Spain and Andalusian Cities Tour

Meeting Valencia

We meet at the SunExpress Airlines counter in the international departures terminal of İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport 3 hours before the flight. After completing baggage, ticket and passport procedures, we depart for Barcelona at 11.35 on SunExpress Airlines flight XQ894. Upon arrival at 13.15 local time, we leave for Valencia in the vehicle waiting for us at the airport.

Upon arrival in Valencia, we begin our city tour. Located on Spain's eastern Mediterranean coast, Valencia combines historic and modern buildings. Spain's third-largest city, Valencia attracts visitors with its history, culture and art. Sights on the city tour include City Hall, the Gothic Cathedral, the Arena, the Museum of Arts and Sciences, the historic Mercado Central market and the Old Silk Exchange. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel and settle into our rooms. Free time follows. Overnight at the hotel.

Granada and the Alhambra

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Granada. Located in the Andalusia region, Granada is known for its historical heritage, music and dance, scenery and Alhambra Palace. One of Spain's main tourist destinations, the city welcomes millions of visitors every year. Our city tour takes us to Gran Via Avenue, BibRambla and Town Hall Squares, Granda Cathedral (exterior only), Granada's first university, Madraza, the Silk Bazaar and the old Nasri Caravanserai.

After the tour, guests who wish may join the optional Alhambra Palace Tour at an extra cost. (80 Euro) Al Hambra Palace has a daily visitor limit. Depending on availability, the palace visit may exclude the harem. Guests wishing to join this tour are asked to inform their agency when booking.

Alhambra Palace is an example of Andalusian Islamic architecture. Among Spain's most visited historic buildings, Alhambra is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is known worldwide. Construction as a defensive castle and palace began in the 13th century on a plateau on Sabika Hill overlooking Granada and continued until the 15th century. It was named Alhambra, meaning Red, after the colour of the red earth used in its construction.

Guests who wish may join the optional Neighbourhoods Tour (Albaicin and the Sacromonte Gypsy Quarter) at an extra cost. (60 Euro) Albaicin, one of Granada's historic neighbourhoods, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Known for its narrow streets, whitewashed houses and hills with scenic views, the neighbourhood bears traces of Andalusian Islamic culture and architecture. After our visit here, we will watch a Gypsy show with a drink in caves carved entirely by hand and observe the community's way of life. At the end of the tour, we return to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Meeting Seville

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Seville. Upon arrival, we begin our city tour. Located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River in Spain's Andalusia region, Seville is known for its history and culture. We first see Maria Luisa Park, home to Plaza de Espana, and Plaza America. We view Seville Cathedral, the world's third-largest cathedral and the burial place of Cristof Colomb, from the outside. Beside the cathedral, we also see the Hiralda Minaret. Dating from the Umayyad state in Andalusia, this minaret is the last surviving part of the mosque on whose site the cathedral was built. We also view Alcazar, the palace of the kings of Castile, from the outside.

Then, passing through the Archives of the Indies, where records of all sea voyages to the Americas from the time of their discovery until the 19th century are kept, we reach the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, known as old Seville. At the end of our walk, we see the former tobacco factory, now used as the main campus of the University of Seville, and Torre del Oro, or the Gold Tower, which now houses a maritime museum. We then transfer to our hotel.

In the evening, guests who wish may join the optional Flamenco Fire Tour at an extra charge. (55 Euro) As one of the birthplaces of flamenco, Seville is considered one of Spain's most important centres of flamenco culture. The city is known for its traditional flamenco shows, dance studios, flamenco festivals and events. During the flamenco evening, we watch the dancers perform. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Cordoba, Mijas and Malaga

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional Cities (Cordoba & Mijas & Malaga) tour at an extra charge. (140 Euro) Located in Spain’s Andalusia region, Cordoba is known for its historical and cultural heritage, architecture, and buildings that reflect Andalusian Islamic culture. We will reach Cordoba after a 1,5-hour journey. We will first see the Guadalquivir River, walk across the historic Roman bridge, and enter the city through the Roman gate. In this 2000-year-old city, we will visit the Great Mosque of Cordoba, one of the largest mosques in the world, supported by 850 columns. Our guide will explain the building’s history and features. After visiting the Mosque of Cordoba, we will continue our walk to see the old streets, the historic inn reflecting Andalusian architecture, and Cordoba’s houses.

After our Cordoba tour, our second stop will be Mijas. This mountain town in the province of Málaga, in Andalusia in southern Spain, is known for its whitewashed houses and traditional character. Near the Costa del Sol coast, Mijas offers sea views and a historic town centre. Mijas Pueblo, the historic part of the town, has narrow streets reflecting Andalusian architecture, balconies decorated with flowers, and whitewashed houses. With origins dating back to Ancient Rome and the Phoenicians, the town’s present character took shape largely during the Muslim period in Andalusia. The small bullring at the top of the town and the ruins of Mijas Castle are among its notable sights.

After our Mijas tour, we will continue to our final stop, Malaga. On our tour of the city where the painter Pablo Picasso was born, the sights will include Paseo de Parque (Park Avenue), Plaza de la Merced, the Jewish Quarter, Constitution Square and Larios Street, Puerto Marina (Harbour), La Alcazaba, and Gibralfaro Castle. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel in Ecija. Overnight at the hotel.

Toledo to Madrid

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Madrid. Along the way, guests who wish can join the optional Toledo Tour for an extra 70 Euro. Located approximately 70 kilometres from Madrid, Toledo is a historic city that has been home to various cultures of the Iberian Peninsula. Bearing traces of Roman, Visigoth, Muslim and Christian civilisations, the city is protected by UNESCO. Known for its medieval architecture and cultural heritage, Toledo is an open-air museum. During the tour, we will explore its narrow historic streets and see Toledo Cathedral (from the outside), Spain’s oldest cathedral, churches converted from Andalusian mosques and other historic buildings.

After the Toledo tour, we continue to Madrid. Upon arrival, we begin our city tour. Spain’s capital, Madrid, is among the country’s most visited cities, known for its history and culture. Our first stop will be the Bullring (from the outside). Other sights we will see include Alcala Gate and Independence Square, the Sibeles Monument, Grand Via, Bernabeu Stadium, Plaza Castilla, Atocha Railway Station, the Prado Museum (from the outside), Plaza de Espana with its statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, the Royal Palace (from the outside), Plaza Mayor with its 9 gates and Sol Square. After the city tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Meeting Barcelona

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Barcelona. Upon arrival, we begin our city tour. Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city and the capital of the Catalonia region, is located on the Mediterranean coast. Known for its history, art, culture and entertainment, the city welcomes millions of visitors each year with its architecture, streets, cuisine and nightlife. Antoni Gaudi’s works play an important role in the city’s architecture. Sights on our city tour include La Sagrada Familia Church, the Cristof Colomb Statue, La Ramblas Avenue, İspanya and Catalunya Squares, Endülüs Arena and Olimpic Port.

After the tour, guests who wish may join the optional Poble Espanyol & Montjuic Hill tour at an extra charge. (30 Euro) We begin this tour with a visit to Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village), built for the 1929 World’s Fair. Today, this popular attraction for visitors to Barcelona consists of 117 buildings, streets and squares. Here, we see examples of buildings from different regions of Spain, walk through streets reflecting their architecture and visit craft workshops. Poble Espanyol is also home to artisans working with ceramics, glass, leather, jewellery and other crafts.

We then ascend Montjuic Hill for panoramic views of Barcelona. Known for its historical, cultural and natural features, this area has undergone changes while hosting events such as the 1992 Olympic Games. After a photo stop, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

Girona and the Dali Museum

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Pearls of Northern Catalonia (Girona & Figueras & Dali Museum) tour at an extra charge. (70 Euro) The first stop is Girona. Located in northeastern Catalonia, approximately 100 kilometres north of Barcelona, Girona is known for its narrow medieval streets, historic buildings, museums, churches and city walls. Sights on the city tour include the Lion Statue, Cathedral Square and the Jewish Quarter (El Call).

After the Girona tour, we depart for Figueras. Figueres, northeast of Girona, is the birthplace of Spanish painter Salvador Dali. The city's identity is closely connected to the artist's life and work. The main attraction in Figueres is the Salvador Dali Museum. Dali founded this museum to leave his works in his birthplace and display them there. Today, the museum houses the largest Dali collection and is also known as Dali's largest work, as the artist designed it in its entirety. The museum contains more than 4000 works created by the artist using various techniques.

After the tour, we return to Barcelona. Guests who wish may join the optional Gaudi's Work (Park Guell) & Gothic Quarter tour at an extra charge. (50 Euro) Our first stop is Park Guell, one of Antoni Gaudi's works. Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, the park is also known as the Fairy Tale Park. Its colourful stairways and imaginative pavilions are among its main features.

After visiting Park Guell, we continue to the Gothic Quarter. The quarter has narrow, winding medieval streets, Gothic churches, squares and Roman walls. These structures form the area's historic character. Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça Reial (Royal Square), Plaça del Rei (King's Square) and La Rambla are among the main sights in the quarter. At the end of the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Flight Back to Izmir

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the airport at the time set by the guide. After completing baggage, ticket and passport procedures, we depart for İzmir at 14.15 on SunExpress Airlines flight XQ895. Our tour ends upon arrival in İzmir at 19:25 local time.