Pentravel
Pentravel

Highlights of Spain with Insight Vacations

Pentravel
9 days
06 Jul 24 to 22 Sep 24
Book by 30 May 24
See the beautiful world of Spain during this 9-day guided tour. Begin in Barcelona, where a Local Expert will lead you along the city’s narrow lanes to the lively Las Ramblas and the Sagrada Família, a basilica built by the architect Antoni Gaudí. Paella was created in Valencia. Later, enjoy a private cooking demonstration at a family-run restaurant while sampling the local flavors. See glorious views of the Sierra Nevada before reaching Granada, where a Local Expert will guide you through one of the most remarkable fortresses ever built: the Alhambra. In Seville, learn the art of flamenco dancing during a private lesson, then be treated to a passionate performance by professionals. Visit the Prado Museum in Madrid with an art historian, who can share the stories behind Spanish masterpieces by artists such as Francisco Goya.

Includes

  • 9 Day Insight Vacations Guided Holiday
  • 8 Nights in stylish, hand picked hotel accommodation
  • Authentic dining inclusive of 8 breakfasts & 4 dinners with wine
  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned coach
  • An expert Insight Travel Director
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination
  • Baggage handling everywhere, we include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included
  • Personal radio headsets, gives you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any of your local expert's fascinating insights and commentaries
  • Additional experiences during your free time that can be purchased at an additional cost
  • Top Rated Highlights
  • Barcelona Sagrada Família Visit
  • See the Peniscola Castle
  • Seville City Tour
  • Barcelona City Tour
  • Valencia Orientation
  • and much more!
  • Unique Insight Experiences
  • Alhambra Palace in Granada: Visit the famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. While others wait in line, you'll be exploring accompanied by a Local Expert, keen to share insights into this Moorish landmark.
  • Make Travel Matter Experiences
  • La Pau Welcome Dinner: Dine at La Pau, an acclaimed restaurant for the quality of its seasonal menu and social impact. This social initiative generate quality employment to young people and guides them through their transition to adult life. This experience advances United Nations’ Sustainable Development 10: Reduced Inequality. La Pau gives a voice and life opportunity to young people who have been marginalised from the traditional educational and social systems.
  • Discover Flamenco at the Cristina Heeren Foundation Seville: The Cristina Heeren Foundation aims to promote the teaching and conservation of flamenco and is a beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Meet the students of the foundation, learn some basic flamenco steps, and then feel the passion as they perform an emotional show.

Excludes

  • Flights
  • Transfers not mentioned
  • Visas
  • Travel Insurance
  • Items of a personal nature

Extras

  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
  • Additional experiences that have been curated by your Travel Director from their own in-depth local knowledge can be signed up for on tour at an additional cost.
  • Airport Transfers: If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
  • Please note some departures are not definite departures.

Highlights

  • 8 Nights in stylish hotel accommodation
  • Authentic dining: 8 breakfasts & 4 dinners
  • Unique Insight Experiences

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Barcelona

Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for your Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Arrival Transfer: Depart the airport at 09:30, 12:30, 15:00 Welcome Meeting: Meet your Travel Director at 18:00 Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date Accommodation: Meliá Barcelona Sarrià or NH Collection Barcelona Constanza or Hilton Barcelona Included Meals: Dinner with Wine

Day 2: Barcelona, the City of Gaudí

With your Local Expert, drive along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and some of the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district for a visit inside Gaudí’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família, to see the central nave with its giant, tree-like pillars, spectacular vaulting and the beautiful rainbows flooding in through the intricate stained-glass windows. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore or perhaps join an optional experience to Montserrat & The Black Madonna. Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date Accommodation: Meliá Barcelona Sarria or NH Collection Barcelona Constanza or Hilton Barcelona Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Along the coast to Valencia

Follow the sunny Costa Dorada, past the rice fields of the Ebro Delta. Stop at the seaside resort of Peñíscola and see the hilltop castle used in the film 'El Cid'. Pass through the famous orange groves to Valencia and see the City of Arts and Sciences. Later see the Old City and take in its medieval charm. Valencia is home to one of the world's greatest dishes, paella. Meet the chef of a local family-run restaurant in the heart of the Old City and learn how to make this local specialty during a Cooking Demonstration. Later, indulge in the delicious flavours of this classic dish with a glass of sangria at your Highlight Dinner. Accommodation: :Barceló Valencia Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 4: Exquisite Granada and Alhambra

Travel south toward Andalucía, passing the castle at Lorca and troglodyte dwellings hollowed out of the soft rock near Guadix. Enjoy views of the Sierra Nevada mountains from a distance as you reach glorious Granada. This historic city was a Moorish kingdom for almost eight centuries and was the last stronghold to fall to the Catholic monarchs of Spain in 1492. Overlooking Granada stands the Alhambra, one of the most remarkable fortresses ever built. Led by your Local Expert, explore this exquisite palace, built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century. A fantasy of arabesque gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace. Later, stroll through the elegant exotic gardens of the Generalife, the Royal summer residence. Accommodation: Gran Hotel Luna de Granada Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 5: A Scenic Drive to Seville

The morning is at your leisure to explore as you wish. Perhaps join an Optional Experience and visit the Albaicin Quarter with a Local Expert. Here, in addition to falling in love with Granada, you will also uncover its pivotal role in European history. Continue your travels to Seville, past gleaming white villages and olive groves that stretch as far as the eye can see. Accommodation: Meliá Sevilla Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Seville, the City of Carmen

Visit the Seville Cathedral, the burial place of Christopher Columbus. Explore Seville with Insight Choice. Choose to embark on a walk through the old Jewish quarter. Alternatively, join a scenic drive around the city and enjoy panoramic views. This evening, visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This private dance school is dedicated to promoting the conservation of flamenco and supports young enthusiasts from all over the world with a special focus on new talent from the Andalusian region. Feel the passion behind the choreography as you put your rhythm to the test during a dance lesson before witnessing emotions come to life in a flamenco performance. Accommodation: Meliá Sevilla Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Moorish Córdoba and on to Madrid

Set off early along the Guadalquivir Valley, passing villages and towns studded with Moorish towers and fortresses. Stop in the perfectly preserved Moorish city of Córdoba and see the famous Roman bridge, built in the 1st century BC. Meet a local historian and visit the magnificent Mezquita, a beautiful 8th century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it. Make the most of your time at leisure and stroll the narrow streets of the city. Follow in the footsteps of Don Quixote as you travel through La Mancha and on to the capital, Madrid. Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date Accommodation: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana or Radisson RED Madrid Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Madrid of the Bourbons

Enjoy sightseeing with your Local Expert, as they guide you through the most historic neighbourhoods in the Spanish capital. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter to discover the origins of the city. Visit the renowned Prado Museum with an art historian who will guide you through the collective works of Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and more. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax at a cafe, shop in the trendy boutiques or perhaps travel to beautiful Toledo with an Optional Experience. In the evening, join your Travel Director and newfound friends at a local restaurant in the heart of the city. Toast your adventures as you enjoy a delicious Celebration Dinner of regional favourites, served with wine. Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date Accommodation: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana or Radisson RED Madrid Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 9: Depart Madrid

Today bid farewell to your journey along Spain and Portugal as you transfer to the airport. Departure Transfer: Arrive at Madrid-Barajas airport at 07:00, 09:00, 11:00 Included Meals: Breakfast

Terms & conditions

Prices are per person twin share, include discounts, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and may be found on our website. Subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. High season supplements and block out dates may apply, pricing varies pending departure date. Package excludes flights. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply). Tour operator reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime. Full payment due 120 days prior to departure or at time of booking if booked within 120 days of departure; whichever comes first. R3000 per person deposit required at time of booking for Level 1 tours to hold space; some trips require payment in full at time of booking. Savings are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure, please contact a travel consultant for more info. Other conditions may apply. 2024 Travel Sale, book by 30 May 2024. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.

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2024 Travel Sale
R55,200
R47,200
per person sharing
Details
Valid on 6 Jul 2024
Stay
9 days
Dates
06 Jul 24 to 22 Sep 24
Book by
30 May 24
Experience ID
186
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