Spain and Andalusian Cities Tour

Meeting Barcelona

We meet in front of the Turkish Airlines counter at the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport 3 hours before the flight. After completing baggage, ticket and passport procedures, we depart for Barcelona at 07.55 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1857. Following our arrival at 10.25 local time, we board the vehicle waiting for us at the airport and begin a 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 brings together history, art, culture and entertainment. Its architecture, streets, cuisine and nightlife attract millions of visitors each year. Antoni Gaudi’s works also play an important role in the city’s architecture. Sights on the city tour include La Sagrada Familia Church, the Cristof Colomb Statue, Montjuic Hill, La Ramblas Street, İspanya 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 the Dali Museum

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can 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 visiting Girona, we depart for Figueras. Figueres, northeast of Girona, is the birthplace of Salvador Dali. The city's identity is closely linked to the life and works of the Spanish painter Salvador Dali. The main attraction in Figueres is the Salvador Dali Museum. Dali established this museum to leave something to his birthplace and display his works. Today, the museum houses the largest Dali collection and is considered the artist's largest work, as he designed it in its entirety. The museum contains more than 4000 works created by Dali using various techniques.

At the end of the tour, we return to Barcelona. Guests who wish can join the optional Gaudi's Work (Park Guell) & Gothic Quarter tour at an extra charge. (50 Euro) We first visit Park Guell. One of Antoni Gaudi's works, Park Guell is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Also called a fairy-tale park, it is known for its colourful stairways and imaginative pavilions.

After visiting Park Guell, we continue to the Gothic Quarter. The quarter features narrow, maze-like medieval streets, Gothic churches, squares and Roman walls. These structures form the quarter's historic character. Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça Reial (Royal Square), Plaça del Rei (King's Square) and La Rambla are among its main attractions. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Meeting Valencia

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Valencia. Located on Spain's eastern Mediterranean coast, Valencia brings together historic and modern buildings. Spain's third-largest city attracts visitors with its history, culture and art. On our city tour upon arrival, the places we will see 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 check 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 heart of Andalusia, Granada is known for its historical heritage, culture, 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 includes Gran Via Street, BibRambla and Belediye Squares, Granda Cathedral (exterior only), Granada's first university, Madraza, the Silk Bazaar and the old Nasri Caravanserai.

After the city tour, guests 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. Guests wishing to join this tour are asked to inform their agency when booking.

Alhambra Palace is one of Granada's historic buildings and an example of Andalusian Islamic architecture. One of Spain's most visited historic sites, Alhambra is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is known worldwide. Construction began in the 13th century as a defensive fortress and palace 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 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 hills with scenic views, the neighbourhood bears traces of Andalusian Islamic culture and architecture and reflects Granada's history. After exploring this area, we will watch a Gypsy show with a drink in caves carved entirely by hand and observe the local way of life. After the tour, we will return to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Meeting Seville

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Seville. Upon arrival, we will 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 will first see Maria Luisa Park, where Plaza de Espana is located, and Plaza America. We will view Seville Cathedral, the world's third-largest cathedral and the burial place of Cristof Colomb, from the outside. We will also see the Hiralda Minaret beside the cathedral. 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 will also view Alcazar, the palace of the kings of Castile, from the outside.

Next, we will pass through the Archives of the Indies, where records of all sea voyages to the Americas from their discovery until the 19th century were kept, and reach the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, known as old Seville. At the end of our walk, we will see the former tobacco factory, now used as the main campus of the University of Seville, and Torre del Oro, meaning Golden Tower, which now serves as a maritime museum. We will 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 will watch flamenco dancers perform. After the tour, we will 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 historic buildings, architecture and traces of Andalusian Islamic culture. After a 1,5-hour journey, we will arrive in Cordoba and first see 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 Great Mosque of Cordoba, one of the largest mosques in the world, supported by 850 columns. Our guide will tell us about the building. After visiting the mosque, we will continue our tour on foot to see the old streets, the historic inn reflecting Andalusian architecture and the houses of Cordoba.

After our visit to Cordoba, our second stop will be Mijas. This mountain town in Málaga province, in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, is known for its whitewashed houses and traditional character. Its location near the Costa del Sol coast, sea views and historic buildings are among its main features. Mijas Pueblo, the historic part of the town, has narrow streets, flower-filled balconies and whitewashed houses reflecting Andalusian architecture. With origins dating back to Ancient Rome and the Phoenicians, the town’s present character was largely shaped during the period of Muslim rule in Andalusia. The small bullring at the top of the town and the ruins of Mijas Castle are among its notable sights.

The final stop on our tour will be Malaga, the city where painter Pablo Picasso was born. During our tour of Malaga, 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 transfer to our hotel in Ecija. Overnight at the hotel.

Toledo to Madrid

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Madrid. On 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. Bearing traces of Roman, Visigoth, Muslim and Christian civilisations, the city is protected by Unesco. Toledo is known for its medieval architecture and cultural heritage. During our tour through the narrow historic streets of this open-air museum, we will see 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. Spain’s capital, Madrid, is among the country’s most visited cities thanks to its history and cultural heritage. Our first stop on the city tour will be the Bullring (from the outside). We will also see Alcala Gate and Independence Square, the Cibeles Monument, Grand Via, Bernabeu Stadium, Plaza Castilla, Atocha Train 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 tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Flight Back to Istanbul

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 12.10 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 1854. Our tour ends upon arrival at 17.45 local time.