Spanish Paradores

10 days, 9 nights

 

 

Enjoy some of the best that Spain has to offer with this extraordinary itinerary. You will stay in some of Spain’s most unique and historic hotels; some of which used to be monasteries, convents and even former palaces.

 

Highlights

• Learn about Madrid’s markets and taverns from a local guide while tasting and sampling Spanish ham and cheeses.
• Explore Toledo, an ancient Spanish city that is known for the medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian monuments within its historic walls.
• Wander around the breathtaking halls and gardens of the Alhambra Palace.
• Enjoy a flamenco performance inside of a cave in a mountain near Granada.
• Visit and learn about the city of Mérida, which was founded by the Romans in the 1st century and served as the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. There are still many archeological sites to explore, like the Roman amphitheater and the Temple of Diana.

 

Overnight Stops

10 days, 9 nights

Madrid (1) – Toledo (2) – Granada (2) – Ronda (1) – Carmona (near Seville) (1) – Mérida (1) – Madrid (1)

 

Sample Itinerary

 

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid

We recommend a morning arrival into Madrid airport. You’ll be met by your private driver at the Madrid airport and transferred to your hotel. After checking into your hotel and freshening up, familiarize yourself with Madrid’s historic center.

Optional Highlights: Panoramic GoCar tour, Spanish walking markets and taverns tour

Overnight in Madrid
Tenon Recommends: Catalonia Plaza Mayor

 

Day 2: Madrid to Toledo

Start a scenic drive to Toledo, a city rich in monuments among Spanish cities. Toledo is known as the “City of Three Cultures” because Christians, Muslims and Jews lived there together in peace for centuries. Behind its walls, Toledo preserves its artistic and cultural legacy in the form of churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques and synagogues. The whole city is an incredible museum.

Overnight in Toledo
Tenon Recommends: Parador de Toledo
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 3: Toledo

Enjoy a privately guided walking tour with your very own local guide and a special visit to the synagogue and cathedral, where you can see works of art by El Greco and Francisco de Goya. Alternately, you can take a day trip on your own to Ávila to see its intact medieval walls, and from there you can continue north to Segovia to see its iconic ancient Roman aqueduct.

Highlights Include: Synagogue and cathedral
Optional Highlights: Roman aqueduct in Segovia

Overnight in Toledo
Tenon Recommends: Parador de Toledo
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 4: Toledo to Granada

After breakfast, head to Granada. Check-in at your parador, which is located in the Alhambra complex. In the afternoon, wander around the old town or explore one of the many plazas and markets. In the evening, you will have a unique experience of Flamenco in Sacromonte, the Romani district. You’ll enjoy a visceral flamenco performance where locals dance, sing and play in the caves of the mountain. You will also savor a delicious tapas dinner while you enjoy the lively show.

Highlights Include: Flamenco performance with a tapas dinner in the local caves of Sacromonte mountain near Granada

Overnight in Granada
Tenon Recommends: Parador de Granada
(Breakfast and dinner included)

 

Day 5: Granada

Your morning will start with a guided visit to the Alhambra palace and Generalife gardens. Granada has an unmistakable Arab flavor. Its culture is a result of the city’s glorious history. Alhambra is a palatine complex built around courtyards of flowering trees, reflection pools and fountains. In the evening, relax and enjoy dinner on your own.

Highlights Include: Alhambra palace and Generalife gardens

Overnight in Granada
Tenon Recommends: Parador de Granada
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 6: Granada to Ronda

From Granada, head to Ronda, one of the famous white villages of Andalusia. Ronda stands on an enormous outcrop of rock and features a dramatic bridge built in the 18th century that splits the center of town. You also have the option of visiting the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain.

Optional Highlights: Bullfighting ring

Overnight in Ronda
Tenon Recommends: Parador de Ronda
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 7: Ronda to Carmona

On your way to Carmona (near Seville), stop at a local hacienda to learn about the olive oil making process, taste samples, and tour the mill, cellar and family museum. After the tour, keep heading north to Carmona and check into your parador for the night.

Highlights Include: Local hacienda tour

Overnight in Carmona
Tenon Recommends: Parador de Carmona
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 8: Carmona to Mérida

In the morning, drive to Seville, the capital of Andalusia. Its city center is a compact maze of narrow streets with a plethora of fascinating places to visit. The Jewish Quarter and the Barrio Santa Cruz are buzzing with activity day and night. Seville still preserves the lushness and sensuality of Al-Andalus.

In the afternoon, drive to Extremadura. On the way, stop in Zafra, located on the strategic “Via de la Plata,” or the Silver Route, in Roman Hispania. The 15th century alcazar, or fortress, dominates the town. In the afternoon, check into your hotel in Mérida and then explore this magnificent Roman city. The theatre, the Roman amphitheatre and the Temple of Diana among other remains make this city the ancient capital of Roman Lusitania, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Optional Highlights: Temple of Diana

Overnight in Mérida
Tenon Recommends: Parador de Mérida
(Breakfast)

 

Day 9: Mérida to Madrid

Begin your return journey to Madrid, which is approximately 3.5 hours away. After you check into your Madrid hotel, you may opt to pack and relax at the hotel. Or, if you have the energy and feel like stretching your legs, we recommend taking a stroll to people watch at the Buen Retiro Park, or “El Retiro,” as the locals call it. You can also head to the Prado Museum to check out some of the most famous works of Spanish art.

Optional Highlights: Buen Retiro Park, Prado Museum

Overnight in Madrid
Tenon Recommends: Catalonia Plaza Mayor
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 10: Return – Madrid

Head to the Madrid Barajas airport or continue onward to more Spanish adventures!
(Breakfast included)

 

Pricing

From $2,465 per person based on double occupancy*
*Price shown is an example of what to expect for a self-drive vacation. Each itinerary is customized and can change depending on seasonality, availability, etc.

This trip can be booked as a self-drive or chauffeur tour of Spain.

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