Cycle the Amalfi Coast
Jul 20, 2023 - Jul 27, 2023
Let's bike along the Amalfi Coast taking in the majestic scenery.
7 spots left
~ Book before Jan 1 for Early Bird Pricing ~
Spain is famous for its easy-going culture, delicious food and stunning scenery. Major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia all offer unique traditions, and unique architecture. Summer brings festivals and events for every taste. This special tour provides multiple regions, each with its unique history, architecture, and food.
Join us as we explore the classic Spain, all led by a very special tour director, Jose Aznar, a native of Spain who loves touring and showing off his country. You’ll of course visit the grand cities of Madrid and Barcelona. But you’ll also visit the Mediterranean town of Valencia as well as the historic towns of Toledo and Alicante. This tour offers active travelers the opportunity to discover and explore Spain and experience this magical country’s great cities and countryside on a seamlessly organized tour. It is perfect for those travelers who like to have more time in destination cities to better absorb the culture and provide them with a more relaxed itinerary.
About our tour director: We are especially excited to have José Aznar, a native Spaniard, leading this tour. José has been developing tours & study abroad programs for various institutions since 2001. During the school year he is a Senior Lecturer at Vanderbilt University in the Spanish & Portuguese Department where he also directs the University’s Maymester program in Alicante, Spain. José’s priority is to showcase his homeland and make you love it as much as he does. He’ll teach us the history as we go along, with the added bonus of a visit to his hometown! This is a special tour, and we’re more than a little thrilled that he is organizing this trip.
- Trips and guided tours to the following cities:
- Madrid
- Toledo
- Alicante
- Guadalest
- Altea
- Valencia
- Peñíscola
- Barcelona
- Private deluxe motor-coach service with driver and/or train to our destinations
- 10 Nights accommodations in 4-star luxury hotels
- 10 Breakfasts, 5 meals all in authentic local cuisine restaurants
- Spanish wine served with lunch or dinner (one bottle per four travelers of age 21 and older)
- All fees and activities are described in the program.
- Native tour coordinator with you throughout the trip day and night to discuss history, culture, cuisine, and wine
Spain Guided Tour Accommodations
These 4-star hotels are reserved for our group, however we reserve the right to adjust to similar or better based on last minute opportunities.
Madrid – Only You Boutique Hotel, 4-star – 2 nights
Stay in an old 19th century mansion, now a 4-star hotel, located in one of the most avant-garde areas of Madrid, the Salesas neighborhood, a few meters from Chueca and Paseo de Recoletos. Its groundbreaking decoration, the hallmark of the hotel and the work of the prestigious interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán, has earned it several international awards such as the Best Boutique Hotel in the World in the Design Category. Come meet him and enjoy a cozy and sophisticated environment, through different spaces that represent a set of cultures, creating a bond with the guest through the journey and the experience of discovering.
Alicante – Hotel Boutique Casa Alberole, 4-star – 3 nights
This hotel sits directly on the Mediteranean with incredible vistas in every direction. Set in a neoclassical building, Casa Alberole is steops from the marina, the Esplanade of Spain, and Canalejas Park. Within a short walk you can reach Santa Bárbara Castle and Postiguet Beach. This historic hotel has sea-view balconies and the concierge is on hand to help around the clock.
Valencia – Hotel Melià Plaza, 4-star – 2 nights
Hotel Melià boasts a central location within walking distance of all the most iconic and popular attractions in Valencia. Modern and comfortable rooms, superior-quality facilities and personalized and friendly service have made this a great hotel for our group. Meliá Plaza provides soundproofed rooms and suites where you can rest after visiting all the top attractions in the city, the shopping areas and the bars and restaurants. It has a fully equipped gym, sauna and sundeck with whirlpool bathtub.
Barcelona – Ayre Hotel Gran Via, 4-Star – 2 nights
If you are looking for a 4-star hotel in Barcelona close to the Fira de Barcelona exhibition centre, just a few metres from the Plaza de España and at the lower part of Montjuïc (Sants-Montjuïc), then Ayre Hotel Gran Vía is the perfect place for you. This luxury hotel is surrounded by shops, shopping centres and restaurants serving both local and international cuisine, in one of the liveliest and most charming parts of the city. Ayre Hotel Gran Vía is only a few metres away from the Fira de Barcelona, and also close by Palau Sant Jordi, the Joan Miró Park, the Park of Industrial Spain, the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, and the National Museum of Catalan Visual Art, among other sites. Montjuïc is a must see during your stay, along with its mesmerising fountains, the castle, and the Poble Espanyol (literally, Spanish village).
Day 1, Friday: Leave for an overnight flight to Madrid!
Day 2, Saturday: Arriving in Madrid mid-morning, we’ll transfer to our hotel and relax. At 7 pm we’ll meet our tour director, Jose, for a welcome dinner at our hotel (included)
Day 3, Sunday: In the morning, we will begin our tour of the Madrid with the Royal Palace, El Retiro, where you will enjoy the landscape in authentic Spanish style, and Plaza Mayor where you can taste a traditional glass of Sangria at one of its many charming surrounding cafes and restaurants. In the evening we’ll gather for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4, Monday: On our way to the gorgeous Mediterranean town of Alicante, we will visit the medieval city of Toledo. Upon arrival, our local guide will offer a walking tour of this exquisite historic city. Toledo’s labyrinth of narrow cobblestoned streets will carry you through centuries of stunning medieval architecture. This city’s well-deserved reputation as a living museum is where Muslims, Christians and Jews lived for centuries together in harmony.
After lunch, we will continue our journey towards the coastal town of Alicante.
Day 5, Tuesday: After breakfast, we will depart for the gorgeous Mediterranean town of Alicante. Upon arrival, the group will have a walking tour of the city. In the evening, you will have free time to enjoy Alicante’s sights at your own pace until dinner (included).
Day 6, Wednesday: Enjoy sunny Alicante on your own: the gorgeous beach, markets, outdoor cafes, relaxing plazas and stroll along the sea on the majestic palm tree lined Esplanada. In the late afternoon, we will visit the 9th century Castle of Santa Barbara. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing for the 50-minute uphill hike!
Day 7, Thursday: On the way to Valencia, we will visit two of the most picturesque towns in the province of Alicante: Guadalest and Altea where you will not only marvel at the spectacular views overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, but also enjoying wandering through its narrow streets exploring art galleries, boutiques, and charming artisan shops. In the evening, we will check into the hotel in Valencia.
Day 8, Friday: After breakfast, we will have a guided tour of magnificent Valencia, a Mediterranean city that has it all: from medieval castles and towers to modern architecture surrounded by artisan shops and chic boutiques. Valencia boasts the largest inner city urban park in Europe and a collection of futuristic buildings, which house the Art and Science Museum.
Day 9, Saturday: On our way to Barcelona, we will visit the stunning 13th-century Castle of Peñíscola (Game of Thrones episodes were filmed there!) and enjoy its breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. In the evening, we will arrive in Barcelona.
Day 10, Sunday: On this day, we will visit Montjuic, the part of Barcelona which hosted the 1992 Olympics, Gaudi’s exquisite unfinished Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the Cathedral of Barcelona, and continue the tour by walking down this city’s most famous avenue: Las Ramblas. This avenue will entertain you through its numerous shops, street vendors, and human statues and will guide you towards our next meeting point: the statue of Christopher Columbus.
In the evening, the group will meet for dinner (included), and then visit the magical fountains of Montjüic.
Day 11, Monday: On this day, we will visit the 9th-century Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat, Catalonia’s most known and important religious retreat located at 4000 feet above sea level. For those of you who like to hike, make sure you are dressed to hike up to Montserrat’s spectacular views. After lunch, we will continue our voyage to the famous Catalonian wine town of Penedés, where we will tour and enjoy a tasting at a local winery. In the evening, the group will meet at the loby for some tapas & sangria to say our goodbyes and to wish everyone safe travels back home.
Day 12, Tuesday: Today we board our return flight home, with memories enough for a lifetime.
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