Sensational Southern Spain
About the Trip
October 25–November 5, 2024 | 12 Days
Immerse yourself in Spain’s storied history and culture on this unforgettable 12-day itinerary. Start in Madrid where you’ll explore iconic landmarks like the Royal Palace and take in a traditional Flamenco dinner show. Continue to Cordoba to visit the UNESCO-listed town of Toledo. Discover the enchanting city of Seville, with its grand Cathedral, Royal Alcazar, and vibrant Santa Cruz quarter. Experience the captivating fusion of Islamic, Spanish and Renaissance architecture in Granada. Wander the picturesque port city of Valencia, and conclude your tour with paella in Barcelona. Admire Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces including the awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia. Depart with cherished memories of Spain’s rich heritage and culinary delights.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours/cruises.
- $25 CAD Beverage card†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Paella Cooking Class in Barcelona
Unleash your inner chef with a group cooking class focused on traditional Paella. Led by a skilled local chef, you'll learn the secrets of this iconic dish, from ingredient selection to achieving the perfect rice texture. Get ready for a memorable culinary adventure in the heartland of paella.
Package Includes:
- Airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Madrid and return from Barcelona to Toronto or Winnipeg
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Madrid
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Cordoba
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Seville
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Granada
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Valencia
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Barcelona
- Breakfast daily, 4 lunches, 5 dinners and 1 tasting
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- All bridge and road tolls
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking tour guide throughout
- Prepaid gratuities
- Destination transfers
- CAA Host (Requires a minimum number of participants)
Sensational Southern Spain
Activity Level: Moderate. Embark on a captivating journey through Spain’s vibrant cities, stunning landscapes, and rich history, sampling culinary delights along the way.
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Madrid.
Day 2
Madrid – Arrive to meet your tour guide and check in to your hotel. Explore at leisure before your welcome tapas tour. (T)
Day 3
Madrid – Start the day with a tour including the Royal Palace, Neptune Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza Mayor and more. Afternoon at leisure before dinner and a Flamenco Show. (B/D)
Day 4
Cordoba – After breakfast stop at Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Church of St. Tomé to see the 16th century painting “The Burial of Count Orgaz”. Explore Cordoba at your leisure. (B/L)
Day 5
Seville – Stop by the Mezquita Cordoba, a cathedral originally built as a Mosque. After lunch in Seville, enjoy your evening at leisure. (B/L)
Day 6
Seville – Tour Seville, a city full of history, with visits to the main sites such as the Cathedral, Santa Cruz quarter and more. Enjoy the evening at leisure. (B/L)
Day 7
Granada – Explore this stunning Andalusian city featuring a combination of Islamic, Spanish and Renaissance architecture. (B/D)
Day 8
Valencia – Head to the picturesque port city where you’ll have free time to explore. (B/L)
Day 9
Valencia – Guided tour to the Old Town, the Lonja (the Silk Exchange), the Cathedral and more. Later, enjoy a group dinner. (B/D)
Day 10
Barcelona – Continue to Barcelona. Wander the Gothic Quarter, relax at your hotel, or rest at a cafe along the Malécon. Make Paella for dinner for your Extraordinary Experience. (B/D)
Day 11
Barcelona – Marvel at Gaudi’s La Pedrera, Casa Mila and Parc Güell. See spectacular views from Montjuïc Park. Visit the breathtaking Sagrada Familia. Finish with your farewell dinner. (B/D)
Day 12
After breakfast, transfer to the Barcelona Airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on single occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Beverage card is one per person, in Canadian funds and has no cash value.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance is underwritten by Orion Travel Insurance Company, a CAA Company. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2024. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Madrid.
Day 2
Madrid
Upon arrival, meet your local English-speaking tour guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Explore at leisure before a tapas tour. (T)
Day 3
Madrid
Start the day with a panoramic tour covering the modern areas of the capital as well as historical monuments including Calle Mayor, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, the Royal Palace (entrance included, subject to availability), Cibeles Fountain, Neptune Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Gran Vía, Paseo de la Castellana, Barrio Salamanca and Plaza de Castilla. Finish with a walk in Parque del Retiro, one of Madrid’s most famous and beautiful parks. Your afternoon is at leisure before meeting this evening for dinner and a Flamenco Show. (B/D)
Day 4
Cordoba
After breakfast check out of the hotel and head towards Toledo, one of the oldest towns in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the famous Toledo Cathedral, a magnificent sample of flamboyant Gothic style. Walk through the old Jewish quarter with its narrow streets to visit the Church of St. Tomé, where you can see the 16th century painting "The Burial of Count Orgaz" by El Greco and the old Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca. After lunch, continue to Cordoba where the rest of your day is at leisure to explore. (B/L)
Day 5
Seville
On your way to Seville stop at the Mezquita Cordoba, a cathedral originally built as a Mosque and considered the most important monument of the Islamic West. Arrive in Seville with the remainder of the day at leisure. (B/L)
Day 6
Seville
Enjoy a half day panoramic city tour that includes the Seville Cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peter’s in Rome. See the Alcazar, the oldest royal palace in Europe. See Santa Cruz quarter, the setting of “Carmen” and the inspiration for the myth of “Don Juan”. Visit Maria Luisa Park, the most famous park in the city, and Spain Square. After lunch you will have free time to explore on your own. (B/L)
Day 7
Granada
After breakfast bid adiós to Seville and make your way to the hilltop fortress of Granada. An exquisite example of Andalusian culture, it combines features of Islamic, Spanish and Renaissance architecture. Use your afternoon free time to relax or explore the city’s winding streets. (B/D)
Day 8
Valencia
Head towards the beautiful port city of Valencia. After arrival, your time is at leisure to discover this picturesque town. (B/L)
Day 9
Valencia
Meet with your guide for a city tour of Valencia, known as the city of Arts and Sciences. You’ll visit the Old Town, the Lonja (the Silk Exchange), the Cathedral and more. Enjoy free time in the afternoon before dinner this evening. (B/D)
Day 10
Barcelona
Continue along the coast towards Barcelona, the centre of Spain’s Catalonia region. You’ll have this day at leisure, so take the time to wander around the Gothic Quarter, relax at your hotel, or people watch by the sea at a cafe along the Malécon. This evening is your Extraordinary Experience where you’ll learn to make Paella and enjoy the delicious dish for dinner. (B/D)
Day 11
Barcelona
Experience a full day of Barcelona highlights. Witness the impressive architecture of Gaudi’s La Pedrera and Casa Mila. See spectacular views of the city and harbour from Montjuïc Park. Visit Parc Güell, with compelling mosaics designed by Gaudi and inspired by nature. End with a visit to the Sagrada Familia to marvel at the design and breathtaking stained glass. Soak up the Spanish energy and share memories at your farewell dinner. (B/D)
Day 12
After breakfast, transfer to the Barcelona Airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting