Explore prominent landmarks and extraordinary cities that define Spain, many of them World Heritage sites, an experience that will leave you with a deeper historical and cultural perspective of the country.
NOTE: this program ends in Madrid therefore departing flights need to be booked out of the Madrid International Airport. This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or for those who use a wheelchair, walker or scooter due to the amount of walking, many steps and cobbled surfaces.
Day 1
After disembarking the cruise ship in Barcelona or Tarragona (depending on your voyage), you will enjoy a leisurely and immensely scenic drive to the Poblet Monastery. A 12th-century church stands at the center of this sacred World Heritage site, which features a fortified royal residence. While touring, you will learn about the monks’ lifestyle in the Middle Ages and the mountainous route that connects this Cisterian monastery to two others.
Continuing on to the nearby medieval village of Montblanc, you can expect to see its Gothic churches, the royal palace and the city’s 14th-century stone walls, more than half of which still exist. Free time follows, during which you can explore further. The centrally located Plaza Mayor is a great starting point for shopping and people-watching.
Afterwards, you will settle in for a relaxing drive to Zaragoza, the capital of the province that lies on the Ebro River. Upon arriving, you will check into the Hotel Alfonso Zaragoza or similar, where the remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Note: if your sailing ends in Tarragona, enjoy a brief panoramic drive of the city before proceeding to Poblet Monastery
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, you will spend the next two hours or so exploring Zaragoza, especially the Old Town. Its star attraction is the multi-domed Basilica of Pilar, an important pilgrimage site. According to local legend, the Virgin Mary gave Saint James a pillar made of jasper here and instructed him to build a church on the site. This last version of El Pilar, as it’s known locally, was constructed beginning in the late 17th century.
You will next visit the ancient town of Medinaceli, which in Arabic and means “City on the Hill.” The Romans founded the city and structures from that time still remain, the most famous being a stone arch built in the 2nd century. Other highlights include a 17th-century palace and a Gothic church built even earlier.
Following lunch, you will settle in for a relaxing drive to Madrid, where you will check into the Melia Madrid Princesa or similar hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Day 3
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for Toledo, a city so architecturally rich that Spain has declared it a national monument. UNESCO agreed and designated the historic center a World Heritage site, in part because three religions existed harmoniously here—Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
As you walk through this extraordinary city on the Tagus River, you will get a genuine feel for what life was like here in the Middle Ages. The historic city center is that atmospheric. The Toledo Cathedral is particularly impressive, as it is considered one of Europe’s greatest Gothic buildings. Built over nearly three centuries, starting in 1226, the cathedral contains a spectacular high altar and two painting by El Greco, the famed painter that lived in Toledo.
Another spectacular El Greco painting hangs in the Church of Santo Tomé, while the 13th-century Synagogue of Saint Mary the White is known for its Mudejar-style horseshoe arches. Be sure to notice these elaborately decorated arches as you browse the interior.
Lunch follows, after which you will proceed to Madrid. As an introduction to Spain’s vibrant capital, you will drive past key landmarks before starting an enlightening walking tour in Plaza Mayor. This grand arcaded square in the heart of the city offers wonderful options for shopping and dining nearby, as you may discover during free time.
By late afternoon, you will return to the hotel, where you will spend the evening with dinner on your own.
Day 4
After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Segovia, a World Heritage site perhaps best known for its aqueduct that was probably constructed during the reign of Roman emperor Trajan. Until about 100 years ago, the aqueduct still carried water from the Frio River into Segovia 10 miles away.
The Alcazar is another landmark that is impossible to miss. Construction began in the 12th century and its fabulous fairy-tale style supposedly inspired the design of the Walt Disney castle in part. You will also spend time in Segovia’s walled upper town, whose cathedral is the last Gothic one built in Spain. It stands where Isabella I was proclaimed the Queen of Castile in 1474.
Following lunch in Segovia, you will drive to the 16th-century Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial on the outskirts of Madrid. It too is a World Heritage site and celebrated for its austere appearance, which influenced Spanish architecture for the next half century or so. As you wander through the interior, the guide will describe the building’s illustrious history, including how King Philip II conceived El Escorial as a funerary monument for his father.
After visiting, you will return to the hotel in Madrid, where you will spend the evening with dinner on your own.
Day 5
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will transfer to the Madrid International Airport based on the departure of your flight. Luggage can be stored at the hotel for guests with flights that depart late in the day.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
8:45am Disembark in Barcelona or Tarragona and drive to Poblet
10:30am Visit the Poblet Monastery
11:30am Walking tour of Montblanc
1:00pm Lunch
3:00pm Transfer to Zaragoza
5:00pm Check into your hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Hotel Alfonso Zaragoza or similar hotel
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:45am Begin touring Zaragoza
10:45am Transfer to Medinaceli
1:00pm Lunch at a local restaurant
3:00pm Visit Medinaceli
5:00pm Transfer to Madrid
7:00pm Check-in at your hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Melia Madrid Princesa or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Drive to Toledo
10:00am Visit of Toledo
1:00pm Lunch
3:00pm Depart for Madrid
4:30pm Begin touring Madrid
6:00pm Return to the hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Melia Madrid Princesa or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Depart for Segovia
10:00am Visit Segovia
12:30pm Lunch
2:00pm Depart for Escorial
3:00pm Arrive in Escorial
3:15pm Visit Escorial
5:30pm Return to the hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Melia Madrid Princesa or similar
DAY 5
AM Breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Check out of the hotel
Transfer to Madrid International Airport based on the flight details provided
Should you have a late flight, luggage storage is available at the hotel until your transfer.
Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 5 of the program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure that the cruise line has their up-to-date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
If you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
If you have a late-departing flight, you may wish to book an extra night so that you may occupy the room until your departure. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Please Note: This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or for those who use a wheelchair, walker or scooter due to the amount of walking, many steps and cobbled surfaces.
Expected Weather
April: average temperature 12º C
May: average temperature 15º C
June: average temperature 20º C
September: average temperature 22º C
October: average temperature 15º C
November: average temperature 10º C
What to Bring
Weather-appropriate clothing, hats, flat comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sun protection, umbrellas and cameras.
Currency
Euro
Electricity
220 volts. We recommend bringing your own travel convertor for electric devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel addresses
Hotel Alfonso Zaragoza
Calle del Coso, 15-17-19, 50003 Zaragoza
Phone: + 34 876 54 11 18
Melia Madrid Princesa
Calle de la Princesa, 27, 28008 Madrid
Phone: +34 912 76 47 47
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
Program Includes
1 night at the Hotel Alfonso Zaragoza including breakfast or similar hotel (standard double room)
3 nights at the Melia Princesa including breakfast or similar hotel (Melia Room)
Lunches as indicated in the itinerary
English-speaking tour escort
Luggage handling at hotels (maximum 2 pieces of luggage per person)
Entrance fees per the itinerary
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program excludes
•Gratuities to drivers and guides
•Meals and beverages not listed in the program details
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Price: $2,699 per guest based on double occupancy.
Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.
