Spain – New Year 2025 in the centre of Malaga, Toledo and Madrid

29.12.2024 (Sunday):
After breakfast we will depart for Malaga. We will pass through vast areas planted with vineyards and cereals belonging to the Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha, one of the universally famous regions thanks to the adventures of Don Quixote de la Mancha, a character created by the pen of Miguel de Cervantes, stopping along the way at the Bodegas Navarro López 1904 winery, where we will be able to see the winemaking process in the traditional way of the Valdepeñas zone. We will visit the cellars and other elements that were part of the facilities. After the tour, there will be a tasting of two wines, during which you will be able to see the main characteristics of the wine by analyzing it visually, olfactorily and to taste. Minors do not participate in the wine tasting, they are offered a non-alcoholic beverage derived from grapes.
Then we will enter the Andalusia region, the land of olives.
Accommodation at SOHO BOUTIQUE COLON 4* hotel located in central Málaga, close to the historic centre of old Málaga with its many restaurants, shops, monuments and museums, within walking distance of the beach and the large shopping centre "El Corte Inglés Málaga".
An evening walking tour of the city in the authentic and modern part, under the lights of the illuminated streets of one of the most lavishly decorated cities in Spain. Birthplace of celebrities such as Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas, the city has retained the handwriting of Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths and Moors. To this day, Malaga inspires all visitors...
During the walk, we will pass through the Plaza de la Merced with the birthplace of the great artist Pablo Picasso, descend through the authentic labyrinthine streets of the center, through the Picasso Museum to emerge at the foot of the Alcazaba Castle, built on an old Roman fortress from 1057 and the oldest Roman amphitheater from the 1st century BC (outside). We will also see the Museum of Malaga, the building of the former maritime customs, which houses the Museum of Fine Arts and the Archaeological Museum of the Province of Malaga. Continuing to the magnificent Cathedral of Malaga (1528), we will then pass through the most decorated central shopping street, the Marquês de Larios, which connects Marina Square and Constitution Square, the place where Malaga's inhabitants traditionally count down the last minutes of the old year with grapes, a glass of wine, spectacular live concerts, a light show and fireworks, lots of dancing and merriment. Return to the hotel, Overnight.

30.12.2024 (Monday):
Breakfast. Free time or possibility of a full day excursion to Cordoba.
Iconic Córdoba is the former capital of the Roman province of Betica, the jewel of the Baghdad-independent Umayyad emirate of Andalusia that later became the Caliphate. The city emerges before our eyes in the form of a sumptuous bouquet, formed by the centuries-old presence of religions, cultures, traditions, adorned with the appearance of incomparable Muslim architecture that has managed to survive to this day. We will have the privilege to walk through the attractive narrow streets of the old historic town, with its characteristic Andalusian courtyards and jewellery workshops. We will see the old Roman bridge, the Square of Triumph and its monument, crowned by the statue of Saint Raphael, the Jewish quarter where the famous theologian, rabbi, physician and philosopher Maimonides was born. We won't miss a stop at the street of flowers, the Albolafia Park with its replica of the old water noria, located next to the longest river in Andalusia, named with the Arabic name Guadalquivir. The gem of this excursion is our visit inside the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, a UNESCO monument, one of the most important monuments of the entire western Muslim world. A rich mosaic of magnificent Muslim architecture will be projected before our eyes, complete with beautiful arabesques, trefoiled arches, Moorish arches, marble columns, and epigraphic inscriptions. All this combined with the Christian style of the Catholic Church creates a huge enigmatic symbolism and deep mystery.
Free time, departure from Córdoba. Return to the hotel. Overnight.
Price: 75 Euro / 147 BGN - 60 euro / 117 BGN - child up to 11,99 years.
The price includes: guide and guide in Bulgarian, transport, local guide, entrance to the Cathedral of Córdoba.

31.12.2024 (Tuesday):
Breakfast. Free time or optional full day excursion to Gibraltar and Marbella with a visit to Puerto Banus marina.
Gibraltar is a relatively small overseas territory of the UK that borders Spain. Thousands of years ago it was visited by the Phoenicians, and according to legends, the "Pillars of Hercules" were located here after the mythical hero split the continent in two. Later, this strategic location was inhabited by Muslims and twice came under the rule of the Spanish monarchy. It was the English who conquered it in the early 18th century and the territory has been in their ownership ever since. These historical events and many others played an important role in its development. We will have the opportunity to board small vans and take a very pleasant and easy walk around the rock, stopping all the time at certain places to explore. We will pass by the cemetery of the veterans of the battle of Trafalgar, through some of the tunnels of the cliff, continue to the southernmost meridian point, where we will descend and be able to see from one place the continent of Africa (Morocco) and Spain (in suitable weather), being in the possession of Great Britain. After a short break, we will continue with the vans, climbing 300 meters above sea level to visit the San Miguel cave, which will amaze us with its beauty in the form of stalactites and stalagmites. All this loveliness is complemented by special light and sound effects. This is also the place for photos with the mischievous Barbary macaques - monkeys, the symbol of this territory, living in groups. We will also visit one of the feeders of these animals and will be able to enjoy an amazing view from high up. Free time follows for a self-guided stroll along Main Street for shopping or coffee.
On the way back to the hotel we will take a short stop at the so-called "Spanish Monte Carlo", which is the port of Puerto Banus in Marbella. Free time. Return to the hotel around 18:00. New Year's Eve dinner. Overnight.
Price: 75 Euro / 147 BGN - 60 euro / 117 BGN - child up to 11,99 years.
*NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER IN A RESTAURANT IN THE CENTRE OF MALAGA*
Optional restaurant reservation in Malaga city centre - stay tuned for our offer!

01.01.2025 (Wednesday):
Breakfast. Free time or possibility of a full day excursion to Ronda.
Ronda is a magical ancient city, situated on a plateau formed by high cliffs, divided in two as a result of the channel carved over centuries by the flowing Guadalévin River and connected to each other by a spectacular iconic arched bridge called "Puente Nuevo". A magnificent panorama is projected from this magical place, giving it its characteristic romantic style, accompanied by the ancient architecture of houses, palaces and museums. Ronda is the city of bullfighting and an example of this is the famous Arena of the Bulls, which we will have the opportunity to visit. Passing through the facilities and museums, we will have the opportunity to learn more about the tradition of the corrida, established for centuries in Spain, to get to know the history of famous torreadors such as Pedro Romero, Manolete or the Ordonez family. After this visit, we will be able to walk around Alameda Park and peek through its terraces, from which we will enjoy a wonderful view. We will cross the imposing bridge, from which we can see typical Andalusian houses, hotels and restaurants, built in an unusual way in the cliffs nearly 100 meters above the river. You will also have free time to enjoy this amazing atmosphere or sit on a traditional jasmine scented terrace. You shouldn't miss the opportunity to try the typical dish of Ronda - Bull's Tail accompanied by a glass of local homemade wine. Return to the hotel. Overnight.
Price: 65 Euro / 127 BGN - 60 euro / 117 BGN; adult - child up to 11,99 years
The price includes: transport, guide in Bulgarian, entrance to the Bulls Arena.

02.01.2025 (Thursday):
Breakfast. Free time or optional excursion to the capital Seville.
Seville, as many people call it "the garden city", is the capital of Andalusia, full of legends, myths and important events in the history of mankind, some of which are the sailing of Columbus in search of the "Indies" or the circumnavigation of Magellan. Opinions differ on its creation. But despite the controversy, over the centuries Seville has preserved the myth of the Phoenician sailor Melkart, who reached this land in 1000 BC. Hr. and builds the first trading settlement, calling it Hyspalis. After his death this hero will be deified and named Hercules. Later, the then praetor of Hispania, Gaius Julius Caesar, would establish his residence here and build huge defensive walls, calling the city Colonia Julia Romula Hispalis. The Almohads would turn it into their capital of al-Andalus, building the huge al-Khaliba ("The Eternal") Mosque, the minaret of which would remain to this day as the base of the famous bell tower called the Giralda. The King of Castile, Saint Fernando III, would liberate the city from Muslim rule and in time his remains would be laid to rest in the Royal Chapel of the local Cathedral. This huge mosaic of cultures is still preserved today and is visible on every corner of the city. Examples are the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, the Golden Tower by the banks of the Guadalquivir, the old Alcazar of the Christian Kings, Plaza España, the Murillo Gardens and above all, the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world - called Santa Maria de la Cede. We will have the privilege of passing through these places, entering the Cathedral and enjoying the largest altar in Christianity, an incredible architecture accompanied by countless paintings, including those by Surbarán, Murillo, Luis de Vargas, Pedro de Campagna, Goya. We will see chapels and sarcophagi of prominent personalities, including the tomb of Christopher Columbus. After we finish our tour, we will have free time to enjoy this magical and iconic city. Departure from Seville. Return to the hotel around 19:00, free time. Overnight.
Price: 77 EUR / 151 BGN, child up to 11,99 years: 67 EUR/131 BGN.
The price includes: transport by bus, guide in Bulgarian and local guide.

03.01.2025 (Friday):
Breakfast. Check out of the hotel and depart for Madrid.
On the way, visit the majestic city of Granada and the Alhambra Palace (included in the price).
Granada - said to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Poets, musicians and artists have been inspired by Granada. Of interest are the Albisin Quarter, the Alhambra Palace - the most striking work of Arab art in Spain, an impressive combination of palaces and fortifications. Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful natural and cultural landscapes in the world, lavishly decorated with a prevalence of mysticism, esotericism, hermeticism, symbolism, history, myths and legends. Alhambra is the alchemy of the sages, the rhyme of the poets and passages from the Qur'an symbolizing the divine and humanity. It is a spectacular collection of palaces, paradisiacal gardens fragrant with jasmine and azaara, cooling water channels from the river Daro and the residence of the sultans. Alhambra has managed to preserve to this day its cultural values, combined with the magic of nature, despite the heavy burden of the passage of time. We will visit these magnificent palaces of the Sultans of Nazir, the Emperor Carlos V, the Paradise Gardens and the residence of Heneralife.
At the appointed time, we take the bus to the impressive Alhambra Palace. We will visit the Nazirite palaces of Mexuar, Comares and the Palace of the Lions, paradisiacal gardens that will take us back centuries. The Palace of Charles V and the gardens of Generalife - the summer residence of the sultans with many fountains, gardens, landscapes and typical Muslim architecture. From here you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city and the Sierra Nevada. Panoramic city tour. Free time for an independent walk. Possibility to have lunch in an area with many restaurants with typical cuisine (optional).
The visit to Granada includes: transport by bus, guide in Bulgarian, local guide for the visit to the Alhambra, visit to the city with a local escort and guide, ticket for the Alhambra and the Gardens of Generalife.
Departure to Madrid. Arrival and check-in at the central HOTEL AGUMAR 4*. Panoramic tour of Madrid, including the main commercial and administrative arteries: the Gran Via and Castellana with Columbus Square, Puerta de Alcala, Plaza de España - the heart of the city with the Sabatini Gardens. Next is a walking tour of Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza Oriente with the new Cathedral dedicated to the Madonna of Almodena. Check-in. Dinner. Overnight.

04.01.2025 (Saturday):
Breakfast. Free time. Check out of the hotel and transfer to Madrid Airport at 08:00.
Flight to Sofia with Bulgaria Air at 10:45. Arrives at Sofia Airport - Terminal 2 at 15:10.