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ITINERARY FOR SPAIN. General Information. Spain is known for its spectacular beaches and sunny climate but its diverse landscapes are no less not to forget its world famous cuisine and striking architecture.
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ITINERARY FOR SPAIN
General Information Spain is known for its spectacular beaches and sunny climate but its diverse landscapes are no less not to forget its world famous cuisine and striking architecture. It’s the third largest country in Europe , its largest city and capital being Madrid, known for its unique culture, fascinating history(that have been well-preserved in its museums and buildings), very high living standards and a strong economy. With the area of 505,990km2 it covers up about 85% of Iberian Peninsula that it shares with Portugal. It’s located in southern Western Europe to the east of Portugal and to the west of France and Andorra and has coastlines that spans 3000miles on the bay of Biscay, which is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Culture One of the most interesting things about Spain is its culture; it has art, special dances, its national sport and can’t miss fiestas. Many world famous artists come from Spain, take Pablo Picasso and Francisco de Goya as examples. Art plays an important part in Spanish culture and history and it’s many art galleries, some of them being known all over the world, show you that. Moving on to Spain’s unique style of dance, flamenco is the dance of Spain, singing and guitar playing that originated from the traditional music and dance styles of Andalusia, southern Spain. It’s known for its eye catching costume where female flamenco dancers wear exquisitely handcrafted dresses. This cultural tradition is also linked with Spain’s Romani gypsy community who established the now world famous style.
It might be a Roman Catholic nation but Spain also worships at the alter of football which is the country’s national sport. It’s the home to two of the worlds best football teams : FC Barcelona and Real Madrid which also have some of the worlds most famous players like Lionel Messi and Luka Modric. Now the most fascinating part is the fiestas which means religious festivals. Spain has some of the most interesting celebrations amongst the world, be chased by bulls in the festival of San Fermin (takes place in Pamplona from 6th July to 14th July) or be painted red by tomatoes during la tomatina (the most famous Spanish festival that takes place in Buñol on 29th August) or watch while huge ninots(statutes) are burnt down during las fallas (festival of fire, takes place in Valencia from 15th march to 19th March).
Weather In Spain you can expect chilly wet winters and hot largely dry summers. Most areas in Spain experience particularly high heat which is why cooler seasons like autumn and spring are a more preferable time to visit Spain. Summer(June-August) Although hot, its still a great time to plan a trip in Spain especially since beaches come alive and festivals like Valencia’s la tomatina take place in summer so if you enjoy big crowds, a scorching sun and a merry atmosphere, summer in Spain is perfect for you, just don’t overdo sightseeing and pack light clothing. June and July are considered high seasons though so flight tickets may be pricey.
Winter(December-February) Considered the low season of Spain. The south side stays mild enough for a weekend city break while the north and center can become very cold but the main bonus of this season is that the flights are cheaper and there’s a fewer crowd however some places might be busy due to Christmas. Spring(March-May) The weather is pleasant in the city and beach locations, there’s sun, a warm weather, and festivals in abundance. It’s the perfect time to visit Spain, not too hot not too cold. Autumn(September-November) The weathers a little milder and can be very pleasant as the temperature starts to cool off and the crowd decreases. Sightseeing is also much more pleasurable during autumn.
Etiquette 1. Greetings: You should shake hands with the other person when you meet them. If the other person is a woman and offers you her cheek, then you can exchange two kisses, the first being on the woman’s right cheek followed by the other cheek. On leaving, one should shake hands again. 2. Dress or Appearance: You must always dress elegantly, even in casual occasions. Do not try to stand out by using flashy colors. You will get attention from the wrong crowd. Good shoes are very important in Spain. Shoes should ALWAYS be well cleaned.Shortsare not worn in public by men or women, unless one is at a beach resort, and it is during the day. It is considered "unfeminine" for women in Spain to cross their legs. 3. Tipping: Tipping is not an established custom here. 4. Addressing a person: The word for Mr. is Señor and the word Mrs. is Señora.
Itinerary for 1 person • CITIES- Barcelona, Madrid, Granada • HOTELS Barcelona- Mercer Hotel Barcelona: 5 star hotel located within the historic Gothic quarter with historic architecture with refined rooms with flat screen TVs and a mini bar, designer toiletries and rainfall showers, some with balconies and/or original wood beams and stone walls. This hotel offers free Wi-Fi, room service, a fine dining restaurant, an outdoor pool and garden patio. AED1214 per night AED 1510 per night with free breakfast and Wi-Fi
Madrid- Hotel silken Puerta America: This upscale design focused 5 star hotel consists of rooms offering free wifi, flat screen TVs and city view, some rooms with modern futuristic furniture and others with a bold colorful theme to it. 5 restaurants and bars are available here including an open breezy eatery, a refined top floor bar with live DJs and a sleek seafood restaurant with a vertical garden and sweeping city views AED555 per night Granada- Hotel Alhambra Palace: A sophisticated 5 star hotel featuring moorish decor , the cozy relaxed rooms offer complimentary wifi , flat screen TVs and mini bars. The hotel includes a formal terrace restaurant/bar and valet parking. Breakfast is also available. AED867 per night *suites add a living room for all three of the following hotels*
DAY 1 (Barcelona) -Land at the Barcelona el prat airport -Head to the hotel and rest for a little while -La Sagrada Familiatemple: This unique and gorgeous construction of Barcelona is the fabulous unfinished church of Spain designed by famous architect Antoni Gaudi. Its foundation stone was laid in the year 1882 and the interior opened in 2012 , the exterior is still under construction with 75% of it completed. Its estimated to be completed by 2026 unfortunately Gaudi died before he could see the result of his work. Tickets to enter the church start from 15 euros -Las Ramblasstreet: Barcelona's most famous walking street named Las Ramblasbecause it consists of various sections. It starts at central square plaza Catalunya and ends at Columbus monument at the port fell marine. Las Ramblasdoesn’t have anything fascinating in specific its just a relaxing place to have a pleasant stroll and feel the heartbeat of Barcelona.
DAY 2 (Barcelona) -Picasso museum: The most well known museum of Barcelona, it doesn’t consist of the most famous paintings of Pablo Picasso but it does contain a spectacular collection of 4000 early sketches and canvas works by Picasso which shows his impressive development from a mere student to one of the worlds greatest artists. -FC Barcelona museum & Camp Noustadium: Home of the Barcelona football team and one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona attracting millions of tourists every year in addition to the fact that Camp Nouhas one of the largest Nike stores in Europe packed with Barca merchandise. 23 euros for an adult . 18 euros for a child
DAY 3 (Barcelona) -The Barrio Gotico: The more medieval side of Barcelona which grew around the ancient roman town of Barcinowhich is also the oldest area of Barcelona. The city has wonderful places to visit like breathtaking churches, restaurants, museums, markets and you can also see the old roman walls that have been built from years ago. Its the perfect place to find out more about the history of Barcelona. -Montserrat Monastery: Also known as the Benedictine monastery Santa Maria de Montserrat is located on top of the mountain Montserrat which stands 1236 meters above the ground and offers a magnificent view of places around it, from the top you can even see far into the hinterland of Catalonia.
DAY 4 (Madrid) -2h 56min journey by train from Barcelona to Madrid -check into hotel silken Puerto America -Prado museum: The world class museum has a collection of more than 5000 paintings back from the 12th century to the early 19th century and covers Italian, flemish, French, British, and German paintings also including neoclassical Italian sculptures, this collection rivals to the Louvre collection in Paris in addition to the fact that many of the works of art are famous masterpieces. -Parque del retiro: Known as an oasis of peace in the heart of Madrid. This place is perfect for an escape from the the hustle of the busy streets, the historic and absolutely magneficent 12 hectare park offers an elegant ambience with its beautiful and lovely landscapes and tree lined paths giving a relaxing vibe to it with open air cafes in it for you to enjoy
DAY 5 (Madrid) -Royal palace and gardens: A place that is sure to impress you if you’re into royal architectures. Basically like the Spanish version of versailles. The granite and white columnar stone palace rises over a steep slope overlooking the picture worthy lush gardens featuring sonic columns and doric pilasters based on drawings that the sculptor Bernini originally designed for the Louvre in Paris. The palace ages back to the 18th century with grandiose interior that offers many furnitures made of red velvet decorated with antique mirrors , chandeliers and ancient tapestries. -Puerta del sol: Named after the sun emblem on the old city gate which formerly stood there, the heart of the city. The spectacular town square aligns with the sun as it rises and has been the scene of various historic events that took place in Madrid. It’s one of the most liveliest squares of Madrid and often used as a place to hang out and enjoy. Along with being the hub of public transportation its also lined with shops and cafes u can visit and eat from in fact, just off the square is the largest department store in Madrid, el Corte ingles which sells just about everything. Its the go-to place if you need to do some shopping.
DAY 6 (Madrid) -Temple of Debod: It’s an ancient Egyptian temple that was rebuilt in Madrid in 1968 after being dismantled. It was a gift from Egypt to thank Spain for their help in saving the Abu simbel temples during the building of Aswan dam. Its original decorations are still inside it for tourists to view and is surrounded by serene reflective pools and a fountain along with peaceful gardens. -Estadio Santiago Bernabéu: The most suitable place for soccer fans all over, its one of the most visited museums that draw tourists towards the stadium of the city’s home town, Real Madrid. The museum includes displays of trophies, team artifacts and interactive screens, apart from that it also includes a tour of the famous stadium itself.
DAY 7 (Granada) -6h 35min journey by train from Madrid to Granada -check into hotel Alhambra palace -Alhambra: A majestic palace that stands on a fortified hilltop with the snow peaked Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop. It’s a must see attraction of the place and one of the main reasons to visit Granada. It’s a masterpiece of the islamic architecture and also a veritable museum of islamic culture. Surrounded by ancient walls , the palace appears to be an impenetrable fortress and apart from that, it’s also a beautiful sight for ones eyes.
DAY 8 (Granada) -Albaicin: Wandering and getting lost within the amazing hillside neighborhood of Albaicin is one of the most enchanting things you could do in Granada. Granada’s historic Arab quarter was once surrounded by defensive walls, it retains its narrow picturesque little streets and whitewashed houses revealing its medieval moorish past dating back to the Madrid kingdom of Granada. -La Alcaiceria: A traditional Arab souk (spice market) is a recreation of the old moorish market that existed before the fir in 1843 destroyed the area and is now a favorite place for souvenir shopping in Granada.
DAY 9 (Granada) -Cathedral Santa Maria de la Encarnación: The finest renaissance church in Spain, located near the plaza nueva. The cathedral was built by queen Isabella as a monument to he victory of the christian Spain over the moors. The cathedral is richly decorated by eye catching sculptures and on the entrance pillars are statues of catholic monarchs and bronze statues of apostles: the entire cathedrals interior speaks renaissance splendor. -Head back to Dubai
Itinerary for 1 family DAY 1 (Madrid) -Land at the Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport -Head to the hotel and rest for a little while -Loro Park Afamilyengaging zoo, home to the world’s most diverse and extensive plant and animal species. Includes a Lion kingdom and an aquarium. It has been awarded the number 1 parot zoo in the world by trip advisor. The park was conceived as a paradise for parrots. It is home to some 4000 parrots representing 350 species and sub-species, as well as many other animals. 3800 euros for adults and 2800 euros for kids
DAY 2 (Madrid) -Plaza de Espana The Plaza de España, designed by architect CaidonFox, is an infrasture built on the Maria Luisa Park's edge to showcase Spain's industry and technology exhibits. It is combined with a mix of 1920s Art Deco and Spanish Renaissance Revival, Spanish Baroque Revival and Neo-Mudéjar styles. The Plaza de Españadesigm is a huge half-circle with buildings continually running around the edge accessible over the moat by numerous bridges representing the four ancient kingdoms of Spain.
DAY 3 (Madrid) -Santiago Bernabeu Stadium The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a football stadium in Madrid, Spain. It has been the home stadium of Real Madrid since its completion in 1947. The Santiago Bernabéu is one of the world's most famous football venues. It has hosted the European Cup, Champions League, Copa Libertadores, European Nations' Cup and FIFA World Cup.
DAY 4(Barcelona) -2h 56min journey by train from Madrid to Barcelona -Check into Mercer Hotel Barcelona: -PortAventura PortAventurais an entertainment theme park with other branches in Salou, Vila-seca,CostaDaurada in Catalonia, Spain. It attracts around 3.5 million visitors per year, making it the most visited theme park in Spain. PortAventura Park is a theme park located in the PortAventura World Resort and was constructed under the Tussauds. Includes accelerated rollercoasters, water rides and Sesame street themed rides.
DAY 5(Barcelona) -Magic Fountain of Montjuic The Magic Fountain of Montjjuic is a fountain designed by CarlesBuïgas. Music is incorporated with the light show and the fountain, along with performances including film, classical, and modern music, such as The Godfather, The Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, a Spanish zarzuela movement, "Barcelona" by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé, and modern pop songs.[3] Performances take place at half-hour intervals every weekend, with weekends extended during the summer season. The highest water spout is 170 feet.
DAY 6 (Barcelona) -Camp Nou Home of the Barcelona football team and one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona attracting millions of tourists every year in addition to the fact that Camp Nou has one of the largest Nike stores in Europe packed with Barca merchandise. 23 euros for an adult . 18 euros for a child
DAY 7(Santa Cruz de Tenerife) -Take a boat ride to Santa Cruz de Tenerife -Siam Park Siam Park is a water park in Costa Adeje, a coastal suburb in Tenerife, Canary Islands. Siam Park features a Siamese theme, and claims to be the most spectacular water attraction in Europe. The park was opened by the Princess of Thailand MahaChakriSirindhorn. The main owners are Wolfgang Kiessling and his son Christoph. A second park is planned for the neighboring island of Gran Canarias.[4]
DAY 8(Valencia) -Take a 1 hour drive to Valencia -L’Oceanograpfic It is an oceanarium situated in the east of the city of Valencia, Spain, where different marine habitats are represented. It was designed by the architect Félix Candela, Alberto Domingo and Carlos Lázaro. It is integrated inside the cultural complex known as the Ciutat de les Arts I de les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences). The Oceanographic is the largest complex of its type in Europe. There are 45,000 animals of 500 different species including fish, mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates. Amongst these are sharks, penguins, dolphins, sea lions, walruses, beluga whalesallinhabiting nine underwater towers. 29.7 euros per person.
DAY 9(Valencia) -Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias Known as The City of Arts and Sciences in English. It is an entertainment-based cultural and architectural complex in the city of Valencia, Spain. It is the most important modern tourist destination in the city of Valencia and one of the 12 Treasures of Spain. Designed by Architect Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela and is considered the last great component of the City of Arts and Sciences. -Head back to dubai