September 25-October 4 (Sunday-Tuesday)

Spain’s Classic

with Collette Vacations

Spain is a colorful pageant of art, history and culture, set against a backdrop that spans sunny Mediterranean shores and grand mountain ranges, dotted with groves of oranges and olives.  Explore the priceless treasures in Madrid’s Prado Museum.  Visit the exotic and expansive Alhambra Palace, resplendent with Moorish regal flair.  See Columbus’ tomb.  Feel the passion of the Flamenco with reserved seating at a performance in Seville.  Explore Valencia, Barcelona, Granada, Cordoba and Toledo.  Travel the Sierra Nevada.

Day 1: Overnight Flight.  Begin your vacation with an overnight flight to Madrid, Spain from Baltimore Washington International Airport.      

Day 2: Arrive Madrid, Spain - Tour Begins.  Welcome to Madrid, Spain’s capital and largest city.  Tonight enjoy a delicious dinner.  (D)    

Day 3: Madrid - Prado Museum - Toledo - Madria.  During a locally guided tour of Madrid’s historic center, see the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, where events have been held since the 17^th century.  A guided tour of the Prado Museum, open since 1819, provides you with a historical and cultural perspective of this magnificent museum that boasts the world’s finest collection of art by masters such as Velazquez and Goya.  This afternoon travel to Toledo, a UNESCO site and the capital of medieval Spain until 1560.  A comprehensive tour highlights the magnificent Gothic cathedral and the 13^th century synagogue, a testament to Toledo’s Jewish heritage.  Also stop in the Church of Santo Tome to view El Greco’s masterpiece painting, The Burial of Count Orgaz.  (B)

Day 4: Madrid - Cordoba - Seville.  Today, your Tour Manager provides a brief lesson on the origin and history of the Spanish language.  Then, travel to the extraordinary Moorish city of Cordoba.  Embark on a walking tour of the Mezquita.  This UNESCO site, an architectural marvel, built by the Moors in the 8^th century as a magnificent mosque, was converted into the city’s cathedral in the 16^th century.  Continue your exploration of Cordoba in the city’s well-preserved and historical old Jewish Quarter.  Later, transfer to Seville, considered Spain’s “cultural capital.”  (B, D)

Day 5: Seville.  Today you will see Columbus’ tomb, the ornate cathedral, a UNESCO site, and Giralda Bell Tower.  Enjoy a walking tour of the quaint old Santa Cruz Quarter with its bright flowers, white-washed buildings and winding streets; then continue to Plaza D’Espana and the beautiful Maria Luisa Park, one of the loveliest in all of Europe.  A local flamenco dancer joins you for a typical “tapas lunch” featuring small portions of hot and cold specialties; here you learn about the history, culture and artistry of flamenco.  This evening, take your reserved seats for an authentic flamenco show featuring Seville’s top performers.  (B, L)

Day 6: Seville - Granada.  Travel along the peaceful Sierra Nevada to Granada, the last great capital of the Moors in Spain before it fell to the Catholic monarchs in 1492.  Join a local expert for a tour of the world-famous Alhambra, the immense hilltop palace that is a UNESCO site.  Also tour the Generalife, meaning “garden of the architect,” where the grounds are beautifully designed with waterfalls, courtyards and smaller secret gardens.  (B, D)  

Day 7: Granada - Valencia.  Today you travel through Spain’s amazing landscape viewing rolling hills dotted with picturesque olive groves while en route to the Mediterranean coast.  Arrive in the city of Valencia, a treasure trove of Roman and Arabic architecture, surrounded by citrus groves.  (B, D)

Day 8: Valencia - Barcelona.  A city tour of historic Valencia features the ornate 14^th century Serranos Tower and imposing 15^th century Quart Tower.  You’ll also see the bustling central market, one of the largest in Europe, and view the Gothic Cathedral, where construction began in 1262 on the site of an ancient mosque.  Your trip to Valencia would not be complete without a stop at Lonja, the old Silk Exchange, recognized by UNESCO as one of the most beautiful buildings of European civil Gothic architecture.  (B)

Day 9: Barcelona.  Get an in-depth look at Barcelona, one of the most vibrant and lively cities in Spain!  Your locally guided tour showcases Las Ramblas Boulevard, the most famous in Barcelona, dotted with bird and flower stalls.  Also see Columbus Monument; Parc Montjuic; Antonio Gaudi’s UNESCO World Heritage sites including “La Sagrada Familia,” Parc Guell, Bartlo House and the unconventional Casa Mila building.  This afternoon continue to explore colorful Barcelona on your own.  Gather this evening for a dinner celebrating the end of a lovely trip to Spain!  (B, D)

Day 10: Barcelona - Tour Ends.  You return home with vivid memories of a spectacularly beautiful land with an old, rich and diverse cultural heritage.  (B)

Included:

?  Fully escorted by a Collette Vacations Escort

?  Round trip air from BWI

?  8 nights hotel accommodations     

?  8 breakfasts

?  1 lunch

?  5 dinners

?  Sightseeing by deluxe touring motor coach through out with a professional driver and tour guide

?  Attractions and admissions per itinerary

?  Portage - one (1) suitcase per person

?  Tips and taxes for included meals

?  Hotel Transfers, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges of $120.00/PP (subject to increase until paid in full)

?  Excludes Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $200.00/PP

?  Excludes tip for driver and tour guide on tour

?  Excludes transfers to/from BWI Airport

Price:

$2,999.00 Double/PP    $2,969.00 Triple/PP

$3,499.00 Single

Deposit:  $250.00/PP - Due 7 days after booking

Balance Due:  July 13, 2011 

Notes: 

?  To truly experience the program and destination, you need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs and periods of standing.  Some of the touring days may be longer, with select included activities occurring later in the evening.  Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motor coaches, especially in historic areas.  For your comfort, we recommend bringing walking shoes.

?  Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis.

?  A Passport with a 6 month validity past tour date is required for this tour.  Deposits and cancellation fees, see flyer.

?  Gunther Tours/Collette Vacations reserves the right to impose or pass through fuel surcharges, security surcharges or similar incidental surcharges.  No right of cancellation exists under either of these circumstances.

?  Travel Protection Insurance is strongly recommended.  Please contact Access America at (800) 284-8300.