Itinerary

Here's a brief overview of the trip. Don't forget to visit the other sections to see and read more about the trip and about Spain.

Day 1: Leave for Madrid
Whew. It was a long overnight flight.

Day 2 and Day 3: Madrid
We arrived in Madrid before noon so we went to the Parque del Buen Retiro to wait until time to check into our hotel, the Apartamentos Gran Via. Once settled, we split up to eat. My group went for tapas. The evening included dinner at a local restaurant and a bullfight. Well, the others went to the bullfight. I volunteered to stay with a couple of students that didn't want to see the spectacle. I'm glad I didn't go, though. It was apparently really bloody and one of the bulls cried when stabbed.

Madrid was the place to test my walking shoes. They held up, even though I'm not so sure my feet did. We walked everywhere!

Day 4: Toledo and Madrid
Excursion to Toledo - home of the painter El Greco from 1577 until 1614. We visited the Cathedral and the Alcazar. Then we returned to Madrid in time for some serious shopping. After dinner, it was off to experience the nightlife at one of Madrid's discos.

Day 5 and Day 6: Cordoba and Seville
Excursion to Córdoba on the way to Seville. We stayed at the very modern Hotel Al-Andalus Palace in Seville. Sights included:

Córdoba				Seville
:: The Mezquita				:: Cathredral
				:: El Alcazar
				:: Casa de Pilatos (Pilate's House)
				:: Plaza de España

Day 7: Granada
We visited the fantastic Alhambra and Generalife Gardens. In the evening we went to the Gypsy caves for Flamenco music and dancing. We also enjoyed a night view of the Alhambra.

Day 8 and Day 9: Fuengirola, Costa del Sol
What a way to end a fabulous trip! Two days on the beach at the Mediterranean Sea. Wow! Not to mention the shops!

Day 10: Return to United States
We flew from Málaga to Barcelona to Atlanta to home. It was a long trip and the layover in Atlanta was almost 6 hours. We had so much fun! Now for the jetlag.....then I'm ready to go back to Spain!