explore SOUTHERN SPAIN

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MADRID TOLEDO CORDOBA SEVILLA RONDA GRANADA MALAGA

With a $750 Deposit

may 14 - 25, 2025

10 Nights • 11 Days

Explore the heritage of Al-Andalus, the Islamic civilization that flourished in Iberia (modern Spain and Portugal) from 711-1492 CE. Starting from the nation’s capital and passing through the region of La Mancha, journey through key cities of the Muslim era in Andalucía (a region of several provinces in southern Spain), learning about the multi-faith experience of cooperation and conflict, scientific advancements, and cultural influences that continue to impact us today. Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, try unique cuisines, and enjoy the beautiful landscapes that will transport you to another world.

faculty guide

Professor Munir Shaikh

Bayan’s vice president and professor Munir Shaikh will be the faculty escort for the tour. He holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a specialization in the history of Islamic Iberia (Al-Andalus), and certificates from academic programs in Morocco, Egypt and Spain. He has lived for periods of time in Spain (and Morocco), and is conversant in Spanish. He has taught academic courses on Islamic Spain, Middle Eastern history, Islam, and world history, and led world heritage tours in various countries, including eight previous excursions in Southern Spain.

Itinerary in southern Spain

wednesday, may 14 depart from us origin

day 1 thursday, may 15 arrive in madrid / welcome gathering & dinner

day 2 friday, may 16 madrid sites / jumah prayer / el rEtiro park

day 3 saturday, may 17 toledo sites / metalworks / proceed to cordoba

day 4    sunday, May 18 cordoba: madinat al-zahra / great mosque / juderia

day 5 monday, May 19 sevilla: plaza de espana / cathedral & giralda / alcazar

day 6 tuesday, May 20 ronda: puente nuevo / casa del rey moro / aRab baths

day 7 wednesday, May 21 granada: walking tour / albaicin

day 8    thursday, May 22 GrAnada: alhambra palace / shopping / flamenco show

day 9 friday, may 23 grAnada: free time / jumah prayer /local excursion

day 10 saturday, may 24 malaga: nerja / calle larios / free time

day 11   sunday, May 25 depart from SPAIN

The tour program officially begins on the evening of Thursday, May 15. In order to arrive in Madrid by this date, participants from North America should depart from their origin city on or before Wednesday, May 14. All participants, from any origin point, should plan to check-in to the group hotel by the early afternoon of May 15.

With a $750 Deposit

Bayan has been offering faculty-led tours to world heritage destinations since 2017, with previous tours to Southern Spain, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Jerusalem & Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Senegal/Gambia, with exciting new destinations being planned in the coming years.

WHY JOIN A BAYAN TOUR?

Tours offered by Bayan cater to the diverse interests and needs of families, while offering an exceptional educational and cultural program. Each tour is led by one or more faculty members who provide daily background lectures and insights about the historical and contemporary contexts. Local guides are utilized as well at various points in time. The itinerary is crafted by experienced personnel to maximize your enjoyment and satisfaction. While the scheduled program is robust, ample time is provided to explore on your own, shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs, and enjoy some leisure activities. Bayan’s tour group size is typically between 20-30 participants.

TOUR INFORMATION

Tour Pricing - land package only

All pricing is double-occupancy and per person. International airfare is not included.

Adult. $3,195

Minors (8-17) $2,795

Single supplement: $1,400

Land Package Inclusions

Airport transfers in Spain on May 15 and May 25
10 nights hotel (4*)
Ground transportation by private A/C coach
Local bus, taxi, metro fares during group excursions
Entrance fees for scheduled sites
Breakfast + lunch or dinner (2 meals/day)
Bayan scholar providing daily talks and guidance
Local English-speaking site guides

exclusions

International airfare to Spain (budget about $1,500 round-trip per person from US gateways) and applicable baggage fees
Tourist visa if required (US and EU citizens do not need a visa)
Local bus, taxi, metro fares during optional excursions
Gratuities for driver(s) and guide(s)
Additional meals and beverages
Personal items, hotel incidentals, hotel porters and other individualized services
Covid-19 testing costs (if required for entry or return to country of origin)
Urgent care, medical treatment and testing, related expenses
Travel insurance (recommended)

With a $750 Deposit

SOUTHERN SPAIN TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Madrid

Plaza Mayor, Gran Via, Puerta del Sol
Royal Palace (exterior)
Friday prayer at Madrid Central Mosque
El Retiro Park

Toledo

Mezquita de Cristo de la Luz
Synagogue El Transito & Sta. Maria La Blanca
Damascene metalworks shops
Visigothic Museum

Cordoba

Madinat Al-Zahra archaeological site
Mezquita-Catedral (Great Mosque)
Judería (old Jewish quarter)
Museum of Three Cultures (optional)

Sevilla

Royal Alcázar of Sevilla
Cathedral of Sevilla / Giralda Tower
Plaza de España
Horse-carriage ride (optional)

Ronda

Puente Nuevo
Casa del Rey Moro
Arab baths archaeological site

Granada

Alhambra palace
Friday prayer at Mosque of Granada
Albaicín (old Muslim city)
Flamenco show

Malaga

Nerja
La Calle Larios

Along with visiting these sites, we will encounter the people and make friendships, sample various cuisines, appreciate cultural programs, and enjoy the natural landscapes that we pass through.

With a $750 Deposit

International Travel Arrangements

Arriving to Spain

Numerous airlines provide service to Spain. Participants should book “multi-city” flights arriving in Madrid (MAD) by midday on Thursday, May 15, and departing Spain from Malaga at any time on May 25. Alternatively, participants can book roundtrip flights via Madrid, and add an extra flight at the end of the tour from Malaga back to Madrid in time to make their connection departing Spain from Madrid.

You can plan your travel to add extra days in transit before reaching Madrid, or to arrive in Madrid several days earlier, but the included transfer from the airport to the hotel is only available to those arriving on May 15. The tour program officially begins at 5:00pm on May 15 with a group orientation meeting in the Madrid hotel, evening walk in Madrid, and group dinner. For travelers from the US, this typically means departing from your city of origin on Wednesday, May 14.

Departing from Spain

Participants departing Malaga (AGP) on May 25 will be provided a transfer to the airport several hours before their flight departure time. Outbound flights might be to other countries such as Portugal, England, France, etc. or to Madrid (to connect to flights bound for the US or elsewhere, or to spend more time in Madrid or elsewhere in Spain). Alternatively, participants may opt to secure a train ticket on their own from Malaga to Madrid or other cities onMay 25. Those who wish to remain longer in Spain after the tour concludes must make their own lodging arrangements for the night of May 25 and beyond, and arrange their own transfer to the airport or train station on their departure.

Booking Your Flights

Once you’ve paid your deposit to Bayan Tours, you should book your flights as soon as possible to try and obtain well-priced airfare with suitable flight timings and layovers. You can use your own travel agent, check airline websites, or use other booking sites to select the flight legs that are best for you. We recommend that you choose routes with layovers of not less than 90 minutes.

HOTELS

Madrid: Hotel Catalonia Gran Via (2 nights)
Cordoba: Eurostars Palace (2 nights)
Sevilla: Petit Palace Marques Santa Ana (1 night)
Ronda: Hotel Catalonia (1 night)
Granada: NH Victoria (3 nights)
Malaga: Vincci Larios Diez (1 night)

Make Your Reservation Now

Who is leading the tour?

Bayan’s vice president and professor Munir Shaikh will be the faculty escort for the tour. He holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a specialization in the history of Islamic Iberia (Al-Andalus), and certificates from academic programs in Morocco, Egypt and Spain. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses on Middle Eastern history, Islam, and world history, and led world heritage tours in various countries, including eight previous programs in Southern Spain.
What is the expected group size?

Bayan’s tours are focused on providing a well-rounded experience featuring academic knowledge, historical site visits, cultural exposure, recreational activities, and free time. The itinerary includes visits to mosques and other sites of prayer. By participating in a tour, you are helping sustain and advance Bayan’s mission as a non-profit educational institution. Our group size tends to be in the range of 20-30 participants. This enables participants to get to know one another and develop bonds of friendship and camaraderie that can last a lifetime.
When is the registration deadline?

We are accepting registrations for the tour until February 28, in order to book desired hotel rooms, obtain entrance tickets to monuments, and finalize other details. You must pay a refundable deposit of $750 per traveler. Deposits are partially refundable through January 31, 2025, however, a cancellation charge of $ 100 per traveler will apply for any cancellation requested 24 hours after time of booking. For other important terms and conditions, please click here. Deposits after this date are non-refundable but can be applied to a different tour within a one-year time frame. After payment of your deposit, you will receive an invoice for the remaining balance for your party, reflecting any applicable discounts. The balance payment is due no later than January 31, 2025.
Is a visa required for U.S. citizens to enter Spain?

Bayan’s tours are open to participants who wish to join from anywhere in the world. However, the majority of participants tend to be from the United States. US passport holders do not need to obtain a visa to enter Spain for tourism. This is true for nationals of many other countries as well. However, non-US passport holders are encouraged to check requirements for their nationality and obtain a visa if required. We are unable to assist in obtaining visas.
How physically demanding is the tour?

Our group will be transported from city to city in a luxury air-conditioned tourist bus. However, in each city, since we will be in the historical centers where buses can't go, we will mainly be walking from site to site. In Madrid we will use the metro (subway) at times, as well as taxis. In any case, there will be a significant amount of walking on most days, on slight inclines and steps. The streets at times will have cobblestones. participants should expect to walk roughly 12,000 steps each day (about 6 miles in aggregate) during the first few days of the program, and perhaps 8,000 steps per day during the latter portion of the itinerary. At any given time, we will cover 1/4 to 1/2 mile between rest points. We will take into account the differing abilities and health conditions of group members and regulate the pace and intensity of the tour accordingly. Even so, this tour may not be suitable for those with knee, hip or foot pain that could be aggravated by the amount of walking involved, and a private tour might be preferable. Ideally, all participants should prepare for the tour by walking at least 5,000 steps per day in the weeks leading up to the tour.
What type of food will we have on the tour?

Spain’s food is a mix of Mediterranean and local traditions. Some dishes, such as paella, reveal their roots in Arab/Muslim cuisines. While the types of vegetarian options have grown in recent years in Spain, most local meat dishes feature pork. During the tour, we will dine at restaurants that serve zabiha halal foods, or at places that offer seafood and vegetarian options. We will be sure to avoid any foods prepared with pork or alcohol. You can expect meals to include Middle Eastern, Turkish and Moroccan dishes at restaurants run by local Muslims, and Italian and other types of dishes more generally. You’ll have the option of sampling various suitable tapas, small dishes with beverages.
Will you provide more information about the daily schedule and other details?

Yes, all participants who have completed their full payment will receive a detailed information packet that includes descriptions of the cities and sites to be visited, the daily schedule, currency exchange, local prayer times, electrical adapters, weather, what to pack, and more.
What precautions are you taking with regard to COVID-19?

We encourage participants to be fully vaccinated with at least one booster shot for all who are eligible to receive these shots. U.S. citizens can travel to Spain if they show that they are vaccinated against COVID-19, or have a recovery certificate, or show a negative diagnostic test result performed either within 72 hours prior to departure to Spain for a PCR test or within 24 hours prior to departure for a rapid antigen test. We do not expect to mandate masking during the tour, but we encourage masking whenever possible and according to each individual’s comfort level. For example, when shopping in crowded areas, it would be best to wear a mask. General sanitary practices should be maintained at all times, such as washing hands with soap, using sanitizing gels and wipes, and maintaining a reasonable distance between individuals.