Join us for another new adventure to enjoy the history, culture, and beauty of Spain. We begin with a land tour gliding by rail between Barcelona, Madrid, and Cordoba to enjoy and appreciate the amazing architecture of these cities, the gastronomy, and the people. When we have taken it all in, we arrive in Seville and board our beautiful cruise ship for a six-day river cruise along the Guadalquivir River and all the charming villages and sights along it’s course. Enjoy included excursions, French chefs, and complimentary bar service on this amazing cruise. Please reserve early for best choice of cabins. (800) 576-4905 or Railandsail.com
Included in your fully escorted travels:
· Round-trip flights to Spain from SEA, SFO, LAX*
*Other gateways by request
· 5 nights hotel in Barcelona, Madrid, and Cordoba
· 5 nt. Guadalquivir River Cruise — M/S La Belle de Cadix
· Included city tours in each city
· High speed trains in tourist class
· All listed meals—a lot!
· Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner shipboard
· Included wifi onboard
· Unlimited beer, wine, cocktails, & beverages onboard
· Daily included ship excursions
· All airport transfers in Spain
· Time for personal discoveries
· Experienced USA Tour Manager
· Caring and professional travel arrangements
· No optional tours sold
Day 1 — Friday Oct 25 — Depart for Europe! Make your way to your gateway airport. Check-in for our included flight to Barcelona!! Our evening flight will give you the best chance for rest and transition to our new time zone. (in flight services)
Day 2 — Saturday Oct 26 — Welcome to Barcelona, Spain! Arrive mid-day and transfer to our downtown hotel. Time to freshen up before welcome drinks, and our welcome dinner together with new travel companions —"¡Salud!”! (In flight service, welcome dinner).
Day 3 — Sunday Oct 27 — Gawdy Gaudi and sights of Barcelona! Enjoy a city tour today of the famous sights of Barcelona including the Sagrada Família—the largest unfinished church in the world designed by Antoni Gaudi, and the Park Güell also designed by Gaudi with it’s fairytale structures and gardens. Take a break for an included luncheon before we continue to the old quarter and the famous Rambla. (breakfast, lunch)
Day 4 — Monday Oct 28 — Rail to Madrid Enjoy breakfast before departing Barcelona by high speed rail bound for Madrid. Enjoy a picnic lunch onboard before arrival in Madrid. Our afternoon includes a panoramic coach tour of the grand sights of Madrid. Enjoy dinner together this evening. (breakfast, lunch, hotel dinner)
Day 5— Tuesday Oct 29 — Madrid & Toledo — This morning we are off to the old hilltop capital of Spain: Toldeo. On arrival enjoy a walking tour of this beautiful village and free time for lunch. Return for a free afternoon and dinner together. (breakfast, hotel dinner)
Day 6 — Wednesday Oct 30 — Rail to Cordoba — High speed rail to beautiful Cordoba! Sitting on the banks of the Guadalquivir River its history dates back to Neanderthal man, later a Roman Colony, and then conquered by the Moors. Amazing architecture at every turn, our city tour includes the Great Mosque, the Roman Bridge, and the Old Quarter and Jewish Quarter. Tonight a Flamenco performance with dinner. (breakfast, dinner show)
Day 7 — Thursday Oct 31 — Onward to Seville, Welcome aboard our cruise! After breakfast we travel a short distance by motorcoach wo Seville. Enjoy a day of local sights by motorcoach tour before boarding our beautiful river ship for our cruise through Andulucia on the Guadalquivir River. (breakfast, dinner onboard)
Day 8 — Friday Nov 1 —Seville to Cadiz This morning we continue our explorations with a walking tour in the heart of Seville to enjoy the Mudéjar archicture which mixes Muslim and Gothic, prevalent in the 12th to 14th centuries in Spain. Reboard for lunch and cruising in the afternoon towards Cadiz, and along the Doñana National Park, a UNESCO biosphere natural reserve, which spreads along the right bank of the river to its estuary. Located between the European and African continents, the reserve is one of the most important wet zones in the area and attracts several million migrating birds a year. (breakfast, lunch, dinner onboard)
Day 9 — Saturday Nov 2 — Cadiz This morning, we’ll set out on a guided tour of Cádiz. The lovely city of Cádiz is tucked between lavish lagoons, sprawling beaches, and rich salt marshes. The city was once inhabited by the Phoenicians and Greeks and has been able to preserve its historic charm among its white walls. Continue cruising after lunch with stop at the charming villages of “white houses” Vejer de la Frontera and the fishing village of Conil de la Frontera. This coastal town is the apex of beauty among the Pueblos Blancos. (breakfast, lunch, dinner onboard)
Day 10 — Sunday Nov 3 — El Puerto de Santa Maria and Isla Minima This morning, we’ll visit the Osborne bodega and taste the local wines. We’ll leave on foot with our host/ hostess for the Osborne Bodega, where we’ll enjoy a tasting of three different wines along with some regional products. As with most European cultures, wine has a distinct place in Andalusian culture. The exceptional climate conditions help produce the famous Jerez-Xérès-Sherry. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Isla Minima. At the end of the afternoon, we will visit a typical Andalusian hacienda in Isla Minima, located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. The hacienda was originally a bull-raising ranch. At the beginning of the 1940s, the Escobar family settled across the whole area and founded Finca Isla Minima. It was the ideal location to raise wild bulls and Carthusian horses. (breakfast, lunch, dinner onboard)
Day 11 — Monday Nov 4 — Seville! A free day in Seville or Full-day (included) trip to Grenada where we’ll visit the Alhambra, the Palacio de Generalife, and the historic center of the city. Ringed by the imposing mountainous barrier of the Sierra Nevada, Grenada is built across three hills. Its most beautiful treasure is the Alhambra. The city’s cuisine, handicrafts, and architecture have all been marked by its glorious past. We will return to our ship by coach. (breakfast, lunch, dinner onboard)
Day 12 — Tuesday Nov 5 — Farewell Portugal! A hearty breakfast and we’re off for a swift trip home, or consider joining us for our tour extension to Morocco! (breakfast, inflight service)
Not-included: Other meals, beverages, tipping at guest discretion for guides, drivers, and ship crew. Airline baggage and testing fees. Solo Supplement: Call: (800) 576-4905
+Intinerary is subject to change of order, accommodations due to international airline schedules and other unforeseen circumstances.