Explore the wonders of Madrid and Andalusia, Spain's mythical south on a mix of private guided, or independent days mixed in with a multi-day small group tour. Spend time in Madrid availing of private guided tours or explore by yourself at leisure. Then join a small group multi-day tour taking you from the splendours of Madrid through wonderful Andalusia - a land of history, culture, stunning vistas and coastlines, flamenco and fiestas! Not only has it inspired such celebrated painters as Picasso and Velasquez, but it has also held an enduring fascination for writers – as well as being the true setting for Bizet’s “Carmen”, perhaps the most famous opera of all time. It is a unique area where East meets West in an exotic melting pot of Jewish, gypsy, Moorish and Christian cultures. You will delight in the wines and cuisine, be beguiled by the stunning sights and sounds, from the vibrancy of Seville, the beaches of the Costa de la Luz and the Costa del Sol to the magnificence of the great Alhambra. A truly memorable journey.

In general, the small group tours depart every 2nd Tuesday from May 15, 2012 until October 2nd, 2012, with only 1 departure in July (July 3rd) with a maximum of 16 people per trip.

Consider adding additional days to your trip with the services of a private guide and/or driver to see more of the country - your time on either side of your small group tour can be customized to suit your needs (and private guided tours can be added throughout your small group experience as desired).

As the capital of the Spanish Empire, Madrid was once the richest and most powerful city in the world. That kind of past leaves a big impression on a place and in Madrid it is easy to see. For palaces, museums and concerts it is up there with the best in the world. The museums of the "golden triangle" alone, namely the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza, feature a stunning array of paintings ranging from Old Masters to modern surrealists all housed in some of Spain's most magnificent buildings. And the rest of the city is just as rich in cultural icons and architecture. But Madrid is also a city for going out and partying. The area of Malasana is packed with bars and restaurants that stay open until dawn and rival anything Barcelona has to offer.

Meet your driver for a private airport transfer in Madrid.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

Upon your arrival, you will receive a special Welcome Gift along with your Welcome Package. Enjoy your time in Spain!

Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you through the narrow and steep streets of the oldest part of Madrid, discovering the history and emblematic locations such as Plaza Mayor, Puerta de Sol and Plaza de la Villa. (No entrance fees included).

This contemporary hotel is located in central Madrid within 250 metres of Plaza Mayor, 200 metres of Callao metro station and 500 metres of the Royal Palace. Room Mate Laura’s air-conditioned apartments with modern decor open on to balconies and have kitchenettes, satellite television and minibars. Guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast, and the concierge can make restaurant reservations and advise on sightseeing; further amenities include parking and a front desk.

Overnight at Room Mate Laura (3*).

See and do exactly what you feel like today with your 24 hour Madrid Card. The Card is an electronic smart card offering free admission to more than 40 museums in and around Madrid, including the major ones. Your ticket can be used on the 'Madrid Vision' sightseeing bus, allowing you to get on and off the bus as many times as you wish for a day. The card also entitles you to visit the Planetarium, a guided walking tour from the "Discover Madrid Program", use of a Cable Car, visit Faunia Biologic Park and Imax Cinema. You can also benefit from discounts in more than 100 establishments including shops, restaurants, shows, rent a car and leisure centres for adults and children. You will also obtain a guidebook with information on the museums and establishments that are included on the scheme and a map of the city. Exchange your voucher for a Madrid Card at: Madrid Tourist Board, Plaza Mayor 27 between 9.30am and 8.30pm or at Metro Travellers Information Centre. Your pass is valid from 9am until 7pm.

Discover the great shopping opportunities the city has to offer Here are some suggesions of places you may like to check out...The most convenient shopping area is around Calle de Preciados, between Sol and Gran Vía, home to El Corte Inglés department store, Zara, Gran Vía 32, and Casa Jiménez, Calle de Preciados 42, famed throughout Spain for its mantones and mantillas (lace and embroidered shawls). The smartest shopping district is Salamanca northeast of the centre, around Calle Serrano. Top designer names like Armani, Chanel, Versace, Hermès and Hugo Boss, including the fluid fabrics and elegant cuts of Spanish designer Adolfo Domínguez, are located on Calle Ortega y Gasset. Head for Calle Serrano for Purificación García, Roberto Verino, Ermenegildo Zegna and Yves Saint Laurent. Another trendy area is Chueca, especially Calles Almirante and Conde de Xiquena, while the Mecca for youth fashions is Calle Fuencarral. The main areas for antiques are Salamanca and the arcades on Calle Ribera de Curtidores - Nuevas Galerías, at #12, and Galerías Piquer, at #29. Bargain hunters should make for the Rastro, Madrid's famous flea market, also located around Ribera de Curtidores. The market is open on Sunday mornings (10am - 2pm). Be aware of pickpockets in this area.

Overnight at Room Mate Laura (3*).

After meeting up with your small group who you will be travelling with for the next 11 days, you'll set off from Madrid around mid-morning and head south to Toledo. The city was the capital of Spain until 1560 and is brimming with hundreds of years of history. Sitting on a Castilian hilltop overlooking the River Tagus, Toledo is still known by locals as “The Imperial City”, and its spectacular buildings and winding streets will transport you back to medieval times.

After lunch you'll get to explore this magical city, including the magnificent cathedral, one of the greatest gothic structures in Europe, the synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca, the oldest synagogue in Europe, now owned and preserved by the Catholic Church, and the fascinating Jewish quarter, once a major influence in the life of the town. And we must not forget the monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, founded by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to commemorate their triumph over the Portuguese in 1476.

After a wonderful start to our journey, tonight you'll get to get aquainted with your fellow travellers over dinner.

The Hotel Carlos (3*) is located in the heart of the historic city of Toledo, in the shadows of the majestic fortress and near the Zocodover square which dates back to the Middle ages. All guestrooms are ensuite, and have air conditioning/heating, complimentary wi-fi, music, tv with international channels and telephone.

Overnight at Hotel Carlos V (3*)(or similar) (B).

Leave Toledo behind this morning, and enter the vast plains of central Spain and the famed La Mancha – a land of fairytale castles, delicious wines and, of course, Don Quixote’s famous windmills, brought to life so superbly by Cervantes in his great novel. The region produces Spain’s finest cheese, Manchego, and boasts some of the largest vineyards in the world. Upon reaching Valdepeñas, the centre of a world-renowned grape growing district, you'll have the chance to admire the Plaza de España with its attractive blue and white façades, before heading to a local bodega to sample the local wine and tapas.

The destination this afternoon is the beautiful city of Cordoba, where you will have the rest of the day free to relax and savour the sights, sounds and atmosphere of this stunning location.

Overnight at Hotel Las Casas de la Juderia (or similar)(B).

Cordoba was founded by the Romans and it became a city of great strategic importance, exporting Spanish olive oil, wine and wheat back to Ancient Rome.This morning, you will have time to explore Cordoba, and see the “Puente Romana”, the mighty bridge the Romans built across the Guadalquivir River. But Cordoba was destined for greater glory when it became the capital of the Moorish kingdom of El-Andalus and work began on the Great Mosque, or “Mezquita”, which became one of the largest in all the Islam world. It is a beautiful and fascinating building - a unique combination of cathedral and mosque. We also see the splendid Synagogue, carved with Andalusian-style decoration and Hebrew texts. A major seat of learning in the Middle Ages, the historic Jewish Quarter of Cordoba remains beautifully preserved.

After a fascinating morning,  continue south to the compact city of Cordoba, where you will have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Tonight you are at leisure to soak up the sparkling atmosphere of this vital and energising city. Not only does Seville have stunning architecture, alongside narrow and winding medieval lanes with romantic hidden plazas, it also has the best tapas bars, the best nightlife and the most stylish people. It is also home to those two great Spanish traditions – flamenco-dancing and bullfighting!

Overnight at Hotel Amadeus (or similar)(B).

Get ready for a morning of discovery as you explore Seville, the capital of Andalusia. Not only does Seville have stunning architecture alongside narrow and winding medieval lanes with romantic hidden plazas, it also has arguably the best tapas bars, nightlife and most stylish people in the south. It is also home to those two great Spanish traditions – flamenco-dancing and bullfighting!The city's heritage in terms of art and architecture – an enticing blend of Roman, Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque – is most certainly without rival in southern Spain. See its great cathedral, the biggest Gothic building in Europe, which boasts in addition the largest altarpiece in the world. Then explore the Real Alcazar (Royal Palace) which, though it has a distinctly Moorish appearance, was actually built in the 1360s on the orders of King Pedro the Cruel of Castile. It is also the oldest royal residence in Spain, still used by the Spanish royal family when they visit Seville. But the most picturesque and delightful part of the city is the Santa Cruz district where, in the narrow alleyways, the ancient houses almost lean over and touch each other and where you can wander around the delightful small squares in the shade of the orange trees.

Today you have the afternoon free to enjoy the many pleasures this wonderful city has to offer.

Enjoy an evening of dinner and entertainment tonight and experience the thrills of flamenco in one of the typical “tablaos” – clubs dedicated to the passion and energy of flamenco dance and song. The guitar and rhythmic tapping will mesmerise you – and don’t be surprised if there is some audience participation!

Overnight at Hotel Amadeus (or similar)(B).

After your evening of flamencan magic, today is yours to spend as you please to enjoy Seville at your leisure. Perhaps you will want to visit more of the sights, or maybe you prefer to wander around the shops and buy souvenirs, or just relax in the sunshine and watch the world go by and enjoy the local food and wines.

Choose from many optional activities in Seville such as: a guided, half day city highlights tour or a guided walking tour. If you feel like doing some independent cultural exploration in the city, consider getting a culture card which allows you entrance into 20 different museums in the city. A trip down the Guadalquivir river which runs through the heart of the city is an enjoyable way to see some of the cityscape and learn about the histroy of the city. For options outside of Seville, consider a day trip to Jerez to see an equestrain show before going to the coastal city of Cadiz. At night time, consider going to a dinner and flamenco show - after all, this is where it all began!

Overnight at Hotel Amadeus (or similar)(B).

Leave the cosmopolitan pleasures of Seville behind this morning and journey further south to the beautiful Andalusian coastline around Cadiz. On the way, you'll get to savour yet another of the region’s world famous-specialities – sherry (the anglicised pronunciation of the Spanish town Jerez). Jerez de la Frontera is renowned for its equestrian school, but its real fame comes from the production of those fortified wines which it exports all over the world. Real sherry comes only from Jerez, and naturally one should not pass through without having a little taster!

Cadiz,  a city with a distinctly marine flavour, is famous for its picturesque charm and historical links with the sea, the famous explorers Ferdinand Magellan and Amerigo Vespucci once calling this town their home. It has always had strong links with the African continent, from where adventurers came and opened up the New World and, with its promenades and quaysides combined with an easy-going approach to life.

You will be totally enamoured by the stopover tonight, as you climb the mountainside to one of the most breathtaking of all Andalusia’s “white villages”, Arcos de la Frontera. These “pueblos blancos”, set high on the mountainsides, are utterly captivating as they seemingly tumble down the hillsides, and Arcos is enchanting balancing dramatically on top of a rocky limestone ridge. From the central square you can gaze down onto the golden cliffs and across the river plain, and why not climb the church bell tower for one of the most spectacular views to be found in the whole of Spain!

Overnight at Hotel Los Olivos (or similar).

Today you will head east to another of the famous white villages, Ronda, perched high on the hillside. The town is famous worldwide for the spectacular 100 metre deep El Tajo gorge which cuts through the town, straddled by the Puente Nuevo Bridge. It is hardly surprising it was because of the forbidding cliffs that Ronda was one of the last Moorish cities to fall when the Catholic monarchs were re-conquesting Spain! The views from the bridge are truly dramatic. Ronda is also famous as the birthplace of modern bullfighting, now only glimpsed once a year at the spectacular Feria Goyesca.  Spend a little time here exploring the pretty town this morning.

From Ronda, the next stop is the coast known as the Costa del Sol. Much of this part of the coast is very built-up, but while it’s worth taking a peek at the delightful old centre of Marbella, with its pretty alleyways lined with shops and, time permitting, a call in to Puerto Banus, once a traditional Spanish fishing village but more recently world-famous for its marina filled with multi-million dollar yachts. Once very exclusive to the rich and famous, the town still retains its fair share of designer shops and the shopping opportunities are plentiful!

Leaving marbella, the next port of call is the beautiful little whitewashed village of Mihas, a gem of the Costa del Sol, nestling comfortably on the mountainside. Many artists and writers have made this delightful Andalusian village their home, and the craft shops have some wonderful hand-made pottery and local works of art on display.  Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere here, where time passes slowly and things can always be put off until “mañana”! Then head for quieter shores, and settle into your hotel to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine and the splendours of an Andalusian evening.

Overnight at Hotel Plaza Cavana (3*) (or similar) (B).

Today is yours to do exactly as you please. You can explore the coast, take a swim, walk in the hills or just relax in the shade with a cooling drink. A day to delight in whatever you wish to do...

Consider spending the say in the company of a private vehicle and driver with or without a professional English speaking Guide to explore some of the area. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if this is of interest.

You are free this evening to experience the wonderful atmosphere of this ancient city as you wish, and to enjoy the many local specialities which abound in this most revered of cities.

Overnight at Hotel Plaza Cavana (3*) (or similar) (B).

This morning you'll get to spend time in the beautiful village of Frigiliana, a tangle of narrow cobbled streets lined by whitewashed houses with wrought-iron balconies overflowing with flowers. Why not try the locally-produced wine, or browse in the excellent shops selling pottery and ceramics with their distinctive designs. Then enjoy a visit to the fascinating system of caves located just outside the pretty town of Nerja. Boasting paintings more than 20,000 years old and other pre-historic remains, one of the enormous natural caverns is even turned into a concert hall during the summer months.

And so today's gour goal of Granada is reached - the jewel in the crown of Spain’s cultural and historic treasures and a magnificent climax to our Spanish journey. This afternoon explore the city’s riches and marvel at the cathedral, one of the oldest and most beautiful examples of Renaissance architecture in Spain, and the burial place of Ferdinand and Isabella. Experience the captivating atmosphere of the Albaicin, Granada’s traditional Islamic quarter, which dates from the 13th century. Having escaped the flames of the re-conquest, it is much the same as it was all those hundreds of years ago.

You are free this evening to experience the wonderful atmosphere of this ancient city as you wish, and to enjoy the many local specialities which abound in this most revered of cities.

Overnight at Hotel Casa del Capitel Nazari (3*)(or similar)(B).

And so to the Alhambra, the most famous example of Moorish architecture in the world and, quite rightly, a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a mighty feat of architecture lying at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, Spain’s mightiest mountain range. The name Alhambra is of Arabic origin, meaning “red castle”, perhaps because in sunlight the towers and walls gleam golden. Originally built for military purposes, it was a fortress, a palace and a small city all in one – a beautiful complex of buildings and gardens, courtyards, leafy walkways and flowing streams. Explore the gardens of the Generalife, once the rural residence of the emirs who ruled this part of Spain in the 13th and 14th centuries and the Palace of Carlos V, the monarch who decided to build his palace actually inside the Alhambra, as a symbol of the victory of Catholicism over Islam. You will be mesmerised by the beauty and sense of history here, and take home indelible memories of this special place.

Choose to add any number of cultural tours and activities such as a Culinary Tasting, a Tapas Tour, Spanish Cooking Class, Flamenco Show or Class, a Guided tour of Sacromonte, Spanish class, Ceramic Painting Class, or a Painting class in the Albaicín historical quater of the city. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if any of these are of interest.

Tonight, meet with your fellow travellers over dinner for the final time and delight in picking out your personal highlights of your Andalusian adventure!

Overnight at Hotel Casa del Capitel Nazari (3*)(or similar)(B).

Today is the last day of your multiday Small Group Tour, but there will be some time this morning to relax before leaving Granada. Take in glimpses of the azure waters on the transfer to Malaga before biding your fellow travellers adios!

You will be dropped off in Malaga at the Hotel Don Cuoro, C/ Sancha de Lara, 7 by approximately 4pm this afternoon.

Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

Offering comfortable accommodation and convenient facilities, the AC Malaga Palacio Hotel provides you with all of the quality amenities to make your stay a memorable one. The AC Malaga Palacio Hotel is a perfect location between the Malaga Cathedral and the Paseo del Parque, combined with its spectacular views of the marina. It is ideal for business trips or simply to enjoy the wide range of recreational and cultural activities on the Costa del Sol. The hotel has cosy guestrooms that are well furnished and equipped with modern amenities. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the hotel, offering magnificent views of the Paseo del Parque. Cuisine is based on regional and top class international dishes. Breakfast is a highlight, with a wide range of Mediterranean and local products.

Overnight at AC Malaga Palacio (4*).

Enjoy your private airport transfer.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).