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Spain: Under the Andalusian Sky 2008

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From the minarets of Seville to the colorful mosaics of the Alhambra, Andalusia is a region steeped in history and mesmerizing beauty.   Detailed Itinerary

DISCOVER the Cordoba Mezquita with 850 polycrome columns, and the street maze of its La Judería district EXPLORE the white village of Zuheros in the Subbetical Park SAMPLE Sangria and tasty ‘Jamón Ibérico' cured ham CYCLE the Spanigh Vega plain and the Via Verde biking trail COOK an authentic paella with a Spanish chef TASTE a tea with fragrant herbs at an Arab hammam tea-room VISIT a local wine bodega and taste local sweet Pedro-Ximénez sweet wine RELAX during an Arab hamman bath and massage with essence oils

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Air-Inclusive Tour Roundtrip international airfare 8 nights in 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels 15 meals - 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners Transfers AND the option to add our Low-Cost Trip Extensions: Pre-trip: Seville • 2 nights $345 Post-trip: Barcelona • 2 nights $545 Free use of our custom VBT bicycle and helmet Service of two bilingual VBT Trip Leaders FULL VAN SUPPORT Daily route directions and maps Sightseeing and cultural activities 5% Frequent Traveler Credit to use on your next VBT vacation Special Good Buy Discount Land-Only Tour 6 nights in 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels 13 meals - 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners Free use of our custom VBT bicycle and helmet Service of two bilingual VBT Trip Leaders FULL VAN SUPPORT Daily route directions and maps Sightseeing and cultural activities 5% Frequent Traveler Credit to use on your next VBT vacation Special Good Buy Discount

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Rating Level: Easy/Moderate This tour offers a combination of easy terrain mixed with moderate hills. Our VBT van support shuttle is always available for those who need assistance with the hills. Ideal for beginning and experienced cyclists. Full Van Support: Enjoy more flexibility and choice with full van support throughout your vacation. Group Size: 14-20 Daily Mileage: 18-45 miles Daily Cycling Times: 2-5 hours Avg. Daily High Temperature: Seville: Jan °61, Feb °63, Mar °69, Apr °71, May °79, Sep °90, Oct °78, Nov °69, Dec °62

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Hospes Palacio Del Bailio The luxurious and secluded Hotel Palacio del Bailío well represents the cultural synthesis of a glorious past. The Palace resides in an old quarter near the Capuchin monastery. It is a cultural heritage building, originally constructed as a mansion between the 16th and 18th Centuries. It comprises old stables, coach house and granary as well as Roman remains (walls and frescoes) beautifully enhanced by the restoration works and modern design of furniture and rooms. The breakfast room rests right above a pristine Roman mosaic floor, made well visible thanks to a large glass floor. This hotel features moorish patios and garden with orange trees, an elegant pool, a small boutique spa with an original Roman bath (terme), combined with all the amenities and comforts of a modern 5 star property. (visit the Hospes Palacio Del Bailio website) Hotel Fuente Las Piedras Hotel Fuente Las Piedras is in Cabra, South of Cordoba Region, and serves as the ideal door of the Sierra Subbetica Natural Park, famous for its scenery. This property has all the comforts: large, quiet rooms, all with a balcony overlooking the landscaped garden and swimming pool. It is conveniently located near our biking path (Via Verde de la Subbetica) and a few miles from the village of Cabra. The restaurant offers a wide list of local specialties. (visit the Hotel Fuente Las Piedras website) Hotel Las Casa de la Juderia Hotel Las Casas de la Juderia is located a few steps from the walls of the Alcazar. It consists of ancient private homes from the 17th and 18th centuries which share a common courtyard, reception and breakfast room. The hotel features quiet rooms organized into small sections, facing small charming patios, gardens and spring fountains. The property is beautifully restored including antique pieces of furniture, wooden floors, and whirlpool bathtubs in many bathrooms. Internet access is available in the lobby. This is a wonderful way to experience true Spanish hospitality and charm, and an excellent location from which to enjoy the extraordinary beauty of Seville. (visit the Hotel Las Casa de la Juderia website) Hotel Tryp Albayzin The hotel is a modern 4-star hotel with rooms built around a charming patio with lush plants and flowers set around a fountain and stone arches. It is a quiet hotel, perfect to rest after a day of sightseeing or shopping, conveniently located near the quaint pedestrian street of Las Navas. A hearty buffet breakfast is served in the morning. (visit the Hotel Tryp Albayzin website) Monastario de San Francisco Monasterio de San Francisco was a Franciscan convent built in 1492 by the VII Señor de Palma’s orders and turned into a charming hotel in 1985. It preserves the simplicity and tranquility of a monastery. The refectory is now a very quiet reading room, the ancient garden is still the vegetable garden supplying the kitchen, the patios are the same walked by the monks in silent prayer 5 centuries ago. Only the large swimming pool shaded by orange trees is a reminder of the modern world. What makes this place special is the role of the monastery and the year of its construction: 1492. The discovery of America is part of the building’s history, since the Franciscan monks based here founded American missions, took the language and customs to the new world, introduced the famous orange groves in California and opened the Mision de Palma del Rio in San Diego. Columbus was here before setting for his journey, the monastery being a strategic and powerful ‘centro de conoscimiento’, or center of learning and culture during his time. The cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, all own their names to the monasteries present in this area. Today guests can still drink the orange juice of the 65 orange trees grown in the gardens, some of which are 5 centuries old. (visit the Monastario de San Francisco website)

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Seville 2008 2 nights for only $ 345 • 2 nights at the Hotel Las Casas de la Judería • Daily breakfast • City Information packet • Airport transfers Seville, the capital of Andalusia, is a unique blend of Roman, Arab and Christian art and culture. The very heart of the old town is the Barrio de Santa Cruz, close to the Alcazar and the Cathedral, with its famous bell tower La Giralda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This delightful maze is dominated by the massive shape of the Cathedral, and has a distinctly Moorish flavor, with cobblestone streets and small squares surrounded by white houses. Another of Seville’s famous local marvels is the Alcazar: the city's old Moorish Palace. It was developed over the centuries into a unique building with vaulted rooms, patios, a beautiful garden decorated with fountains and high palms. Other sights not to be missed during your stay include the beautiful Plaza de Espana, the Torre dell’Oro and one of Spain’s biggest Plaza de Toros (bull-fighting rings), which is a symbol of the Spanish culture and tradition. At night, be sure to indulge in tapas y cerveza, a meal of bite-sized local delicacies which has made Seville famous to food-lovers the world over. Our splendid hotel, Las Casas de la Juderia, is located just a few steps from the walls of the Alcazar. It consists of ancient private homes from the 17th and 18th centuries, all including charming patios, gardens and spring fountains, beautifully restored. It’s a perfect place from which to discover this beautiful and lively city! Note: Single supplement for this extension is $ 95. top Barcelona 2008 2 nights for only $ 545 • 2 nights at the Olivia Plaza Hotel • Daily breakfast • City Information packet • Airport transfers Discover Barcelona at your leisure as you spend two nights in one of the most beautiful and vibrant capitals of the Mediterranean, well known for its history, cuisine and contemporary architecture. Barcelona is both modern and ancient with its Roman ruins and Ciutat Vella - the Old Town with its narrow, crooked pedestrian streets, old markets, theatres and pastry shops. Marvel at the genius of Gaudì, admiring the Modernist facades of his buildings and the famous Sagrada Familia, as well as Gaudì’s Parc Guell with its colored mosaics of trees. Seven properties built by Gaudì are UNESCO Word Heritage Sites, testifying to the exceptional contribution to the development of architecture and building technology in the 20th century. You might choose to explore the medieval Barri Gotic neighborhood, with the Jewish Quarter and the Cathedral, or follow Gaudì’s tracks to Casa Battlò, La Pedrera and Casa Martì close to the famous Boquerìa covered market. Many sites are within walking distance from your centrally located hotel on Plaza Catalunya. Be sure to enjoy a delicious paella at the Barceloneta old port, or a stroll down the lively Ramblas boulevard. And during a leisurely walk down to the sea, you may wish to experience the vibrant colors of the scented flower market, or consider a stop at pasteleria Escribà to admire the sensual shapes of its Modernist windows and taste its delicious Crema catalana, Note: Single supplement for this extension is $ 245.

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Group Discount Program: You can earn a FREE VBT tour with our generous group discount program. Click here for details. Refer a Friend and Earn $100 Travel Credit: If you refer a Friend to VBT and they choose to travel with us, you earn $100 travel credit toward your next trip and your friend gets $50 off their first VBT trip. Click here for details. Good Buy Plan: The earlier you pay, the more you save. If you book early and pay in full by check, you can lock in your trip cost plus earn up to a 10% discount. 5% Frequent Traveler Credit: You will automatically receive a 5% travel credit good for your next VBT trip. This credit is good for one full year. Savings for Single Travelers: If you are on a tour where sharing is possible and you would like to share a room, we will do our best to match you with a roommate. We will charge you only 50% of the single supplement; if a match is available, we will refund you the single supplement after you return. If requested and available, single supplement is $445. Best Value Guaranteed: Click here for details. We reserve the right to correct errors. top