veronia 2010_Maquetación 1

Transcription

veronia 2010_Maquetación 1
VERONIA TOURS S.L. C.I.C.L. 37-40
C/ Papín, 22 - Bajo - E- 37007 Salamanca - Spain
Tel. +34 923 282 511 • Fax +34 923 282 610
[email protected]
www.veroniatours.com
VERONIA TOURS
INCOMING
SPAIN & PORTUGAL
VERONIA TOURS
INCOMING
SPANIEN & PORTUGAL
VERONIA TOURS
RECEPTIVO
ESPAÑA Y PORTUGAL
Customized Tours
Culture and Study Tours
Technical Journeys
Congresses
Pilgrimage Tours
Gourmet and Wine Tours
Incentive Journeys
Music, Art and Architecture Tours
Spanish Language
and Culture
Nature and Sports
Reisen à la Carte
Kultur- und Studienreisen
Technische Reisen
Kongresse
Pilgerreisen
Gourmet- und Weinreisen
Incentive Reisen
Musik-, Kunst- und
Architekturreisen
Spanische Sprache und Kultur
Natur und Sport
Viajes a Medida
Viajes Culturales
Viajes Técnicos
Congresos
Peregrinaciones
Gourmet y Vinos
Incentivos
Viajes de Música, Arte y
Arquitectura
Lengua y Cultura Española
Naturaleza y Deporte
Personalized service tailored to the needs of each client
VERONIA TOURS
We are pleased to introduce you to our company Veronia Tours: an operator you can trust with a wide array
of experience in the organization of services for groups and for individual clients.
Veronia Tours -a family business located in the university town of Salamanca- offers you quality service,
flexible and specialized in planning the following types of travel:
- Customized tours
- Cultural
- Art and Architecture
- Religious and pilgrimage
- Gourmet and wine
- Music: opera, chorales…
- Technical and special interest
- Incentive and business
Our services:
- Different types of lodging: hotels, Paradors, charming buildings...
- Transportation: deluxe motorcoaches, chauffeured vehicles
- Official local guides / various languages
- Tour escorts with vast experience / various languages
- Organization and logistics of routes
- Booking for special services: restaurants, wineries, religious celebrations, business meetings,
technical visits…
Salamanca. Huerto de Calixto y Melibea. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Salamanca
Veronia Tours suggests ...
Customized Tours
Cultural Tours
• Castile and León: History, Art and Landscape
• Heritage Cities: from Castile and León to Extremadura
• World Heritage Cities: Ávila, Segovia, Salamanca, Alcalá de Henares,
Toledo, Cáceres, Córdoba, Cuenca and Santiago de Compostela
• The Road to the Language of Castile
• The Silver Way: from Seville to Gijón
• The Sephardic Route
• Andalusia: Art, Landscape and People
• Green Spain: from Basque Country to Galicia
• The River Duero: Spain and Portugal
• Portugal: Porto, Coimbra, Évora and Lisboa
• The Route of Christopher Columbus in Spain
• The Route of the Emperor Charles V in Spain
• The Medieval Route of the Cathedrals and Castles of Castile and León
• The Holy Grail of Spain: Catalonia, Valencia and Aragón
• La Mancha: a visit through the Land of Don Quijote
• Portugal and the Cister Order: Santarem - Tomar - Abrantes - Guarda
Art and Architecture Tours
• Modernism in Catalonia
• Art in Madrid
• Avantgarde architecture: Catalonia, Valencia and Basque Country
• Flemish Art in Castile and León
• Romanesque Art in Castile and León
Pilgrimages and Religious Tours
• Mysticism in Castile and León
• Route of Santiago de Compostela
• Marian Sanctuaries: Portugal, Spain and France
• Great Pilgrimages in Europe: Fátima - Santiago de Compostela Zaragoza - Montserrat - Lourdes - Nevers - Rome
• Holy Week in Spain
Gourmet and Wine Tours
• Wines and Gastronomy in: Ribera de Duero, La Rioja, Catalonia,
Galicia, Castilla-La Mancha, Andalusia and Portugal
Music Tours
• Opera in the main theatres and auditoriums: Madrid, Barcelona,
Bilbao, La Coruña, Seville, Valencia, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands,
Porto and Lisbon
• Chorales
Technical and Special Interest Tours
• Agriculture and Livestock
• Archeology
• Parks and Gardens
• Architecture
Incentive and Business Tours
INDEX
Page
0 1 - C A S T I L E A N D L E Ó N : H I S T O R Y , A R T A N D L A N D S C A P E ......................................................................... 5
0 2 - W O R L D H E R I T A G E S I T E S : F R O M C A S T I L E T O E X T R E M A D U R A ........................................................... 6
0 3 - D I S C O V E R T H E O R I G I N S O F T H E S P A N I S H L A N G U A G E ........................................................................ 7
0 4 - M Y S T I C I S M I N C A S T I L E A N D L E Ó N ........................................................................................................ 8
0 5 - T H E P A T H O F S A I N T J A M E S T O S A N T I A G O D E C O M P O S T E L A ............................................................. 9
0 6 - M A R I A N S A N C T U A R I E S : P O R T U G A L , S P A I N A N D F R A N C E ................................................................ 10
0 7 - T H E S I L V E R R O U T E : F R O M S E V I L L E T O G I J Ó N .................................................................................... 11
0 8 - S E F A R A D , A J O U R N E Y I N T O J E W I S H S P A I N ........................................................................................ 12
0 9 - R I B E R A D E L D U E R O : W I N E A N D G A S T R O N O M Y ................................................................................ 13
1 0 - L A R I O J A : W I N E A N D G A S T R O N O M Y ................................................................................................... 14
Lisboa. Monasterio de Los Jerónimos. Foto cedida por: Carlos Sánchez
1 1 - O P E R A : M A D R I D A N D B A R C E L O N A ..................................................................................................... 15
1 2 - A N D A L U S I A : A R T , L A N D S C A P E A N D P E O P L E ...................................................................................... 16
1 3 - M O D E R N I S M I N C A T A L O N I A ................................................................................................................ 17
1 4 - A R T A N D M U S E U M S I N M A D R I D ......................................................................................................... 18
1 5 - A V A N T G A R D E A R C H I T E C T U R E I N V A L E N C I A ...................................................................................... 19
1 6 - G R E E N S P A I N ......................................................................................................................................... 20
1 7 - T H E R I V E R D U E R O : S P A I N A N D P O R T U G A L ........................................................................................ 21
1 8 - P O R T U G A L : I T S C U L T U R E A N D P E O P L E ............................................................................................... 22
CASTILE AND LEÓN: HISTORY, ART AND LANDSCAPE
Castile and León welcomes us: one of the most extensive regions in Europe, a land rich in history
and artistic legacy, contrasting landscapes of high mountains and vast plains, tilled by centuries
old paths such as the Route of Santiago de Compostela and the Silver Route. We will discover
three of its World Heritage sites, its people, its towns and its rich and varied gastronomy.
D a y 1 Arrival in Madrid and departure towards
Aranda de Duero, located in the wine-growing region
Ribera de Duero, where we will have the opportunity to
taste its high quality wines.
Possibility of visiting a cellar for wine tasting
We will spend time in the picturesque historical district
of Aranda de Duero, where we will be able to gaze upon
its churches -Santa María and San Juan-, palaces and
estates -the Verdugo and the Colmenares Palaces- as
well as the Romanesque bridge.
Continue to Burgos for overnight.
D a y 2 In the morning we will visit the archeological
area of Sierra de Atapuerca, located in the province of
Burgos and declared World Heritage site by UNESCO in
2000 as it is the only place in Europe where the evolution
of the lifestyle of primitive man to settle in our continent
can be studied.
In the afternoon we will devote our time to Burgos,
capital of the medieval Kingdom of Castile and León.
There we will be able to admire its magnificent Gothic
cathedral, a World Heritage site, as well as nearby estates
-including the Casa del Cordón- and the Royal
Monastery of the Huelgas Reales with its prominent
Gothic cloister and Santiago Chapel.
Overnight in Burgos.
D a y 3 Today we continue in the footsteps of the
pilgrimages along the Route of Santiago between
Burgos and León.
Frómista has the beautiful church of San Martín where
we will find an intrinsically pure Romanesque style.
Next to San Martín we find the churches of San Pedro
and Santa María.
Carrión de los Condes is a site of great importance
along the Ruta Jacobea and presents the Church of
Santiago with its splendid Pantocrator. Other worthy
sites in the area are the Santa María del Camino
church, the Santa Clara Convent and the San Zoilo
Monastery. Continue to León for overnight.
D a y 4 León, the former Roman Legio VII Gemina Pia
Felix has an ample legacy of Romanesque, Gothic and
Renaissance styles which we will appreciate during our
visit.
We will pass through the historical district with the
charming Plaza Mayor, the Gothic cathedral with its
incomparable stained glass windows, and the San
Isidoro Basilica known as the “Sistine Chapel” of the
Spanish Romanesque style where the Royal Pantheon
and magnificent 12th century frescoes are housed.
During our visit we will discover palaces -the Conde
Luna, the Guzmanes-, churches such as San Salvador
de Palat del Rey and the modernist Casa de los Botines
by architect Antonio Gaudí.
Overnight in León.
D a y 5 Departure to Astorga, capital of the Maragatería
Region. A point of intersection between such notable
routes as the Path to Santiago de Compostela and the
Silver Route, the old Roman city of Asturica Augusta
offers the visitor interesting Roman ruins, an enchanting
Plaza Mayor with the notable Town Hall building,
Cathedral, and a Modernist structure of particular interest:
the Episcopal Palace by architect Antonio Gaudí, that
holds the Museum of the Pilgrimages. Today’s route
takes us to Zamora.
Possibility of visiting a local producer for a cheese tasting.
The Romanesque City awaits us on the banks of the
Duero River: Zamora and its characteristic
Romanesque cathedral with the Byzantine style cupola.
During our visit we will enjoy an impressive assembly
of Romanesque churches: San Ildefonso, La
Magdalena or San Cipriano, as well as the Plaza
Mayor.
Continue to Salamanca for overnight.
Salamanca. Vista Catedrales. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Salamanca
Salamanca. Detalle Catedral Vieja . Foto cedida por: Carlos Sánchez
D a y 6 Salamanca, this beautiful university city invites
us to discover its rich historical past, wander through
its lively streets and experience the festive atmosphere.
Among its notable monuments are the Baroque style
Plaza Mayor, the House of Shells, the two cathedrals,
the University, the San Esteban Convent and the Casa
Lis that houses the interesting Art Nouveau and Art
Déco Museum. Overnight in Salamanca.
D a y 7 At the end of our journey will get to know two
monumental cities, both declared World Heritage sites.
Ávila, birthplace to the famous Spanish mystics Santa
Teresa de Jesús and Saint John of the Cross, welcomes
us with its impressive walls, its cathedral, the San
Vincent Basilica, palaces and family estates -the
Veladas, Valderrábanos, Núñez Velas and Torreón de
los Guzmanes-, as well as the Monastery of the
Incarnation.
In the afternoon we will visit Segovia with its spectacular
Roman Aqueduct, a jewel of Roman engineering built
in the 1st century. As we walk through the Jewish
Quarter, we will have the opportunity to behold the
Casa de los Picos, the Alhóndiga and the Torreón de los
Lozoya fortress.
We will visit the Gothic cathedral known as the “Lady of
Cathedrals” as well as the defensive Alcázar fortress.
Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner.
Overnight in Segovia.
D a y 8 Transfer to the Madrid Airport.
CASTILE AND LEÓN:
HISTORY, ART AND LANDSCAPE
8 days
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
5
MADRID - ARANDA DE DUERO BURGOS
BURGOS and ATAPUERCA
BURGOS - FRÓMISTA - CARRIÓN - LEÓN
LEÓN
LEÓN - ASTORGA - ZAMORA - SALAMANCA
SALAMANCA
SALAMANCA - ÁVILA - SEGOVIA
SEGOVIA - MADRID
Salamanca. Fachada Universidad . Foto cedida por: Carlos Sánchez
united, independent and Catholic Iberian Peninsula, to
the medieval cohabitation of three religions -the Cristo
de la Luz Mosque, the Tránsito and Santa María la
Blanca Synagogues, and the Cathedral- we arrive at
the controversial Spanish Renaissance -the Santa Cruz
hospital and El Greco-. Despite the overlapping of cultures,
wandering the narrow streets of Toledo continues to
evoke the Mediterranean and Semitic origin of so
many Spanish cities.
Possibility of visiting a local producer for a manchego
cheese tasting. Overnight in Toledo.
D a y 1 Arrival in Madrid and departure to Toledo.
Overnight in Toledo.
Segovia. Alcázar. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Segovia
D a y 2 Toledo was already the capital of Spain under
the Visigoths and would become so again when the
Christians reclaimed the city. It is the enclave that best
expresses the religious avatars of the Middle Ages.
From the Visigoth period which emanated the idea of a
D a y 3 Continuing along the Tajo River we will arrive at
the Extremadura mountain range in which the
Guadalupe Sanctuary can be found. The collection of
convents with a fortress-like appearance is another key
expression of Mudéjar art, the cloister being of particular
interest. Its appeal has allowed it to gather works of art
through the 18th century; indeed here we can find one
of the best pictorial collections of Zurbarán. Also of
interest are the narrow streets, the San Juan Hospital
and the adjacent Colegio de Gramática, nowadays a
luxurious Parador.
If the name Guadalupe is reminiscent of a HispanicAmerican culture, it would be the neighboring Trujillo
that best represents the discovery of the Americas.
Surrounding the 10th - 11th century Arab castle are
numerous bastioned estates whose names bring to
mind Pizarro, Orellano and Zúñiga.
Overnight in Cáceres.
D a y 4 The number of estates and palaces huddled
around the Plaza Mayor of Cáceres and its adjoining
streets is so abundant that the visitor feels transported
to times gone past. Located within a walled Almohad
Arab district are the Golfines, Toledo Moctezuma,
Godoy Carvajal and other palaces. Along the heavily
traveled Roman era Silver Route we will arrive at the
walled city of Plasencia, with its narrow streets winding
around the lively Plaza Mayor. Notable palaces include
the Mirabel and the Carvajal. The most interesting of
all are the two Cathedrals, hidden within each other.
Continuing along the Silver Route we will pass by the
Sistema Central mountain range of Castile and León.
Overnight in Salamanca.
D a y 5 We can enjoy a morning stroll and enter
Salamanca from the south, crossing the well preserved
Roman Bridge. Salamanca is now, and has always
been, more than anything a university city. The historical
university buildings that have been preserved since
medieval and Renaissance times, are unique and
many of them are open to tourists. The homogenous
mix of students and visitors beckons us to stroll
through its lively streets and to indulge in the festive
atmosphere. Notable monuments include the Plaza
Mayor, the two Cathedrals -from Romanesque to
6
Baroque- the House of Shells, the San Esteban
Convent, and the interesting Art Nouveau and Art Déco
Museum situated in the modernist Casa Lis.
Overnight in Salamanca.
D a y 6 At the end of our journey will get to know two
monumental cities, both declared World Heritage sites.
Ávila, birthplace to the famous Spanish mystics Santa
Teresa de Jesús and Saint John of the Cross, welcomes
us with its impressive walls, its Cathedral, the San
Vincent Basilica, palaces and family estates -the
Veladas, Valderrábanos, Núñez Velas and Torreón de
los Guzmanes-, as well as the Monastery of the
Incarnation.
In the afternoon we will visit Segovia with its spectacular
Roman Aqueduct, a jewel of Roman engineering built
in the 1st century. As we walk through the Jewish
Quarter, we will have the opportunity to behold the
Casa de los Picos, the Alhóndiga and the Torreón de los
Lozoya fortress.
We will visit the Gothic Cathedral known as the “Lady
of Cathedrals” as well as the defensive Alcázar fortress.
Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner.
Overnight in Segovia.
D a y 7 Transfer to the Madrid Airport.
Salamanca. Detalle Catedral Vieja . Foto cedida por: Carlos Sánchez
When Alfonso VI conquered Toledo in 1085, the
Christians were able to begin to organize what would
be at the end of the Middle Ages the heart of a vast
empire. The entire area between the Duero and Tajo
Rivers would be filled with cities inhabited by proud
nobles, an authoritative church and bellicose kings
ever more powerful. We will see their origins, their
splendor and their projection towards America. These and their excellent state of
preservation allow us to find five historical districts along this route that have
earned the designation of World Heritage sites.
Ávila. Murallas . Foto cedida por: Turismo de Castilla y León.
WORLD HERITAGE SITES: FROM CASTILE
TO EXTREMADURA
WORLD HERITAGE SITES:
FROM CASTILE TO EXTREMADURA
7 days
Day 1
MADRID - TOLEDO
Day 2
TOLEDO
Day 3
TOLEDO - GUADALUPE - TRUJILLO CÁCERES
Day 4
CÁCERES - PLASENCIA - SALAMANCA
Day 5
SALAMANCA
Day 6
SALAMANCA - ÁVILA - SEGOVIA
Day 7
SEGOVIA - MADRID
DISCOVER THE ORIGINS OF THE
SPANISH LANGUAGE
D a y 1 Arrival in Madrid and transfer to San Millán de
la Cogolla for overnight.
D a y 2 In the morning we will visit Yuso, the
Renaissance and Baroque convent, cradle of both
Castilian Spanish and the written Basque language,
with its priceless Romanesque ivory, the library and
church. Afterwards we will head up to Suso where 7th
and 11th century art fuse together in the tombs of the
Seven Princes of Lara, the main protagonists from the
medieval ballad of the same name.
Passing through Berceo, Gonzalo will guide us into the
world of the Riojan wine, as we walk through the historical
district of Logroño, the con-Cathedral and church of
Santiago.
Possibility of visiting one of the renown wine museums
or one of its quality wineries with tasting
The journey ends with a walk through the medieval
town of Laguardia with its spectacular views of the
Riojan vineyards.
Return to San Millán for overnight.
D a y 3 The day will take us down the Path of Saint
James to the important Jacobean landmark of Santo
Domingo de la Calzada, a site that was created for
those making the pilgrimage: its walls, Cathedral and
hospital remain intact.
As we ascend the mountains we find, in the midst of
nature, the late Romanesque church of San Juan de
Ortega, another landmark created for and by the pilgrim.
In the afternoon, as we follow the roads where El Cid
wandered in exile, we will arrive at Covarrubias, the
source of what would become the region of Castile,
where we can admire the traditional architecture and
the collegiate church, while appreciating the beauty of
the local speech. Santo Domingo de Silos and its
Romanesque cloister formed by large, historical relieves,
meticulous capitals, and the cypress famously sung by
poet Gerardo Diego. Possibility of listening to the
famous Gregorian chants in the Abbey of Silos.
Overnight in Santo Domingo de Silos.
D a y 4 Burgos welcomes us with its tale of the origins of
Castile at the Renaissance gate of Santa María, with
special reference to the historical figure named El Cid.
We will visit the cathedral, an outstanding example of
Gothic architecture and World Heritage Site. A walk
through the city will take us to the Casa del Cordón, the
Main Square, the Paseo del Espolón promenade, and
the Consulate. In the outskirts we will discover two
great monuments: the Cistercian monastery of Las
Huelgas, a royal pantheon from the 13th century; and
the Cartuja de Miraflores, church and burial place for
the parents of Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Castile.
Continue to Valladolid for overnight.
D a y 5 Valladolid, home to writers such as Zorrilla,
Jorge Guillén, Rosa Chacel and Miguel Delibes, whose
work “The Heretic” captures the urban lifestyle of the
16th century. Of that era we will visit San Gregorio,
home of the National Sculpture Museum, the Palace of
Los Pimentel, the unfinished cathedral, the royal convent
of San Benito and the Main Square.
We will have our first encounter with Cervantes in his
Home-Museum, where he lived for some time, and we
will visit the university’s Santa Cruz College.
Overnight in Salamanca.
D a y 6 This lovely city centers on the university which
preserves its historical building and many colleges, not
to mention the frequent references to such professors
and writers as Fray Luis de León and Miguel de
Unamuno. Here is where Antonio de Nebrija wrote the
first grammar of the Spanish language. A visit to the
Alcalá de Henares. Universidad. Foto cedida por: Fundación Camino de la Lengua Castellana
San Millán de la Cogolla. Glosas Emilianenses . Foto cedida por: Fundación Camino de la Lengua Castellana
The most relevant backdrops of the history, art and
literature of Castile will guide our path down the
Route of the Castilian Language: from the origins of
our language in the monasteries, to its consolidation
in the universities as well as its ultimate expression in
Cervantes, the Golden Age and several modern authors.
Roman Bridge and the statue of the Celtic boar will
evoke memories of the adventures of Lazarillo de
Tormes, while the Garden of Calixto and Melibea will
turn our thoughts to La Celestina.
The homogenous mix between students and visitors
beckons us to walk along the lively streets and indulge
in the festive nightlife. Among the more significant
monuments are the Plaza Mayor, the two cathedrals,
the House of Shells, the Convent of St. Steven, and the
very interesting Casa Lis, home of the Art Déco and Art
Nouveau Museum.
Possibility of organizing an Ibérico-ham and sausage
tasting. Overnight in Salamanca.
D a y 7 At the end of our journey will get to know two
magnificent cities, both designated as World Heritage
Sites. Ávila, birthplace of notable Spanish mystics and
authors such as St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the
Cross, welcomes us with its impressive city walls, its
cathedral, the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation,
St. Vincent’s Basilica, palaces and large noble homes
such as Velada, Valderrábanos, Núñez Vela or the
Torreón de los Guzmanes as well as the house where St.
Teresa was born. Continue to Alcalá de Henares for
overnight.
Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner.
Day 8 The only city to overshadow Salamanca as the
heart of the Spanish university preserves the magnificent
façade of the College of San Ildefonso, as well as the
courtyard, central hall and the tombstone of its founder,
the Cardinal Cisneros.
He was able to endow Alcalá with a cultural atmosphere and spirit that received such notable literati as Lope
de Vega, Tirso de Molina and Francisco de Quevedo.
The Corral de Comedias Theater remains intact.
Birthplace of authors such as the Archpriest de Hita
and Miguel de Cervantes, the most universally recognized Spanish author.
We will finish our journey with a walk through the
Main Square archways to the Magistral Church and
the Oratory of St. Philip Neri.
Transfer to the Madrid Airport.
DISCOVER THE ORIGINS OF
THE SPANISH LANGUAGE
8 days
Day 1
Day 2
MADRID - SAN MILLÁN DE LA COGOLLA
EXCURSION BERCEO, LOGROÑO and
LAGUARDIA
Day 3
SAN MILLÁN - SANTO DOMINGO
DE LA CALZADA - SILOS
Day 4
SANTO DOMINGO DE SILOS - BURGOS VALLADOLID
7
Day 5
VALLADOLID - SALAMANCA
Day 6
SALAMANCA
Day 7
SALAMANCA - ÁVILA - ALCALÁ DE HENARES
Day 8
ALCALÁ DE HENARES - MADRID
MYSTICISM IN CASTILE AND LEÓN
León. Vidrieras de la Catedral. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Castilla y León
Burgos. Redecilla del Camino. Foto cedida por: Turismo Castilla y León.
The forging of Castile and León could not be understood without the contribution of its
monasteries and convents. Even today these sites continue to offer an insightful glimpse into
the evolution of monastic life, from the first Visigoth hermits to its culmination in Baroque
mysticism. The entire range of religious orders still keep alive works of art that speak to us
about their role in colonization and politics, their monarchical and university ties, their
influence on the lives of the founders and reformers, and their involvement in rural and
urban life.
important sites of Castile: the ravines of the Duratón
River with the Romanesque Hermitage of St. Frutos,
and the caves of other Visigoth hermits from the area,
the chivalric Sepúlveda and Caleruega -home of the
founder of the Dominican Order, St. Domingo de
Guzmán-. Another saint of the same name will bid us to
become familiar with a major work of Romanesque
sculpture, the cloister of the Benedictine Convent of
Santo Domingo de Silos. Overnight in Burgos.
D ay 1 Arrival in Madrid and transfer to Segovia for
overnight.
D ay 2 A morning visit to the walled precincts of Segovia
will keep us busy as we wander from the Roman aqueduct, passing by the Gothic Cathedral, to the medieval
citadel El Alcázar. We will finish with a walk through the
Jewish Quarters.
The evening will find us in the outer city convents: the
Sanctuary of Fuencisla, the Convent of the Carmelite
order with the tomb of St. John of the Cross, creator of
the Discalced Carmelites, the church of Vera Cruz and
the Hieronymites monastery of El Parral.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass.
Overnight in Segovia.
D a y 5 In Valladolid, we will visit San Gregorio, home of
the National Sculpture Museum, the Palace of Los
Pimentel, the unfinished cathedral, the royal convent of
San Benito -main office of the Castilian Benedictinesand the Plaza Mayor. We will also visit the University’s
Santa Cruz College.
Tordesillas is known for the Royal Convent of Santa
Clara, most interesting for the Mudéjar images it evokes.
The old shopping district of Medina del Campo stands
out for its castle, the enormous Plaza de las Ferias, and
its aristocratic homes.
Following a brief walk through Fontíveros to visit the
home of St. John of the Cross, we arrive in Alba de
Tormes, where Teresa of Ávila died and was buried, her
memory preserved by the Discalced Carmelites.
Travel to Salamanca for overnight.
Ávila. Casa natal de Santa Teresa. Foto cedida por: Centro Internacional de Estudios Místicos
D ay 3 The road from Segovia to Burgos is marked by
D a y 4 Standing at the Renaissance gate of Santa
María, Burgos welcomes us with its tale of the origins of
Castile, with special reference to the historical figure
named El Cid. We will visit the Cathedral, an outstanding
example of Gothic architecture, and a World Heritage
site. A walk through the city will take us to the Casa del
Cordón, the Plaza Mayor, the Paseo del Espolón and the
Consulate.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass.
In the outskirts of Burgos we will visit two of its greatest
monuments: the Cistercian monastery of Las Huelgas,
a royal pantheon from the 13th century; and the
Cartuja de Miraflores, church and burial place for the
parents of Isabel the Catholic, queen of Castile.
Continue to Valladolid for overnight.
D a y 6 The lovely city of Salamanca centers on the
University which preserves its historical building and
many colleges, notwithstanding the various religious
orders, notably the Dominican order with their Convent
of St. Steven, and the monumental college run by the
Jesuits. The homogenous mix between students and
visitors beckons us to walk along the lively streets and
indulge in the festive evening atmosphere.
Among the more significant monuments are the Plaza
Mayor, the two Cathedrals, the House of Shells and the
very interesting Casa Lis, home of the Art Déco and Art
Nouveau Museum. Overnight in Salamanca.
D a y 7 Ávila welcomes us with its impressive city wall,
its Cathedral, St. Vincent’s Basilica, medieval palaces
and large homes belonging to Velada, Valderrábanos,
Núñez Vela and Guzmanes. But no road can ignore the
life and work of the great mystic Saint Teresa of Ávila,
evidenced in both the Carmelite Monastery of the
Incarnation and the home of her birth. The Isabelline
Convent of St. Thomas introduces us to part of the
Dominican ideology, the Inquisition.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass.
Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner.
Overnight in Ávila.
D a y 8 Transfer to the Madrid Airport.
MYSTICISM IN CASTILE AND LEÓN
8 days
Day
Day
Day
Day
Day
1
2
3
4
5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
8
MADRID - SEGOVIA
SEGOVIA
SEGOVIA - SILOS - BURGOS
BURGOS - VALLADOLID
VALLADOLID - FONTÍVEROS ALBA DE TORMES - SALAMANCA
SALAMANCA
SALAMANCA - ÁVILA
ÁVILA - MADRID
THE PATH OF SAINT JAMES
D a y 1 The first route of our journey takes us to the
Bilbao Airport, designed by the renown architect
Calatrava, followed by another landmark of contemporary
art, Frank O. Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum, the
newest icon of the Basque Country’s industrial capital
city. We will further explore this refurbished city with a
scenic tour that takes us from the newer suburbs to the
historic old town and its Seven Streets, where we will
have our first encounter with the Path of Saint James
while visiting the Santiago church, nowadays a
Cathedral. Travel to Logroño for overnight.
D a y 2 In the morning we will visit the old section of
Logroño, capital city of La Rioja and shall follow in the
footsteps of those who have made the pilgrimage,
along the Old Route with the late Gothic church of
Santiago, the Fountain of the Pilgrims and the Shelter,
as well as the con-Cathedral and the church of St.
Bartholomew.
The Calle Mayor in Navarrete will guide us along
homes and palaces, leading to the Romanesque gate
of the cemetery. We will go on to Nájera, the former
venue for the Kings of Navarre, some of whom are
buried in the monastery of Santa María la Real. Our
next stop will be Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a site
created for those making the pilgrimage, with its walls,
a beautiful Main Square, pilgrimage hospital, and its
noted Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral.
On our way to Burgos, we will ascend the hills to find,
in the midst of nature, the late Romanesque church of
San Juan de Ortega, another landmark created for and
by the pilgrim.
Possibility of hiking along the Path of Saint James from
Ermita de Valdefuentes to San Juan de Ortega (6,4 km).
Overnight in Burgos.
D a y 3 Burgos welcomes us with its tale of the origins of
Castile at the Renaissance gate of Santa María, with
special reference to the historical figure named El Cid.
We will visit the Cathedral, an outstanding example of
Gothic architecture and World Heritage Site. A walk
through the city will take us to the Casa del Cordón, the
Main Square, the Paseo del Espolón promenade, and
the Consulate. In the outskirts we will discover two
great monuments: the Cistercian monastery of Las
Huelgas, a royal pantheon from the 13th century; and
the Cartuja de Miraflores, church and burial place for
the parents of Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Castile.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass.
Overnight in Burgos.
D a y 4 We resume our journey along the Path of Saint
James in the Castilian plains as we encounter the
narrow Arch of Saint Antón near Castrojeriz.
Possibility of hiking along the Path of Saint James from
Hontanas to Castrojeriz (9 km).
Awaiting us in Frómista is the church of Saint Martin,
one of the purest examples of Romanesque.
A few kilometers away lies a village with an important
Jacobean past: Carrión de los Condes with its magnificent
Romanesque façades in the churches of Santiago and
Santa María del Camino.
Sahagún will take us to the Mudéjar style brick
of the church of San Tirso, while San Miguel de la
Escalada represents the other medieval Arabic style
from the north of Spain known as Mozárabe.
Overnight in León.
D a y 5 As one of the capitals of Medieval Spain, León
offers Romanesque style works of art in painting,
sculpture and architecture in San Isidoro, and one of
the most important collections of stained glass in its
Gothic cathedral.
We cannot leave without first contemplating the beautiful
façade of the former pilgrimage hospital of San
Marcos, nowadays a Parador.
Our journey will take us to Astorga, another city of
Roman origin, with its picture perfect Roman and
Medieval city wall, its Gothic Cathedral and its
Modernist Episcopal Palace, designed by famous
architect Antonio Gaudí.
Possibility of organizing a traditional “Maragato”
lunch near Astorga.
In the afternoon we will traverse one of the most
authentic and untouched sections of the Path of Saint
James -Rabanal del Camino, Cruz de Ferro and
Molinaseca- ending at Ponferrada, known for its
famous castle of the Knights Templar.
Possibility of hiking the Path of Saint James from Acebo
to Molinaseca (7,6 km). Overnight in Ponferrada.
D a y 6 Villafranca, the ancient capital of El Bierzo offers
an important urban setting in which the Romanesque
church of Santiago stands out. Here is where pilgrims
began their climb to O Cebreiro, the entry gate to
Galicia. This hamlet surprises with its particular architecture and the legend that surrounds its humble
church.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass.
We will continue our journey along the green countryside of Galicia until arriving at the Miño River in
Portomarín, where we will discover the Romanesque
church-fortress of Saint Nicholas.
Possibility of hiking along the Path of Saint James from
Sarria to Mouzós (6,2 km). Overnight in Santiago.
Day 7 A walk through the narrow streets of the historical
district will lead us to the Cathedral of Santiago that,
since its construction, has been the object of almost all
the Christian pilgrimages, and the monumental Plaza
del Obradoiro, surrounded by granite works of art.
Possibility of attending the Pilgrims’ Holy Mass.
Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner.
Overnight in Santiago.
D a y 8 Transfer to the Santiago Airport.
León. San Isidoro. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Castilla y León
THE PATH OF SAINT JAMES
8 days
Day 1
BILBAO - LOGROÑO
Day 2
LOGROÑO - NÁJERA - BURGOS
Day 3
BURGOS
Day 4
BURGOS - FRÓMISTA - CARRIÓN - LEÓN
Day 5
LEÓN - ASTORGA - PONFERRADA
Day 6
PONFERRADA - O CEBREIRO - SARRIA PORTOMARÍN - SANTIAGO
9
Day 7
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Day 8
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Galicia. Concha de vieira y arca de piedra. Foto cedida por: Turgalicia
The journey down this road continues to seduce the
eager traveler time and again because of its religious
nature, its historical continuity, its large cultural
heritage ubiquitous throughout cities, towns, villages,
convents, bridges and chapels.
We will enjoy its varied landscapes and cultures
accompanied by the perennial presence of pilgrims.
Participating in mass and possibly enjoying long walks will help us better
appreciate this phenomenon and understand the endurance of this centuries
old tradition.
MARIAN SANCTUARIES: PORTUGAL, SPAIN AND FRANCE
Every year, more and more Catholic believers gather at the two greatest sanctuaries of Marian
apparitions in Europe, Lourdes and Fátima. Within the pleasant natural surrounding awaits
the beautiful experience of visiting and living, discovering and participating in the religious
message. Our visit to these three countries will take us along the path of the most revered
saints of the Church, Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint John of the Cross. We will visit some of the
oldest sanctuaries such as Montserrat and El Pilar, both of which have played important roles
in local as well as national history. There is always a possibility of attending mass within their
walls.
D a y 1 Arrival in Lisbon. We will discover the different
districts of Portugal’s capital, Lisbon such as Alfama,
El Chiado and La Baixa with its urban development
subsequent to the 1755 earthquake.
We will also visit Belém with the Hieronymites
Monastery -pantheon to both the Royal family and
Vasco da Gama- in the Manuelino style from the early
16th century. With every step Portuguese history
comes alive in our minds and can be easily understood
at the Monument of the Discoveries.
Travel to Fátima for overnight.
Day 2 The appearance of the Virgin in 1917 transformed
the small town of Fátima into the destination of the
millions of believers who make the pilgrimage every
year and gather on the great esplanade outside the
great Neo-Baroque Basilica with its colonnades and
Chapel of Apparitions. In the afternoon we will visit
Valinhos and Aljustrel. Possibility of celebrating or
attending Holy Mass as well as participating in the
religious activities and evening procession.
Overnight in Fátima.
D a y 3 Coimbra, the former capital city for more than
one hundred years, boasts the oldest university of
Portugal. We will visit the university’s library and
Romanesque Cathedral, prior to strolling down the
narrow streets to the Carmelite convent where Sor
Lucía, one of the Fátima shepherds lived and died.
After a brief stop in the border town of Ciudad Rodrigo,
we will arrive in Salamanca which is now, and has
always been, more than anything a university city.
Enjoy an evening stroll and enter Salamanca from the
south, crossing the well preserved Roman Bridge. The
homogenous mix of students and visitors beckons us
to stroll through its lively streets and to indulge in the
festive atmosphere. Notable monuments include the
University, the Plaza Mayor and the two Cathedrals
among others. Overnight in Salamanca.
D a y 4 This morning we will make a brief stop in the
town of Alba de Tormes, where Santa Teresa died and is
buried and where the Discalced Carmelites preserve her
memory. Further on we will arrive at Ávila, Saint Teresa’s
birthplace, which welcomes us with its impressive walls
and Cathedral, the Saint Vincent Basilica and noble
homes as well as the Carmelite Monastery of the
Incarnation, and the house where Santa Teresa was
born. Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass.
Continue to Segovia for overnight.
D a y 5 We will enjoy the visit of Segovia strolling from
its Roman aqueduct, passing by the Gothic Cathedral,
to the medieval citadel. Along the way we will discover
noble houses and palaces, its Jewish Quarter and
countless Romanesque churches. Later we will head
down to the Fuencisla Sanctuary and the Discalced
Carmelites Convent -burial site of the great mystic and
poet Saint John of the Cross, reformer of the masculine
branch of the order-. In the afternoon we will travel to
Burgos, stopping briefly in Aranda de Duero, capital of
the Ribera del Duero wine region. Possibility of visiting
a local winery with tasting. Overnight in Burgos.
Salamanca. Vírgen de La Soledad. Foto cedida por: Marcial Mora
D a y 6 In the morning, we will discover Burgos -one of
the most important stops on the Path of Saint Jameswith its outstanding Gothic Cathedral, World Heritage
site. Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass.
We will travel to San Sebastian, where we can enjoy a
walk along La Concha beach before heading towards
France.
Possibility of organizing lunch in a traditional Sidrería.
Overnight in Lourdes.
D a y 7 In the 19th century, a sanctuary was created in
this lovely Pyrenees valley surrounding the Grotto
where the Virgin appeared to Bernadette in 1858. We
will have an opportunity to visit the Neo-Gothic
Basilica, the Rosario Church, the underground Basilica,
the Via Crucis and Saint Bernadette’s home. The day
ends with a torch-led procession.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass as well
as participating in the religious activities and evening
procession. Overnight in Lourdes.
D a y 8 In the morning we will travel along the French
Pyrenean valleys, crossing the mountain range by way
of Andorra. This tiny country has turned into a small
commercial enclave.
We will enter Spain and will arrive -in the very heart of
Catalonia- at Montserrat, a peculiar geological formation,
declared a natural park, picturesque from any angle.
Here we will find the Marian Sanctuary of Montserrat
with “La Moreneta”.
10
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass as
well as renewing wedding vows.
Overnight in Montserrat.
D a y 9 Travel to Barcelona and enjoy a panoramic tour
visiting the grand avenues of the Eixample district with
its modernist buildings -notably the homes on the
Paseo de Gracia such as Lleó Morera, Amatller, Batlló
and Milá- and the Sagrada Familia, masterpiece of
architect Gaudí.
Following a stop in another of his better known works,
the Güell Park, we will arrive at the top of Montjuich
with its magnificent views of the city and the coast. We
will explore the vast historical district on foot and visit
Santa María del Mar, the Gothic quarter, the Cathedral
and Las Ramblas, the emblematic pedestrian walkway.
Possibility of organizing a tapas lunch in Barcelona.
Return to Montserrat for overnight.
D a y 1 0 This morning we will leave Catalonia and shall
enter Aragón, discovering its capital Zaragoza. The city
has important monuments including the Aljafería -the
ancient palace of the Arab emir-, its Gothic Cathedral
the Seo of San Salvador and the Basilica del Pilar, site
of the Virgin’s appearance to apostle Santiago.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass.
Continue to Madrid for overnight.
D a y 1 1 A first glimpse of Madrid provided by a scenic
tour will allow us to appreciate the dimension and
beauty of this city as well as its vital points such as
Paseo de la Castellana, Gran Vía, Alcalá Street and
Plaza de España. Nearby we find one of the best examples
of the Bourbon urban layout: the Paseo del Prado with
its fountains, gardens and museums.
Of special interest are the Mile of Art, Prado Museum,
the Reina Sofia Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza
Museum. We will also visit its Cathedral La Almudena
as well as the historical center with the Main Square
and the Puerta del Sol. Possibility of organizing a farewell
dinner or attending a flamenco show.
Overnight in Madrid.
D a y 1 2 Transfer to the Madrid Airport.
MARIAN SANCTUARIES:
PORTUGAL, SPAIN AND FRANCE
12 days
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day
Day
Day
Day
Day
Day
Day
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
LISBON - FÁTIMA
FÁTIMA
FÁTIMA - COIMBRA CIUDAD RODRIGO - SALAMANCA
SALAMANCA - ALBA DE TORMES ÁVILA - SEGOVIA
SEGOVIA - ARANDA DE DUERO BURGOS
BURGOS - SAN SEBASTIÁN - LOURDES
LOURDES
LOURDES - ANDORRA - MONTSERRAT
EXCURSION BARCELONA
MONTSERRAT - ZARAGOZA - MADRID
MADRID
MADRID
Calzada romana y Baños de Montemayor. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Extremadura
THE SILVER ROUTE
The Silver Route is an old commercial path that joins
the northwest of Spain with the Mediterranean by
way of Andalusia, thus avoiding the winding Atlantic
coast. The Carthaginian general Hannibal trod this
route as did the Romans who left their mark in the
form of bridges and other wonders of engineering.
Here is where their culture had the most impact, influencing their urban design,
their language, their laws and the Christian religion. The Arabs would arrive
later, but throughout the Middle Ages the northern Christian kingdoms would
make their way back down imposing definitively their power. During the
Reconquest there emerged great Spanish noble families whose countless palaces
span the cities and towns along this road.
D a y 1 Of the three capitals that the Muslims had in
Andalucía, it was Seville that the Christian kings chose
for themselves. Peter I had the Royal Palaces built, one
of the prominent works of the Mudéjar style art. Here
too the Gothic Cathedral occupies the grounds of the
former mosque, leaving only the Patio de los Naranjos
and the ancient minaret, the Giralda bell tower from
which one can enjoy a panoramic view of all Seville. A
stroll through the center of the town with its palaces,
churches and parks takes us to quarters such as Santa
Cruz with its singular courtyards, iron gates and balconies.
Possibility of organizing a special tapas lunch.
Overnight in Seville.
D a y 2 The city formerly known as Hispalis has an
important Roman history and even traces of Tartesian
origins. But it is in the neighboring Roman city of
Itálica where we can best contemplate this aspect of
history. Having been the cradle of the Roman
Emperors Trajan and Hadrian, we get an idea of the
importance of this municipality.
The excavations have brought to light the typical
Roman reticule, the amphitheatre, remains of the
baths, and mosaic-decorated homes.
Overnight in Seville.
D a y 3 The village of Zafra played an important role as
a border town between Andalusia and Extremadura.
Over the castle of Arab origin rises the GothicRenaissance fortress and ancient palace -nowadays a
Parador- of one of the great figures of Spain, the Duke
of Feria. The urban framework centers on the beautiful
gated squares, side streets, old hospitals and convents,
one of which is today the town hall.
Mérida is considered to be the Spanish city that has
best preserved its Roman legacy. Notable sites include
the amphitheatre and the theater, the very interesting
National Museum of Roman Art, and the Temple of
Diana located in the center of town. Not lacking are
various works of infrastructure such as the Roman
bridge, an aqueduct, and a reservoir.
Overnight in Mérida.
D a y 4 Traveling down the road known during the
Middle Ages as the Road to Santiago, we find Cáceres,
the next stop for those making the pilgrimage from the
south of Spain. The number of estates and palaces
huddled around the Plaza Mayor and its adjacent streets
is so abundant that the visitor feels transported to
times gone past. Towers, beautiful facades and unique
windows adorn the palaces of the families Golfines,
Toledo Moctezuma, Godoy and Carvajal among
others. The walled village of Plasencia features narrow
side streets centering around a lively Main Square.
Notable palaces include the Mirabel and the Carvajal.
The most interesting of all are the two Cathedrals, hidden
within each other. Overnight in Plasencia.
D a y 5 The best kept stretches of the Roman Route of
Silver are found in the mountain passes, here in the
section of the sierra that separates Extremadura from
Castile. Following a brief stop at the arch of the Roman
ruins of Cáparra. Possibility of hiking from Baños de
Montemayor to the Magdalena Bridge.
We can enjoy an evening stroll and enter Salamanca
from the south, crossing the well preserved Roman
Bridge. Salamanca is now, and has always been, more
than anything a university city. The historical university
buildings that have been preserved since medieval and
Renaissance times, are unique and many of them are
open to tourists. The homogenous mix of students and
visitors beckons us to stroll through its lively streets
and to indulge in the festive atmosphere. Notable
monuments include the Plaza Mayor, the two
Cathedrals -from Romanesque to Baroque- the House
of Shells, the San Esteban Convent, and the interesting
Art Nouveau and Art Déco Museum situated in the
modernist Casa Lis. Overnight in Salamanca.
D a y 6 Our route will take us to Zamora in the morning
and we will have the chance to discover its charming
medieval quarter visiting the Romanesque-Gothic
Cathedral with its beautiful Byzantine dome and the
castle’s park. More than twenty Romanesque churches
are scattered throughout the city -notable among them
are San Ildefonso, La Magdalena, San Juan and Santa
María la Nueva-. León, the capital city of the kingdom
that encompassed the Silver Way almost in its entirety,
offers masterful works of art from various eras. Just as
the Romanesque style of the Collegiate of San Isidoro
was pioneering in both architecture and painting, and
the Gothic cathedral houses one of the best kept treasures
of stained glass, so does the ancient pilgrims hospital
of San Marcos possess one of the most beautiful
Plateresque façades of 16th century.
Possibility of organizing a special regional dinner.
Overnight in León.
D a y 7 Today we cross the Cantabrian mountain range
to reach Asturias. The Christians took 524 years to arrive
to Seville from here. It was in these valleys that the first
kingdom was formed against the invading Muslims
and Oviedo soon became its capital.
In the surrounding area we find two jewels of the
period: the Pre-Romanesque churches of Santa María
del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo. In Oviedo’s historical
district there still remain vestiges of 9th century
Asturian art: the Foncalada, the apse of the San Tirso,
and the Cámara Santa. The late-Gothic Cathedral
dominates the city center that with its palaces,
University, bourgeoisie homes, convents, and small
plazas, recounts tales of a prosperous past that still
exists today. In Gijón we reach the Cantabrian coast
where we find one of the most important maritime
ports that used to join the country with the north of
11
Salamanca. Casa de las Conchas. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Castilla y León
Santiponce. Conjunto arqueológico de Itálica.
Foto cedida por: Red de Cooperación de Ciudades en la Ruta de la Plata
Europe. The historical district is located behind a small
peninsula flanked by loading docks and San Lorenzo
beach. Overnight in Gijón.
D a y 8 Transfer to the Asturias Airport.
THE SILVER ROUTE
8 days
Day 1
SEVILLA
Day 2
EXCURSION ITÁLICA
Day 3
SEVILLA - ZAFRA - MÉRIDA
Day 4
MÉRIDA - CÁCERES - PLASENCIA
Day 5
PLASENCIA - SALAMANCA
Day 6
SALAMANCA - ZAMORA - LEÓN
Day 7
LEÓN - OVIEDO - GIJÓN
Day 8
GIJÓN
Sevilla. Torre del Oro y Giralda de noche. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Andalucía
SEFARAD, A JOURNEY INTO JEWISH SPAIN
According to legend, the arrival of the Jews -Sephardi- on the Iberian Peninsula took place
during the times of Solomon; historical evidence suggests the Roman Age. The Jews, along
with various other Mediterranean cultures, contributed to the formation of Hispanic culture
and experienced their golden age during the Middle Ages, when they created their own
neighborhoods and institutions -aljamas- in all of the major cities. The cultural symbiosis they
enjoyed with the other existing religions was interrupted at the end of the 15th century.
D a y 1 Arrival in Madrid.
Continue to Segovia for overnight.
Toledo. Santa María La Blanca. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Castilla - La Mancha
D a y 2 After visiting two masterful secular works in
Segovia, the Alcázar and the Aqueduct, we will enter
into the religious realm of the city. The present day
cathedral, which dates from the 16th century, stands
on land left unoccupied after the expulsion of the Jews.
Beneath the shelter of the cathedral we can still note the
urban presence of the Jews: documents indicating the
location of the butcher shop and at least one of the five
synagogues -notably the present day conventual
church of Corpus Christi-, and the cemetery.
Ávila, besides its Romanesque legacy noted in the walls,
churches and cathedral, underscores the difficulties
faced by converted Jews. The legend of Saint Vincent
tells of one case during the Roman Age; the Jewish
ancestry of Saint Teresa brings it up again in the 15th
century, as does the work of Thomas of Torquemada,
founder of the Saint Thomas convent.
Travel to Salamanca for overnight.
D a y 3 While Salamanca could never boast a prominent
Jewish community, we will attempt to trace its culture
by focusing on the city’s ancient University.
Additionally we will visit the two cathedrals, the House
of Shells and the Main Square.
Upon arriving in Hervás, we find ourselves in the region
of Extremadura, an important Jewish refuge during the
15th century because of its religious tolerance at the
time. Hervás, situated on the Silver Route, maintains
an important Jewish quarter.
We will travel to Cáceres for overnight.
D a y 4 The Jewish quarter of Cáceres boasted a long
history, had the necessary institutions to be considered
an authentic aljama, and was one of the five largest
Jewish communities of the kingdom of Castile.
The quarter was settled in two neighborhoods, the Old
and the New, and as usual, the old synagogue was
transformed into a place of Christian worship, the chapel
of San Antonio. Between both quarters, we will take a
walk through the palaces of the historical district.
After a brief stay in Roman Mérida, which according to
Hebrew literature was home to the first Jewish settlement
in the 1st century, we will continue our journey towards
Andalusia. Overnight in Seville.
D a y 5 It was in Andalusia where the Hebrew culture
and the Muslim World came together on the Iberian
Peninsula. The old Jewish quarter of Seville is known
today as the Barrio de Santa Cruz. It is located close to
the mosque, rebuilt as a Gothic Cathedral, the Giralda
bell tower, the Courtyard of the Orange Trees, and the
Royal Palaces built in the Mudéjar style.
Later in the afternoon we will roam the neighborhoods
of Granada visiting the Albaicín and Bib-Rambla districts,
the Renaissance cathedral, the Royal Chapel, and the
tomb of the Catholic Kings, the monarchs who in their
zeal to achieve religious unity, completely ended the
coexistence of the three prominent religions on Spanish
territory. Overnight in Granada.
D a y 6 In the morning we will visit the Alhambra, an
exquisite complex and palace of the last Arab kings to
inhabit the peninsula.
On the way to Córdoba, we will stop by Lucena,
the self-proclaimed“Sephardic Pearl” where in the
12
12th century a theocratic Jewish republic was formed
along with a very important Talmudic School.
The only remnants left today are the alleys in the
Jewish quarter, the imposing Moral castle, and the
Baroque church of San Mateo.
Córdoba is the third of the Arab capitals of Al-Andalus,
having been the capital city during the zenith of Arab
rule. The great mosque is from this period and has
been well preserved despite, or perhaps because of, its
conversion to a Christian church.
Close by, the welcoming Jewish quarter maintains the
only synagogue in Andalusia, which was saved in the
19th century when later additions were eliminated.
Among other notable Jewish districts, Córdoba stands
out for being the home of the Rabbi Maimónides.
Overnight in Córdoba.
D a y 7 The end of our tour will bring us to Toledo which
is the Spanish city that best summarizes the heritage of
the three monotheistic religions: from the encounters
between the Visigoths and the Jews, to the still existent
famed School of Translation. There is also the Christian
legacy represented by the Cathedral and San Juan de
los Reyes, a small, ancient Mosque, and two
Synagogues, Santa María la Blanca and El Tránsito,
the latter being the most important synagogue of the
entire country featuring an interesting Museum of
Hebrew culture. Overnight in Toledo.
D a y 8 Transfer to the Madrid Airport.
SEFARAD, A JOURNEY INTO JEWISH SPAIN
8 days
Day 1
MADRID - SEGOVIA
Day 2
SEGOVIA - ÁVILA - SALAMANCA
Day 3
SALAMANCA - HERVÁS - CÁCERES
Day 4
CÁCERES - MÉRIDA - SEVILLA
Day 5
SEVILLA - GRANADA
Day 6
GRANADA - LUCENA - CÓRDOBA
Day 7
CÓRDOBA - TOLEDO
Day 8
TOLEDO - MADRID
RIBERA DEL DUERO: WINE AND GASTRONOMY
“Basques stew, Castilians bake and Andalusians fry”… but they all partake of wine, cheese
and sausages. Due to its particular geographic location and climate, the region of Castile and
León is renowned for its Iberian hams and sausages, while the Duero River serves as the source
of such notable appellations as Ribera del Duero, Cigales, Rueda and Toro, extending into
D a y 2 We begin our journey with a visit to Valladolid
-capital city of the Duero region- and a stroll through
the historical quarter with its charming main square,
the late 19th century neighborhoods, the Cathedral,
and the University with its Santa Cruz Palace.
We will continue up the Duero River and enter a beautiful
valley protected by the surrounding plateaus, the perfect
environment for producing the red wines we will sample
during our visit to the Regional Wine Museum located
in the historical and impressive medieval castle of
Peñafiel.
Possibility of organizing a regional lunch.
In the afternoon we will sample blush wines of Cigales
appellation in a local winery.
Overnight in Valladolid.
D a y 3 In the morning we will visit Toro, another fine
area of red wines in the Duero region. The city offers
surprising views of the river, a medieval bridge and a
charming Collegiate. After sampling Toro wines at a
local winery, we will head to Zamora and enjoy a peaceful
stroll while visiting the medieval district and Cathedral,
and some of the countless Romanesque churches such
as La Magdalena and San Ildefonso.
Possibility of organizing a tapas lunch.
Possibility of visiting a local cheese producer with tasting.
We return to the land of Valladolid, specifically the
town of Medina del Campo where the harsh climate
and open fields are ideal for the production of white
wine.
Possibility of visiting a winery with tasting of Rueda
appellation.
Overnight in Valladolid.
Day 5 The centuries-old oaks populating the Salamanca
countryside lead us to the Peña de Francia, the most
prominent summit and sanctuary of the Sierra de
Francia mountain range which stretches throughout
the province of Salamanca and into Cáceres. At the foot
of the summit we will visit La Alberca, a village that has
maintained not only its traditional urban layout and
architecture, but the traditional handcrafts that have
disappeared in other places.
As a result of the cold climate of the plains, the province
of Salamanca is a primary producer of Iberian ham
and sausages in all of Spain.
Possibility of organizing a tasting of Iberian ham and
sausages.
Possibility of organizing lunch in one of the small
mountain villages.
Overnight in Salamanca.
Casa de los Picos, the Alhóndiga and the Torreón de los
Lozoya fortress.
We will visit the Gothic Cathedral known as the “Lady of
Cathedrals” as well as the defensive Alcázar fortress.
Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner.
Overnight in Segovia.
D a y 7 Transfer to the Madrid Airport.
D a y 6 The end of our journey takes us to two monumental cities, both declared World Heritage sites.
Ávila, birthplace to the famous Spanish mystics Santa
Teresa de Jesús and Saint John of the Cross, welcomes
us with its impressive walls, its Cathedral, the San
Vincent Basilica, palaces and family estates -the
Veladas, Valderrábanos, Núñez Velas and Torreón de
los Guzmanes-, as well as the Monastery of the
Incarnation.
In the afternoon we will visit Segovia with its spectacular
Roman Aqueduct, a jewel of Roman engineering built
in the 1st century. As we walk through the Jewish
Quarter, we will have the opportunity to behold the
Gastronomía. Alubias Bañezanas. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Castilla y León
D a y 4 Tordesillas gained notoriety with the signing of
the Treaty between Spain and Portugal in 1494, and as
the retreat of Queen Joanna the Mad. We can admire
the convent of Las Claras, an ancient royal palace with
a Moorish flair that has survived its conversion to a
convent. The Casas del Tratado provide details about
the oceanic distribution between the two Iberian kingdoms.
The lovely city of Salamanca centers on the University
which preserves its historical building and many colleges.
The homogeneous mix between students and visitors
beckons us to walk along the lively streets and indulge
in the festive atmosphere.
Notable monuments also include the Plaza Mayor, the
two Cathedrals, the House of Shells and the Monterrey
Palace.
Possibility of organizing a regional dinner.
Overnight in Salamanca.
Zamora. Catedral y río Duero. Foto cedida por: Junta Castilla y León. Turismo
D a y 1 Arrival in Madrid and transfer to Valladolid for
overnight.
Viñedos. Ribera del Duero. Foto cedida por: Turismo Castilla y León
Portuguese territory where Port wine and Vinho Verde are produced.
RIBERA DEL DUERO:
WINE AND GASTRONOMY
7 days
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
13
MADRID - VALLADOLID
EXCURSION RIBERA DEL DUERO and
CIGALES
EXCURSION TORO, ZAMORA and
RUEDA
VALLADOLID - TORDESILLAS SALAMANCA
EXCURSION SIERRA DE FRANCIA
SALAMANCA - ÁVILA - SEGOVIA
SEGOVIA - MADRID
Laguardia. Foto cedida por: Alava Incoming
LA RIOJA: WINE AND GASTRONOMY
It was during their southbound march through La Rioja that the Christians first integrated
Mediterranean agriculture: the olive grove, the vineyard and the irrigation system.
For centuries this junction would be both a disputed territory between the people of Castile and
Navarre, and the centre of cultural creation; for here is where the language of Spain was born,
where the Route of Santiago de Compostela was consolidated, and where superior wines were
nurtured.
Day 1 The first route of our journey takes us to the Bilbao
Airport, designed by the renown architect Calatrava,
followed by another landmark of contemporary art,
Frank O. Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum, the newest
icon of the Basque Country’s industrial capital city. We
will further explore this refurbished city with a scenic
tour that takes us from the newer suburbs to the historic
old town and its Seven Streets.
Travel to Logroño for overnight.
D a y 2 We will begin by visiting the old section of
Logroño -capital city of La Rioja- and will walk along
the city stretch of the Path of Saint James where we will
find the late Gothic church of Santiago, as well as the
con-Cathedral, the church of Saint Bartholomew. The
towns of Samaniego and Labastida await us in the
Alaves district of La Rioja.
Possibility of visiting different wineries with tasting.
Possibility of organizing a regional Rioja lunch.
On our way back, we will enjoy a walk in San Asensio
-a prosperous village known for its Davalillo Castle
ruins and the Battle of Wine- and in Cenicero, whose
historic past is evidenced by gated homes marked with
their respective coats of arms. Overnight in Logroño.
D a y 3 Today we follow the Path of Saint James to
Nájera, the former venue for the Kings of Navarre
-buried in the church of Santa María la Real-.
Possibility of visiting different wineries with tasting.
Continue to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a site created
for those making the pilgrimage, its walls, a beautiful
Main Square, Cathedral, pilgrimage Hospital and the
noted Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral remain intact.
At the foot of the Sierra de la Demanda hills, we will
retreat to San Millán de la Cogolla, the birthplace of the
language of Castile, and a reference point for the history
of Riojan monasticism dating from the Visigoths to the
18th century in the Suso and Yuso monasteries.
Overnight in Logroño.
Day 4 The day starts in Navarrete, a small village whose
Calle Mayor will lead us to the castle and to the
Romanesque gate of the cemetery.
Navarrete maintains a strong pottery-making tradition
and in Tricio we will discover a small church raised with
Roman columns. We will cross the Ebro river to reach
the village of Laguardia with its walled old quarter
which has been perfectly kept, as has been its medieval
urban layout. Laguardia is well situated above La Rioja
Alavesa and offers the best views of the Riojan vineyards.
Walking through its streets, we will visit the Church of
Santa María and appreciate its polychromatic Gothic
façade.
Possibility of visiting different wineries with tasting.
Overnight in Logroño.
D a y 5 Today we will focus on the upper region of Rioja.
Its capital city Haro, surrounded by renowned wineries,
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boasts the Plateresque façade of the church of Saint
Thomas.
Possibility of visiting one of the renown wine museums
in Haro or Briones and different wineries with tasting.
In the surroundings of Haro we will discover
Casalarreina with its Palace of Los Condestables, the
large Baroque Ollauri homes, and the narrow, winding
streets of the walled city of Briones beneath the chapel
of the Virgen de los Remedios.
Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner
Overnight in Logroño.
D a y 6 Transfer to the Bilbao Airport.
LA RIOJA: WINE AND GASTRONOMY
6 days
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
BILBAO - LOGROÑO
EXCURSION SAMANIEGO,
LABASTIDA, SAN ASENSIO and CENICERO
EXCURSION NÁJERA, SANTO
DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA and
SAN MILLÁN DE LA COGOLLA
EXCURSION NAVARRETE and
LAGUARDIA
EXCURSION HARO, CASALARREINA,
OLLAURI and BRIONES
LOGROÑO - BILBAO
OPERA: MADRID AND BARCELONA
Madrid. Terraza Plaza Mayor. Foto cedida por: Consorcio Turístico de Madrid
D a y 2 Today we will discover the Madrid of the Austria
Dynasty, a city that became the capital in 1561. Our
visit will take us to the Royal Palace and next to it the
Almudena Cathedral, a temple started towards the end
of the 19th century when Madrid received its first bishop.
Our route concludes at the Plaza de Oriente and the
Teatro Real, a Bourbon structure from the PostNapoleonic period that, following its remodel, offers
superb acoustics.
From there, our path takes us to Calle Mayor, the Plaza
de la Villa and the San Miguel Market, arriving at the
Plaza Mayor, the prototype for so many other Castilian
plazas of the 17th and future centuries. We will pass
along Toledo Street until arriving to Puerta del Sol with
its many recesses that evoke Spanish history of the last
five hundred years.
Possibility to attend a performance at the Teatro Real.
Possibility of organizing a special dinner.
Overnight in Madrid.
D a y 3 After our flight from Madrid to Barcelona, we
will enjoy a scenic tour of the “City of Counts”. Our visit
begins on the grand avenues of the Eixample district
with its modernist buildings -notably the homes on the
Paseo de Gracia such as Lleó Morera, Amatller, Batlló
and Milá- and we will arrive at the Sagrada Familia,
masterpiece of architect Gaudí.
Following a stop in another of his better known works,
the Güell Park, we will arrive at the top of Montjuich
with its magnificent views of the city and the coast. In
the city’s historical district we will find the Gran Teatre
del Liceu, the oldest of the city and, during the last 150
years, one of the most famous opera stages where
Arias have been sung by the best tenors and sopranos
of the world. The most recent remodeling has updated
the building with the most modern technologies.
Possibility to attend a performance at the Gran Teatre
del Liceu.
Overnight in Barcelona.
D a y 4 Barcelona’s historical district is known for its
Gothic neighborhood where we will visit Santa María
del Mar, one of the most beautiful examples of the
peculiar Catalan Gothic style. Our visit takes us to such
exemplary sites as the Cathedral, the Palau de la
Generalitat, the Plaza Real and the famous Ramblas, a
lively avenue perfect for a stroll.
We will have the opportunity to see the emblematic
Boquería Market, the largest market in Spain, bound
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to the city, its traditions and popular celebrations. Of
course we will visit the Palau de la Música Catalana,
designed by famed architect Domenech i Montaner,
and one of the great monuments of Catalan
Modernism, which earned it the title of World Heritage
Site. Built in 1908, it still serves as an internationally
renowned concert hall offering productions by the most
notable performers and orchestras worldwide.
Possibility to attend a performance at the Palau de la
Música Catalana.
Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner.
Overnight in Barcelona.
D a y 5 Transfer to the Barcelona Airport.
OPERA: MADRID AND BARCELONA
5 days
Day 1
MADRID
Day 2
MADRID
Day 3
MADRID - BARCELONA
Day 4
BARCELONA
Day 5
BARCELONA
Barcelona. Anillo Olímpico. Foto cedida por: Espai d�Imatge.Turisme de Barcelona
D a y 1 A first glimpse of Madrid provided by a scenic
tour will allow us to appreciate the dimension and
beauty of this city of three million inhabitants and its
urban development over the last 150 years. We will see
the vital points of the city, the Paseo de la Castellana
avenue, the Manzanares River, Alcalá Street and Gran
Vía; the Salamanca district, urban expressions from
the Arturo Soria garden-city to the more recent Plaza
de Castilla district, the Colón, España and Atocha squares,
and extensive green areas such as the Retiro Park.
Nearby we find one of the best examples of the
Bourbon urban layout: the Paseo del Prado with its
fountains, gardens and museums. Of special interest
are the Mile of Art, Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia
Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
In the surrounding area is the Teatro de la Zarzuela, a
building dating more than 150 years, the first and only
stage dedicated to the traditional Spanish lyric genre.
The Zarzuela, a popular musical genre that began in
the 19th century, is characterized by musical numbers,
songs, and dances inspired in the European scenography
of the time. Possibility to attend a performance at the
Teatro de la Zarzuela.
Overnight in Madrid.
Coral. Foto cedida por: Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada
Music is probably the greatest product of the longstanding rivalry that has existed between
these two great Spanish metropolitan cities. Each city has its own particular history.
The younger capital city may regret its lack of a medieval past, but has largely compensated for
this with its Bourbon style palaces, its legacy of museums and its grandiose Baroque and
Neoclassical urbanism. The Catalan city, in turn, maintains the essence of medieval, commercial
and proud Mediterranean cities. To this it has added, since the 19th century, the opulence of the
Catalan industrial bourgeoisie and its daring urban plans.
Even today it is interesting to observe how each city attempts to respond the challenges of the future in its own way.
Jerez. Bodega “Mi madre”. Foto cedida por: Bodegas Real Tesoro y Valdespino.
Tradición. Feria de Sevilla. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Andalucía
ANDALUSIA: ART, LANDSCAPE AND PEOPLE
Many are the peoples, religions and cultures that since prehistoric times have arrived from the
Mediterranean to the south of Spain. Important reminders of the Carthaginians, the Romans, and the
Hebrews still remain, but what will most draw our attention are the remnants of the Arab civilization, its
great capitals, magnificent monuments and the respect they enjoyed during more than five centuries,
as well as the influence they bore on the Christian culture. Only in this way can we explain the villages,
the art, the society and the landscape of modern day Andalusia.
D a y 1 Arrival in Málaga and travel to Granada for
overnight.
Málaga. Playa de Mijas. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Andalucía
D a y 2 We begin our journey in La Alhambra, masterful
work of the Nazrids, the last dynasty of the Hispanic
Muslims. In its rooms, patios and gardens, we understand
the fascination that water and vegetation have wielded
over the Islamic culture, and how we are still today
seduced by their legendary romantic tales. We will
attempt to appreciate, despite the obvious contrasts,
the beauty of the Palace of Emperor Carlos V.
A stroll through the Albaicín district reveals the well
known Arab facet of the Andalusian culture, prior to
discovering the mark left on Granada by a Christian
Spain: the Renaissance Cathedral with the Royal
Chapel and the tombstones of the Catholic Kings.
Finally, we will wander through the old district, the
lively Plaza Bib-Rambla and the narrow streets that
surround it. Possibility to enjoy a Flamenco Show in the
Sacromonte Quarter.
Overnight in Granada.
D a y 3 Our road today takes us through the neverending olive groves in Jaén and Córdoba. Our visit to
the mills will teach us how to appreciate the different
qualities of olive oil of the Baena appellation.
Córdoba was likely the most powerful city in Al-Andalus
and was so in its most spectacular phase. The great
mosque bears witness to this period, very well preserved
despite, or perhaps because of, its conversion to a
cathedral. A worship center for the third religion is not
lacking; a Jewish synagogue surrounded by its aljama
or Jewish Quarter and the remembrance of the great
rabbinic thinkers. We finish the day with a stroll
through the streets of the old district and its charming
patios. Overnight in Córdoba.
D a y 4 Near Córdoba we will find the city-palace of
Medina-Azahara, that belonged to Abderrahman III,
the Córdoba Caliph, and which, despite centuries of
abandonment and thanks to slow reconstruction work,
still evokes an idea of its ancient beauty.
Carmona, of Punic origin and with its city walls, cemetery,
and amphitheater, reminds us that Andalusia also had
a very important Carthaginian and Roman past.
The climb to the Arabic Alcázar will take us by the 15th
century Mudéjar Church of San Felipe, and the
Baroque Convent of Descalzas. Overnight in Seville.
D a y 5 Of the three capitals that the Muslims had in
Andalusia, it was Seville that the Christian kings chose
for themselves. King Pedro I had the Royal Palaces
built, one of the most prominent works of Mudéjar
style art.
Here too the imposing Gothic Cathedral occupies the
grounds of the mosque, leaving only the Patio de los
Naranjos and the ancient minaret, the Giralda bell
tower from which one can enjoy a panoramic view of
all Seville.
A stroll through the picturesque quarters such as Santa
Cruz, beckon us to savor a special selection of tapas.
Possibility of organizing a special Andalusian tapaslunch and enjoying a river cruise along the Guadalquivir.
Overnight in Seville.
D a y 6 Arcos de la Frontera is another of southern
Spain’s towns bursting with history.
Here is where the Guadalete River is forever conjoined
to the myth of the Loss of Spain, creating the beautiful
backdrop of the town. A small ensemble of military
architecture, churches, palatial estates, welcoming
streets and balconies afford a pleasant stroll.
The city of Jerez de la Frontera has always enjoyed a
privileged financial state of affairs that has been
strengthened by the export of sherry wines since the
16
18th century. Its secret and peculiar processing
methods will be revealed to us during a visit to a wine
cellar, its quality tested during our wine tasting.
Possibility to visit the Royal School of Equestrian Art or
the Yeguada de la Cartuja, where we will admire the
singular breed of Cartujano horses.
Overnight in Seville.
D ay 7 Our route to Ronda will take us along picturesque
“white villages” such as Olvera -with a charming old
quarter and Medieval fortress- and Grazalema -one of
the best examples of the local architecture in the white
villages, which maintains very interesting monuments
such as the Roman fountain, the Baroque church
Nuestra Señora de la Aurora and the parish church La
Encarnación-.
We will pass through a range of abrupt green landscapes
in the Natural Park of Grazalema which invites us to
take a stroll before we reach the Serranía de Ronda.
The capital that gives the region its name is incredibly
situated by a gorge that divides the present town
in two: the old district with the Church Santa María
la Mayor and the new district with its 18th century
bullfighting ring. Possibility of organizing a special
farewell lunch in Ronda.
Overnight on the Costa del Sol.
D a y 8 Transfer to the Málaga Airport.
ANDALUSIA: ART, LANDSCAPE AND PEOPLE
8 days
Day 1
MÁLAGA - GRANADA
Day 2
GRANADA
Day 3
GRANADA - BAENA - CÓRDOBA
Day 4
CÓRDOBA - CARMONA - SEVILLA
Day 5
SEVILLA
Day 6
EXCURSION ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA and JEREZ
Day 7
SEVILLA - WHITE VILLAGES - RONDA COSTA DEL SOL
Day 8
COSTA DEL SOL - MÁLAGA
MODERNISM IN CATALONIA
With the industrialization of Catalonia in the 19th century, Barcelona was quick to assess its
urban needs. City walls were torn down and the city itself widened, resulting in an urban landscape
still in evidence today. By means of exhibits and direct communication with Europe, the most
recent artistic tendencies were applied. Around 1900 three great Catalan creators, Gaudí,
Domenech, and Puig, expanded “modernism” far beyond a mere import of an artistic style or
translation of an artistic term. Their style extended to other city centers of Catalonia.
D a y 1 Arrival in Barcelona and overnight.
D a y 2 Our point of entry to Barcelona is the historical
district. We will see one of the most beautiful examples
of the Catalan Gothic style with the imposing Santa
María del Mar church. From there we will head
towards the Gothic quarter where we will see the
Cathedral, the Palau de la Generalitat, the Town Hall,
the small streets that lead to the Plaza Real.
La Rambla, an area joining the statue of Columbus
with the Plaza Catalunya, passing through the
Boquería Market.
Afterwards we will head to the portside area, the
Barceloneta, and the Olympic Village. Our ascent
towards Montjuich will provide beautiful views of the
city and sea. Next to the old castle, we will find the rest
of the Olympic facilities. A panoramic view wraps up
this portion of our visit as we now turn towards the
Eixample, the mid 19th century extension of Barcelona,
its structure quite exemplary for its time.
Possibility of organizing a tapas-lunch in Barcelona.
Overnight in Barcelona.
D a y 3 We will approach Catalan Modernism through
what is considered its birthplace, the location of the
1888 Universal Expo in Barcelona. There we will see the
Castle of the Three Dragons, the cafeteria-restaurant
built by the first Catalan modernist Domenech i
Montaner. Passing through the Triumphal Arch, which
presided over the entrance to the Expo, we will arrive at
the Palace of Catalan Music, a supreme example of
Catalan Modernism. Another commissioned work,
more practical but no less artistic, is the building of the
Santa Creu y Sant Pau Hospital located on the outskirts
of the Eixample district. From here we will stroll down a
large diagonal avenue that traverses four blocks of the
Ensanche district. The Avenida Diagonal will take us to
the great Modernist artist Antonio Gaudí’s masterful,
albeit unfinished work, the Sagrada Familia.
Overnight in Barcelona.
D a y 4 Today we will concentrate on the most famous
son of Figueres, the great, controversial surrealist painter
Salvador Dalí. The Theater-Museum was created and
designed by the artist to accommodate a large part of
his works, and to serve as his burial site.
A stroll through the small city will take us to some of
Figuere’s modernist works such as the Casa Cusí i
Salleras or the former slaughterhouse which today serves
as a cultural center.
Possibility of organizing lunch in Figueres.
The origins of Girona trace back to the Roman age: we
will discover its history while visiting the wonderful
Romanesque and Gothic Cathedral with its famous
tapestry of the Creation as well as the well preserved
Jewish quarter, the Call of Girona.
The Modernist expression is most notable in the work
of architect and poet Rafael Masó, the Casa y Fábrica
Harinera Teixidor. On our return we will stop in Canet
de Mar, a population with family ties to Domenech,
where his Home-Museum is located.
Return to Barcelona for overnight.
D a y 5 We resume our visit to Barcelona’s Modernist
expression on its most emblematic street, the Paseo de
Gracia. This and other adjacent and parallel streets
comprise numerous private residences designed by
Domenech and Gaudí, as well as by other architects
from Catalonia’s most powerful bourgeois period. One
prominent block is the Manzana de la Discordia where
Gaudí’s Casa Batlló, Domenech’s Casa Lleó Morera and
Puig i Cadafalch’s Casa Amatller stand in rivalry with
each other.
These artists also created the masterpiece La Pedrera,
the Montaner i Simon Publishing House, and the Casa
de les Punxes on Diagonal street, respectively.
The industrial Güell family commissioned many works
from Gaudí, of which we will see the Güell Palace, the
Pavilions and Güell Park with Gaudí’s Home-Museum.
We will finish up the day at the Museum of Modern Art
Sant Sadurní d�Anoia. Edificio Cavas Codorniú.
Foto cedida por: Agència Catalana de Turisme
where the rich collection of Catalan art from the 19th
and 20th centuries focuses on the Modernist works of
Casas, Rusiñol and Homar among others.
Overnight in Barcelona.
D a y 6 Terrasa is one of the most important Spanish
centers of the ancient Christian and Visigoth age. It
resumed its importance as an industrial center toward
the end of the 19th century with its Modernist expression
notable not only with private homes and public buildings,
but includes perhaps the best accumulation of
Modernist industrial architecture with Vapor Aymerich
and Vapor Amat among others.
Towards the end of the 19th century, the old
Montserrat Sanctuary enjoyed a revival as the symbol
of the Catalonians, which explains why a large part of
the construction was designed by the great architects of
the time such as Gaudí and Puig.
Extending along the base of the rock-solid Montserrat
structure is the Penedés district, known predominantly
for its sparkling wines. The capital city Villafranca del
Penedés provides a nice selection of modernist homes.
Finally we will arrive at the coastal town of Sitges where
notable sites include Cau Ferrat, private residence of
artist Santiago Rusiñol, and the Maricel Palace which
houses an interesting collection of contemporary art.
Possibility of organizing a winery visit with cava tasting.
Overnight in Barcelona.
Day 7
Transfer to the Barcelona Airport.
Barcelona. Casa Milá. Foto cedida por: Fundació Caixa Catalunya
MODERNISM IN CATALONIA
7 days
Day 1
BARCELONA
Day 2
BARCELONA
Day 3
BARCELONA
Day 4
EXCURSION FIGUERES, GIRONA and
CANET DE MAR
Day 5
BARCELONA
Day 6
EXCURSION TERRASSA, MONTSERRAT,
PENEDÉS and SITGES
Day 7
17
BARCELONA
ART AND MUSEUMS IN MADRID
When Phillip II named Madrid as the capital city of his kingdom, it was just one
more city among many. Churches, convents and palaces were soon added, and
slowly a more definitive urbanism resulted in creations that appear from the
Plaza Mayor to the great Bourbon walkways. But the most singular attractiveness
of Madrid is having been the center of Spanish culture
since the Golden Age, which has resulted in the city
boasting the best museums in all of Spain and among
the best in Europe. But Madrid is also one of the most
dynamic metropolises of the continent.
One of the reasons the royalty decided to settle down
here was its location, situated on a vast plain with no
orographical borders.
D a y 2 A first glimpse of Madrid provided by a scenic
tour will allow us to appreciate the dimension and
beauty of this city of three million inhabitants and its
urban development over the last 150 years. We will see
the vital points of the city, the Paseo de la Castellana,
the Manzanares River, Alcalá Street and Gran Vía; the
Salamanca district, urban expressions from the Arturo
Soria garden-city to the more recent Plaza de Castilla
district, the Colón, España and Atocha squares, and
extensive green areas.
The Reina Sofia Museum will be the first of three great
Madrid museums that we will visit. Ensconced within a
former Neoclassical hospital facility from the 18th century,
its wide spaces are dedicated to the exhibits and rather
complete display of contemporary Spanish artists,
from works of Zuloaga, Regoyos and many others, to
the culmination of works by Dalí, and Picasso’s
Guernica. Overnight in Madrid.
D a y 4 Toledo, predecessor to Madrid as the capital
of Spain, is the Spanish city that best represents the
religious ideals of the Middle Ages.
From the Visigoth period which emanated the idea of a
united, independent and Catholic Iberian Peninsula, to
the medieval cohabitation of three religions -the Cristo
de la Luz Mosque, the Tránsito and Santa María la
Blanca Synagogues, and the Cathedral- we arrive at
the controversial Spanish Renaissance: the Santa Cruz
hospital and El Greco. Despite the overlapping of cultures,
wandering the narrow streets of Toledo continues to
evoke this Mediterranean and Semitic origin of so
Madrid. Museo Nacional del Prado. Foto cedida por: Consorcio Turístico de Madrid
D a y 3 Today we will complete our visit along the famed
Mile of Art in Madrid. The Prado Museum, recently
expanded, houses the former royal collections in an
early 18th century building. The focus is on the great
masters of Spanish art: El Greco, Velázquez and Goya,
and displays the fine taste that the royal family had for
Italian -primarily Tiziano and Tintoretto- and Flemish
art from El Bosco to Rubens. The collection at the
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum somehow complements
that of the Prado: masters of Italian art from Trecento
and Cuatrocento, and avantgarde paintings from the
19th century. The three great art museums of Madrid
are situated in an area known as the Madrid of the
Bourbons which also includes the Botanical Gardens,
the Paseo del Prado avenue and its fountains, and the
Retiro Park.
Possibility to organize a tapas lunch.
Overnight in Madrid.
many Spanish cities. Possibility to organize a visit to a
local producer with manchego cheese and wine taste.
Return to Madrid and overnight.
D a y 5 Today we will get to know the Madrid of the
Habsburgs, that is, the city that became the capital in
1561. Originally an Arab fortress that later became the
Alcázar of Carlos V, today it is the Royal Palace, a
Bourbon design from the 18th century. Next to it is the
Cathedral, a temple begun towards the end of the 19th
century when Madrid finally had a bishop. From there
our steps will take us down Calle Mayor, the Plaza de la
Villa square and the San Miguel market to the Plaza
Mayor, a reference for many other Castilian squares
from the 17th and subsequent centuries. Calle Toledo
takes us to the San Isidro church and from there to the
Plaza Santa Ana and the Puerta del Sol square. There
are many hidden places that will evoke the Spanish
history over the last five hundred years.
Finally, we will visit two royal convents of Madrid:
the Encarnación and the Descalzas monasteries,
expressions of the religious sentiment of the Habsburg
Counterreformation.
Possibility to organize a special farewell dinner or
attend a flamenco show.
Overnight in Madrid.
D a y 6 Transfer to the Madrid Airport.
ART AND MUSEUMS IN MADRID
6 days
Day 1
18
MADRID
Day 2
MADRID
Day 3
MADRID
Day 4
EXCURSION TOLEDO
Day 5
MADRID
Day 6
MADRID
Madrid. Iglesia de San Antonio de La Florida. Foto cedida por: Consorcio Turístico de Madrid
D a y 1 Arrival in Madrid and overnight.
AVANTGARDE ARCHITECTURE IN VALENCIA
Centro de las Artes y las Ciencias. Foto cedida por: Agencia Valenciana de Turisme
Valencia was one of the great Mediterranean capitals during the Middle Ages, producing such
notable historical figures as the Cid and the Borgia family. A communications hub that stirred
many secular controversies between Moors and Christians, Valencia is still today one of the
most fertile agricultural lands in all of Europe.
Since its foundation and throughout its development, the city has always remained a continual
challenge for the Valencians as it is threatened by sea, by swampland and rising rivers.
That is why the conquest of land is still being waged today, giving rise to an important avantgarde architecture.
D a y 1 Arrival in Valencia and overnight.
D a y 2 We begin our visit in Valencia in the heart of the
city where we can see a portion of the ancient Roman
walls adjacent to Arab additions and the medieval
Christian gates.
Currently it is the Gothic Cathedral with its Miquelet
tower that takes center stage. The Arab-designed
narrow streets reveal a city once encircled by rivers.
A stroll through the side streets takes us to shopping
centers, the Plaza Redonda, the Market, and finally,
the great symbol of Valencian power, the Silk Exchange
from the 15th century.
Since the age of the Caliphs, the Tribunal of Water for
the Gardens of Valencia has gathered at one of the
cathedral portals to render judgment in medieval and
effective manner over abuses of their most precious
commodity: water.
The Fallero Museum takes us to the beginning of
Spring, the most important celebration of Valencia.
Here is where the uncensored ninots are displayed and
eventually subjected to the most characteristic element
of the festival of the Kingdom of Valencia: fire.
Overnight inValencia.
D a y 3 We leave medieval Valencia through the Sea
Gate, but we are still 5 kilometers away from the docks.
The city has long wanted to be joined to the seashore
and one of the most recent and ambitious projects is
the City of Arts and Sciences erected on the old Turia
riverbed. Over the past few years, the prestigious
Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava has created the
Palace of the Arts for opera and dance, the Hemispheric
cinema, the Museum of Science, and the
Oceanographic for the study of marine science, all sites
a reference for international cultural.
Overnight in Valencia.
D a y 4 The latest effort to connect with the
Mediterranean was the creation of the sports area for
sailing located next to the commercial docks.
Influenced by the America’s Cup, the area has developed
19
into a modern and enormous leisure district. We will
wrap up the morning with a short stroll along
Malvarrosa Beach.
In the afternoon, an excursion to the Albufera National
Park will provide a nice insight into the natural
surrounding area of Valencia. The rice fields, and the
fresh and salty waters were the basis of the greatest
international gastronomical success of Valencia, the
paella. Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner.
Overnight in Valencia.
D a y 5 Transfer to the Valencia Airport.
AVANTGARDE ARCHITECTURE IN VALENCIA
5 days
Day
Day
Day
Day
Day
1
2
3
4
5
VALENCIA
VALENCIA
VALENCIA
VALENCIA and LA ALBUFERA
VALENCIA
GREEN SPAIN
A narrow passage between the mountain and the Cantabrian Sea offers spectacular landscapes
and many maritime ports, but also a very different Spain from the rest of the country.
A humid climate and an orographical boundary have kept its occupants, already feared in
Latin literature, safe from the larger Mediterranean cultures, allowing them to maintain not
only their pre-Roman names but the particular characteristics of each town.
The Basques preserve their millenarian language, different from all others, the Galicians cater
to their Celtic heritage, Asturians and Cantabrians their pastoral culture and traditional
architecture. In ancient times, only Christianity was allowed to permeate their culture, making them, for better or worse,
the cradle and protagonists of the Reconquest, from the Covadonga Sanctuary, passing through the gravesite of the
Apostle James, to the birth home of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.
D a y 1 The first route of our journey takes us to the
Bilbao Airport, designed by the renown architect
Calatrava, followed by another landmark of contemporary
art, Frank O. Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum, the newest
icon of the Basque Country’s industrial capital city.
We will further explore this refurbished city with a scenic
tour that takes us from the newer suburbs to the historic
old town and its Seven Streets.
Overnight in Bilbao.
D a y 2 Today’s visit has us crossing the mountainous
Basque countryside towards the Home-Museum of
Eduardo Chillida in Hernani. We will again find one of
his sculptures, The Comb of the Winds, where we will
begin our visit of the San Sebastián’s bay and beaches,
such as La Concha and Ondarreta.
Notable for its spectacular coastal landscape, it is
worthwhile to take a walk through the streets of the
port, the old district, and to sample its gastronomy.
Possibility of organizing a traditional lunch at a
Basque Sidrería
We will follow the road along the Basque coast, Zarautz
and Getaria, until arriving at Loyola, birthplace of Saint
Ignatius, with its Baroque sanctuary and his birth site
known as the Santa Casa.
Return to Bilbao for overnight.
D a y 3 In the morning, the large, medieval Cantabrian
ports await us: Castro Urdiales with its famous beach,
the fisherman’s wharf, and the castle-lighthouse with
the Santa María church, and Laredo, another summer
resort town that nicely preserves the Puebla Vieja, the
noblemen palaces and its church. We will arrive at the
region’s capital city, Santander, which has added to
its old district the splendor of the late 19th century,
particularly in the peninsula of La Magdalena.
The afternoon will be dedicated to Santillana del Mar,
a town slightly inland, where, somewhat protected
from enemies overseas, the best preserved palaces of
Cantabria are situated: the Merino and Don Borja
Towers, the Barreda Palace, as well as the Collegiate
-the heart of this medieval-like town in whose cloister
we find one of the exemplary works of the peninsular
Romanesque style-. Overnight in Santillana del Mar.
D a y 4 Today we will finish our visit of the Federation of
the Four Villas which we began in Castro Urdiales,
Laredo and Santander with a visit to San Vicente de la
Barquera, the most important medieval port that
Castile had for Flanders. Located on the embankment
between two rivers, it has an attractive port. The Calle
Alta takes us to the pilgrimage Hospital, the Castle and
the Gothic Church of Santa María.
The famed mountain range Picos de Europa and their
striking views await us in Asturias. We will lose ourselves
in the very narrow valleys trying to arrive at the Cares
pass whose path cuts through the heart of the solid
rock mass. Possibility of enjoying a walk.
Possibility of visiting a local cheese producer with tasting.
Overnight in Cangas de Onís.
D a y 5 Cangas de Onís, the town that became the first
capital of the still small Kingdom of Asturias in the 8th
century holds several imposing estates and a daring
medieval bridge.
A few kilometers away we find the Covadonga Sanctuary,
a cave brimming with history and mythology about the
origins of medieval Spain.
A beautiful neo-Romanesque Basilica is the crowning
monument of this Marian site.
Possibility of enjoying a mountain hike in the lake
region Lagos de Enol and La Ercina.
Overnight in Cangas de Onís.
D a y 6 While driving towards the main cities of Asturias
-Oviedo and Gijón- we will stop at the viewing-point
Mirador del Fito that offers us a wonderful sight.
On the coast we will find the important maritime port
of Gijón which has a small historical district around
which we find endless beaches.
Costa occidental de Cantabria. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Cantabria
Possibility of organizing a traditional lunch at an
Asturian Sidrería
Oviedo, however, has been the residential capital of the
region since the end of the 8th century.
In the immediate surrounding area, we find two jewels
of that period: the pre-Romanesque churches of Santa
María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo. Vestiges of
9th century art in the historical district of Oviedo still
remain intact: the Foncalada, the apse of San Tirso,
the Cámara Santa. The late-Gothic Cathedral looms
over the city center that, with its palaces, University,
bourgeois homes, convents, and small town squares,
reveals a prosperous past that continues to this day.
Overnight in Oviedo.
Day 7 We will continue along the Asturian coast stopping
at a lookout point to contemplate the slopes and the
beaches of the Cantabrian coast. The village of Luarca
with its white houses, the cemetery and the fishing port
are a good example. In Ribadeo -the gate of entry to
Galicia- we will leave the coast behind, as during the
early pilgrimages, in search of the most direct route to
Santiago by means of Lugo.
This ancient Roman settlement maintains its robust
3rd century walls intact. A stroll atop the walls allows
us to view its historical district where we will later visit
the Romanesque Cathedral and the Main Square.
Continue to Santiago de Compostela for overnight.
Day 8 A stroll through the narrow charming streets in
the historical district will take us to the Cathedral of
Santiago, the ultimate goal, since its construction,
of Christian pilgrimages, as well as the monumental
Plaza del Obradoiro, surrounded by granite art.
We will get to know the medieval old quarter and its
traditional Market, squares, churches and convents as
well as its magnificent former Pilgrims’ Hospital,
nowadays a luxurious Parador.
Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner.
Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.
D a y 9 Transfer to the Santiago de Compostela Airport.
GREEN SPAIN
9 days
Day 1
BILBAO
Day 2
EXCURSION SAN SEBASTIÁN and LOYOLA
Day 3
BILBAO - SANTANDER - SANTILLANA
Day 4
SANTILLANA DEL MAR - PICOS DE
EUROPA - CANGAS DE ONÍS
20
Day 5
CANGAS DE ONÍS and COVADONGA
Day 6
CANGAS DE ONÍS - GIJÓN - OVIEDO
Day 7
OVIEDO - LUGO - SANTIAGO
Day 8
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Day 9
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
inhao Rail station. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Portugal
Sup.: Porto. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Portugal
Inf.: Zamora. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Castilla y León
Portugal. Río Duero. Foto cedida por: Turismo de Portugal
THE RIVER DUERO: SPAIN AND PORTUGAL
The Duero, or the Douro River, depending on which country we happen to be in, represents both
a border and union of these two Iberian countries. On the shores of the river we find historical
sites such as Zamora in Spain and Lamego in Portugal, where this country’s independence was
recognized in the 12th century. Crossing the border into Portugal, we soon recognize that this
land no longer resembles Castile.
From Miranda do Douro to Porto, the river provides spectacular landscapes: the bare granite
walls from the Arribes give way to the terrace vineyards further inland, and finally the old
neighborhoods of Porto built on slopes and held together by daring steel bridges.
D a y 1 Arrival in Madrid and transfer to Salamanca for
overnight.
D a y 2 Salamanca is now, and has always been, more
than anything a university city. The historical university
buildings that have been preserved since medieval and
Renaissance times, are unique and many of them are
open to tourists. The homogenous mix of students and
visitors beckons us to stroll through its lively streets
and to indulge in the festive atmosphere. Notable
monuments include the Plaza Mayor, the two
Cathedrals -from Romanesque to Baroque- the House
of Shells, the San Esteban Convent, and the interesting
Art Nouveau and Art Déco Museum situated in the
modernist Casa Lis.
Possibility of organizing a tapas lunch in Salamanca.
Overnight in Salamanca.
D a y 3 In the morning we will visit Toro, a fine area of
red wines in the Duero region. The city offers surprising
views of the river, a medieval bridge and a charming
Collegiate. After sampling Toro wines at a local winery,
we will head to Zamora and enjoy a peaceful stroll
while visiting the medieval district and cathedral, and
some of the countless Romanesque churches such as
La Magdalena and San Ildefonso.
Possibility of visiting a local cheese producer with tasting.
Return to Salamanca for overnight.
D a y 4 Heading towards Portugal, we will arrive at Las
Arribes, a border region known for a geological fault
that turned the Duero River into a canyon that has
become the natural border between Portugal and
Spain. An environmental boat tour will reveal spectacular
views and a unique microclimate.
The city of Miranda do Douro, a Portuguese bastion
facing Spain, maintains its fortress-like appearance,
dominated by its Renaissance and Baroque Cathedral.
We now turn towards Bragança, the capital of Tras-osMontes, another fortress town dating to Portugal’s
independence with its outstanding castle and the
Domus Municipalis, perhaps the only public
Romanesque building in Portugal.
Possibility of organizing a regional lunch.
Overnight in Bragança.
D a y 5 We will now leave behind the beautiful, albeit
severe Portuguese highlands in search of the Douro,
River. The High Douro region is an area of narrow,
warm valleys protected as much from the main stem
river as its tributaries, thus creating ideal conditions for
the cultivation of the vines that provide the grape
necessary for Port wine. From São João da Pesqueira in
the highlands, to Pinhão in the pit of the valley, there
are views to admire the patient and arduous labor needed
to cultivate these sloped hills.
Possibility of visiting a winery with tasting.
In the afternoon we will visit Vila Real with its 15th century
cathedral and the Baroque palace and gardens in
nearby Mateus. Overnight in Vila Real.
D a y 6 We will continue our visit through the Douro
valley in Lamego with its Romanesque Cathedral. Most
interesting, however, is the Nossa Senhora dos
Remédios Sanctuary with its long Baroque stairs.
Located next to the Douro river is the city of Peso da
Regua, which has recently been able to look out upon
the river since recently constructed dams have allowed
to control the river’s flow.
The city is becoming the leading producer of the region
of both Port and fine table wines.
Possibility of visiting a winery with tasting.
21
In the afternoon we will descend to the valleys heading
towards the Atlantic coast until arriving at Porto.
Overnight in Porto.
D a y 7 A scenic tour through the portside city of Porto
will allow us to discover its Romanesque Cathedral, the
Torre dos Clerigos, the Cristal Palace, the Stock
Exchange and the districts on the banks of the Douro
river. The second city of Portugal has always been the
most important industrial center of the country, thanks
in part to the benefits obtained by the wine commerce
with England. The cellars where the production of Port
wines has always taken place are on the river banks
opposite the Douro, in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Possibility of visiting a winery with Port-wine tasting.
Our most indelible memory will be the magnificent
views of the city of Porto, its bridges and historical
district, during a panoramic cruise.
Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner.
Overnight in Porto.
D a y 8 Transfer to the Porto Airport.
THE RIVER DUERO: SPAIN AND PORTUGAL
8 days
Day
Day
Day
Day
1
2
3
4
Day
Day
Day
Day
5
6
7
8
MADRID - SALAMANCA
SALAMANCA
EXCURSION TORO and ZAMORA
SALAMANCA - MIRANDA DO DOURO BRAGANÇA
BRAGANÇA - VILA REAL
VILA REAL - PESO DA REGUA - PORTO
PORTO
PORTO
PORTUGAL: ITS CULTURE AND PEOPLE
Portugal starts off initially as a small county in the region of Porto in the 11th century.
It is not until two generations later that the country finally gains independence and establishes
its capital in Coimbra before spreading further south. Great royal monasteries are founded as
historical landmarks in the face of their secular enemies, the Arabs and Castile.
Once consolidated, they gave rise to a series of ports that would direct the Portuguese towards
their great epic, the Atlantic, Africa and India. Their expansion will culminate in Lisbon in the
16th century when a devastating earthquake breaks the pervasive decadence and allows for a
new beginning. We will attempt to see this evolution within the parameters of modern Portugal.
D a y 3 The cod fishermen turned to the Aveiro estuaries
because its salt production.
As a result, the city experienced significant prosperity
during the Middle Ages. Over the canal we will visit the
main streets with the Gothic cathedral and the
Mannerist style church of Misericordia. Further on we
will stroll along the Buçaco Park, a former monastic
refuge filled with exotic plants.
Possibility of organizing a typical fisherman lunch in
Aveiro.
Coimbra, the former capital city for more than one
hundred years, boasts the oldest university of Portugal,
and even today the cheerful ambiance of the students
permeates the city. We will see the university’s library
and Romanesque Cathedral, the purest expression in
Day 4 The appearance of the Virgin in 1917 transformed
the small town of Fátima into the destination of the
millions of Portuguese and foreign believers who make
the pilgrimage every year.
Batalha is a Gothic Dominican monastery that was
begun towards the end of the Gothic period and contains
many Manuelino style elements.
Its founding commemorates the victory over Castile in
the neighboring Aljubarrota in 1385. The Cistercian
monastery Alcobaça, the largest church in Portugal,
recalls another victory, this time over the Arabs in 1147.
We will finish our day by the Atlantic Ocean in Nazaré,
a small fishing village situated on a cliff where the fish
are still dried out in the ancient tradition.
Overnight in Nazaré.
D a y 5 We will continue our visit along the Portuguese
side of Estremadura as we visit the city of Caldas da
Rainha, with its important 15th century baths and the
Manuelino style Populo Church. All around we will see
the renowned local pottery. We will arrive at the ancient
port city of Óbidos that seems to have been trapped in
the Middle Ages. The city maintains the integral 14th
century walls and the castle. Notable as well are the
pillory and the Renaissance style church. We will also
enjoy a stroll in the walled fishing village of Peniche,
located on a peninsula. On the way to Lisbon we will
make a quick stop in Cabo da Roca, the westernmost
point of the European continent. Overnight in Lisbon.
D a y 6 The morning will be spent visiting the different
districts of Portugal’s capital, Lisbon such as Alfama
-with its Cathedral, the San Antonio Church, the fortress,
narrow streets and trolleys-, El Chiado -with its bohemian
character-, and La Baixa with its urban development
subsequent to the 1755 earthquake.
The evening will take us to the Tejo estuary in Belém
where we will visit the Belém Tower and the
Hieronymites Monastery, pantheon to both the Royal
family and Vasco da Gama. Both sites are expressions
of the Manuelino style from the early 16th century.
With every step Portuguese history comes alive in our
minds and can be easily understood at the Monument
of the Discoveries. Overnight in Lisbon.
Alcobaça. Monasterio.Foto cedida por: Turismo Fátima.
Alcobaça. Loza tradicional.Foto cedida por: Turismo Fátima
D a y 2 A scenic tour through the portside city of Porto
will allow us to discover its Romanesque Cathedral, the
Torre dos Clerigos, the Cristal Palace, the Stock
Exchange and the districts on the banks of the Douro
river. The second city of Portugal has always been the
most important industrial center of the country, thanks
in part to the benefits obtained by the wine commerce
with England. The cellars where the production of Port
wines has always taken place are on the river banks
opposite the Douro, in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Possibility of visiting a winery with Port-wine tasting.
Our most indelible memory will be the magnificent
views of the city of Porto, its bridges and historical district,
during a panoramic cruise.
Overnight in Porto.
all of Portugal, prior to strolling down the narrow streets
to the Carmelite Convent where Sor Lucía, one of the
Fátima shepherds lived and died.
Overnight in Coimbra.
D a y 7 Today’s day trip will have us passing by
Portuguese seemingly endless cork oak groves until we
arrive at Évora, a former Roman settlement and World
Heritage City where we will discover its past visiting the
temple from the Roman Age, the Cathedral, the
University of the Jesuits and the San Francisco Church
with its Chapel of Bones.
Return to Lisbon for overnight.
Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner and
attending a Fado performance.
D a y 8 Transfer to the Lisbon Airport.
22
Gastronomía. Arroz de marisco .Foto cedida por: Turismo Fátima
D a y 1 Arrival in Porto and overnight.
PORTUGAL: ITS CULTURE AND PEOPLE
8 days
Day 1
PORTO
Day 2
PORTO
Day 3
PORTO - AVEIRO - COIMBRA
Day 4
COIMBRA - FATIMA - BATALHA - NAZARÉ
Day 5
NAZARÉ - CALDAS DA RAINHA - ÓBIDOS
PENICHE - LISBOA
Day 6
LISBOA and BELÉM
Day 7
EXCURSION ÉVORA
Day 8
LISBON