Compare Solo Travel: The Heart of Spain by Great Value Vacations vs Spain in 9 days - Madrid, Andalusia & Costa del Sol - Superior by Exoticca
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 7 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 2,454 | $ 1,899 |
| Price Per Day | $ 351 | $ 211 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes | N/A |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | NA | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 8 breakfasts and 5 dinners. |
| Description |
Drive through central Spain on this 6-night solo adventure! You're in control with your own personal rental car and the open road ahead of you! Begin in Madrid, the central capital of Spain. Take a city highlights tour, complete with a visit to the Royal Palace! Be sure to also visit the Puerta del Sol, which is among the most famous spots in the city! Hop in your rental car and continue your trip in Salamanca! Check out the Universidad de Salamanca, the detailed architecture, and the Old City! Then, drive to Toledo for a few more days in central Spain! With a rich religious history, Toledo boasts many beautiful churches, cathedrals, and monuments. You'll definitely want to try some tapas here, too! At the end of your trip, drive your rental car back to the Madrid Airport for your flight home! |
Begin your journey in elegant Madrid, known for its artistic heritage and Baroque architecture. Next, head south to discover the treasures of Andalusia in historic Cordoba and vibrant Seville, the home of flamenco, before enjoying the sunkissed beaches of the Costa del Sol. End your journey by uncovering the Islamic architecture of the Alhambra in Granada. |
Day 1 Welcome to Madrid!
Touch down in the artistic city of Madrid! Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and head to your first hotel. Once you get settled, enjoy a night at leisure! Spend the evening getting to know the city. Why not treat yourself to some tasty tapas?
Day 2 Madrid
Rise and shine! Recharge with a delightful breakfast, then embark on your half-day tour of Madrid! Explore the city's highlights and complete your tour with a special guided visit to the Royal Palace. The rest of the day is yours! Consider a stroll through Retiro Park, or a visit to Madrid's renowned art museums, such as the Prado, the Reina Sofia, or the Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Day 3 Madrid - Salamanca
After breakfast, wave goodbye to Madrid and head on your merry way! As you journey toward stunning Salamanca, you may want to make a couple of noteworthy stops. Consider visits to the beautiful cities of Segovia and Avila - they're both on the way! Once you arrive in Salamanca, settle into your accommodation and enjoy free time to explore the city.
Day 4 Salamanca
Enjoy a whole day exploring Salamanca at your own pace! Take in the beauty of the grand Plaza Mayor and visit the city's breathtaking cathedrals. You might want to check out Salamanca University, a stunning, historic university where Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, attended school!
Day 5 Salamanca - Toledo
Fuel up with breakfast and enjoy a morning at leisure. If there's a site you missed yesterday, this morning is a perfect time to complete your sightseeing checklist. Next, check-out of your hotel and take a scenic drive down to Toledo! Check-in to your final accommodation and settle in. When you're ready to explore, grab your camera and hit the streets of Old Toledo! Discover beauty around every corner of Casco Historico and Judaria, where you'll find a charming maze of narrow lanes, quiet courtyards, and artisan shops that will make you feel like you've stepped into the Middle Ages.
Day 6 Toledo
Holy Toledo! Enjoy a pleasant breakfast, then discover the magic of this culture-packed city. Be sure to visit Toledo Cathedral, one of the most impressive, iconic pieces of the city. Built in Gothic style with French influence, this cathedral still holds several masses each day. Other amazing sites to consider are The Alcázar and the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes. Cross the medieval Puente de San Martín for beautiful views of the city!
Day 7 Depart Spain
Squeeze all your souvenirs into your suitcase and head for the airport. Once you arrive, turn in your rental car and find your departure gate. Spend your flight home replaying wonderful memories and dreaming about your next adventure!
Day 1: US - Night on board
Ready to explore the historic cities and vibrant culture of Spain? Arrive at your US departure airport, ready for a flight* to Madrid. Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Madrid
Touch down in Madrid, the enigmatic capital city of Spain, known for its fast-paced atmosphere, classical architecture and beautiful plazas and parks. Transfer to the hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. Madrid is well-known for its brilliant gastronomic scene and lively nightlife, so be sure to get out after dark to experience the amazing atmosphere of the capital. Overnight stay in Madrid.
Day 3: Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a panoramic tour of Madrid. Uncover the medieval origins of the city in Barrio de la Morería, famed for its historic monuments, such as the Muslim-era city walls. Drive through the Baroque-era heart of the city, known for its magnificent boulevards and grand buildings. See the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace and both Cibeles and Neptuno Fountain. Pass by the incredible Prado Museum before heading to the more contemporary parts of the city, such as the Gran Via shopping street and the upmarket Salamanca neighborhood. Finally, continue past Parque del Oeste to see the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy the delights of the city at your leisure. Madrid has a number of rooftop bars and restaurants, so perhaps head to one of these to enjoy spectacular views of the city as the sunsets. Overnight stay in Madrid.
Day 4: Madid - Caceres - Cordoba
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the capital behind as you set off for Caceres, in the western region of Extremadura. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Caceres is famed for its fusion of Roman, Islamic, Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. After a journey of around 3-hours, take a walk through the Plaza Mayor and soak up the atmosphere of the Medieval Quarter in the Old Town. Afterwards, continue towards Cordoba, once the capital of the Islamic caliphate in Spain and a beautiful, historic city, perched on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. Arrive after a journey of around 3.5 hours and get settled at the hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel and you can enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure. Overnight stay in Cordoba.
Day 5: Cordoba - Seville
Breakfast at the hotel. Start the day with a tour of Cordoba to discover its ancient Islamic heritage and famous mosques. Stroll through the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter and soak up the unique atmosphere. In the afternoon, continue to Seville, a journey of just 2-hours through the landscapes of Andalusia. Arrive in Seville, known for its legendary tapas and Flamenco dancing. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Seville.
Day 6: Seville
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, a local expert will guide you through a panoramic city tour of Seville featuring the Cathedral and its famous Giralda Bell Tower. Discover the popular neighborhood of Santa Cruz, Maria Luisa Park and the beautiful Plaza de España. In the afternoon, we recommend a stroll through the historic city center and enjoying Seville's fine tapas bars at your leisure. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay in Seville.
Day 7: Seville - Ronda - Costa del Sol
Breakfast at the hotel before leaving Seville behind as you depart southwards, headed for Ronda. Arrive in Ronda, a mountain-top city of Celtic origin, known for its impressive views and scenic surroundings. After some free time here, continue towards the coast and to the idyllic Costa del Sol, one of the most modern and important international tourist areas in Spain. Take in the beautiful sea views and get settled at your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay on the Costa del Sol.
Day 8: Costa del Sol - Granada
Breakfast at the hotel. Head inland today as you journey towards historic Granada. Arrive in this ancient city, known as the last Moorish stronghold in Spain, and begin a tour of the Alhambra Complex, including the beautiful Generalife Gardens. Be inspired by the Islamic architecture and incredible views of the surrounding city. Afterwards, get settled at the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Granada.
Day 9: Granada - Toledo - Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. Journey northwards this morning to the imperial city of Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, Christianity, Islam and Judaism have coexisted side by side for centuries. The entire city is like a living museum, with atmospheric streets and an eclectic collection of monuments. Take a short guided tour of Toledo to get to know its historic old town. Afterwards, visit a famous Damasquinado Factory, where gold and silver are inlaid into iron to create spectacular decorative arts. Continue back to the capital of Madrid and transfer to the hotel. Your final evening in Spain is free at your leisure to make the most of the delicious Spanish cuisine and lively atmosphere of Madrid's bars and cafes. Overnight stay in Madrid.
Day 10: Madrid - US
Breakfast at the hotel.* Sadly, it's time to bring your journey through Spain to an end. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the US.** Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. ** Depending on the return flight schedule, you may arrive in the US the next day and the total duration of the trip would be 11 days.
