Itinerary

Day 1 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Depart U.S./Fly overnight to Madrid

Depart from the U.S. for Spain. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 2 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Arrive in Seville

Upon arrival at the Madrid Airport, meet your driver outside the customs area in your arrival terminal, then transfer by private car (approximately 40 minutes) to Madrid rail station. The driver will be holding a VBT sign.
At the Madrid Puerta de Atocha rail station: meet our Representative outside RENFE CUSTOMER OFFICE. This is a large glass office box located on the ground floor. To get there use the escalator or elevator down one level from where you arrived with your taxi. Our Rep will be holding a VBT sign. Please wait for her if you do not see her around, as she may be busy with some other guests in the terminal. Our Rep will hand you your ticket to Seville and help you with your transfer as well as giving you tips for lunch and money exchange.

On your High Speed train: after going through the luggage security check at your track, board the train and store your locked luggage in the racks which are located immediately inside upon entry. Find your seat and collect earphones to enjoy a movie on board. The train ride lasts 2h30' and is very enjoyable as trains are timely and comfortable in Spain!

At the Seville Santa Justa train station: take the escalator from your track up to the main terminal and lobby where there are shops and cafes. Meet our driver outside the cloth ‘NATURA' shop with a bright green sign. The driver will be holding a VBT sign.
The ride to your hotel will last only a few minutes.

VBT has decided to use High Speed trains instead of air connections between Madrid and Seville because of guest feedback and continuing problems with air services. The transfer time is about the same and we believe that you will enjoy the local experience!

At the hotel, you will receive a VBT Information Packet containing a map and information for your stay in Seville. The rest of the day is free to settle in and explore the city. Choose a restaurant for dinner on own.

Please note: If you arrive early, your hotel room may not be available until 2 p.m. You may store your luggage with the Reception Desk.

Day 1 of AIR PACKAGE Depart U.S./Fly overnight to Madrid

Depart from the U.S. for Spain. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 3 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Seville

Enjoy a wonderful buffet breakfast at the hotel. Spend the rest of the day on your own in Seville. 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!

Day 2 of AIR PACKAGE Arrive in Seville

Upon arrival at the Madrid Airport, meet your driver outside the customs area in your arrival terminal, then transfer by private car (approximately 40 minutes) to Madrid rail station. The driver will be holding a VBT sign.

At the Madrid Puerta de Atocha rail station: meet our Representative outside RENFE CUSTOMER OFFICE. This is a large glass office box located on the ground floor. To get there use the escalator or elevator down one level from where you arrived with your taxi. Our Rep will be holding a VBT sign. Please wait for her if you do not see her around, as she may be busy with some other guests in the terminal. Our Rep will hand you your ticket to Seville and help you with your transfer as well as giving you tips for lunch and money exchange.

On your High Speed train: after going through the luggage security check at your track, board the train and store your locked luggage in the racks which are located immediately inside upon entry. Find your seat and collect earphones to enjoy a movie on board. The train ride lasts 2h30' and is very enjoyable as trains are timely and comfortable in Spain!

At the Seville Santa Justa train station: take the escalator from your track up to the main terminal and lobby where there are shops and cafes. Meet our driver outside the cloth ‘NATURA' shop with a bright green sign. The driver will be holding a VBT sign.
The ride to your hotel will last only a few minutes.

VBT has decided to use High Speed trains instead of air connections between Madrid and Seville because of guest feedback and continuing problems with air services. The transfer time is about the same and we believe that you will enjoy the local experience!

At the hotel, you will receive a VBT Information Packet containing a map and information for your stay in Seville. The rest of the day is free to settle in and explore the city. Choose a restaurant for dinner on own.


Note: If you arrive early, your hotel room may not be available until 2 p.m. You may store your luggage with the Reception Desk.

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 tapasy 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!

Day 4 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Seville

Continue your independent exploration of Seville today. VBT Air Package guests arrive throughout the day.

Day 1 of BIKE TOUR Meet Trip Leaders/Warm-up ride/Welcome reception

VBT No-Air Package guests: Meet your VBT trip Leaders and the rest of the group at our Seville Hotel (Hotel Las Casas de la Juderia, Plaza Santa Maria La Blanca, 3 phone +34 95 4415150) at 12:00 noon. Please plan to have or buy some lunch before meeting your trip leaders. If your arrival at the hotel is scheduled later than 12;00 noon, or if you are delayed, you must take a taxi at your own expense (approximately 100 euros/$150 USD) to Monasterio De San Francisco in Palma del Rio, about 80 km from Seville). Please contact Hotel Las Casas de la Juderia in Seville to advise if you have any travel delays or changes, and the staff will pass your message on to your VBT Trip Leaders.

VBT Air Package guests & Pre-trip Extension guests: Meet your VBT Trip Leaders at the Seville hotel at 12:00 noon. Please plan to have or buy some lunch before meeting your Trip leaders, who will be wearing VBT staff garments. From Seville you transfer by private motor coach (approx. 1 hour) to Palma del Rio.

On the way we stop at Ganaderia Miura for a picture. This is the world's most famous bull breeding farm. Miura Bulls are responsible for the deaths of many Spain's great Matadors, including Manolete. We learn from our local leader how Toros Bravos are selected for bullfighting, a strong tradition, especially in Andalucía.

Our Hotel in Palma del Rio is Monasterio de San Francisco. As the name suggests, it was a Franciscan convent built in 1492 by the VII Señor de Palma's orders. About 20 years ago it was turned into a charming hotel, which preserves the simplicity and tranquility of a monastery. What will make this place special, the role of the monastery and the year of its construction in1492. 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 Mission 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 centre of learning and culture for the times. The cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, all owe their names to the monasteries and holy places in this area. Today guests can still drink the orange juice from the 65 orange trees grown in the gardens, some of which are 5 centuries old.
After settling in your rooms, join your Trip Leaders for a safety and bike-fitting session followed by a warm-up ride in the surroundings of Palma del Rio. You will be riding on the fertile lowland of the Guadalquivir River.

Tonight, we gather for a welcome reception including tapas and sangria, two of Andalusia's regional specialties. Learn about the history of the neighborhood before dinner is served.

Day 2 of BIKE TOUR Cycle through the Spanish Vega

After breakfast this morning we set out for a bike ride through the rural and fertile Spanish Vega, or vast plain, leading us first to the white cobblestoned village of Penaflor on an even road. We continue on the lower hills of the Sierra de Hornachuelos along the Guadalquivir river canal system to Lora del Rio.
Later this afternoon opt for a shuttle back to the hotel or continue on a winding route along the Bembezar canal.

Back at our Monasterio, relax beside the quiet swimming pool, or take a peaceful stroll through the vegetable gardens. Our Trip Leaders conduct a short Spanish language class to help familiarize you with the local language.

Tonight we walk to dinner to a simple local Peña, where Cantaores occasionally play and sing Flamenco. This authentic Spanish restaurant features black and white pictures of Flamenco singers, a fireplace, and serves tasty food like Jamón Ibérico– a regional cured ham cut in small slices by expert hands.

Day 3 of BIKE TOUR Cycle to Cordoba/picnic lunch

In route to Cordoba today we learn the difference between the typical farms scattered along our route: fincas, huertas, cortijos and haciendas. We stop along the way for a picnic lunch at a local Cortijo to meet a local family and owners of a very large estate of 530 hectares.

Later in the afternoon, we arrive at our beautiful 4 star hotel, centrally located in Cordoba, the city of the Caliphs. In the 11th century this was the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Europe. A developed system for running water and street lights existed, along with vast libraries where Arabic, Latin and Greek manuscripts were translated. Jews, Muslims and Christians lived in perfectly harmony here. Exceptional monuments like the Mezquita cathedral are a good representation of the blend of these different cultures. Famous sons of Cordoba include the philosophers Seneca (Roman) and Averroes (Arabian) and Maimonides (Jewish). Cordoba has been inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1984.

Our hotel is located a few steps from the Mezquita in the charming Jewish ‘Juderia' district - the very heart of Cordoba. It consists of ancient private homes from the XVII and XVIII century, with charming patios and spring fountains. The property has been carefully restored in the year 2009.

Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure enjoying all the amenities of your hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Day 4 of BIKE TOUR DISCOVERY DAY! Explore Cordoba/Hammam bath and massage

After breakfast we meet our local guide Inma, with her we discover what makes Cordoba such an enlightening city. We start with the visit of the Mezquita cathedral.
“Mezquita” is the Spanish word for "mosque". This Roman Catholic cathedral was originally built to be a temple, lighthouse and warehouse. It later became the second-largest mosque in the world, and is considered to be one of the most accomplished monuments of the Umayyad dynasty of Cordoba. It was consecrated as a Christian church after Cordoba was captured by the Spanish in the 12th century. Cordoba is an excellent place to shop for pottery, abanijos (fans), cotton and leather goods, embroidered mantillas (shawls) and wooden crafts. Around the Mezquita we will see the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos and the Archiepiscopal Palais, the Roman Bridge with its 16 arcs spanning over the Guadalquivir River, the Jewish synagogue built in 1315 in the charming Jewish quarter of la Juderia. For those interested in bullfighting, you may also wish to visit the Bullfight-Museum.

Take time on your own before meeting our leaders later in the afternoon. We will gather together to experience an ancient local tradition: an Arab bath. The hammam near the cathedral of Cordoba is a magical place. Immerse yourself in the luxurious waters of the hammam, followed by a relaxing massage with essential oils. The experience would not be complete without savoring a tea in the typical Andalusian hammam tea-room.

Tonight, choose a restaurant for dinner on your own in Cordoba. You might choose to visit a flamenco house in the trendy Paseo Maritimo district, where you may taste the special local cuisine, such as ragout of lamb Cordero en Caldereta, or sausages like Morcilla, Caña de Lomo and Salchicon de Pozo Blanco. Arabian influences can be found in the sweet Alfajores and Pestiños with almonds and honey.

Day 5 of BIKE TOUR Ruta del Vino/ Cabra/wine day

After breakfast, we leave Cordoba and shuttle to the Cordillera Subbetica and the Ruta del Vino or wine road. This hilly region is covered with olive trees and vineyards, and produces excellent white wines and olive oils, which are exported all over the world. We begin biking from Aguilar de la Frontera to Moriles, passing by typical lagares and bodegas selling local wines and goat cheese. One of the most renowned wines produced in this area is the Pedro-Ximénez sweet wine, particularly recommended to accompany local postres or desserts .At lunch time we stop at one of the oldest and most beautiful Bodegas (which is where wine is aged but not produced) of the area to taste 4 different wines and have lunch.
In the afternoon in Lucena we get on the Via Verde de la Subbetica, a well kept bike path built on a former railway road. We will follow this trail through the end of our trip. Avid cyclist looking for some hills can opt for a more challenging route. We arrive at our hotel in the afternoon, where you will have some time to relax by the pool or in the hammam before our ‘cata de aceite' or oil tasting, and a tour of this historical property and ancient mill. The property also includes a library and a warm ‘taverna' bar. Dinner is served in the ancient oil press room.

Day 6 of BIKE TOUR Discover the white village of Zuheros/Oil day

Today we follow the bike path to Luque, passing peaceful farms, olive groves and lovely views of the surrounding hillsides. As we pedal along our gently rolling path, keep your eyes open for local wildlife, such as storks, goats and a variety of birds.
Near Luque we stop at a casa de campo for a picnic lunch made from local ingredients freshly picked in the garden of our host Balbino.
After lunch we retrace our way back to Cabra on a scenic route passing through the quaint little village of Zuheros. Built onto a rocky promontory, Zuheros is considered one of the most beautiful white villages of Spain and is known also for its cheese and olive oil production. In the village you can purchase many local products made from aceite (oil) and aceitunas (olives), like soaps.
From Zuheros you can opt for the easy bike path via Verde to the hotel, or continue on a more challenging, scenic, winding route.
Back at our hotel enjoy a short cooking class with our Spanish chef. Learn how to prepare paella! At dinner, enjoy the fruits of our labor, as well as many other local.

Day 7 of BIKE TOUR Transfer to Granada/Free time/VBT No-Air Package ends

VBT No-Air Package guests: After breakfast you can transfer with the rest of the group to Granada by private motor coach, arriving at approximately 10:30 AM. Our driver will drop you at our hotel. Important: Flight departures from Granada airport prior to 12:30 PM are not recommended; if your flight is scheduled earlier, you must make transfer arrangements from the last hotel at your own expense. Taxi cost to Granada airport is approximately 200 euros/$300 USD (travel time approximately 1h 45).

VBT Air Package guests: After breakfast you will transfer by private motor coach (approximately 2 hours) to our hotel in Granada for your final stay. The hotel is located in the city center. You will arrive at approximately 10:30 AM and there meet our local guide who will take you to the Alhambra Palace for an included walking tour of the Palace and General Life gardens, which together with the medieval district of Albayzin, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After the visit, you may want to check in at your hotel and take the rest of the day to discover this unique Moorish city. At the hotel you will receive a VBT Information Packet with a map and tips. The time of your airport transfer tomorrow will be provided as well.

Dinner is on your own tonight

Day 8 of AIR PACKAGE Depart for U.S.

After breakfast* this morning you will transfer to the Granada airport (approximately 30 minutes) for your departing flight **. Please ensure that you are ready in the hotel reception area at the designated time.

*Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

**VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense

Day 1 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Begin your optional Barcelona extension

If you have chosen the optional post-trip extension to Barcelona: after breakfast* this morning, transfer to the Granada airport (approximately 30 minutes) for your departing flight **. Please ensure you are ready in the hotel reception area at the designated time.

*Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

**VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Upon arrival at the Barcelona airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. A VBT representative will meet you outside the customs area in your arrival terminal and will be holding a VBT sign. (At this time, please verify with your VBT representative the time of your transfer at the end of your trip from your Barcelona hotel to the airport). You will transfer by private car (approximately 40 minutes) to your hotel, located on the central Plaza Catalunya. At the hotel, you will receive a VBT Information Packet that includes a city map to help you explore Barcelona. If you arrive early, your hotel room may not be available until 1 p.m. You may store your luggage with the Reception Desk.

You have the rest of the day free to explore this wonderful, historic city.

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 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,

Day 2 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Barcelona

Continue your independent exploration of Barcelona.

Day 3 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Depart for U.S

After breakfast* this morning you will transfer to the Barcelona airport (approximately 40 minutes depending on traffic) for your departing flight **. Please ensure that you are ready in the hotel reception area at the designated time.

*Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

**VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Spain: Under the Andalusian Sky 2010

Pre and Post Trip Extensions

Pre-Trip Extension

Seville 2010 - 2 nights for only $345

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.

Post-Trip Extension

Barcelona 2010 - 2 nights for only $445

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 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.

Accommodations

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. 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.

Monasterio 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, and 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, the role of the monastery and the year of its construction in 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 Mission 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 and San Diego, all owe 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.

Hotel Las Casas de la Trinidad

Hotel Las Casas de la Trinidad is centrally located a few steps from the Cathedral and the picturesque Albayzin. It consists of a block of ancient private homes from the XVII and XVIII century, built above the encient city walls (that you can admire). La Trinidad has been completely and finely restored in 2010. The hotel opened in 2010. The area is quiet and you will benefit of the exclusive location near restaurants and the main monuments of Granada.

Rating Level

Easy/Moderate

This tour offers a combination of easy terrain mixed with moderate hills and is ideal for beginning and experienced cyclists. Our VBT van support shuttle is always available for those who need assistance with the hills.