Marbella, Albania – Spain

Duration: 7 days

Maximum Number Of Travelers: 9

Prices Start At $950 USD / 66,500 INR

History of Madrid, Spain

Madrid, originally called Mayrit, was founded by the emir Muhammad at the end of the IX century. It was under the Arab occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, that the city gained importance, since initially the main city in the Spanish plain had been Toledo.

During the Reconquest of Spain by the Christians, Madrid passed from Muslim to Christian hands several times, it was the origin of the mixture of cultures which characterizes the city still today.

The present location of Madrid, in the centre of Spain, was established by the king Alfonso I in 1083. Under Christian control, all symbols of the Muslim world were removed from the city and part of the cultural heritage of Madrid was lost.

During the following centuries the city developed reaching its current aspect. The Main Square (Plaza Mayor) was built under the auspice of John II on the 13^th century. Later on, Enrique III ordered the building of El Pardo Palace as a place of residence for royal visits, the city kept on growing in size, and finally in 1561 the Spanish Court was transferred from its location in Toledo to Madrid. The seat of the Spanish Court moved again to Valladolid in 1601, but it returned definitively to Madrid 5 years later.

The 19^th century was a sad time for Madrid with bloody historical events such as the rising of the city against French occupation on May 2nd 1808, and the beginning of the Spanish war of Independence.

In the 20^th century after the dead of General Franco, the Spanish Constitution of 1978 confirmed Madrid as capital city of Spain. In 1979, the first democratic local elections were held in Madrid to choose the first city mayor; the first governor of the city was Enrique Tierno Galván.

By this time Madrid had grown in size and population reaching the figure of 3 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area and nearly 6 million people in the whole province of Madrid.

Madrid Cathedrel

A view from Círculo de Bellas Artes, Madrid

Plaza de Oriente, Madrid

Campo del Moro, Madrid

Plaza Mayor, Madrid

Description

Itinerary

Day 1: 1st. Day (Wednesday) COSTA DEL SOL-GRANADA (190 kms)

Pass By: The Alhambra, Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n Palacio de Carlos V, 18009

Granada Spain
1st. Day (Wednesday) COSTA DEL SOL-GRANADA (190 kms)
Departure from Marbella (time to be confirmed) to Granada. Visit to the spectacular

group of monuments of the Alhambra and Generalife, former residence of the Moorish

kings, with its magnificent fountains, gardens and arches. Dinner and accommodations.

Optional visit to the caves of Sacromonte and attend a typical show of gipsy flamenco.

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Catalonia Granada, hotel (or similar)

Day 2: 2nd. Day (Thursday) GRANADA-TOLEDO-MADRID (446 kms)

Pass By: Swords from Toledo, Ap. Correos, 424, 45080 Toledo Spain
2nd. Day (Thursday) GRANADA-TOLEDO-MADRID (446 kms)
Breakfast and departure towards the Imperial City of Toledo, full of history and

monuments. Lunch and city sightseeing throughout its narrow streets and alleys

. Continuation to Madrid. Arrival and accommodations.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Florida Norte hotel, in Madrid (or similar)

Day 3: 3rd. Day (Friday) MADRID

Pass By: Plaza Mayor, Calle Gerona 4, 28012 Madrid Spain
3rd. Day (Friday) MADRID
Breakfast and accommodations. Morning city sightseeing tour through the most

important streets and monuments. Afternoon at leisure to know some of its important

museums, or enjoy one of the many restaurants and tapas bars along the old quarters.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Florida Norte hotel, in Madrid (or similar)

Day 4: 4th. Day (Saturday) MADRID-CACERES-SEVILLA (560 kms)

Pass By: Centro Historico de Sevilla, Seville Spain
4th. Day (Saturday) MADRID-CACERES-SEVILLA (560 kms)
Breakfast. Departure towards the region of Extremadura and arrival to Caceres. Time at

leisure to know its Plaza Mayor and walk through the old city and its famous medieval

quarter, very well preserved and considered as World Heritage place. Lunch at your

own. Continuation southwards to Andalucia and arrival to Sevilla. Dinner and

accommodations.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: NH Viapol in Sevilla, or similar

Day 5: 5th. Day (Sunday) SEVILLA

Pass By: Seville Bridge, Calle Bailén, 8, 41001 Sevilla, Spain
5th. Day (Sunday) SEVILLA
Half board in the hotel. Morning city tour visiting the typical Barrio de Santa Cruz with

its narrow streets, the Park of María Luisa and Plaza de España, with a panoramic

sightseeing of the city. Optional Artistic tour including the Royal Alcazar Palace.

Afternoon at leisure.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: NH Viapol in Sevilla, or similar

Day 6: 6th. Day (Monday) SEVILLA-CORDOBA (145 kms)

Pass By: 14006 Córdoba, Spain
6th. Day (Monday) SEVILLA-CORDOBA (145 kms)
Breakfast. Departure to Cordoba, at our arrival we start our walking tour starting at

Almodovar Gate through the Jewish Quarter and continue for visiting the famous

Mosque/Cathedral. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and -accommodations.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: NH Córdoba Guadalquivir in Cordoba (or similar)

Day 7: 7th. Day (Tuesday) CORDOBA-RONDA-MARBELLA (322 kms)

Pass By: Marbella Old Town, Plaza los Naranjos S/N, 29601, Marbella Spain
7th. Day (Tuesday) CORDOBA-RONDA-MARBELLA (322 kms)
Breakfast. Departure to the Route of White Villages and Ronda. Free time. Continuation

to Costa del Sol. Arrival and end of our services at Marbella.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.

Important Information:

Details