Payment of bespoke trip to Spain | 14th – 30th of September 2024 | 2 pax
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Description and schedule of services
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14th of September: evening flamenco and tapas tour through the quarter of Triana
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6:30pm: meet your personal local host at your accommodation to go on a flamenco and tapas tour through the quarter of Triana.
This tour will start with an introductory walk (or taxi ride if Erna joins the tour) aimed at learning how flamenco music emerged from Southern 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).
After the flamenco performance you’ll be taken on a discovery journey of the fabulous tapas scene of Seville old town by going to 1 – 2 selected tapas bars where the locals like to gather with relatives and friends and where you will try a selection of 6 – 9 local dishes to share and up to 4 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water). Finally and after a sweet local treat, you will be escorted back to your accommodation.
11pm: end of your tour at your accommodation.
Overnight in Seville: under own arrangements
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15th of September: morning walking tour of Seville World Heritage Sites
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10am: be met by your personal local guide at your accommodation 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 afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Seville: under own arrangements
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21st of September: from Mijas Costa to Granada along the Tropical Coast and with stops in the picturesque villages of Nerja and Frigiliana
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9:30m: meet your personal driver at your accommodation in Mijas Costa and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the coastal Mediterranean town of Nerja.
10:45am: upon arrival to Nerja, enjoy some free time in town at leisure. We will give you recommendations.
12pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the nearby inland town of Frigiliana.
12:20pm: upon arrival to Frigiliana, enjoy some free time in town at leisure. You may want to have lunch in Frigiliana too. We will give you recommendations.
2:30pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred to your hotel in Granada.
3:45pm: arrival to your hotel in Granada and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Granada: 2 bedroom Alcoba Real Suite with breakfast included at Hotel Seda Club (5*)
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22nd of September: neighborhoods tour of Granada: Realejo, Albayzin and Sacromonte
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10am: meet your personal local host by the reception desk of your hotel to go on a walking tour of the city that will allow you first to discover, learn about the history and architecture and experience the beauty of the three most iconic quarters of the city: El Realejo, el Albayzin and el Sacromonte. You can take taxis to get from one quarter to another so Erna can enjoy sitting in designated relaxed spots of these quarters while Bill and the guide explore on foot, before moving on to the next quarter.
This introduction to the city of Granada will also help to set the historic context for your tour to the Alhambra and el Generalife the next day.
You will start with the quarter of El Realejo. This part of Granada was once home to the Sephardic community that lived in the city from the 8th century until 1492. Your tour of El Realejo will take you to the spot where the main synagogue was while you are explained about the origins of this Hispanic-Jewish settlement and about the events that happened in this part of the town during the centuries when it was inhabited by Jewish people. Along your tour you will also learn about important members of the Sephardic community of Granada and about their contribution to subjects such as medicine, poetry, philosophy and translation in medieval Spain.
From el Realejo, you will move on towards the quarter of el Albayzín. Located on top of a hill and overlooking the Alhambra, el Albayzín was the part of Granada where regular people would live: people whose social scheme inside the walls of the palatial areas of the Alhambra was rather unclear.
The quarter of Albayzín is a UNESCO site and it treasures some of the most beautiful corners that the city of Granada has to offer. Your local host will share the most special ones with you, while you are explained about the architecture and infrastructures that the quarter had in the medieval times and of which you will see beautifully preserved evidence.
From El Albayzin, you will continue on towards the quarter of el Sacromonte. This hilltop quarter is probably the most unique in Granada. Perched on a hillside offering the most beautiful views of the Alhambra and with a very particular residential architecture of cave houses, el Sacromonte also has some very interesting inhabitants. This tour offers a visit to this magical area of the city aimed not only at enjoying its rustic beauty but also at learning about the arrival of the first gypsy communities to Granada and about the impact that this had in the origins and evolution of flamenco music and dance in Granada.
Finally from el Sacromonte, you will be escorted back to your accommodation by taxi.
1:30pm: arrival to your accommodation and end of services for the day. Then enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Overnight in Granada: 2 bedroom Alcoba Real Suite with breakfast included at Hotel Seda Club (5*)
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23rd of September: half-day walking tour of the Alhambra and el Generalife
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9:30am: be met by your personal Alhambra expert and be transferred by taxi to the top of the hill of la Sabika, where the Alhambra and El Generalife are located.
9:45am: start your private walking tour of the Alhambra and el Generalife (a wheelchair will be borrowed from the Alhambra so Erna can tour the site too). This tour will allow you to enjoy the exquisite refinement of the most splendorous construction that the Muslims built in Spain: the Alhambra. The Alhambra was a palatial town, formed by different parts, all of which you will get to discover with your local host in order to understand how they all worked together, the role that each of them had and the different people who inhabited them. After your tour of the Alhambra you will be taken to the Generalife or summer palace of the Nasrid Sultans, where they would go to get away from the hustle of life in the Alhambra. The Generalife is a magical place designed for relaxation and contemplation and its gardens, architecture and views are simply spectacular.
1:30pm: end of your private tour of the Alhambra and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Granada: 2 bedroom Alcoba Real Suite with breakfast included at Hotel Seda Club (5*)
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24th of September: from Granada to Córdoba via the UNESCO World heritage cities of Ubeda and Baeza
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9:30am: be met by your personal driver at your hotel and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the UNESCO city of Baeza.
11:10am: upon arrival to Baeza, be met by your personal local host to start a private walking tour of its historic center. Before that your guide will help you to choose a nice and picturesque spot for Erna to sit and relax while Bill and the guide tour the town on foot.
Declared a historic-artistic site, Baeza has also an incredible Renaissance legacy, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where the carved stone contrasts with the whitewashed farmhouses.
Your journey will start by visiting the old Market Square and today’s heart of the city. The Market Square is the symbol of the evolution of the city through the centuries and will allow you to understand its Islamic and Renaissance roots. Later, you will enter the Old town through its main gate, a 12th century Islamic arch transformed into a stunning Renaissance construction for the visit of Emperor Charles V.
Once inside the city walls, you will find a maze of cobblestoned alleys, churches and palaces in an impeccable state of conservation. There you will visit the cathedral, an eclectic combination of Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles to later get to the Mirador del Guadalquivir, a breathtaking spot overlooking the Valley of Guadalquivir river. From there, you will get to see an endless ocean of olive trees. It will be then when your guide will explain to you why this region in Northeast Andalusia is the main producer of olive oil in the world.
Finally, to top up your tour, you will be taken to the old Seminary of Baeza, the evocative palace of Jabalquinto and the Old University. This will make a delightful visit to top up your history and architecture exploration of Baeza.
1:10pm: after your tour, enjoy some free time for lunch in Baeza. We will give you recommendations.
2:30pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the nearby town of Úbeda.
2:50pm: upon arrival to Úbeda, reconnect with your personal local guide to take a private walking tour of the old town, aimed at discovering its splendid monumental legacy made up of palaces, noble mansions and majestic temples. You will first choose a nice square for Erna to sit and enjoy the beauty of Baeza while Bill and the guide tour the city.
Úbeda is a unique example of the arrival of Renaissance trends in Spain in the 16th century and its monumental old town section has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Your tour will allow you to understand why this town in Northeast Andalusia became one of the most prosperous in the Christian kingdom of Castilla in the 16th century while you are taken to visit the interiors of its most exquisite temple: the Chapel of El Salvador, which is considered one of the best examples of funerary architecture in Europe. Then in the surroundings of the chapel, you will be taken to see and learn about some of the best Renaissance constructions in Úbeda.
4:20pm: end of your private walking tour and private transfer to your hotel in Córdoba.
6pm: arrival to your hotel in Córdoba and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Cordoba: Junior Suite with a sofa bed of 1,60m x 1,90m, with breakfast included at hotel Palacio de Colomera (4*)
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25th of September: Córdoba discovery journey including the Great Mosque Cathedral and the old Jewish quarter
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10:30am: be met by your personal local host by the reception desk of your hotel to go on a 3h discovery journey of the historical center of the city.
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, the synagogue and the Chapel of Saint Bartholomew as its most representative constructions.
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.
The synagogue will allow you to understand the very important Jewish – Sephardic community that Córdoba once had and how much it embraced Hispanic-Muslim decorative arts in its places of devotion.
In the Chapel of Saint Bartholomew you will be explained about the transformations that the Jewish quarter of Córdoba suffered after the pogrom of 1391 and how it was repopulated with Christians, who were also very heavily influenced by Hispanic-Muslim decorative arts.
1:30pm: end of your tour at the impressive Roman Bridge of the city and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Cordoba: Junior Suite with a sofa bed of 1,60m x 1,90m, with breakfast included at hotel Palacio de Colomera (4*)
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26th of September: from Cordoba to Madrid by high-speed train and panoramic tour of Madrid upon arrival
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10am: meet your personal driver at your hotel in Córdoba and be transferred to Córdoba train station.
10:20am: arrival to Córdoba train station on time to take your high-speed train to Madrid. We will request assistance at the station so Erna is transferred in a wheelchair to the train and also assistance to carry your luggage to the train.
10am: departure of your high-speed train from Córdoba to Madrid (1st class seats).
11:52am: upon arrival to Madrid train station, you will receive assistance so Erna is transferred in a wheelchair to the arrivals hall to meet your personal driver and your private guide there. We will also request assistance for your luggage. Your driver and your guide will be waiting for you at the arrivals hall holding a sign saying “Erna and Bill – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to your hotel in Madrid taking a panoramic tour of Madrid from the vehicle and aimed at getting familiar with the size of the city and with its most iconic avenues, boulevards and architecture.
1:30pm: arrival to your hotel in Madrid and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Madrid: Junior suite with an extra bed in the living area, with breakfast included at Gran Hotel Inglés (5*)
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27th of September: Half-day walking tour of Madrid old town including the Prado Museum
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9:30am: meet your personal guide at your hotel to go on an introductory tour of Madrid old town aimed at setting the context for your stay in the city and in the country.
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.
11:30am: after this introduction to the Spanish capital, take a taxi with your guide to the Prado Museum. There your guide will take you on a private tour that will allow you to travel through Spanish history of art while you enjoy the remarkable works of Spanish master painters such as Velazquez, Goya and El Greco amongst others. This will allow you to understand how different historical periods shaped the artistic creation at each time and how much of Spain’s culture and sentiment is expressed in the works of its main artists.
1:30pm: after your tour of Madrid, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Madrid: Junior suite with an extra bed in the living area, with breakfast included at Gran Hotel Inglés (5*)
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28th of September: day trip from Madrid to Toledo
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9am: meet your personal driver at your hotel in Madrid and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Toledo old town.
10am: upon arrival to Toledo, meet your personal local host to start a panoramic tour that will take you to see excellent views of the city first to later start a private walking tour of the old town with a special focus on its Jewish, Hispanic-Muslim and Christian history. Before the tour your guide will choose a nice square for Erna to sit while Bill and the guide walk around town.
Along your tour you will visit the synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, which is an extraordinary example of the Jewish-Sephardic heritage of the city.
Your tour will also take you to see some remarkable evidence of the presence of the Hispanic-Muslim culture in the city, such as the former Mosque of el Cristo de la Luz.
You will then visit the former church of San Román which is the most exquisite example of the interaction between the three great Mediterranean cultures that took place in Toledo. This is especially present in the architecture and iconographic program of the church which features some impressive frescoes from the Middle ages.
Finally, to top up your tour you will visit the Cathedral of Toledo, which is one of the most important ones ever erected in Spain.
2pm: end of your private walking tour of Toledo and free time for lunch at leisure before your return to Madrid.
3:45pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle back to your hotel in Madrid.
4:45pm: arrival to your accommodation in Madrid and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Madrid: Junior suite with an extra bed in the living area, with breakfast included at Gran Hotel Inglés (5*)
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29th of September: day trip from Madrid to the medieval city of Segovia
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9am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Segovia.
10:20am: upon arrival to Segovia old town, pick up your personal local host, who will get in the vehicle with you to start a short panoramic tour of the city followed by a private walking tour of the historical center. Prior to the walking tour you will choose a nice and picturesque square for Erna to sit while the guide and Bill walk around town.
Along your walking tour you will visit the three historic gems of the city, which are its Roman Aqueduct, its Cathedral and its Alcazar (a fortification of Roman Origin later used and transformed by different civilisations). Your tour will also allow you to enjoy the medieval charm of the quarters of the old city which feature palaces, cute little squares, quaint alleyways, an iconic old Jewish section and the main square of the city (plaza mayor).
1:20pm: end of your walking tour and free time for lunch at leisure. This will make a great opportunity to sample the gastronomy of Castilla León, the iconic region where Segovia is.
3pm: after lunch, reconnect with your driver and be transferred back to your hotel in Madrid.
4:15pm: arrival to your hotel in Madrid and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Madrid: Junior suite with an extra bed in the living area, with breakfast included at Gran Hotel Inglés (5*)
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30th of September: departure from Madrid
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9am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Madrid airport.
9:30am: arrival to Madrid airport on time to take your flight back to the US.
12:10pm: departure of your flight back to the US from Madrid airport.
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Pricing
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The cost of this bespoke trip for a private party of 2 pax is 17750 Euros
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This price includes
– 9 nights accommodation with breakfast included as per mentioned above (Alcoba Real two bedroom suite in Seda Club hotel in Granada (5*), Junior Suite with big sofa bed in hotel Palacio Colomera in Cordoba (4*) and Junior Suite with extra bed in the living area in Gran Hotel Inglés in Madrid (5*).
– All private transportation services mentioned above in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan with a dedicated personal driver.
– All private tours and travel experiences mentioned above, led by knowledgeable, personable, kind, flexible and interactive fully licensed guides with a great command of the English language.
– All entrance tickets for 1 person for all your guided tours except for the Alhambra tour, where entrance tickets are included for 2 people.
– Taxi ride to get from your hotel to the Alhambra on the 23rd of September.
– Admission for 2 people to a selected flamenco performance in Seville in a small and intimate culture center and with 4 artists onstage (2 dancers, 1 singer and 1 guitarist).
– A tapas and wines dinner in Seville including a selection of 6 – 9 local dishes to share and up to 4 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water) and a sweet local treat to finish.
– High-speed train tickets (1st class seats) to travel from Madrid to Córdoba on the 26th of September.
– A list of recommended things to do and see and of places to eat in each of the places where you will be based.
– 24h Guardian Angel service for any emergencies you may have during your trip.
– All taxes.
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This price excludes
– Your international flights.
– Any accommodation not mentioned right above.
– Any meals not mentioned right above.
– Any taxi rides you may need for your tours (except for the taxi ride from your hotel to the Alhambra, which is included). You can pay those locally if needed.
– Anything else not mentioned right above.
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Confirmation and payments
In order to confirm this trip we require full payment via credit/debit card no later than the 2nd of September 2024. Please note that due to the very last minute nature of this trip, we may need to adjust the timings of the tours slightly in order to guarantee the access to sites. Of course we will let you know in advance if this is the case.
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Cancellation policy
– If you cancel your trip 8 days or more prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 50% of the full cost of the trip and we will refund the remaining 50%.
– 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 purchasing travel insurance for any international trip. Most of our US guests buy their travel insurance packages from MedJet.
