From palaces to tapas to beaches... Walk through the historic quarter of Barcelona, visit the museums in Madrid and relax and party in Ibiza. By the end of this City and Beach singles vacation, you will have met some new friends and have had a great Spanish experience you’ll never forget.

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Spain City & Beach Singles Vacation Itinerary

Day 1: Thursday - Depart from Hometown

Depart from home town on flight to Madrid, Spain. Remember you are flying home from Ibiza. (Book international airfare roundtrip to Madrid (or you can fly into Madrid and home from Barcelona).  Then book a one-way ticket from Ibiza to Madrid.).

Day 2: Friday - Madrid, Spain 

Plan to arrive in the morning as our hotel is located close to museums.

No tours are planned for today to give everyone a chance to arrive. Meet and greet your tour leader tonight at 7:00pm and walk to an optional dinner.

Day 3: Saturday - Madrid

Today we explore the city of Madrid using the Madrid Card and the Hop On Hop Bus. We have access to the entire cultural offerings in and around Madrid. Free entry to more than 4 of the major museums and as many journeys as we wish on the  Hop On Hop Off tour bus. With the Madrid Card we receive information on the museums and establishments associated with the program, as well as a city map.  The Hop-on Hop-off bus has onboard commentary with individual earphones that will tell the history of the city.

Just a few of our choices...

	Madrid's Hop-on Hop is the open-top double-deckers sightseeing buses, with maximum comfort and visibility. With two different routes you will see, Modern Madrid, Monumental Madrid and Historic Madrid. All the routes are inter-connected.
	The Prado Museum, considered to be one of the world´s best art galleries, houses famous masterpieces of paintings, with the outstanding presence of Velázquez, Goya, Titian and Rubens, amongst others.
	The Reina Sofía National Museum, located in an 18th century building, houses the most important collection of contemporary art in the Spain. It has a collection of around 18,000 works and offers temporary exhibitions and cultural activities that make the museum a place of knowledge, reflection, debate and critique.
	Royal Palace of Madrid - Philip V commissioned Sacchetti, an Italian architect, one of Juvarra's followers, with its construction. Its armoury is considered to be one of the most important in the world. The gardens stretch down towards the river.
	Castle of La Alameda is one of a handful of examples of military architecture remaining from the 15th century, and one of the few castles that have survived the passage of time. Now, following a painstaking process of restoration and conservation, it has been given a new lease of life as a museum.
	The Royal Botanical Gardens, opened the gardens in 1781 by Carlos III, was designed by Juan de Villanueva, who also designed the Prado. Visitors to the gardens will find a wide variety of trees, flowers and plants from around the world, and the more exotic species of plants can be found within the greenhouse complex.
	Bull Fighting Museum - contains paintings of bullfighting scenes and portraits of bullfighters, sculptures, drawings/ It also displays suits, capes from the 19th and 20th centuries, stuffed bull’s heads, and a collection of historic documents related to the bullfighting world.
	The CABLE RAILWAY is a modern and ecological form of transport, enjoy an exciting journey, 40 metres up, observing the most emblematic monuments and buildings and the most incredible view of the capital.

Tonight we will learn all the secrets of tapas and Spanish culture on our Welcome to Madrid Evening tour. Enjoy an ice cold sangria or beer and taste wonderful grilled vegetables, croquettes or fresh shrimp at some of the best tapa bars in Madrid.

Day 4: Sunday - Toledo - Madrid

We depart for our morning tour to Toledo, one of the oldest cities in Europe, to see it's most important monuments. Once the capital of the country, it is now one of the oldest cities in Europe. During our walking tour of the city centre, we visit the city's most famous monuments such as St Tome Church, Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue, the Victorio Macho Museum and San Juan de Los Reyes Church.

The Monastery of Escorial built by order of King Phillip II is now a Palace, a Church and a Royal Pantheon.

Upon return to Madrid we can continue to use our Madrid Cards and explore the many museums or it is great time to find that perfect souvenir.

Day 5: Monday - Madrid - Barcelona

We leave Madrid behind as we transfer to the airport for our short flight to Barcelona. Upon arrival we drive to our hotel located right in the very heart of Las Ramblas. Throughout history, theatres, music cafes and flamenco bars have opened up in this area. It brings together the bustling and cosmopolitan culture, leisure, traditional gastronomy, popular places and all types of shops.

On our afternoon walking tour of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, we visit the district's streets, squares and old buildings and learn about the quarter's history and people. Alongside the medieval buildings are remains of an ancient Roman city, and  the Temple d'August, the best preserved Roman relic in Barcelona.

Day 6: Tuesday - Barcelona

Today everyone will receive their Hop On Hop Off pass. The double-decker open-top bus is the most convenient way to discover the museums and attractive sights of this exciting city. You can get on and off as many times as you wish at any of the 44 stops. A brief explanation at each stop will be given by a guide who is travelling on board. You will also be provided with a guide book.

Not only will you be eating your dinner tonight...  you will be taught how to cook a traditional meal by a local chef as well as learning about Spanish history and culture at the same time!

Day: 7 Wednesday - Montserrat - Barcelona

Today we travel up the mountains to the Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat, regarded by many as the most important spiritual and cultural center of Catalonia. Admire the unique stone formation of the natural park and the breathtaking views from the Shrine at 2100 feet. Discover why they worship the Black Madonna and how the shepherds found her.

Before driving back to Madrid, don't miss the singing of the Escolania Choir (little school) one of the most prestigious children's choirs in Europe. The Escolania was founded in the XIV c and they sing in the Basilica.

Tonight we enjoy the night life of the Las Ramblas, there are a lot of restaurants, cafes, clubs, bars and pubs in the area. Or book a Flamenco show (see below).

Day 8: Thursday - Barcelona - Ibiza

A free morning to relax or do some last minute exploring or shopping before we leave the city behind and head to the beach.

This afternoon we fly to the island of Ibiza and take the Ibiza Shuttlebus to our All-Inclusive hotel. Located in the town of Sant Antoni de Portmany, to the west of the island. 10 miles from the capital, Ibiza Town and 4 miles from San Antoni, its major attractions are the beaches and coves of fine sand and transparent waters.
 

Day 9: Friday - Ibiza

Ibiza warm climate, the beauty and variety of its scenery, its breathtaking beaches and coves, its history and traditions and a huge range of leisure and cultural options, combined with the traditional hospitality of its people, have turned the island into one of the main tourist attractions in the Mediterranean.

Unlike many other glittering resort communities, however, Ibiza City is actually a living, breathing town with an interesting old quarter. Although this city was founded by the Carthaginians 2,500 years ago, Ibiza is a mixture of many different cultures such as: the Phoenician, the Arab and the Roman cultures. Before we relax at our all-inclusive hotel or the local beach let's visit the old city and check out the sites and shops.

Not the type to sit at the pool, there are lots of activities at our hotel including volleyball, minigolf or go for a bike ride.

If you are ready to party, take the Disco Bus, starting at midnight and runs all night, to one of the many bars and clubs and dance al night.

Day 10: Saturday - Ibiza 

Using the local bus we visit the famous Hippy Market in San Carlos, where handmade items of clothing, jewellery and artefacts can be bought. Ibiza has strong artistic roots going back to the early '60s when artisans, painters and designers flocked to the island to experience its unique atmosphere, light and freedom of expression.

Spend the rest of the day at one of the 3 pools at our all-inclusive hotel or walk about 1000 feet to Port d'es Torrent beach. The beautiful beach , situated in a very secluded, sheltered bay at the end of San Antonio Bay is a small sandy beach, shallow and quite warm water that makes it perfect for watersports, such as diving, windsurfing, para-gliding and snorkelling. The port also has a small marina and anchorage for boats and yachts.

Enjoy the hotel's night time activities or check out one of the local pubs. Some of you will party all night and sleep on the plane tomorrow. Others will want to get some sleep so they can get out to the pool early in the a.m.

Day 11 - Sunday - Depart Ibiza, Spain

After a lunch we have to say "adios" to all our new single travel friends as we take the Ibiza Shuttlebus to the airport and our flights home. 

Spain City & Beaches Singles Vacation August 30 - September 9, 2012 Price - $2,850* Includes * 9 Nights of Accommodations * Breakfast Daily  *4 Dinners - 3 Lunches * All-Inclusive Drinks and Snacks in Ibiza Hotel * Madrid & Barcelona Hop On Hop Off Bus * Madrid Pass * Guided Tours per itinerary * English Speaking Travel Leader * Domestic Flights * Airport/Hotel Transfers on Tour Dates * All Taxes and Surcharges *The price per person is for a double room. Best Single Travel provides roommate matching so there is never a need to pay a "single supplement". If you wish to room alone it is an additional $750 (not including train) Not Included * International Airfare * Disco Bus - 1 trip 3Euro / 5 trips 12Euros * Tips $120 collected on first day		Deposit $400 Balance Due July 15, 2012
Hotels Madrid - Husa Paseo Del Arte Barcelona - Husa Oriente Ibiza - Barceló Pueblo Ibiza