9 Days Southern Europe (Yellow)

Upon arrival in Madrid, you will be transferred to hotel and free at leisure.

The Yellow Line tour starts from the capital of Spain, Madrid, where we will pass through the Cibeles Fountain, and then arrive and visit Plaza Mayor, Piazza di Spagna, Plaza de Colónand Royal Palace of Madrid. The Royal Palace of Madrid was built by the Spanish Royal Family, showing the magnificent and splendid former empire and its historical grandeur.Then you’ll arrive at the Puertadel Sol, a public square in Madrid. You can find the Km. 0 squared tile placed on the pavement, which represents the Puertadel Sol is the centre of the radial network of Spanish road. In the afternoon, we say farewell to Madrid and head to Zaragoza. After arriving Zaragoza, you’ll visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, which is a Roman Catholic church in the city. The Basilica venerates Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title Our Lady of the Pillar, praised as “Mother of the Hispanic Peoples”. It is reputed to be the first church dedicated to Mary in history. There is a lot of coffee shops and restaurants around the Basilica. (B)

In the morning, we drive directly to the Spanish warm and charming coastal city of Barcelona. After arrival we will visit the Columbus Monument and La Rambla, followed by Sagrada-Família, which is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, designed by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí.Gaudí’s unique colour, fairy tale decoration is throughout the city and makes the place feel like a fantasy in the Artist’s mind. Then it’s on to photo stop at Camp Nou, a football stadium in Barcelona, which has been also the home of FC Barcelona since its completion in 1957. We’ll also visit Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, the main stadium for the 1992 Summer Olympics located in Montjuïc, a large hill to the southwest of Barcelona which overlooks the city views. The remaining time is spent in the bustling Plaza Catalonia, where you can have free time and do some shopping. (B)
(Reservation visit time: 2 – 2:30pm. Due to limit daily access control in Sagrada Família church, to avoid disappoint, we recommend customer who strongly request to visit this place to book tickets online in advance on http://www.sagradafamilia.cat.)

After having breakfast at the hotel, we’ll leave Barcelona for Spain’s third largest city, Valencia. Valencia’s history has celebrated as the gateway to the Mediterranean. It’s commercially and culturally rich, with Moorish culture, Arab customs and foods all frequented in a cultural exchange. such economic trade reformed Valencia to enjoy the prosperity and glory that other cities didn’t achieve. Although today’s Valencia is less prominent, it’s still the important city for large commerce exhibitions and trade fairs to be held in throughout the year. Upon arrival, we will visit Modernisme Plaza of the City Hall of Valencia, Valencia’s Ancient City Gates and Valencia Cathedral, where the true Holy Grail is reserved in. After tour the day is rounded off with a drive into Alicante. (B)

This morning we first go to Alicante, free walking along the beach side. After enjoying the beautiful seaview, group will depart for the city of Granada on the plateau of the Andalusia province. This historic city has been ruled by Visigoth and Arab. It became the last stronghold for the Arab Dynasty while its eight-hundred year-long rule in the Iberian Peninsula. In 15th century, King Ferdinand successfully expelled the Arabs and achieved to unite Spain. We will visit the Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace, also known as the Red Palace. Once arrived, the Moorish legacy might have caught your eye immediately. Generally referred to as the ‘golden age’ of construction and delicate structure, the dome shape is both stunning and admirable. We proceed on our journey to the Sunny Coast area – Costa del Sol and we go direct to our hotelovernight. (B)
(Reservation visit time: 4:00 – 5:00pm. Due to limit daily access control in Alhambra Palace, to avoid disappointment, we recommend customer who strongly request to visit this place to book tickets online in advance on https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es/en/)

In the morning, we go northbound to the largest city of the autonomous community of Andalusia, Seville. This city was the capital of the Muslim dynasty, considered to be the guardian angel of culture in Andalusia and the birthplace of the flamenco dance. Seville is the primary setting of many operas, the best known of which is Bizet’s Carmen. As the fourth largest city in Spain, it has hosted the World’s Fair in 1992. Upon arrival, we visit Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral and the third largest church in the world. Its completion was back to the early 16th century and now the cathedral halls are dedicated as Royal Chapel, the burial place of the kings’ mausoleum for over a century, also the tomb of Christopher Columbus who discovered the New World as a credit to the great navigator. From there onwards we see the Alcázar of Seville, used to be a Muslim palace and the Spanish Royal Palace. The upper levels of the Alcázar are still used by the royal family as the official Seville residence, which is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe and was registered in 1987 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, along with the Seville Cathedral. Then we walk through the Santa Cruz, Torre del Oro (the Tower of Gold) and Maria Luisa Park, here the 1992 World Expo was located. In Plaza de España (Spain Square), we can admire a crafted porcelain painting, detailing the history and elegance of old Spain. (B)
(NOTE:Optional – if possible, tour guide will add the optional excursion to Mijas and/or Ronda)

Today we depart for the capital and the largest city of Portugal, Lisbon. We are expected to arrive in Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca) in the afternoon, which forms the westernmost extent of mainland Portugal and continental Europe. The cape displays the voluminous Atlantic surrounded by endless scenery. Don’t forget to buy the remembrance certificate to prove once footstep was on the west point as it will be a memorable souvenir to keep. Later we will be back to the Lisbon city centre and visit Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, both were classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Belém Tower played a significant role in the Portuguese maritime discoveries of the era of the Age of Discoveries. Jerónimos Monaster y is one of the most prominent examples of the Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline style of architecture in Lisbon. You will pass through Marquis of Pombal Square and then stop at Rossio Square for some free time. Those who are interested in Portuguese custard tarts can taste the authentic ones at the century-old bakery. (B)

Today we will drive back to Madrid via Toledo, a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage. This old city is located on a mountaintop, surrounded on three sides by a bend in the Tagus River, and contains many historical sites. By strolling across the city, overlooking the Alcázar of Toledo and visiting the grand structure of Toledo Cathedral, you will feel the bustling of Spain in the old time. Then take a well-earned rest as you sit back, catch a breath taking landscape of Spain and enjoy its rich palette of colours in natural surroundings while you are on the journey to Madrid. (B)

Free on Leisure until transfer to airport and fly back to hometown. (B)