A ride on the tightly packed bus from Madrid to Toledo, the ancient capital of Castile, has all the friendly intimacy of the coach journeys described by Dickens. The discomfort is more than outweighed by the ebullient friendliness of the passengers, and by the insight gained into the true spirit of the Spanish people.
A Spaniard may stand on your feet while you may be holding a small child: in other words the bus from Madrid to Toledo would be almost full. In some amazing way more people will manage to force themselves in, driving those who are already standing into even closer intimacy. The small brother of the child you would be holding might once been standing near you in the aisle, but now he might be swept forward and you could see his mournful little face drowning in a sea of serge.
Sitting in front of you would be two nuns, wearing immense wimples of starched linen, but they would be more architectural than wimples: they would really be a survival of those elaborate and laundered head-dresses of the Middle Ages, like the hennin, or steeple, which would tower, slant and droop in infinite variety though the fifteenth century, with many a reproach from the pulpit and many a compliment from the troubadour. They are designed not for a small motor-bus but for an ample world of gateways, and you will notice with admiration how skillfully the nuns would wear them from force of habit and, like cat, which know the exact width of their whiskers, would be aware to a fraction of an inch how much they might move their heads without causing linen collision over them. It would be curious to think that a naughty head-dress which is designed as a provoking piece of coquetry should have come to rest at last upon the head of nuns.
Even the good manners of the Spanish travelling public would be shaken, and a few protests might be made, as a huge barrel of man would try to board the bus with a basket from which protruding, with an expression of fiery indignation, the head of a cockerel. All right, but perhaps – just perhaps, and people will draw in their breath and crush even closer as this amusing hombre will enter with his bird and soon have those at the back of the bus laughing at his jokes. How like the Irish the Spaniards can be! At last the bus will begin to vibrate. There would be several reports like pistol shots. A girl would cross herself. A box in the roof will announce that ‘we are going to hear the Waltz Emperador’, and, to a gay lilt of Strauss, you will take the road to Toledo.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Lisbon – Cáceres – Cordoba
In the early morning, leave central Lisbon by air-conditioned coach to travel east to Spain. Relax on board and listen to your guide explain your tour’s exciting itinerary. After roughly 3.5 hours on the road, arrive in the region of Extremadura, home to the city of Cáceres with its UNESCO-listed Old Town.
Stop to stretch your legs in the city and enjoy some free time. Perhaps use your time to enjoy lunch in one of Cáceres’ many cafes, or explore the Old Town independently to see architecture influenced by both the Moors and the Christians.
Travel onward to Cordoba in the afternoon, and check in to your hotel in the evening. Your first night is spent doing whatever you wish; head out to explore at leisure or try out the city’s famous tapas at a bar in town.
Day 2: Cordoba – Seville (B)
Enjoy breakfast, and then head out on a 2-hour walking tour of the ancient Moorish city. Explore the pretty, flower-bedecked paths and cobbled side streets that weave around the Mezquita, Cordoba’s famous cathedral-mosque. Head inside the iconic attraction and spend roughly an hour walking around its interior and learning about its history. Converted from a mosque to a church in the 13th century, the building boats a mishmash of architectural styles and influences from different religions.
Your tour finishes in the center of town, so take use of some free time for lunch, and then check out of your hotel. Leave Cordoba in the early afternoon, and travel south to Seville, the sunny capital of Andalucia. The countryside on your route is legendary, having been immortalized in Don Quixote’s novel Man of La Mancha. Lap it up, and then arrive at your central Seville hotel in the early evening.
Day 3: Seville (B)
After breakfast in your hotel, discover the sights and charms of Seville on a 2-hour sightseeing tour by both coach and foot. Sightsee around the ‘expo’ area (near Plaza de España), and then stop for a walk through leafy Murillo Gardens, the perfect place to escape from the heat. Pass Maria Luisa Gardens by coach, and then finish your sightseeing tour at a central location.
In the afternoon, enjoy some free time for lunch and to sightsee at leisure. Perhaps scout out Seville Cathedral — a masterpiece of Gothic architecture — or pay a visit to Real Maestranza Bullring. Any entrance fees are at your own expense.
If you want to experience Seville’s famous culture after dinner, why not experience a traditional flamenco show in town at your own expense? The 1.5-hour show features fiery dancing from some of the city’s top bailors (flamenco dancers) in time to fast-paced live music. Make your own way back to your hotel after the show finishes.
Day 4: Seville – Ronda – Costa del Sol (B)
Check out of your Seville hotel after breakfast, and travel further south to the historical city of Ronda, roughly two hours away. As you travel, learn about Ronda’s history and culture from your guide; the city is said to be one of the oldest in Spain with wealth accumulated from trade. Enjoy roughly an hour of free time to grab some lunch or stretch your legs. Look out for the New Bridge that straddles the dramatic El Tajo de Ronda gorge — it’s the town’s eye-catching centerpiece.
Meet back up with your guide to continue your journey south to the Costa del Sol, Spain’s sun-drenched southern coastline. Check in to your Torremolinos hotel, and spend your evening at leisure, perhaps visiting the town’s lively bars.
Day 5: Costa del Sol – Granada (B)
Leave the Costa del Sol after breakfast in your hotel, and then loop back inland in the direction of Granada. Arrive in the historical Andalucian city in the early afternoon, and admire sights of the stunning mountain range of Sierra Nevada as you travel through town. Your first stop is the Alhambra: Granada’s UNESCO-listed stunner. Head inside the hill-top palace complex with your guide, and discover its highlights on a 2.5-hour walking tour.
After entering, visit the oldest part of the Alhambra, Alcazaba Fortress, with its myriad of ramparts and towers. Ogle the views, and then continue to the Nasrid Palaces to marvel at the elaborate public rooms and intriguing Islamic art of the old Moorish buildings. From the palaces, stroll outside to Generalife Gardens and check out where the Moorish kings of bygone days once relaxed amid terraces of colorful flowers.
Check in to your hotel after your tour, and enjoy free time in the afternoon to have lunch or exploring independently. Later in the evening, why not head out to see a zambra (Moorish-style flamenco) performance at the famous Sacromonte Caves? The show is not included in your tour, but the opportunity to see passionate gypsy-style dancing in the famous Granadan caves is well worth the extra expense.
Day 6: Granada – Toledo – Madrid (B)
After breakfast, travel from Granada to the ancient city of Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The former capital of Spain, Toledo is now cited as the country’s spiritual capital and is home to countless religious monuments and historical landmarks. Learn about the city on a 1.5-hour tour by foot and coach, and see a collection of top Toledo attractions, too. Highlights include outside visits to the Primate Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo, Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue and San Juan de los Reyes Monastery.
When your sightseeing finishes, return to your coach and start your journey back to Madrid. Your 6-day tour then finishes with a drop-off in central Madrid around early evening.
For assisted tour booking and customization according to your requirement, please call: +91 33 4046 4646
Price on request
Highlights
6-day cities of Andalucia tour from Lisbon to Madrid
Combine sightseeing tours of southern Spanish cities with ample free time
Explore Cordoba, Seville and Toledo on sightseeing tours and learn about their history
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Alhambra, Granada’s legendary palace complex
See a Seville flamenco show and Granada zambra performance in the Sacromonte Caves, if you wish
Enjoy 4- or 4-star superior hotel accommodation in Cordoba, Seville, Granada and on the Costa del Sol
Hotels Used/Similar
4-star superior TRYP Cordoba Hotel or 4-star Hotel Hesperia Cordoba in central Cordoba
4-star superior NH Plaza de Arma or 4-star Don Paco in central Seville
4-star superior NH Plaza de Arma or 4-star Don Paco in central Seville
4-star Sol Principe Hotel, 4-star Sol Don Marco or 4-star Sol Don Pablo in Torremolinos, Costa del Sol
4-star superior Hotel Los Angeles or 4-star Hotel Carmen in central Granada
Inclusions
5 nights of accommodation
Transport by air-conditioned coach
Tours of Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Toledo
Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Exclusions
Gratuities (optional)
Food and beverages, unless specified
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Entrance Fees
Optional Flamenco Show and Zambra Performance
As suggested and to be customized as per request
Trip Notes
Terms & Conditions Applied
Note
Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Maximum of 3 people per room
A moderate amount of walking is involved
Each traveler is allowed a maximum of 1 suitcase and 1 carry-on bag. We suggest bringing one medium-size suitcase weighing no more than 30kg/66lb
Not wheelchair accessible
Infants aged 3 years and under are free of charge, providing they do not occupy a seat on the bus. Please note, any expenses incurred at the hotel (i.e. cot, meals, etc) should be paid directly to the hotel.
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
In the case of 3 adults and 1 child 2 twin rooms will be required
For assisted tour booking and customization according to your requirement, please call: +91 33 4046 4646
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