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Heritage Tour of Moorish Spain

(10 nights-12 days) Sample Itinerary

Day 1 Departure Departure from your home airport. Overnight flight(s) to Madrid, Spain. Day 2 Madrid/Toledo Bienvenidos a España! Arrival at Madrid Barajas International Airport. After clearing customs and claiming your luggage, you will be met by your English speaking tour escort who will be with you throughout your tour. Transfer to Toledo, a medieval city as spectacular as it is rich in history, architecture and art. Within the city walls are many beautiful sights, including winding alleys and impressive churches. Walking tour of Toledo Antiguo. Overnight in Toledo Day 3 Toledo/Jaen Morning tour of Toledo Catedral (one of the finest in Spain); the Santo Tome Church containing El Greco’s masterpiece, The Burial of Count Orgaz; and the Sinagoga del Transito (For much of its early history, Toledo had a sizable Jewish community who lived in peace with Christians and Moors). Transfer through La Mancha, the land of Don Quixote, and the Despeñaperros mountains, the borderline between the Christian and Moorish strongholds until 1212. Arrival at Jaen Parador, also known as Parador de Santa Catalina, a restored 12th-century Moorish fortress on a hill overlooking the ancient city of Jaen that today is a hotel and restaurant. Overnight at Parador de Santa Catalina Day 4 Jaen-Routeof Caliphate/Cordoba Transfer to Cordoba via the ancient route of the Caliphate that connects Cordoba and Granada. Visit an ancient olive oil mill “almazara” in Baena, one of the main olive oil producers in Spain. Continue to Espejo and overnight in Cordoba. Day 5 Cordoba: Mosque & Medina Zahara This ancient city has been declared a World Heritage Site and contains a mixture of the diverse cultures that have settled it throughout history. Initially it was a Roman settlement that was then colonized by Muslim armies in the eighth century. Cordoba became the capital of the Islamic Emirate and then of the Caliphate of Córdoba. You will see the mixed cultures during your tour, including the famed Mosque, La Mezquita, with the distinctive red

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and white striped horseshoe arches topping thousands of marble columns. Built over the site of an old Roman Pagan temple, this magnificent structure is the crowning glory of Muslim architecture from the 8th century. It was later re-consecrated as a Christian church with the addition of chapels and a cathedral. Walk the winding streets of the old Jewish Quarter. Cordoba is also home to the Alcazar, or Palace of the Christian Kings, where Columbus first requested funding for his renowned journey to discover the Indies. Overnight in Cordoba Day 6 Carmona/Italica/Seville Transfer to Seville with a visit to the charming towns of Carmona and Italica. Historical Carmona was a strategic site since Carthaginian times. Today’s street plan is the same one planned by the Romans. The Via Augusta runs from Rome to Cádiz and enters Carmona by the eastern Puerta de Córdoba and exits by the western Puerta de Sevilla (both of which are still standing strong). The Muslims built a strong defensive wall around Carmona but the town fell in 1247 to Fernando III. Later on Mudéjar and Christian artisans constructed grand churches, convents and mansions. Continue to the roman city of Italica and its beautiful amphitheater, the third biggest in the Roman Empire. Arrival in Seville and overnight Day 7 Seville: Royal Alcazar & Moorish Seville Guided tour of Seville. According to legend, Seville was founded by Hercules. It was called “Hispalis” by the Romans and “Isbiliya” by the Moors. Your sightseeing tour will include the delightful Plaza de España, a vast semicircular complex with fountains, monumental staircases, a moat and ornate blue and white tile work. You’ll walk through the old Santa Cruz Quarter to visit the Cathedral and the sumptuous Royal Alcazar, built as a fortress in the 10th century but adapted and/or expanded in almost every century since. Day 8 Seville/Jerez/Cadiz/Gibraltar Strait Transfer to the Atlantic coast. Stop in Jerez de la Frontera, known for its wines, horses and flamenco. Visit the old Arab fortress and stop for a wine tasting at the sherry wine winery. Continue to Puerto de Santa Maria and Cadiz, an ancient town built on a narrow slice of land surrounded by the sea. Visit the fortress, the Arab and Christian walls, of Tarifa, founded by the Arabs in 711bc. Today the charming town is a windsurfing paradise. Continue to Gibraltar Strait, the narrowest point between Europe and Africa (8.9 miles!). Gibraltar is a British overseas territory. The United Kingdom has controlled the area since 1713 but Spain also claims sovereignty over the area. The rock of Gibraltar is also home of the macaques, the only free-ranging primates in Europe and they are the only macaques outside of Asia.

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Overnight in Algeciras Day 9 Tangier Morning excursion to Morocco to visit the city of Tangier which has been a strategic gateway between Africa and Europe since Phoenician times. Waves of conquerors including Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs and Portuguese shaped the town and its history. Ferry back to the Costa del Sol and overnight. Day 10 Costa del Sol/Ronda Continue to explore the Costa del Sol, including the beach town Marbella and the ancient Ronda. Ronda is one of the most charming towns of Andalusia, surrounded by lush river valleys and sitting above a deep ravine. Make a stop at “The Puente Nuevo” New Bridge on top of the El Tajo gorge to see the breathtaking view of the surrenders. The bridge joins the old Moorish town and the newer, El Mercadillo. Overnight in Ronda. Day 11 Ronda/Granada Transfer to the fabled city of Granada. This distinctive city embodies the melding (and clashing) of the Moorish and Christian civilizations in a dramatic and beautiful setting. Granada came to prominence in the 1200s at the peak of Muslim power and stood as the last surviving Islamic capital in Spain up until the re-conquest by the Catholic Kings. You’ll take a walking tour of the famed Alhambra Palace. This monumental hilltop fortress, palace of the last Muslim rulers of Spain, is one of the world's fabled landmarks. Surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, the Alhambra affords superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by Gypsy cave dwellers. Wander through the magnificent water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence adjacent to the Palace. Overnight in Granada Day 12 Granada/Madrid Transfer to Madrid for a last day in Spain for last minute shopping and sightseeing. Festive group Farewell dinner Day 13 Return US Following breakfast and check out, you will transfer to Madrid Airport for your return flight(s) to the U.S.

Welcome home!