Does anyone know of a good company who offers escorted tours of Spain? We have used American Express travel with success, but they don't seem to have these tours anymore.<BR>Thanks

Take a look at Petrabax<BR>www.petrabaxusacom<BR>

www.petrabaxusa.com

Try TAUCK tours, they have a variety of tours in Spain and are a very reputable company<BR>

Pamela.<BR><BR>there are many tour operators out there; it just depends on your budget and what you want to see / do. Danie mentioned Tauck Tours, which, in my opinion is the best of the best -- they are pricey, but well worth it. I've only had glowing reports from clients over the years. There are other less expensive recommdations; again, it's just what you prefer.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Melodie<BR>Certifie d Spain Specialist

Melodie, what makes you a certified Spain specialist? Very strange credentials for you to post here at Fodors.

Many travel agents and consultants attain the designation of &quot;Certified Specialist&quot; for a particular destination, or several.<BR><BR>It's a description of a career, and a subspecialty accomplishment, nothing more, nothing less.<BR>

for pamela<BR>

anyone familiar with Bravo Tours?

Try Rick Steves.

Hi--I am also looking for a tour for fall of 2003--I have the Tauck brochure, my agent highly rec. them but they are very pricey--I see someone mentioned Petrabax--they seem to have a big selection and prices seem reasonable--they offer what appear to me to be not just the ordinary itinery. I also have Brendan,Far &amp; Wide &amp; ATOM--you can go nuts looking at all of them--We are trying to Madrid and then some out of the ordinary places--Would appreciate any input anyone has--Thanks -Gail

To Curious: regarding my posting - I am certified as a Specialist by the Spanish Tourist Board.<BR><BR>Tom: you're basically correct what a Specialist is. Just to clarify, in order for an agent to acquire a Specialist status from the Tourism Board, we must 1) pay for a course of study 2) pass the test. Hopefully, an agent will have actually BEEN to the country that they are specializing in! I do know that this is not always the case (amazing), but in my case, I could only imagine preferring to specialize in an area I have an actual interest in, and have travelled to. And, this is something you can check out with your nearest Spanish Tourism board - they can recommend a Specialist that's nearby.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Melodie<BR>Certifie d Spain Specialist