe. Meals included: B, L.

Day 5—Salamanca/ Plasencia/Seville: We'll continue on our journey through the "cradle of conquistadors," where the famous explorers Columbus, Magellan and Pizzarro hailed from.

In Plasencia, we'll enjoy lunch in the former convent of Santo Domingo, founded by the Zúñiga family in the mid-15th Century. You'll notice the convent's Gothic style in both the interior and exterior details. Located in the historic center of Plasencia, it's the perfect place to explore the architectural beauty of this singular city and the landscape around it.

Then get ready to celebrate! We're headed south into Andalucia, a region bursting with vibrant culture and festive spirit and known for lively celebrations that overflow with music and dancing. This exciting and diverse area is highlighted by dramatic changes in scenery and rich Islamic heritage.

Out of Andalucia's stirring history came the guitar, gypsy culture, robust "tapas" (snacks), lively flamenco dancing and the daring art of bullfighting.

Tonight's destination is Seville. Meals included: B, L.

Day 6—Seville: Our inspiring day begins at the stately Moorish Golden Tower on the banks of the Río Guadalquivir, built in 1220 to defend Seville harbor.

You'll also enjoy the innovative buildings created for the 1992 Expo. Later, you'll walk through the hidden plazas along the narrow whitewashed streets of the Santa Cruz quarter.

We'll also visit the awe-­inspiring Cathedral—the third largest in the world—built in 1401. You'll see glorious miracles of art and the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

The rest of the day is yours to discover the lively city of Seville on your own. Enjoy a stroll through the city's enchanting plazas, narrow streets and historic structures. Meals included: B, D.

Day 7—Jerez/El Puerto de Santa Maria/Cádiz: This morning we'll see the Royal Equestrian Show. You'll be enchanted by the display of traditional dressage and horsemanship.

Then it's on to El Puerto de Santa Maria, one of the three points in the Sherry Triangle. This region has the perfect combination of climate and soil to produce the unique sweet wine. We'll sample some sherry if you wish, and learn the time-honored secrets of sherry production.

For lunch on your own you may want to sample some of this popular beach town's plentiful seafood such as sole, squid orprawns.

Then it's "all aboard" the vaporcitos for our short excursion to Cádiz. There is no better way to arrive into Cádiz, the oldest city in the west, than by these "little steamers." After a brief tour of the city, you'll check in to your hotel. This eventful day will end with a savory tapas dinner served with smiles and warm Spanish hospitality. Meals included: B, D.

Day 8—Cádiz: After breakfast, you'll have the whole day on your own to discover the delightful and historic city of Cádiz. Or join us for today's optional excursion to Tangier, Morocco, located on the tip of northern Africa. Meals included: B.

Option—Tangier, Morocco: A high-speed catamaran will whisk us across the Strait of Gibraltar to the city of Tangier, one of the oldest cities in Morocco. Today, this bustling town serves as a tourist destination for Moroccan families on long holidays and European day-trippers. We'll tour the city and have a tasty lunch of traditional Moroccan couscous. You'll have plenty of time to explore and shop on your own before we return to Spain. Price: $275 per person.

Day 9—Cádiz/Antequera/ Granada: This morning we'll travel along the famous Costa del Sol where you'll be amazed at the miles of beaches, green golf courses and resort towns on our way to Antequera.

We'll arrive at Hacienda Antequera where we'll be greeted by our hosts. Here you'll enjoy a fascinating olive oil and cooking demonstration. Just north of Antequera is the Jaen province, this region has over fifty million olive trees and produces some of the finest olive oil in the world. Afterwards, enjoy a hearty lunch.

Then it's on to Granada, one of the strongest cultural centers in the history of Spain. Founded by the Moors in the 8th century, it was here that artists, scientists, scholars and merchants came from all over the area and flourished together.

Upon arrival, we'll explore the old quarter of Albayzin. You'll also enjoy a superb view of Sacromonte, a mountain still occupied by gypsy cave dwellers. You may even hear the distant strains of flamenco music. Meals included: B, L.

Day 10—Granada: This morning you'll have some free time to explore Granada. Later, you'll bask in royalty in the almost unbelievable 13th-century Arabic Alhambra Palace and the Gardens of Lofty Paradise.

The simple exterior of the Alhambra contrasts sharply with its opulent interior. You'll bask in its vast gardens, glittering fountains and magnificent rows of cypress and fruit trees. Meals included: B, D.

Day 11—Granada/Toledo: You'll see why Toledo is still called "The Imperial City" as we enter the dazzling Toledo Cathedral, which took three centuries to build. It features one of the most beautifully sculpted altar walls in all of Spain.

In the Church of Santo Tome, you'll see El Greco's famous painting The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, which hasn't been moved since it was painted here 400 years ago. We'll also visit one of the two oldest synagogues in the world, which combine motifs from the Islamic, Gothic and Hebrew cultures that have existed here.

Tonight we'll enjoy a lively and fun farewell dinner with our new traveling friends. Meals included: B, D.

Day 12—Madrid/Chicago: We'll enjoy our final flavors of Spain this morning with a satisfying breakfast and scenic ride north to Madrid for our flight home. Meals included: B.

Each departure itinerary may vary slightly. Although the day in which a stop is listed may differ, you will enjoy the same experiences listed here.

Accommodations

• Day 1: en route to Madrid.
• Day 2: Hotel Los Arcos, Segovia
• Days 3 & 4: Hotel Fonseca, Salamanca
• Days 5 & 6: Hotel Giralda, Seville
• Days 7 & 8: Hotel Complejo Fuerte Conil, Costa de la Luz
• Days 9 & 10: Hotel Saray, Granada
• Day 11: Hotel San Juan de los Reyes, Toledo