Direct Departure from Ankara: Magnificent Spain and Andalusian Cities, 7 Nights – With AJet, October 17 (BCN–MAD)

Meeting in front of the AJet Airlines counter at the international departures terminal of Ankara Esenboğa Airport 3 hours before the flight. Following the baggage, ticket and passport procedures, departure for Barcelona at 09:45 on AJet Airlines flight VF607. Upon our arrival at 13:00 local time, our panoramic city tour begins with our vehicle waiting for us at the airport. Barcelona is Spain’s second-largest city and a city that has gained worldwide fame as the vibrant and fascinating capital of the Catalonia region. Bathed by the warm waters of the Mediterranean, this magnificent city offers a unique combination of history, art, culture and entertainment. With its magnificent architecture, colorful streets, delicious cuisine and lively nightlife, Barcelona attracts millions of visitors every year. The city is like an open-air museum adorned with the unique works of Antoni Gaudi. During our city tour in this beautiful city, the La Sagrada Familia Church, Christopher Columbus Monument, La Rambla Street, Spain and Catalunya Squares, Andalusia Arena and Olympic Port are among the places to be seen. Following our tour, guests who wish may join the Grand Poble Espanyol & Montjuic Hill tour to be organized as an optional extra. (30 Euros) We begin our tour by exploring Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village), which was built for the 1929 World’s Fair and has now become a popular destination for visitors to Barcelona, consisting of 117 buildings, streets and squares. Here, we will see examples of buildings from regions throughout Spain, walk along streets reflecting the architecture of different regions of Spain, visit fascinating handicraft workshops and take a short journey through virtually all of Spain.  Poble Espanyol is also home to artisans working in ceramics, glass, leather, jewelry and other handicrafts. We then ascend Montjuic Hill, which offers much more than a panoramic view of Barcelona. This area, where history, culture and nature come together, underwent a transformation by hosting important events such as the 1992 Olympic Games. Following our photo break, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel. 

After having breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the extra Splendid Pearls of Northern Catalonia (Girona & Figueras & Dali Museum & Park Guell & Gothic Quarter) tour, which will be organized additionally. (120 Euros) Our first stop on the tour is Girona. Located in northeastern Catalonia, approximately 100 kilometers north of Barcelona, Girona is a historic city famous for its narrow medieval streets, historic buildings, museums, churches, and city walls. During our tour here, the Lion Statue, Cathedral Square, and the famous Jewish Quarter (El Call) are among the places to be seen. Following our tour, we set off for the city of Figueres. Figueres is a city located northeast of Girona and known as the birthplace of Salvador Dali. The city is closely associated with the life and works of the famous Spanish painter Salvador Dali. The most important tourist attraction in Figueres is the Salvador Dali Museum. Dali established a museum here to leave something in the place where he was born and to exhibit his works. Today, this museum has the largest Dali collection and, as every part of it was designed by Dali, it is regarded as Dali’s greatest work. The museum houses more than 4,000 works created by Dali using different techniques. Afterwards, we depart for Park Guell. One of Antoni Gaudi’s magnificent works, Park Guell is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Called a fairytale park, this park creates a magical atmosphere with its colorful staircases and imaginary pavilions. After seeing this magnificent work by Gaudi, our final stop is the Gothic Quarter. In the Gothic Quarter, you can feel the captivating atmosphere of the Middle Ages with its narrow, labyrinthine streets, Gothic churches, romantic squares, and Roman walls, and admire its historic texture. The most important structures in the quarter include Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça Reial (Royal Square), Plaça del Rei (King’s Square), and La Rambla. Following our tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After the breakfast we will have at the hotel, we set off for Valencia. Valencia is a historic and modern city on Spain's eastern coast, surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. As Spain's third-largest city, Valencia attracts visitors with its rich history, culture, and art. During the city tour we will take upon arrival, the City Hall, Gothic Cathedral, Arena, City of Arts and Sciences, Historic Mercado Central Market, and the Old Silk Exchange will be among the places to see. After our tour, transfer to our hotel, check-in, and free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Following the breakfast we will have at the hotel, we set off for Granada. Upon our arrival in Granada, our city tour begins. Granada is a city full of history and culture, located in the heart of the Andalusia region. Granada is famous for its historical heritage, music and dance, breathtaking views, and the Alhambra Palace. The city is one of Spain's leading tourist destinations and welcomes millions of visitors every year. During our city tour here, Gran Via Avenue, BibRambla and the City Squares, Granada Cathedral (from the outside), Madraza, Granada’s first university, the Silk Bazaar, and the old Nasrid Caravanserai are among the places to be seen. Following our tour, guests who wish may join the Magnificent Alhambra Palace Tour, which will be organized as an optional extra. (80 Euros) (There is a daily visitor limit at the Alhambra Palace, and depending on availability, our palace visit may also be conducted excluding the harem. We kindly request that you inform your agency of your participation in this tour during the reservation.) One of Granada's greatest treasures, the Alhambra Palace is one of the most striking and impressive examples of Andalusian Islamic architecture. One of the most visited historical sites in Spain, the Alhambra is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has gained worldwide fame. This famous monument, located on the plateau of Sabika Hill overlooking Granada, was begun in the 13th century as a defensive fortress and palace, and its construction continued until the 15th century. It was called Alhambra, meaning “Red,” because of the red color it acquired from the red earth used in its construction. Following our tour, transfer to our hotel. In the evening, guests who wish may join our Magnificent Neighborhoods Tour (Albaicin and Sacromonte Gypsy Quarter), which will be organized as an optional extra. (60 Euros) Albaicin is a historic and fascinating neighborhood of Granada. This area, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its narrow streets, whitewashed houses, and scenic hills. It bears the traces of Andalusian Islamic culture and architecture and reflects the history of Granada. Following our tour here, we will watch a Gypsy show and observe their way of life while enjoying a drink in caves that are entirely handmade. Following our tour, return to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Seville. Upon arrival, our city tour begins. Seville is a city famous for its historical and cultural richness, located in Spain's Andalusia region. During our city tour in Seville, situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, we will first see Maria Luisa Park, which includes Plaza de Espana, and Plaza America; Seville Cathedral (from the outside), the world's third-largest cathedral and the burial place of Christopher Columbus; and the Giralda Minaret, the last surviving part of the mosque upon which the cathedral was built, carrying the memory of the Umayyad State of Andalusia, right next to the cathedral. The Alcazar (from the outside), the palace of the kings of Castile, is also among the places to be seen. We will then pass through the Archives of the Indies, where records of all maritime expeditions to the Americas from the Age of Discovery to the 19th century were kept, and reach the old narrow streets of the Santa Cruz neighborhood, known as "old" Seville. At the end of our walk, after seeing Torre del Oro, or the Golden Tower, formerly a tobacco factory used today as the Seville University's central campus and now a maritime museum, we will transfer to our hotel. In the evening, guests who wish may join the magnificent Magnificent Flamenco Fire Tour, organized as an extra. (55 Euros) Seville is one of the birthplaces of flamenco and is considered one of the most important centers of Spanish flamenco culture. The city is famous for its traditional flamenco performances, dance studios, and flamenco festivals and events. During our flamenco evening, you will be spellbound as you watch the flamenco dancers. Following our tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After the breakfast we will have at the hotel, our guests who wish may join the Magnificent Cities (Cordoba & Mijas & Malaga) tour to be organized as an extra. (140 Euros) Cordoba is a historic city located in Spain’s Andalusia region. It is famous for its historical and cultural richness, impressive architecture, and structures bearing the traces of Andalusian Islamic culture. In Cordoba, which we will reach after a 1.5-hour journey, the Guadalquivir River will be the first to greet us. We will enter the city by walking across the historic Roman bridge and passing through the Roman Gate. We will enter the Great Mosque of Cordoba, the city’s most magnificent structure and one of the largest mosques in the world, rising on 850 columns, and, accompanied by our guide, we will witness the grandeur of this magnificent work while receiving fascinating information. After our tour of the Mosque of Cordoba, we will continue on foot through the pristine old streets, where we will see the old inn reflecting all the elegance of Andalusian architecture and the houses of Cordoba. After our tour here, our second stop will be Mijas, a charming and traditional mountain town located in Spain’s south, in the Málaga province of the Andalusia region, and particularly famous for its whitewashed houses. Located near the Costa del Sol coast, Mijas draws attention with both its sea views and historic character. Mijas Pueblo, meaning the historic part of the town, offers a postcard-like view with its narrow streets featuring typical Andalusian architecture, flower-adorned balconies, and whitewashed houses. Although the town’s origins date back to Ancient Rome and even the Phoenicians, its present character was largely shaped during the Andalusian period under Muslim rule. One of Mijas’s most noteworthy sights is the small bullring established on the hilltop of the town and the ruins of Mijas Castle. After our tour, our final stop will be Malaga. In our tour of Malaga, the city where the famous painter Pablo Picasso was born, the places we will see include Paseo de Parque (Park Avenue), Plaza de la Merced, the Jewish Quarter, Constitution Square and Larios Street, Puerto Marina (Harbor), La Alcazaba, and Gibralfaro Castle. After our tour, transfer to our hotel in Ecija. Overnight at the hotel.

Following the breakfast we will have at the hotel, we set off for Madrid. Along the way, guests who wish may join the Magnificent Toledo Tour, which will be organized as an extra. (70 Euros) Toledo, located approximately 70 kilometers from Madrid, is a historic city that has hosted the different cultures of the Iberian Peninsula and contains traces of Roman, Visigothic, Muslim, and Christian civilizations, and has been placed under UNESCO protection. It is known for its magnificent medieval architecture and cultural heritage. During our tour of this open-air museum city, we will see its historic narrow streets, Toledo Cathedral, Spain’s oldest cathedral (from the outside), churches converted from Andalusian mosques, and many other countless wonders. Following our tour, we depart for Madrid. Upon arrival, our city tour begins. Madrid, the capital of Spain, is one of the country’s leading cities attracting the most visitors, with its deep-rooted history and cultural richness. During our city tour here, the Bullfighting Arena (from the outside), Alcala Gate and Independence Square, the Cibeles Monument, the famous avenue Gran Via, Bernabeu Stadium, Plaza Castilla, Atocha Train Station, the famous Prado Museum (from the outside), Plaza de España, featuring statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, the Royal Palace (from the outside), the nine-gated Plaza Mayor, and Sol Square are among the places to be seen. Following our tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.