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 departure. After completing baggage, ticket and passport formalities, we depart for Barcelona at 08.00 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1853. Upon arrival at 10.45 local time, we board the vehicle waiting for us at the airport and 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 every year with its history, art, culture and entertainment. Antoni Gaudi’s works, architecture, streets, cuisine and nightlife are among the city’s highlights.

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 and have free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Girona and the Dali Museum

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional Jewels of Northern Catalonia (Girona & Figueras & Dali Museum) tour at an extra cost. (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 head to Figueras. Located northeast of Girona, Figueres is the birthplace of Spanish painter Salvador Dali. The city's history and cultural life are closely linked 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 put them on display. The museum now houses the largest Dali collection. As the entire building was designed by the artist, it is often described as Dali's greatest work. The museum contains more than 4000 works created by the artist 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 cost. (50 Euro) The first stop on this tour is Park Guell. One of Antoni Gaudi's works, 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. Here, visitors can see narrow, maze-like medieval streets, Gothic churches, squares and Roman walls. Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça Reial (Royal Square), Plaça del Rei (King's Square) and La Rambla are among the quarter's 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 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 Art and Science Museum, 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. We spend the night at the hotel.

Granada and the Alhambra

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Granada. Located in the heart of 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 each year. Our city tour includes Gran Via Street, BibRambla and Town Hall Squares, Granda Cathedral (from the outside), Granada's first university, Madraza, the Silk Market 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, the palace visit is subject to availability and may exclude the harem. Please inform your agency when booking whether you wish to join this tour.

Alhambra Palace is an example of Islamic architecture in Andalusia. Among Spain's most visited historic buildings, Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site 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. Its name, Alhambra, meaning Red, comes from 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 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its narrow streets, whitewashed houses and hills with scenic views, the neighbourhood bears traces of Islamic culture and architecture in Andalusia and reflects Granada's history. After our visit here, we will watch a Gypsy show with a drink in caves carved entirely by hand and observe their way of life. After the tour, we 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. Our first stops will be Maria Luisa Park, where Plaza de Espana is located, and Plaza America. We will see the exterior of Seville Cathedral, the world's third-largest cathedral, which also houses the tomb of Cristof Colomb. 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 the Alcazar, the palace of the kings of Castile, from the outside.

We will 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, and reach the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz quarter, known as old Seville. At the end of our walk, we will see the former tobacco factory, now used as the main campus of Seville University, and Torre del Oro, meaning Golden Tower, which now houses 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 cost. (55 Euro) As one of the birthplaces of flamenco, Seville 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 will watch the 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 may join the optional Cordoba & Mijas & Malaga tour at an extra cost. (140 Euro) After a 1,5-hour journey, we will arrive in Cordoba, a historic city in Spain’s Andalusia region. The city is known for its historical and cultural heritage, architecture and buildings that reflect Andalusia’s Islamic culture. In Cordoba, we will first see the Guadalquivir River. We will walk across the historic Roman bridge and pass through the Roman gate to enter the city. Accompanied by our guide, we will visit the Great Mosque of Cordoba, one of the landmarks of this 2000-year-old city. We will learn about this building, one of the largest mosques in the world, supported by 850 columns. After visiting the Mosque of Cordoba, we will continue our walk to see the old streets, a historic inn reflecting Andalusian architecture and the houses of Cordoba.

Our next stop will be Mijas. This mountain town in the province of Málaga, in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, is known for its whitewashed houses and traditional character. Its location near the Costa del Sol coast offers sea views. Mijas Pueblo, the historic part of the town, has narrow streets reflecting Andalusian architecture, flower-decorated balconies and whitewashed houses. With origins dating back to Ancient Rome and the Phoenicians, the town’s present character largely took shape 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 main sights.

The final stop on our tour will be Malaga, the birthplace of the painter Pablo Picasso. Here, the places we will see 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 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. On our tour of this open-air museum, 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 depart for Madrid. On arrival, we begin our city tour. Spain’s capital, Madrid, is among the country’s most visited cities thanks to its rich history and culture. Our first stop will be the Bullring (from the outside). We will then see Alcala Gate and Independence Square, the Sibeles 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 18.25 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1860. Our tour ends upon arrival in Istanbul at 23.40 local time.