Airport Transfer

Tour begins: 6:00 pm at The Westin Palace, Madrid. Spain tours often begin in Madrid because it is such a wonderful city. A transfer from the airport to The Westin Palace, Madrid is included.

Hotel

After settling into your hotel, please join us for our welcome reception and dinner to meet your Tauck Director and the other explorers who will share this Spanish adventure with you.
Meals: Dinner. Lodging: The Westin Palace, Madrid, Spain.

Hotel

This lovely Belle Époque landmark lies in the most elegant part of Madrid, close to many of the city’s must-see sights including the famous Prado Museum. Commissioned by King Alfonso XII in 1912, the Westin Palace Hotel has been surrounding travelers with opulent luxury for a century. Today, the exquisitely decorated guest rooms feature the Westin Heavenly Bed® and offer luxury amenities. Indulge in the WestinWORKOUT® in the beautiful new fitness center located on the roof overlooking the splendors of Madrid. Two delightful restaurants, the Asia Gallery and La Rotunda, named for the hotel’s famed stained glass dome, await your pleasure.

Sightseeing

Spain tours of centuries-old cities like Toledo take you back in time to the Middle Ages. One of the most important centers of European medieval history, the town still has its monumental city walls and lots of neat Gothic architecture in “Old Toledo.” The atmosphere and sights of Toledo were an inspiration to the famous artist, El Greco. Your family might like to try the incredibly life-like confections made with marzipan, an almond and powdered-sugar paste often sculpted into shapes such as a variety of fruits, animals and flowers.

Train

Hop aboard a high-speed AVE train to Seville, the joyous capital of Andalucía.

Hotel

Seville is famous for flowers, flamenco dancing and bull fighting. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Lodging: Hotel Alfonso XIII, Seville, Spain

Hotel

The elegant Hotel Alfonso XIII enjoys an enviable location in the heart of Seville near many notable attractions. Seville’s most majestic hotel, the Hotel Alfonso XIII was built in 1929 for the Expo that took place in Seville during that year. Since then, it has proudly hosted royalty, heads of state and countless celebrities with considerable grace and charm. Dining options include a fine restaurant offering Mediterranean and international cuisine. Both Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler include the Hotel Alfonso XIII on their prestigious lists of the world’s best hotels.

Sightseeing

During a morning sightseeing tour, which includes a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, visit the gigantic Cathedral of Seville, built on the former site of a great mosque in the 12th century, the largest cathedral in Europe. It was recently proven in the scientific community that Christopher Columbus is buried here.

Performing Arts

After lunch on your own, and an afternoon free to explore as you choose, take a family flamenco dancing class.

Sampling tapas, Spain’s famous tasty tidbits served as appetizers and shared with everyone, is a delightful part of Spain tours. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. Lodging: Hotel Alfonso XIII, Seville, Spain.

Sightseeing

If you’re a horse lover, you’re in for a treat today as you visit the Royal Andalucían School of Equestrian Art and Museum. Here Andalucían horses, an ancient and treasured breed, learn to perform the classic art of dressage, which seems almost like a graceful ballet as they show the skills known as “airs above the ground.” It takes horses and riders years to learn to do it right and it’s an amazing thing to see.

Museums

Tour the Equestrian Art Museum and the Carriage Museum to learn more than you ever dreamed there was to know about horses.

Sightseeing

After lunch, the afternoon and evening are free to explore Seville with your family as you choose. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Lodging: Hotel Alfonso XIII, Seville, Spain.

Sightseeing

Most Spain tours reveal that there is much to discover about the ancient city of Córdoba, dating back to Roman times, which over the centuries has been a real melting pot for many different cultures. When the Romans left town, it became part of the Byzantine Empire during the Visigoth period. When the Goths moved on, Córdoba became one of the largest cities in world as the Muslims arrived in 711 AD and made the city the capital of Islamic Spain. Tour the ancient Jewish Quarter of the city, whose history dates back to the time of the Romans and Visigoths. Visit gigantic La Mezquita de Córdoba, a mosque-turned-cathedral, built over 1,200 years ago. All this history prompted UNESCO to name Córdoba a World Heritage Site.

Hotel

Lodging: Hotel Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. Granada’s most famous hotel, the gracious Hotel Alhambra Palace enjoys a prime location adjacent to the grounds of the Alhambra itself. Built high on a hill overlooking the city in 1912, the hotel resembles a Moorish castle in its architectural design. Its public terraces offer panoramic views of the city and the mountains beyond. Great care has been taken to maintain the unique ambience and aristocratic atmosphere of this historic hotel, inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII in 1910.

Sightseeing

If there was ever a residence totally fit for a Moorish sultan or an emperor, the Alhambra is it! The huge Alhambra is such a special place that it was nominated as one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” and exploring it is a real highlight of Tauck’s Spain tours. During a guided visit, you’ll see how the rich and powerful lived in the royal palace, and you’ll wander through the gardens of the Generalife just as the sultans did when they took time off. Later, visit the Granada Cathedral, where Queen Isabella (who sent Mr. Columbus off in search of the new world) and King Fernando are buried in the Royal Chapel. Then, it’s off to imagine yourself tilting at windmills, like Don Quixote and his sidekick, Sancho Panza, did in Consuegra. Here, you’ll find some of the best-restored traditional Spanish windmills in the country.

Hotel

Lodging: The Westin Palace Hotel, Madrid, Spain. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Sightseeing

There’s something magic about Madrid that reaches right out and grabs you. There are so many things to see and do in Spain’s capital city that it’s hard to choose – so our tour has chosen the very best of the city to share with you. Did you know that the famous Museo del Prado has so many famous works of art that they have to take turns appearing in the museum because only about a third of them can be displayed at any one time? See which ones are having their turn when you visit. Although Spain’s Royal Family have moved on to actually live in a cozier, more comfortable home, the Royal Palace is the official residence of the King of Spain, now used for state occasions.

Nightlife

The huge and busy Plaza Mayor has been used for lots of things over the centuries, like festivals, bullfights, royal proclamations and even executions. Today, it is the setting of many concerts. After our farewell dinner with all your new friends, see Madrid shimmering with light during a nighttime drive around the city.

Hotel

Lodging: The Westin Palace Hotel, Madrid, Spain. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Airport Transfer

Sadly, all Spain tours must end, but you’ll take so many wonderful family memories home with you. A transfer from The Westin Palace Hotel, Madrid, to Madrid’s Barajas Airport is included. Please allow 2 ½ hours for check-in formalities at the airport. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home. Meals: Breakfast.