Travel Broker Tours

Come along with Jeff Barlow of Travel Broker Tours on our
"Andalucia" Fully Escorted Tour.

Andalucia is a land which has inspired great writers, poets, actors and painters. Andalucia gave birth to Pablo Picasso and the 17th century royal painter Velasquez and it held an enduring fascination for novelist Ernest Hemingway. It's the setting for the most performed and famous opera of all time, Bizet's Carmen. And it's a unique place where east meets west in an exotic melting pot of Jewish, gypsy, Moorish and Christian cultures. After the Moors invaded Spain in the 8th century the region became the mighty kingdom of El Andalus and the capital of Cordoba was transformed into a centre of unimaginable wealth, sophistication, culture and learning. According to Islamic legend, the people of El Andalus asked Allah for five favours - clear blue skies, seas full of fish, trees laden with every kind of fruit, beautiful women and a fair system of government. Allah granted them everything except the last favour on the basis that if all five gifts were given the kingdom would become an unearthly paradise.

Our Program

Jerez - 3 Nts
Ronda - 2 Nts
Granada - 2 Nts
Cordoba - 2 Nts
Seville - 2 Nts

Detailed Itinerary

SUN Nov 6th - DEPART Home City
Departure on your overnight flight to Malaga, Spain. As a full service travel agency, we are happy to assist you to arrange your flight and transfer details from your home city to join this tour.

Day 1: MON Nov 7th, ARRIVE in MALAGA - JEREZ de la FRONTERA
Welcome to Spain! Arriving in Malaga you'll be met by your escort —drive to Jerez to stay 3 nights. Meals: (D) Dinner Lodging: Los Jandalos Hotel

Day 2: TUE Nov 8th, JEREZ de la FRONTERA
Explore the wide tree-lined avenues of Jerez. Sherry made Jerez famous around the world, so this morning visit a bodega to see just how sherry is made - and taste a bit too! Later, for those who wish, visit the Royal Equestrian School to see the famous Andalucian dancing horses. Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: WED Nov 9th, CADIZ
Set on the end of a peninsula Cadiz may be the oldest European city, settled by the Phoenicians about1100 BC. In 1500s Columbus made Cadiz the launching point for his navigation to America, thus giving Cadiz its long-awaited opulence. Magellan sailed from here. Cadiz was later on invaded by Sir Francis Drake, who wanted to control trade with the New World. Weather permitting, a boat ride on the River Guadalquivir this afternoon. Meals: (B) Breakfast

Day 4: THU Nov 10th, JEREZ - RONDA
Drive via Arcos de la Frontera, a stunning Andalucian white village sitting dramatically on a ridge 330 feet above the river. The old town's cobbled streets lead to the Castle which dominates the village. Pass through the Sierra de Grazalema - great mountain peaks, incredibly blue lakes, fortresses and whitewashed villages. Arrive Ronda's Parador to stay 2 nights. Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner Lodging: Ronda's Parador

Day 5: FRI Nov 11th, RONDA
Ronda is famous worldwide for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge that carries the rio Guadalevín through its centre. The 18th century Puente Nuevo 'new' bridge, which straddles the 100m chasm below, offers unparalleled views out over the Serranía de Ronda mountains. Ronda is also famous as the birthplace of modern bullfighting, when bullfighter Pedro Romero broke away from horseback bullfighting to found bullfighting style in which matadores stood their ground against the bull on foot Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: SAT Nov 12th, RONDA - GRANADA
Drive through Olvera a picturesque white village famous for its olive oil production to Antequera. A visit to this historical town is a journey almost 5,000 years back in time, to the Bronze Age - this fascinating city has a profusion of burial mounds, dolmens, Roman baths, a Moorish Castle, Gothic churches, Renaissance fountains and baroque bell towers. Arrive at Granada's Hotel Hesperia for 2 nights. Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner Lodging: Hotel Hesperia

Day 7: SUN Nov 13th, GRANADA
Visit the Alhambra (shortlisted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World) a stunning collection of courtyards, palaces, gardens and fountains. This was a place to relax and meditate - essential to Moorish life in the late 1300s. In Town see the great Cathedral built in the 1500s after the take over of the Muslim Kingdom. The afternoon free. This evening visit the medieval quarter, the Albaicin, with is flamenco artists and great views of the Alhambra. Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: MON Nov 14th, GRANADA - CORDORBA
Drive to Jaen, for years a battleground between Christian kings and Moorish rulers, due to its strategic position between Andalucia and Castile. Jaen's 11th - century hammam (Arab baths) are now the largest baths open to the public in Spain. They were probably constructed on top of earlier (Roman) baths which used local hot springs - a collection of perfect horseshoe arches, star-shaped skylights and vaulted brick chambers (hot, warm and cold). Drive to Cordoba to stay 2 nights at the Hotel Macia Alfaros. Meals: (BL) Breakfast, Lunch Lodging:Hotel Macia Alfaros

Day 9: TUE Nov 15th, CORDORBA
This morning explore Cordoba - the most civilised city in all of Europe in medieval times, where Muslims, Christians and Jews combined to create a thriving society. Its great mosque rivals Mecca - inside, you'll think your eyes deceive you and, when you realise that a large Catholic Cathedral is almost hidden in the midst of the mosque, you will be sure they do! Nearby is the old Jewish area with its narrow, winding streets, colourful balconies and shaded squares. PM free.
Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: WED Nov 16th, CORDORBA - SEVILLE
En route visit Ecija (originally Roman) which was destroyed by an earthquake in the mid 1700s; today it displays beautiful Baroque houses and churches. Stop in Carmona, another Roman town, which boasts a great Arab fortress overlooking the town and the river Guadalquivir. Many skilled tradesmen who worked in Seville helped build Carmona - there is even an imitation of the Giralda. Arrive Seville to stay 2 nights at the Hotel Vincci la Ribada. Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner Lodging: Hotel Vincci la Ribada

Day 11: FRI Nov 17, SEVILLE
Your visit starts at the Cathedral, one of the largest in the world, and the nearby minaret called the Giralda (climb up for great views but there's no elevator!). Then there is the beautiful architecture of the Alcazar, for over 1000 years a royal palace. Behind is the area called Santa Cruz, medieval narrow streets, whitewashed houses, fabulous flower-covered balconies and ornate ironwork. PM free. Farewell Dinner Party Meals: (BD) Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12: SAT Nov 18th, HOMEWARD BOUND
This morning say goodbye to new-found friends and transfer to Malaga Airport for your continuing flight. Meals: (B) Breakfast

Pricing:

Prices per person in Canadian Dollars (CA$)	In a Twin	In a Single
BASIC TOUR - Nov 7 to 18, 2011 (Start/Finish of tour at Malaga Airport)	$3,525.00	$4,225.00
LAND & AIR - Nov 6 to 18, 2011 (Home pick-up / drop-off Prince Edward County to Brockville + Roundtrip Air from Montreal to Malaga + Taxes Included)	$4,775.00	$5,475.00
Rates are based on tariffs and rates of exchange at October 5, 2010 Land tour rates are based on minimum 12 and maximum 24 passengers Single accomodation rate only if space is available Deposit at time of booking CA$1,000.00 per person + insurance premium if applicable (See details below)

Tour Inclusions:

Air: Return International flights in economy class from Montreal to Malaga, Spain are ONLY included if the Land & Air package is purchased. All taxes included.
Accomodation: Stay in Jerez 3 Nts, Ronda 2 Nts, Granada 2 Nts, Cordorba 2 Nts, Seville 2 Nts in 1st Class hotels in rooms with private bath
Meals: Breakfast Daily, 2 Lunches and 9 table d'hote dinners, two with wine.
Tour Transportation: By private touring coach throughout the stay in the Spain.
Home Pick-up/Drop-off: Clients from Prince Edward Country to Brockville will enjoy home pick-up/drop-off from their home to the Montreal airport ONLY when the Land & Air package is purchased.
Entrance Fees and Sightseeing: Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary.
Tour Escort/Local Guide: An experienced Canadian escort from Travel Broker Tours will travel with the group and a local English-speaking guide for local tours in the Spain.
Taxes: Local taxes on all included ground transportation, hotel accommodation and included meals per itinerary.
Gratuities: To all drivers, guides, servers for included meals per itinerary, hotel porters (one bag per person).
Final Documentation: Final itinerary, mailing address lists, general information, ticket wallet and baggage tags.

Tour Exclusions:

Please note that return international flights from Montreal to Malaga and Home Pick-up/Drop-off in Prince Edward County to Brockville area are NOT included in the Basic Tour package (See above pricing box for information on the Land & Air package option, which includes return air and home pick-up and drop-off from Prince Edward County to Brockville area)
Personal Insurances (travel, baggage, cancellation, etc.)
Passport & Visa Fees and Immunizations
All alcoholic beverages and bar beverages (soft drinks).
Laundry & personal hotel charges, etc.)
All optional excursions or deviations from the itinerary
Items of personal nature and souvenirs
Any item not mentioned in the itinerary or in the inclusions above.

Deposits and Final Payments:

Deposits: At time of booking CA$1,000 per person + insurance
premium if applicable
Final Payment: Invoices will be issued September 2, 2011; final payment
by September 16, 2011. Payments may be made by personal cheque,
Visa or Mastercard.

Cancellation Charges:

Once a deposit has been paid the following scale of cancellation charges will apply: (Note that insurance premiums, once paid, are non-refundable)
Until September 16, 2011: Deposits paid
From September 17 to September 30, 2011: 40% of final invoice
From October 1 to October 21, 2011: 65% of final invoice
October 22, 2011 or later: 100% of final invoice

main menu