Payment of bespoke trip to Spain | 24th of December 2024 – 1st of January 2025 | 4 pax
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Description and schedule of services
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24th of December: flight to Madrid, high-speed train from Madrid to Seville and day at leisure in Seville to recover from your journey
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8am: upon arrival of your flight to Madrid airport, collect your luggage, walk to the arrivals hall and meet your personal driver there. He will be holding a sign saying “Amanda Mandel – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan to Madrid train station.
9:30am (estimated): upon arrival to Madrid train station, enjoy a bit of free time before boarding your high-speed train to Seville. We will leave some margin here in case of flight delays.
12pm: departure of your high-speed train from Madrid to Seville (1st class seats).
2:45pm: upon arrival of your train to Seville train station, collect your luggage, walk to the arrivals hall and meet your personal driver there. He will be holding a sign saying “Amanda Mandel – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan to your hotel in Seville.
3:15pm (estimated): arrival to your hotel in Seville and rest of the day at leisure. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Seville during your free time and also of places to eat. We will also book tables for you if you like.
Overnight in Seville: reales Alcázares suite connecting to a Grand Deluxe room (twin) with breakfast included at hotel Alfonso XIII (5*)
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25th of December: day at leisure in Seville and evening flamenco and tapas tour through the quarter of Triana
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6:30pm: meet your personal local host by the reception desk of your hotel to start a guided walk towards a selected flamenco venue in the quarter of Triana, known for its flamenco scene.
This introductory walk is aimed at learning how flamenco emerged from South West Spain as a result of a slow fusion of the ancient multicultural musical heritage of Southern Spain with the original gypsy rhythms and musical roots. This will set the context for (and enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of) the flamenco performance in a small and intimate venue that will follow, with 4 people on stage (one singer, one guitarist and two dancers).
7:30pm: start of the flamenco performance.
8:30pm: after your flamenco performance, enjoy a tapas tasting tour through the quarter of Triana. Your tour will take you to 2 – 3 selected tapas bars where the locals like to gather with family and friends and where you will taste a selection of 6 – 9 local dishes to share and up to 4 drinks per person (wine, beer, refreshments, water). This will make an excellent opportunity to learn about Southern Spanish gastronomy and wines, about the connection of different foods to different festivities, regions and specific periods of history and also about the dynamics of tapas bars in Southern Spain.
10:30pm: after your tapas and wines adventure, be escorted back to your hotel stopping along the way for a sweet local treat.
11pm: arrival to your hotel and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Seville: reales Alcázares suite connecting to a Grand Deluxe room (twin) with breakfast included at hotel Alfonso XIII (5*)
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26th of December: morning walking tour of Seville World Heritage Sites and rest of the day at leisure in Seville
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10am: be met by your personal local guide at your hotel in Seville to start a private walking tour that will take you to visit its impressive World Heritages Sites: the Alcazar or Moorish palace, the Cathedral with its Giralda tower and the Archive of the Indies.
You will start your discovery journey by visiting the Alcazar, which is a massive complex of palaces erected in different periods and of breath-taking gardens of different styles. The Alcazar has stunning historical constructions featuring a very particular crossover between Hispanic-Muslim and Christian architecture styles, called Mudejar. This style became very fashionable in Spain in the 14th and 15th centuries amongst the Christian nobility and it reached its maximum splendor in Seville. Another essential part of the Alcazar is the famous house of Trade, which once hosted the offices from where all the commerce with the New World was managed. After enjoying these inner areas, you will be taken to the gardens, which are an exquisite sample of European landscaping from the 16th until the 20th centuries.
Then you will be taken to visit the Cathedral, which is the largest gothic temple in the World and where Christopher Columbus is buried. The Cathedral of Seville was built on a vast extension of land where previously a Mosque had been erected. An important part of the Mosque was preserved and it is now a part of the Cathedral. This makes it a unique construction featuring styles as diverse as Hispanic-Muslim, Gothic, Renaissance, Neoclassical and Baroque. A most important part of the Cathedral is its bell tower known as la Giralda, which is a perfectly preserved Hispanic-Muslim minaret from the period when a Mosque occupied the grounds where the Cathedral stands today. During your tour you will be taken to the top in order to enjoy the wonderful views of Seville that one can admire from there.
To finish you will visit the Archive of the Indies. The Archive of the Indies is an iconic neoclassical building erected to keep invaluable documents from all those commercial expeditions that took place between Seville and the New World. Learning about it will uncover probably the most glorious period of the history of Seville and how it connects to the American continent and to the present character of the city.
1:30pm: end of your tour and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Seville: reales Alcázares suite connecting to a Grand Deluxe room (twin) with breakfast included at hotel Alfonso XIII (5*)
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27th of December: day trip from Seville to the natural park of Aracena, home to the most iconic Spanish delicacy: Iberian Ham
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9:30am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation in Seville and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated driver to the natural park of Aracena, home of the best Iberian Ham in the world.
Along the way, you will be given some explanations about the geography, landscape, economy, culture, agriculture and farming of this part of South West Spain.
10:45am: upon arrival to the natural park of Aracena, visit the curing cellars of a selected iberian ham producer. You will be taken on a private tour aimed at learning about the very specific artisanal treatments and particular humidity and temperature conditions to cure Iberian pig meats. This will be followed by a guided tasting of Iberian ham, which will make a great end to your discovery journey of the most iconic food from South West Spain.
12:40pm: after your visit to the Iberian ham farm, be transferred to the whitewashed village of Aracena for lunch.
1pm: arrival to Aracena and lunch in a selected local restaurant specialized in traditional recipes cooked with fresh local produce from the natural park around the town.
2:30pm: end of lunch and private transfer back to Seville.
3:45pm: arrival to Seville and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Seville: reales Alcázares suite connecting to a Grand Deluxe room (twin) with breakfast included at hotel Alfonso XIII (5*)
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28th of December: from Seville to Granada via Ronda to tour the town at leisure and have lunch there
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10:30am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation in Seville and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan to the whitewashed hilltop town of Ronda.
12:15pm: upon arrival to Ronda, enjoy some free time to explore the town and have lunch at leisure (we will give you recommendations of things to do and see during your free time and also of places to eat. We will also book tables for you if you like.
3pm: after lunch, reconnect with your driver and be transferred to your accommodation in Granada.
5:15pm: arrival to your accommodation in Granada and end of services for the day. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Granada and also of places to eat. We will also book tables for you if you wish.
Overnight in Granada: alcoba real suite at hotel Seda Club (5*)
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29th of December: half day tour of the Alhambra and el Generalife
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10:30am: be met by your personal local host and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan with a dedicated driver to the top of the hill of la Sabika, where the Alhambra and el Generalife are located.
10:45am: upon arrival to the Alhambra, be taken on a private walking tour of this palatial city which is the most exquisite example of the Hispanic-Muslim architecture. The Alhambra was the city where the Hispanic-Muslim sultans used to live with their army, their court and some selected artisans. Because of this, it has several parts, all of which you will get to visit during your tour while you understand the role that each of them had. Later you will visit the summer palace or Generalife. This is the place where the sultans would go to escape from the hustle and bustle of the Alhambra. It was a place designed for relaxation and contemplation and because of this, it has the most beautiful gardens and some of the nicest views that the city of Granada has to offer.
2pm: end of your tour of the Alhambra and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Granada: alcoba real suite at hotel Seda Club (5*)
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30th of December: from Granada to Madrid via Córdoba to tour the old town and visit the Great Mosque – Cathedral
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9am: be met by your private driver by the reception desk of your hotel in Granada and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan to the city of Córdoba.
11:15am: upon arrival to Córdoba, be met by your personal local host to go on a 2h discovery journey of the historical center of the city (your driver stays in the van with your luggage).
A UNESCO site since 1994, Córdoba is an inspirational city, which during the Middle Ages, saw a peaceful interaction between the three great Mediterranean cultures. Jews, Muslims and Christians coexisted then in the city turning it into a unique intellectual hub that gave birth to very renowned philosophers, poets, scientists and doctors. This also resulted in the construction of unique buildings of remarkable historical significance.
During your private walking tour, you’ll learn about the period of maximum intellectual splendor of the city and you will see beautiful examples of architecture and urban planning that will allow you to recreate all the grandeur of this era, which has the Great Mosque – Cathedral as its most representative construction.
The Great Mosque-Cathedral is probably the most thought-provoking building in Spain and your personal local host will uncover all its beauty and complexity for you. You will understand its origins, its different enlargements and the role that the building has played in the culture and social fabric of the city throughout the centuries.
1:15pm: after your tour of Córdoba, enjoy some free time in the city for lunch at leisure. We will give you recommendations and will book a table for you if you wish.
2:30pm: after lunch, reconnect with your driver and be transferred to Córdoba train station.
2:50pm: arrival to Córdoba train station on time to take your high-speed train to Madrid at 3:27pm.
3:14pm: departure of your high-speed train from Córdoba to Madrid.
5:12pm: upon arrival of your train to Madrid train station, collect your luggage, walk to the arrivals hall and meet your personal driver there. He will be holding a sign saying “Amanda Mandel – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan to your hotel in Madrid.
5:45pm (estimated): arrival to your hotel in Madrid and end of services for the day. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Madrid and also of places to eat. We will also book tables for you if you like.
Overnight in Madrid: Real suite with breakfast included at Gran hotel Inglés (5*)
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31st of December: Introductory culture and gastronomy tour of Madrid old town in the morning and early afternoon and rest of the day at leisure to celebrate New Year’s Eve Madrid style
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10:30am: meet your personal guide at your hotel in Madrid to go on an introductory tour of Madrid old town aimed at learning about the city and at setting the context for your stay in the city for New Year’s Eve.
Your tour will take you through the oldest quarters of the Spanish capital in order for you to understand where Madrid has its roots and from where it has evolved until becoming the vibrant and cosmopolitan capital it is today.
A first highlight of your walk will be the iconic Plaza Mayor where you will be explained about the important historical events that have happened there over the past 400 years and their importance in the history of Madrid and of Spain. Another highlight will be learning about the history of the Spanish monarchy while you stroll along the grand façades of the Royal Palace, to later enjoy a panoramic view of its gardens and of the nearby opera house.
After this introduction, be taken for a tapas tasting tour through selected tapas bars of Madrid old town.
Understanding how Madrid works when it comes to celebrating food can be one of the most revealing experiences of the culture of the city. Madrileños love their excellent food and they like to make a celebration out of every meal, together with family and friends and Madrid is a melting pot of people from all over the country. Food, conversation, wine, laughter and a magical common feeling of thankfulness combine in perfect harmony in Madrid bars to make tapas meals memorable.
During your tapas tasting lunch, you’ll get to taste a selection of 6 – 9 different local tapas dishes, combined with the corresponding drinks. Along this culinary journey, you’ll be explained about the hectic social life that Madrileños have and how most of it takes place around food in tapas bars. Your guide will also throw in relevant information on how to make the most of your evening in the city.
The Spanish capital can be overwhelming when it comes to choosing a place to eat so this lunch will allow you to relax and to enjoy the magnificent culinary scene of the city, while you also learn about its particular character and identity, together with your local host, getting ready at the same time for your evening adventures.
2:30pm: end of your tapas tour back at your accommodation.
Overnight in Madrid: Real suite with breakfast included at Gran hotel Inglés (5*)
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1st of January: departure from Madrid
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7am: meet your personal driver at your hotel in Madrid and be transferred to Madrid airport.
7:30am: arrival to Madrid airport on time to take your flight back to the US.
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Pricing
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The cost of this bespoke trip for a private party of 4 pax is 34450 Euros
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This price includes
– 8 nights accommodation with breakfast included as per mentioned above.
– All private transportation services mentioned above in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan with a dedicated uniformed driver.
– All high-speed train tickets mentioned above (1st class seats)
– All private tours and travel experiences mentioned above, led by a knowledgeable, personable, kind, flexible and interactive fully licensed guide with a great command of the English language.
– All entrance tickets for all these guided tours.
– Admission to a selected flamenco performance in Seville with 4 artists onstage: 2 dancers, 1 guitarist and 1 singer.
– A tapas dinner through 2 – 3 selected tapas bars of the quarter of Triana including a selection of 6 – 9 dishes to share, up to 4 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water) and a sweet local treat to finish.
– Private visit to the curing facilities of a selected Iberian Ham producer followed by the corresponding – Iberian Ham tastings in a dedicated tasting area.
– Lunch in a selected local restaurant in Aracena including a selection of 2 starters to share, one main course per person, one dessert per person and up to 3 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– A tapas lunch through 2 – 3 selected tapas bars of Madrid old town including a selection of 6 – 9 dishes to share, up to 4 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water) and a sweet local treat to finish.
– A list of recommended things to do and see in each of the places you will visit.
– A list of recommended restaurants in each of the places you will visit. We will also manage reservations for you if you like (as long as credit/debit cards are not needed, in which case, we will send you a link so you can finalize the reservations easily online yourselves).
– 24h Guardian Angel service throughout your trip for any emergencies you may have.
– All taxes.
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This price excludes
– Your international flights
– Any meals not mentioned right above.
– Anything else not mentioned right above.
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Confirmation and payments
In order to confirm this trip we require a 30% deposit of the grand total no later than the 4th of October 2024 at 12pm (Madrid time) via credit/debit card. The final 70% must be paid via the same method no later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip.
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Grand total of this bespoke trip to Spain for 4 pax: 34450 Euros
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30% deposit needed no later than the 4th of October 2024 at 12pm (Madrid time) via credit/debit card to confirm the trip: 10335 Euros
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Final 70% needed no later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip to pay it in full: 24115 Euros
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Cancellation policy
– If you cancel your trip more than 30 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge the 30% deposit only.
– If you cancel your trip between 30 and 8 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 40% of the full cost of the trip and we will refund the remaining 60%.
– If you cancel your trip 7 days or less prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 100% of the full cost of the trip.
(*) Please note that partial cancellations won’t result in partial refunds. This applies to the group size and to the duration, activities and services included in the trip.
(**) Genuine Andalusia strongly recommends getting travel insurance for any international trip. Most of our US guests purchase their travel insurance packages from Medjet.
