Spain and Andalusian Cities Tour

Meeting Barcelona

We meet at the Turkish Airlines counter in the international departures terminal at Istanbul Airport 3 hours before the flight. After completing baggage, ticket and passport procedures, we depart for Barcelona at 15.00 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1855. We arrive at 17.40 local time and board the vehicle waiting for us at the airport to begin our panoramic city tour.

Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city and the capital of the Catalonia region, is known worldwide. Located on the Mediterranean coast, the city welcomes millions of visitors each year with its history, art, culture and entertainment. Antoni Gaudi’s works play an important role in the city’s architecture. Barcelona is also known for its streets, cuisine and nightlife.

Sights on the city tour include La Sagrada Familia Church, the Cristof Colomb Statue, Montjuic Hill, La Ramblas Street, Spain and Catalunya Squares, Endülüs Arena and Olimpic Port. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel for free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Girona and Figueras, by choice

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. (70Euro) The first stop is Girona. Located in northeastern Catalonia, approximately 100 kilometres north of Barcelona, this historic city 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 visiting Girona, we depart for Figueras. Located northeast of Girona, Figueres 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 here 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 greatest 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) The first stop on this tour is Park Guell. Designed by Antoni Gaudi, the park is on the Unesco World Heritage List. Also known as a fairy-tale park, Park Guell is known for its colourful stairways and imaginatively shaped pavilions.

After visiting the park, we continue to the Gothic Quarter. Its narrow, winding medieval streets, Gothic churches, squares and Roman walls 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 here. At the end of the tour, we are transferred to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Arrival in Valencia

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Valencia. Located on Spain's eastern Mediterranean coast, Valencia combines historic and modern buildings. Spain's third-largest city attracts visitors with its history, culture and art. On arrival, our city tour includes sights such as 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 option

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Granada. Located in the heart of Andalusia, Granada is known for its historical heritage, music, dance, scenery and Alhambra Palace. One of Spain's main tourist destinations, the city welcomes millions of visitors every year. Our city tour includes 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 city tour, guests who wish may join the optional Alhambra Palace Tour at an extra charge. (80 Euro) As Al Hambra Palace has a daily visitor limit, our visit is subject to availability and may exclude the harem. Please inform your agency at the time of booking whether you wish to join this tour.

Alhambra Palace is part of Granada's historical heritage and 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 fortress 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, because of 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 charge. (60 Euro) Albaicin, one of Granada's historic neighbourhoods, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Known for its narrow streets, whitewashed houses and scenic hills, the neighbourhood bears traces of Andalusian Islamic culture and architecture. After our tour here, we will watch a Gypsy show with a drink in caves carved entirely by hand and observe the local way of life. At the end of the tour, we return to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Seville's heritage

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Seville. On arrival, we begin our city tour. Located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River in Spain's Andalusia region, Seville is known for its rich 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 resting place of Cristof Colomb, from the outside. The Hiralda Minaret, next to the cathedral, is also among the sights we see. 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 Castilian kings, from the outside.

We then pass through the Archives of the Indies, where records of all sea voyages to the Americas from the discovery of the continent until the 19th century were kept. We reach the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz district, known as Old Seville. At the end of our walk, we see the former tobacco factory, now used as the main campus of Seville University, and Torre del Oro, or the Golden Tower, which now serves as a naval museum. We then head to our hotel.

In the evening, guests who wish can join the optional Flamenco Fire Tour at an extra charge. (55 Euro) Seville, one of the birthplaces of flamenco, is considered one of Spain's main 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 option

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

After exploring Cordoba, 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. Close to the Costa del Sol coast, Mijas offers sea views and a historic setting. 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 largely took shape 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 tour of Mijas, we will continue to our final stop, Malaga. On our tour of the city where the painter Pablo Picasso was born, we will see 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 be transferred to our hotel in Ecija. Overnight at the hotel.

Toledo and arrival in Madrid

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

After the tour, we continue to Madrid. Upon arrival, we begin our city tour. Madrid, the capital of Spain, is among the country's most visited cities, with a long history and rich cultural heritage. Our first stop on the city tour is the Bullring (from the outside). We will also see Alcala Gate, Independence Square, Sibeles Monument, Grand Via, Bernabeu Stadium, Plaza Castilla, Atocha Railway Station and the Prado Museum (from the outside). The tour also includes Plaza de Espana, home to statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, the Royal Palace (from the outside), Plaza Mayor with its 9 gates, and Sol Square. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel, where we spend the night.

Flight home

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the airport at the time specified by the guide. After completing baggage, ticket and passport procedures, we depart for Istanbul at 18.25 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1860. Our tour ends upon arrival at 23.40 local time.