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Day 1  

Departure from the USA bound for Spain!

Day 2

Madrid  We are met by our European Institute Tour Director and taken to our centrally located hotel for an arrival briefing.

Madrid   Our local guide introduces us to her Madrid. We drive along the noble wide avenues to see the Palacio Real, Puerto del Sol, and we finish with a visit to the Prado museum where we can admire the works of Goya, El Greco and Velasquez.

After lunch, we are moved by Picasso's Guernica at the Reina Sofia Museum.

Madrid   This morning we visit El Greco's Toledo. Our local guide shows us the Cathedral and the Church of Santo Tome and leaves us free time to explore the quaint, medieval Old Town.

Lunch is included rather than dinner before our return to Madrid.

Seville   Board Spain's high speed train, the AVE, and journey south to Seville, capital of Andalucia and one of the most charming cities in Spain.

Seville   This morning we experience the magic of Seville with a local guide - from the massive fifteenth century Cathedral in which Christopher Columbus is buried, to the nearby Giralda Tower, a complex masterpiece of Moorish grace.

We also visit the Alcazar and the picturesque flower bedecked balconies of the Santa Cruz quarter. Tonight enjoy your included Flamenco evening.

Costa del Sol   Today we drive down through spectacular mountain vistas to the Mediterranean and the Costa del Sol where we have free time to enjoy the celebrated sandy beaches.

Costa del Sol   Plenty of free time to enjoy this Mediterranean paradise!

Genada   Today we travel to glorious Granada, the former capital of the Moorish Kingdom of Spain. Our local guide shows us the impressive Alhambra Palace where we see the original fortress of the Alcazaba and the lush Generalife water gardens.

Valencia   Our journey north takes us along wonderful views of the Mediterranean to Valencia, pausing in Alicante for lunch.

Barcelona   Valencia was once the royal capital and is now a beautiful garden city surrounded by orange groves. Our sightseeing tour views the 14th- century city gates of Serranos and Cuarte, the bull ring and a visit to the Cathedral.

We follow the Costa Dorada coastline this afternoon to Spain's second largest city, Barcelona.

Barcelona   Barcelona, host of the 1992 Olympic Games, abounds in historical sights including the magnificent Cathedral which we visit with our local guide, the old Gothic Quarter and Gaudi's unusual Sagrada Familia Church.