Spain's Costa del Sol & Madrid

Get ready for a true taste of southern Spain, from the sparkling blue waters of Costa del Sol to the chic avenues of Madrid. Your tour begins with an overnight flight.
Hotel Name: Occidental Fuengirola

Welcome to Málaga, one of the oldest cities in Europe, known for its sunny, Andalusian lifestyle and for being the birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso. Settle into your new surroundings and start enjoying the town of Fuengirola. With no scheduled sightseeing today, spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. Depending on your flight arrival time, join your Tour Manager and fellow travelers for a welcome reception at your hotel this evening.

Visit Area: Fuengirola

Travel to Ronda! Like many of the Andalusian white villages, it has deep ties to the Arab population that once ruled the region. Walk the Old Town and see its 18th-century Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) over the El Tajo gorge. Then it’s your choice between visiting the Arab Baths archaeological site with your local guide -OR- delving into bullfighting’s fixture in Spanish culture with an audio-guided visit to the bullring. In Fuengirola this evening, gather for dinner at a local restaurant.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Málaga
The birthplace of Picasso, Málaga is a vibrant port city radiating with energy, passion and culture. The city has gone through somewhat of a transformation, and now this little metropolis is thriving with new art galleries, Michelin-star restaurants and high fashion boutiques. And, when you explore the compact streets, you’ll see how architecture blends old and new as you venture from the Pompidou Centre to a Moorish fortress.

Journey to romantic Marbella today and enjoy a walking tour of the city’s winding cobblestone streets before spending some free time exploring Marbella’s charming shops, cafés, and galleries on your own. Afterward, return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps relaxing on the beach just a short walk from your hotel, or perhaps you’ll join an optional tour to Mijas, one of Andalusia’s most famous white villages.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Marbella

Discover the port city of Málaga with a local guide. Meet a local from the Sepulcro Brotherhood to learn about the importance of the religious brotherhoods to the local culture. Let Málaga’s winding old town streets and historic Roman Theatre transport you back in time. Engage in conversation while being welcomed into a local’s home for lunch. Top off your day in Málaga with some free time to explore on your own, perhaps to do some shopping or even visit the Picasso Museum.* Return to Fuengirola, where the sunset beckons a relaxing ending to the day.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included

Visit Area: Ronda
Ronda is considered to be one of the oldest kept cities in Spain dating back to the Neolithic period. Two pieces of architecture represent the history of Ronda perfectly; the New Bridge and the bullring of the Royal Cavalry Order of Ronda. The New Bridge built in the mid 1700s allowed for the development of the city as it linked the old city with the new neighborhoods, providing the capability for Ronda to sustain itself and grow, as its location a little less than 2,500 feet above sea level made this a little more difficult in previous times. The Plaza de Toros, bullfighting ring, was inaugurated in 1785 and is considered to be one of the oldest throughout Spain. Some of the greatest matadors (bullfighters) of Spain were a product of the school of bullfighting, including Pedro Romero and Antonio Ordóñez.

Today, travel to Granada, the last capital of the Moors in Spain before it fell to the Catholic monarchs in 1492. Here, spend the morning with a local expert visiting the Alhambra,** a UNESCO World Heritage site also known as one of the Wonders of the Muslim world. After your extensive morning walk at this centuries-old palace and fortress complex, enjoy some free time in Granada for lunch on your own before returning to your hotel in Fuengirola to spend the evening as you please.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: NH Collection Eurobuilding

Visit Area: The Arab, Old and New Bridge

This morning, say adiós to the Costa del Sol and hop on a northbound fast-speed train*** from Málaga to the capital city of Madrid, relaxing and enjoying the scenic ride. Then join a panoramic tour of Madrid’s historic center to see iconic sites like the Gran Via and Puerta de Alcala, and get the lay of this capital city. Tonight, experience a dinner with traditional entertainment at a local restaurant and discover the gorgeous Plaza Mayor.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: The Alhambra
The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. The first palace on the site was built in the 11th century and in the 12th and 13th century a fortress-complex palace was built. It is a vast complex, comprised of many structures. The Alhambra is part fortress, part palace, part garden and part government city. Many visitors come to Grenada specifically just to visit and see the Alhambra.

The day is yours to explore this magnificent city. Take time to discover Madrid’s elegant boulevards and rich culture or visit one of its iconic museums, such as the Prado or Reina Sofia. Perhaps you will choose to join an optional excursion to the historic town of Segovia, with a guided walk to learn about its iconic Roman Aqueduct, massive 16th-century cathedral, and historic main square. Tonight, bid farewell to Spain and your fellow travelers during dinner at a local restaurant.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Granada
Granada is the capital of the province of Granada in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain and sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains at the intersection of four rivers. This city is only an hour from the Mediterranean Coast. Granada has been continuously inhabited by people for the past 2500 years, starting under Ancient Roman rule and features rich cultural elements, historic architecture, beautiful beaches and the snowy Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Your tour comes to a close today. Reflect on the warmth and spirit of the Costa del Sol as you journey home.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Madrid
Madrid is the capital and the largest city in Spain. Madrid sits on the Manzanares River, just northeast of the center of the Iberian Peninsula. It is estimated that the origins of Madrid can be traced back to the 2nd century B.C. Madrid is home to the head of the Spanish government, the Spanish royal family and the headquarters of the World Tourism Organization. Madrid’s influence on politics, education, entertainment, fashion and culture make it one of the world’s major global cities.