Andalusia is flamenco, bullfights, fresh seafood, spicy tapas, mountains, the Alhambra, ancient "white" villages, narrow cobblestone streets, balconies and courtyards overflowing with flowers, the Mediterranean Costa del Sol and history. We see this history in beautiful palaces, ancient cathedrals, the paintings of El Greco and Velazquez and the spelendid monuments of Sevilla. We visit the famous Prado Museum and the magnificant Royal Palace in Madrid. In Toledo, the walled capital of Castilla-la Mancha, we tour ancient churches, synagogues and medieval squares. In the history, the art, and the people of Spain we see the combined influences of the Muslim, Jewish and Roman Cahtolic cultures. In the architectures we see the Moorish from North Africa, the Romanesque and Gothic from France and the Renaissance from Italy, all combined into a distinctly Spanish style. Your Itinerary Days 1-3: From our base in the enchanting town of Toledo, where we stay in a former archbishop’s palace turned elegant hotel, we visit the greatest sights of Toledo and also take a train ride into Madrid for a day to see the Palacio Real, the Prado Museum, and try some tapas at a local café. Days 4 & 5: We take a scenic drive through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to spend the next two nights in a beautiful Parador hotel on a hillside above the fascinating old city of Córdoba. The Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral will take your breath away, as will the magnificent gardens of the royal palace (Alcázar). The Mezquita is a unique blend of Moorish and Christian architecture, begun by the Muslims in 780 and enlarged over the centuries by both faiths to its present state containing 850 majestic columns of colored stone. We have time to wander through the Judería (Old Jewish Quarter) with its narrow streets, picturesque courtyards (patios) and bright flowers. Day 6: We take a short drive to another spectacular wonder, the Alhambra of Granada. Set high on a hill, this remarkable fortress is brimming with palaces and gardens dating from the 14th to the 16th centuries, many containing mosaics, sculptures, towers and architectural masterpieces of unspeakable grandeur. From Granada we drive south to the Costa del Sol and settle into our seaside hotel in Nerja. Every room has a balcony looking out over the Mediterranean Sea. Day 7: We spend a relaxing day enjoying the Mediterranean vistas, great seafood, and for those who like nightlife, an evening flamenco show. We take an excursion to see the prehistoric Nerja Caves and then drive into the mountains to explore the picturesque village of Frigiliana. Days 8 & 9: Next we arrive in beautiful Seville, where we stay in the heart of this lively, friendly city of sidewalk cafés, monuments, parks, and of course, flamenco. Our hotel is in the charming Santa Cruz neighborhood, a perfect location from which to walk to the famous cathedral containing the tomb of Christopher Columbus, the Plaza de España with its stunning azulejo tiled bridges, beautiful palaces, parks, churches, and of course many irresistible tapas bars. Our local guide takes us through the magnificent royal palace and into some fascinating corners of the old city. Days 10 & 11: Today we stop in Mérida to visit some ancient Roman ruins on our way to Cáceres, where we will stay the next two nights. Cáceres has a unique blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance styles, and was named a UNESCO World Heritage City in 1986. We will enjoy guided tours of Cáceres and Trujillo. Days 12-14: We spend the next three nights in Salamanca, named the European Capital of Culture in 2002. Take a guided tour of Salamanca and enjoy a gourmet cooking class. We also visit the architecturally magnificent and culturally significant El Escorial just outside of Madrid. On our last night in Spain we will enjoy a gourmet farewell dinner. Day 15: This morning we drive to the Madrid Airport for the flight home. Notes: Single supplement TBD. 
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