6-Days FROM IBERIA TO AL-ANDALUS - FROM MADRID. RGT_6Days_MAD - SAMPLE TRAVEL PLAN

A guided approach to the origin of Islam in Iberia: Al-Andalus. A story of unity vs division and dispersion, the Golden Age of Islam in Europe, it's height and downfall.We start out this tour at Madrid, the capital of modern Spain, moving straight into our historical narration by staying at Toledo, Medieval capital of Iberia, 'mosaic' and 'bridge' between the three main cultures & religious traditions in Al-Andalus. After Toledo, we move south along the 'Route of Don Quixote', through Castilla La Mancha, to Andalusia while receiving an introductory summary of the history of Iberia, its origins, population and religious diversity, in Christian Spain before. As we move into Andalusia, we will also be shifting in time, to Al-Andalus. The tour will also present the deeper roots of Iberian tradition and the Moorish-Morris fusion into our modern time through the very words of reading our Spanish top literature master Miguel de Cervantes. We will be moving through the most picturesque Spanish landscapes, while following the River Guadalquivir (al-Wad al-Kabir) South into Seville, or the mountain ranges which crown the prior, the last Muslim Kingdom of Al-Andalus, holding the Alhambra as the highlight of a lost heaven. Once in Granada, after touring the Alhambra and historical quarters of the city, we will be able to relax and enjoy whilst shop or preparing for any extra activities available for booking during the tour, extra night time visits & walks or workshop programs.

Day 1: Arrival and Introduction at Madrid: From Islamic medina to modern capital of Spain.Airport arrival and introduction to Madrid, the current capital of Spain. On our way through the capital, Madrid, we will have a city panoramic, including views to the Royal Palace, souvenir stop at Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, coffee stop at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. After our introduction through Madrid, the capital of Spain, we start travelling South to Toledo, Capital of Visigothic Kingdom in Iberia (pre-Muslim Spain). Welcome to the 'medina' or ancient town of Toledo, we explore the medina of 'Tolaytula' from within and indulge in some first shopping around the 'souq' streets before dinner within the medina.

AN INTRODUCTION TO MADRID

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A brief introduction to Madrid's capital will lead our way to and introductory history to Al-Andalus during your approximately 60 minute drive to Toledo, where this 'Travel Plan' suggests you should spend your first night.

This morning we will take our last romantic looks at the city of Toledo, capital of former Castille, a flagstone in Spanish history and culture. Then we continue further South along the 'Route of Don Quixote', through Castilla La Mancha to Andalusia to reach Córdoba, the Umayyad Capital of Al-Andalus, by mid-afternoon.

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Central European Time

Enjoy a guided group tour of many classic landmarks and iconic scenes of The Ummayad Capital of Al-Andalus —including the Ummayad Mosque.

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On this day we will take an excursion from Córdoba to Seville. We will have guided visits in Seville's historical center including the Alkasr Royal Palaces & Gardens, Cathedral of Seville, modern Giralda, Torre del Oro, Jewish quarters, the old medina and city walls, Parque de María Luisa, Plaza de España, and the remains of the Almohad courtyard and minaret.

Upon arrival to Granada, after due rest, we suggest you visit the Albayzín Mosque at the Mirador de San Nicolás, most famous viewing point of Granada and the Alhambra palace.

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Day 4: Granada, the last Muslim Kingdom of Al-Andalus. Tour of the Alhambra court city, palaces and gardens.

On this day we finally enjoy the guided visit to the Alhambra palatial town, including the Nashrid Palaces, Alkasaba fortress, Generalife summer palace & gardens, and the old medina of the Alhambra. Afterwards, we move on to visit the old medina of Garnatta and it's main areas, divisions, and city walls.

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Again by bus from Granada, we reach the capital of Spain. Madrid highlights can be carried out by a hop-on-hop-off panoramic bus tour. Starting out from Plaza de España you can discover some of the main ancient gates to the Medina of Maŷrīṭ, from Atocha to Paseo del Prado, the Arts district, Castellana Street through Madrid's center to Puerta de Alcalá and Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas. Visit of the Real Madrid Football Club Stadium, Santiago Bernabeu, to complete the official tour of the stadium, which concludes naturally in the official Adidas shop of the Real Madrid Football Club.

Please use our specific Madrid Welcome Guide <=Madrid Welcome Guide linked here

Departure through Madrid, leisurely afternoon in Madrid, capital of Spain.

Program on our final morning in Madrid will depend upon your flight departure time. Departure is scheduled from Madrid Barajas International Airport.

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This option as well as confirming any of the above, will provide you independent access to our full step by step guide of this Travel Plan, saving you significant initial cost through not requiring to pay for any extra travel services, like guides,  transportation, monument tickets or hotels, until later, once you have studied the route and it's contents in depth and you can decide in what format you want to make this trip, most worthy of your own best experience.

You will find our most popular tours with the possibility to book online  through our booking engine which is integrated into our website, or design your plan by using the following form: NEW TRAVEL PLAN REQUEST FORM

Having chosen your Travel Plan is only the start, we offer you a number of ways to carry this plan out, varying from fixed date options to free date selection as well as fully serviced and guided tours, to more independent, or hop-on as you go tour options. Over the past years of great experiences, we have learned to cater to all travel styles and also budgets.

In the folder above you may find the full scope of options, from here you can simply send us an email telling us how you want to confirm and we will get right to it, building your tour plan sent to you directly by email and activated for mobile use from our Admin Dept. in Granada, Spain

Now it is your choice!

START PLANNING AND INVITE OTHERS TO YOUR TRIP HERE!

Amongst the choices provided through our NEW TRIP FORM is a choice of 3-4 star hotels are located in the city centres of our route. A good balance of comfort, cleanliness, location and service, our main criteria parameters in choosing any hotel. If you have any particular budget request we may be able to tune finer in satisfying your usual standards with our knowledge and broad experience with local hotels.

Throughout our day by day itinerary guide, we will link you to specific hotels or cities to check out the rates of any specific hotel or in general, to know what is included in your offer ahead of confirming, or requesting any specific hotel rates towards your visit. The links provided for any hotel listing will be to our Booking.com Travel Agent Partner Site,

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where you can actually book directly from and we will still. be able to follow up towards the other logistics involved, however we are a specialised travel agency so we prefer to actually contact our hotel selection directly in order to guarantee the standard and personal treatment we are accustomed to.

Whether you are traveling alone or organising a group trip, you can use our travel plan to share to your guest list and even manage group payment per participant.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN STANDARDS

Transportation is served in distinct manners, according to the group size for each tour session. When booked privately we have a choice of VIP or Full Coach, Courtesy Economy choice or an independent drive your self rental option. A brief introduction to Madrid's capital will lead our way to and introductory history to Al-Andalus during your approximately 60 minute drive to Toledo, where this 'Travel Plan' suggests you should spend your first night.

Private Tour Groups

7 participants and over

Coach Group Guided Tours

A choice for large coach groups, or smaller groups with the highest service standrads, including private modern bus and dedicated driver as well as our main local Travel Assisting Guide and City Highlight UNESCO Guided Tours, so fully equipped, from arrival to departure. Meals are optional but are also a highlight of this service. Our tours are very complete, though by allowing more time you can also browse our dedicated section for each city to book extra activities or tours at each location.

Small Familiar Guided Tours

6 participants and under

Courtesy or VIP Driver choice for Smaller Groups

For smaller more familiar groups, we take in mind more strategic cost saving standards. A private vehicle will be driven by courtesy of our main local Travel Assisting Guide and City Highlight UNESCO Guided Tours are still included from arrival to departure. Meals are optional and can also be achieved ‘on the go’. Our tours are very complete, though by allowing more time you can also browse our dedicated section for each city, to book extra activities or tours at each location.

This option is for those who have already booked hotels, or for commodity, loyalty or other strategic and professional reasons prefer to book hotels using your usual booking channels, so we do not include them in the pricing.

START YOUR OWN PLAN HERE!

6Days FROM IBERIA TO AL-ANDALUS - REGULAR GROUP TOUR - FROM MADRID. RGT_6Days_MAD

5 Night in Spain

This schedule is intended as a flexible introduction to Al-Andalus & Iberia; the route can be extended by our extra 'City Escapes' to Madrid, Seville, Barcelona, Lisbon or Morocco, before or after the main group tour.

1 night in Toledo, 1 in Cordoba, 2 in Granada and 1 in Madrid.

This is a 5-night discovery tour starting out in Madrid and covering the most important historical capitals of Al-Andalus, their Islamic legacy and monuments as well as their provinces. We will be moving through Toledo, Cordoba, Seville and Granada before a leisurely return to Madrid, the capital of modern Spain. The schedule is intended as a flexible introduction to Al-Andalus & Iberia; the same route can also be performed with a night in Toledo, Sevilla, and further nights in Madrid. Group or private connections can be made to Barcelona, Lisbon or into Morocco, before or after the suggested itinerary.

You may find the full scope of options or you may request for any custom tour plan sent to you directly by email from our Admin Dept. in Granada, Spain.

To personalise this travel plan please send us a quick note with your trip details: START YOUR OWN TRAVEL PLAN