Free Land Programs

[exlandlubber]

Hello everyone!

I’m hoping someone can provide a bit of information on the free land programs that Regent offers. We are sailing on the Splendor from Rome to Barcelona in November and we have a four night land program after disembarking. (Authentic Madrid and Beyond). Our first night is in Zaragoza at the Hotel Alfonso and then we spend 3 nights at the Eurostar Madrid Tower. This is our first land trip with Regent and I’m curious about the pace of the trip, typical amount of free time, size of the average group, etc. I know that some of these factors won’t be known until we actually disembark in Barcelona but I was hoping if there were people on this forum who’ve done these types of land trips before and could offer some general impressions. Thank you in advance; I always find this website to be extremely helpful.

[mj_holiday]

We have done both included land tours and those that costs extra. Our first included land tour was in Cairo and was very nice.  (this was pre covid)  Great hotel and great excursions, and I don't remember it being more than a relaxed pace.  Maybe 25 people.

 

We did a wine country after our Cape Town cruise and there were 2 bus loads but was very nice, would have liked a little more time in a town but the meals and site seeing was very good.

 

The older we get, the more I am inclined to sign up for both included and extra costs land trips.  So much easier when everything is handled.

[exlandlubber]

Thank you, MJ. I feel the same way about things being handled for us. I’m hoping to get some advice from people who may have spent some time in Madrid as well. Again, thank you for responding.

[mrlevin]

1 hour ago, exlandlubber said:

Hello everyone!

I’m hoping someone can provide a bit of information on the free land programs that Regent offers. We are sailing on the Splendor from Rome to Barcelona in November and we have a four night land program after disembarking. (Authentic Madrid and Beyond). Our first night is in Zaragoza at the Hotel Alfonso and then we spend 3 nights at the Eurostar Madrid Tower. This is our first land trip with Regent and I’m curious about the pace of the trip, typical amount of free time, size of the average group, etc.

 

Current explanation is pretty definititieve on activities and free time:

 

DAY 1

After disembarking the cruise ship in Barcelona, you will enjoy a leisurely and immensely scenic drive to the Poblet Monastery. A 12th-century church stands at the center of this sacred World Heritage site, which features a fortified royal residence. While touring, you will learn about the monks’ lifestyle in the Middle Ages and the mountainous route that connects this Cisterian monastery to two others.

Continuing on to the nearby medieval village of Montblanc, you can expect to see its Gothic churches, the royal palace and the city’s 14th-century stone walls, more than half of which still exist. Free time follows, during which you can explore further. The centrally located Plaza Mayor is a great starting point for shopping and people-watching.

Afterwards, you will settle in for a relaxing drive to Zaragoza, the capital of the province that lies on the Ebro River. Upon arriving, you will check into the Hotel Alfonso Zaragoza or similar, where the remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.

 

DAY 2

After breakfast at the hotel, you will spend the next two hours or so exploring Zaragoza, especially the Old Town. Its star attraction is the multi-domed Basilica of Pilar, an important pilgrimage site. According to local legend, the Virgin Mary gave Saint James a pillar made of jasper here and instructed him to build a church on the site. This last version of El Pilar, as it’s known locally, was constructed beginning in the late 17th century.

You will next visit the ancient town of Medinaceli, which in Arabic and means “City on the Hill.” The Romans founded the city and structures from that time still remain, the most famous being a stone arch built in the 2nd century. Other highlights include a 17th-century palace and a Gothic church built even earlier.

Following lunch, you will settle in for a relaxing drive to Madrid, where you will check into the Eurostar Madrid Tower or similar hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.

 

DAY 3

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for Toledo, a city so architecturally rich that Spain has declared it a national monument. UNESCO agreed and designated the historic center a World Heritage site, in part because three religions existed harmoniously here—Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

As you walk through this extraordinary city on the Tagus River, you will get a genuine feel for what life was like here in the Middle Ages. The historic city center is that atmospheric. The Toledo Cathedral is particularly impressive, as it is considered one of Europe’s greatest Gothic buildings. Built over nearly three centuries, starting in 1226, the cathedral contains a spectacular high altar and two painting by El Greco, the famed painter that lived in Toledo. 

Another spectacular El Greco painting hangs in the Church of Santo Tomé, while the 13th-century Synagogue of Saint Mary the White is known for its Mudejar-style horseshoe arches. Be sure to notice these elaborately decorated arches as you browse the interior.

Lunch follows, after which you will proceed to Madrid. As an introduction to Spain’s vibrant capital, you will drive past key landmarks before starting an enlightening walking tour in Plaza Mayor. This grand arcaded square in the heart of the city offers wonderful options for shopping and dining nearby, as you may discover during free time.

By late afternoon, you will return to the hotel, where you will spend the evening with dinner on your own. 

 

DAY 4

After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Segovia, a World Heritage site perhaps best known for its aqueduct that was probably constructed during the reign of Roman emperor Trajan. Until about 100 years ago, the aqueduct still carried water from the Frio River into Segovia 10 miles away.

The Alcazar is another landmark that is impossible to miss. Construction began in the 12th century and its fabulous fairy-tale style supposedly inspired the design of the Walt Disney castle in part. You will also spend time in Segovia’s walled upper town, whose cathedral is the last Gothic one built in Spain. It stands where Isabella I was proclaimed the Queen of Castile in 1474.

Following lunch in Segovia, you will drive to the 16th-century Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial on the outskirts of Madrid. It too is a World Heritage site and celebrated for its austere appearance, which influenced Spanish architecture for the next half century or so. As you wander through the interior, the guide will describe the building’s illustrious history, including how King Philip II conceived El Escorial as a funerary monument for his father.

After visiting, you will return to the hotel in Madrid, where you will spend the evening with dinner on your own. 

 

DAY 5

Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will transfer to the Madrid International Airport based on the departure of your flight. Luggage can be stored at the hotel for guests with flights that depart late in the day.

 

Land Program Details Step by Step: 

•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. 

•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date. 

•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.

 

DAY 1

8:45am Disembark in Barcelona and drive to Poblet

10:30am Visit the Poblet Monastery 

11:30am Walking tour of Montblanc

1:00pm Lunch 

3:00pm Transfer to Zaragoza

5:00pm Check into the Hotel Alfonso Zaragoza

Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own

Overnight at the Hotel Alfonso Zaragoza or similar hotel 

DAY 2

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8:45am Begin touring Zaragoza 

10:45am Transfer to Medinaceli 

1:00pm Lunch at a restaurant 

3:00pm Visit Medinaceli

5:00pm Transfer to Madrid 

7:00pm Check-in at the hotel 

Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own

Overnight at the Eurostar Madrid Tower Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 3

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Drive to Toledo 

10:00am Visit of Toledo 

1:00pm Lunch 

3:00pm Depart for Madrid

4:30pm Begin touring Madrid 

6:00pm Return to the hotel 

Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own

Overnight at the Eurostar Madrid Tower Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 4

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Depart for Segovia 

10:00am Visit Segovia

12:30pm Lunch 

2:00pm Depart for Escorial 

3:00pm Arrive in Escorial 

3:15pm Visit Escorial 

5:30pm Return to the hotel 

Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own

Overnight at the Eurostar Madrid Tower Hotel or similar hotel

 

DAY 5

AM Breakfast at the hotel

12:00pm Check out of the hotel 

Transfer to Madrid International Airport based on the flight details provided

 

Edited August 25, 2023 by mrlevin

[exlandlubber]

Hi Marc,

You are absolutely correct about the itinerary details and believe me, I have printed and poured over them. But as I’m sure you know, the posted itinerary and people’s personal impressions and experiences can be very different. I guess I was just hoping for more of the latter, but I greatly appreciate your taking the time to post it for me.

Kim

[red1head]

We have done four land tours, two pre-cruise and two post-cruise, both free and paid for: Angkor Wat and Singapore, Montreal and Ottawa, Barcelona and Cordova, and London and the Cotswolds. We have enjoyed them all and thought they were well managed and true to the listed itinerary. Guides worked to ensure we arrived back at the end of the day at the stated time. On evenings when dinner was not included (Montreal and London) we simply booked our dinner reservations for 45 min. later than the expected arrival to ensure we had time to change and freshen up. We have been fortunate to have excellent and informative guides who had to occasionally manage wayward/tardy members of the group. I hope you have a great time on your cruise and land tour. 

[Jane Mitchell]

I can’t comment on Regent’s specific tour but, as someone who lived in Madrid for 3 years, that looks a great itinerary. Don’t really know Zaragoza but it looks like quite a bit of walking involved on days 3 and 4. 

[exlandlubber]

Thank you, Jane!

[dabear]

We did a pre covid cruise from India to Egypt with land tours at both ends. Land tours including accommodations & tour guides were very good & not too exhausting.

[Jane Mitchell]

@exlandlubber We would often take visitors to Segovia and El Escorial on a day trip and they would always enjoy it.  The aquaduct in Segovia is incredible.  I hope you get lamb for your lunch while you're there, it's the local speciality.  El Escorial is an incredible place.  Many Spanish monarchs are entombed there.  Lots of history.  Toledo is a proper medieval town.  Good place to buy a sword, if that's your kind of thing 😉 Might be tricky to get in the hand luggage though ...

[Jane Mitchell]

@exlandlubber Also, bear in mind for the days that you are organising your own dinner, many restaurants won't take reservations much before 9.00 pm ... they eat LATE in Madrid.  

[bebop bonnie]

Since many of the pre and post cruise land tours are complementary, are they particularly crowded?  

[labonnevie]

Our most recent land tour, precruise in Tokyo, was 13 buses worth, well over 300 people. Generally it was handled well, but going from the meeting room to the buses was pretty much a cattle herd. 
Your itinerary looks quite packed, our land tours have had substantial “on your own” time, so much so that we have supplemented them with blocks of time with private guides. 

[mrlevin]

Alternatively, you can decline the Regent pre/post cruise and take a $750 per person credit and do it on your own.

[GOARMY]

Have done several--both pre and post-cruise.  These were at Cape Town, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur.  Will be doing another post this October at Tokyo after completing an Explorer segment beginning at Vancouver, BC. 

 

Previous were all well-handled.  Top-hotels. Well, the pre-cruise one before boarding Mariner at Cape Town was incident to a safari outside Port Elizabeth.  Our "hotel" was a British-themed Lodge located above an elephant preserve Park.  Participants were eight or nine other couples.  Our TA made sure our accommodation was a tent.  What a Tent!  Persian rugs over a hard-wood floor.  Just for starters.  Marvelous, once-in-a lifetime experience.  Our plans to replicate that experience in late 2020 were, of course, thwarted by COVID.  

 

Larger number of participants at Sydney and Malaysia.  Realistic itineraries.  Excellent Guides.  Every aspect was well-managed.  

 

Just our experiences. As always, YMMV.  

 

GOARMY!

 

 

[Gilly]

9 hours ago, Jane Mitchell said:

@exlandlubber Also, bear in mind for the days that you are organising your own dinner, many restaurants won't take reservations much before 9.00 pm ... they eat LATE in Madrid.  

Excellent advice and something that we always find tricky when in Spain!  We often have a decent lunch and then enjoy relaxed tapas in the evening.

[exlandlubber]

You are all so incredibly helpful! Mrlevin, I’m afraid the 750 pp wouldn’t cover the hotels, much less the tours that also include lunch. In Madrid we are supposed to stay at the Eurostar Madrid Tower which looks pretty cool, albeit in a business section of the city.

[cruiseluv]

On 8/25/2023 at 10:27 AM, exlandlubber said:

Thank you, MJ. I feel the same way about things being handled for us. I’m hoping to get some advice from people who may have spent some time in Madrid as well. Again, thank you for responding.

Looking at the day by day Marc posted it doesn’t look as if you will be spending much time in a Madrid, other than sleeping, a shame as Madrid is a fabulous city

[cruiseluv]

On 8/25/2023 at 12:09 PM, Jane Mitchell said:

I can’t comment on Regent’s specific tour but, as someone who lived in Madrid for 3 years, that looks a great itinerary. Don’t really know Zaragoza but it looks like quite a bit of walking involved on days 3 and 4. 

It barely shows them Madrid

[cruiseluv]

16 hours ago, exlandlubber said:

You are all so incredibly helpful! Mrlevin, I’m afraid the 750 pp wouldn’t cover the hotels, much less the tours that also include lunch. In Madrid we are supposed to stay at the Eurostar Madrid Tower which looks pretty cool, albeit in a business section of the city.

The 750 pp comes to $375 per night. That time of the year is low season in Madrid and you would pay much less per night on your own for those hotels . A quick look tells me it’s around $100 for the hotel in Zaragoza and $200 for your hotel in Madrid. It sure doesn’t sound as a “ free land program “ to me

[2012_Alaska_bound]

Since it looks like you have "dinner on your own" a couple of nights in Madrid, I highly recommend booking dinner and flamenco show at Flamenco at Corral de la Morería. We were able to book at 6 p.m. which is a great thing in Spain since dinner doesn't usually start in most restaurants until 8 or 9.

[exlandlubber]

Thank you! Is this place near the Madrid Eurostar Tower? My Spanish is somewhat limited and I’d be a little nervous about negotiating distances.

 

[cwn]

Don’t be. We have traveled for months all over the world for years and speak only English. Madrid is a major city. Get a translator app for your phone and or get the hotel Bell Captain to get the taxi and tell them where you need to go. Carry the hotel card to show the Driver when you are ready to come back to hotel. Easy!!

[exlandlubber]

2012 Alaska Bound, did you eat in the regular restaurant or were you in the Michelin area with just four tables? I’m afraid our palates aren’t sophisticated enough to appreciate that level of dining but the basic menus looked great.

[2012_Alaska_bound]

17 hours ago, exlandlubber said:

Thank you! Is this place near the Madrid Eurostar Tower? My Spanish is somewhat limited and I’d be a little nervous about negotiating distances.

 

Just get a taxi at your hotel. The taxi drops you off at the end of the alleyway that the restaurant entrance is on.

Let the maitre d' know to order you a taxi at the end of your dinner.

 

We ate in the regular room. Food was delicious!