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To book this trip, call 1-800-648-4856 or 972-233-3300

DATES

Nov 3-10, 2011

PRICE

$1783 + $245 tax = $2028 per person double/triple occupancy
$2333 + $245 tax = $2578 per person single occupancy
*Taxes & fuel surcharges subject to change. (Tickets are issued 30 days prior to departure and fuel surcharges are subject to increase). Triple rooms are on a request basis only. Maximum singles - 3

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Roundtrip airfare from DFW to Madrid on AA
• Roundtrip transfers between airport and hotel
• 6-night hotel accommodations
• Hotel service charges, and taxes
• Buffet breakfast each morning/ 2 dinners
• Porterage for one suitcase per person

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• All personal expenses i.e. telephone, laundry, etc.
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Optional excursions
• Gratuities to guide and drivers
• Meals other than specified
• Airline baggage charges

Please read the full set of terms and conditions before booking this trip.

ITINERARY

Day 1
Depart USA for Madrid, Spain

Day 2
Arrival in Madrid
Upon arrival in the morning at Madrid's impressive Barajas Airport, we'll be welcomed by Trafalgar's Tour Director and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure and our hotel will make it convenient to stroll and explore the streets of this exciting, thriving capital, which we’ll get to know better by the end of the day tomorrow! Dinner tonight is included and do consider joining our fellow travel companions and our tour director for a welcome drink later this evening. It's a great way to get to know your travel companions and to avail yourself of valuable information and orientation!
Overnight: MADRID (D)

Day 3
Toledo
After a buffet breakfast, we'll board our coach for the short trip southwest to the ancient capital of Castile: Toledo - Spain's capital until the mid-16th century. Standing on a hill high above the River Tajo, its Alcazar (fortress) overlooks Castile's eastern plains and dates from the 10th century. Accompanied by our local guide, a walking tour of Toledo will take us through its maze of cobblestone streets and a fascinating mix of Jewish, Moorish, and Christian buildings, a historical reminder of a time when these three religions amicably co-existed. Among the important places we’ll see are the 13th century Cathedral, ranked among the greatest Gothic structures in all of Europe. Then, it's back to Madrid for a city tour of Spain’s exciting capital city. The famous Cibeles Fountain, the Plaza de Espana and its Cervantes Memorial, where the statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza watch over the reflecting pool, Gran Via, with its souvenir shops, hotels and cinemas, and Puerta del Sol, the bustling 19th century square in the heart of Madrid's historic center are all unforgettable. Perhaps tonight you might like to take tapas at a local establishment or enjoy a Madrid treat - a slice of Spain's world-famous ham (jamon) on a roll, with a cold beer (cerveza). Tomorrow we leave for history-steeped Granada, so make the most of it!
Overnight: MADRID (BB)

Day 4
Granada
After a buffet breakfast and checkout, we board our coach for the drive straight south, through Don Quixote country, by way of the low tablelands of the La Mancha region, into Andalusia! This is the Spain of Moorish literature and legend and there is no better way to begin to savor it than with a visit to one of the most spectacularly beautiful places in the world: the Alhambra, the hilltop palace and fortress complex of the Moorish rulers of Spain and the most perfect work of Moorish art in its final stage of development in Europe. We’ll go inside and get a close look at the splendid arabesques and architectural wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage site! And we’ll certainly not miss the Generalife, the leisure villa of the sultans of Granada, surrounded by orchards and gardens, a sight that will enthrall us. (The name seems to come from the Arabic Yanat-al-Ari, or Garden of the Architect but this is not certain). We'll spend the night here in Granada.
Overnight: GRANADA (BB)

Day 5
Cordoba - Seville
After checkout and a buffet breakfast, we begin a new week by journeying west to Seville by way of beautiful Cordoba, where a city tour will introduce us to two very special places: The Cathedral known as La Mezquita, the grandest and most beautiful mosque ever constructed by the Moors in Spain, standing right in the center of the city and whose 9th century beauty so overwhelmed the Conquistadores in the 13th century that they built their Cathedral right within it and, the Synogogue, one of the few remaining in Spain, in the heart of the tiny streets which make up Cordoba's old Jewish Quarter. From here, we're two and a half hours from exotic Seville, where we’ll spend the next two nights!
Overnight: SEVILLE (BB)

Day 6
Seville
After another buffet breakfast, our local guide joins us for a half day of sightseeing in exotically beautiful Seville. On our city tour we'll take in many of the city's sights, like the 12th century Alcazar, the immense Gothic Cathedral, one of the largest and most impressive in the world and Maria Luisa Park (with its famous white pigeons), named after the Infanta Maria Luisa. Seville's winding streets and whitewashed houses with their balconies and profusion of geraniums, bougainvillea and jasmine are a delightful assault on the senses! But this is not a movie set; people actually live in these elegant homes, whose architecture so reflects Seville’s history: the Roman atrium turned into a patio, the Arabic tiles, wrought iron grillwork, fountains, gardens and decorative motifs incorporated into the homes and courtyards. If your senses are not sufficiently overwhelmed, free time this afternoon leaves the opportunity for further exploration! Consider a visit to the cathedral. Its lavish interior is filled with major art treasures and is unforgettable in its immensity and grandeur. The tower adjoining the Cathedral is La Giralda, the former mosque's minaret, dating from the 12th Century and a climb to the top affords spectacular views! But whatever you decide to do, Sevilla is steeped in Moorish history and culture, its streets adorned with orange trees, lively bars and cafes. Just don’t be late for tonight’s Be My Guest dinner at a Spanish hacienda.
Overnight: SEVILLE (BB, BG)

Day 7
Madrid
Today is a travel day, as we make the six-hour drive north back to Madrid after a buffet breakfast. Enjoy as much of the city on your own as you can tonight, for tomorrow we leave for the US.
Overnight: MADRID (BB)

Day 8
Madrid - USA
After buffet breakfast and checkout, we board our motor coach for the group transfer to Barajas Airport and our flight home to the USA. Have a safe journey!

AIR SCHEDULE

Destination	Depart	Arrive
Dallas-Madrid	5:30PM	8:55AM
Madrid-Dallas	1:10PM	5:20PM

HOTELS

All hotel rooms are rated superior tourist class or higher and have private baths. Please remember that hotel check-in time is 3:00PM, thus rooms may not be ready immediately upon arrival in each city. Hotel names and addresses will be provided in final tour documents.

OPTIONAL TOURS

TRAFALGAR TOURS WILL OFFER OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS FOR THIS TOUR. SCT DOES NOT ALWAYS RECEIVE INFORMATION OR PRICES ON THESE TOURS BEFORE THE GROUP DEPARTS. THESE TOURS ARE STRICTLY OPTIONAL.

ABBREVIATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS

A VALID PASSPORT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TOUR AND MUST BE VALID 6 MONTHS AFTER YOU RETURN FROM THIS TOUR

Sharon Carr Travel is not responsible for weather-related or mechanical delays.

A $900 per person deposit is due with booking. Final payment is due Aug 1, 2011.

If cancelled before Aug 1, 2011, a fee of $600 per person is assessed. If cancelled on or after Aug 1, 2011, package is non-refundable.

Insurance information will be given with confirmation.

Prices represent a 5% discount for payment by check or money order. Rates are 5% higher if using a credit card and require an authorized signature. We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, & Discover.

Legal first and last names (NO NICKNAMES) must be given as shown on your driver's license. Name changes are $200 per name change and may be made up to 90 days prior to departure.

Please read the full set of terms and conditions before booking this trip.