SPAIN CULTURAL TOUR

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Route 5: Andalusia... there is only one


Departures this year: April 2nd - May 21st - Nov 5th

During this route we will come across synagogues, cathedrals and the Alhambra; a well saved inheritance of the Arabs. The mix of culture and an incredible rich history makes Andalusia an interesting region to visit. The most common stereotypes of Spain can be found in Andalusia; bullfighting, flamenco music, sherry wine, tapas and fiestas.

Half-Board: $1575.00 CAD Per Person / Full-Board: $1795.00 CAD Per Person
Single Supp: $355.00 CAD Per Person


Itinerary

Day 1: Málaga - Nerja - Granada (158 km)
  • Arrival meet with your group and departure for Nerja. The cultural tour starts with a visit of its famous caves, natural cavities with stalactites and stalagmites, one of most important prehistoric settlements in Spain. Walk towards the Balcón de Europa, for a breathtaking sea-view

  • Lunch in a restaurant where the group leader will give a presentation of the tour and a short briefing about the scheduled program. Leaving for Granada after lunch. In Granada we start the visit by taking a stroll through the old town: we will visit the Cathedral, designed by Alonso Cano in a renaissance style and whose construction lasted two centuries. Just behind the Cathedral we find the Royal Chapel, built under the reign of the Catholic Kings for their own burials. Enrique Egas following the Elizabethan gothic style designed the chapel. Before going to the hotel we walk through the Albaicín, the most characteristic quarter in Granada

  • Transfer to the hotel. Welcome cocktail and dinner. Accommodation

Day 2: Granada - Baeza (135 km)
  • Breakfast and this morning we will visit the Alhambra, the awe-inspiring Moorish Palace, unique in the western world. Inside the monument we find the Alcazaba, a fortress dated the 9th century, the Generalife, a royal summer residence dating back to the beginning of the 14th century and a group of Palaces residence of the Nazarí dynasty

  • Lunch and we continue our route to Baeza, this beautiful city lived its greatest era during the 16th and 17th centuries. Walk through the monumental area of the town: the Populo Square, where we will stop to visit the Cathedral, whose interior was designed by Andres de Vandelvira, and next to the Cathedral we'll see the glazing gothic Jabalqinto Palace by Enrique Degas; the Town Hall, in a Plateresque style; and finally, the Old University Building, founded in the 16th centur

  • Transfer to the hotel in Baeza for Dinner and accommodation

Day 3: Cordova - Granada (170KM)
  • Breakfast and we head to Ubeda. We walk through the old town to see the Vazquez de Molina Square, surrounded by beautiful buildings, such as the Cardenas Palace by Vadelvira; the Santa Maria de los Alcazares Church, 13th century; and the Salvador Chapel, a religious renaissance sample. On the way to Cordova, we will stop for lunch

  • Arrival in Cordova. After crossing the Roman Bridge we arrive at the Mosque - Cathedral, the only monument in the world bearing a Christian Cathedral built inside a Muslim Mosque, a testimony of the faith of both religions. Inside the monument we find the Orange Trees Courtyard with the ablution fountain

  • After the visit of the Mosque, we will continue the tour by going the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, a residence- fortress of Alfonso XI whose sarcophagus and mosaics are vivid reminders of the Roman Cordova. Then, a walk through the Judería (Jewish district) will take us to the Synagogue

  • Arrival at the hotel in Cordova, Dinner and accommodation

Day 4: Córdoba - Carmona - Seville (146 km)
  • Breakfast and departure for Carmona: this aristocratic town rises from the highest point of the plateau of golden stone dominating the landscape and forming an extraordinary walled city with stunning monuments. The route leads us to the ruins of the Alcázar de Abajo, and the Alcázar de Arriba, an old roman fortress.

    Not to be missed are the Church of Santa Maria la Mayor (gothic), San Pedro Church, San Felipe Church (mudejar) and the El Salvador Church (baroque), samples of the different cultures that influenced the town throughout its history. Finally, visit of the important roman Necropolis dated the 1st century B.C.

  • After lunch, we head to Seville. Arrival in Seville and walk through the district that housed the Latin American Exhibition in 1929 to reach the Plaza de España, a masterpiece by the Architect Anibal González.
    We continue the tour walking along the Guadalquivir river bank from where we can see the most typical quarter of the city, Triana; the Torre del Oro, an ancient watchtower built in the Muslim period, the Tolerance Tribute Monument by Eduardo Chillida, one of our most worldwide known artist, the Maestranza Bullring and the Hospital de la Caridad, founded by Miguel de Mañara and exhibiting the work of important artists

  • Arrival at the hotel in Seville for dinner and accommodation

Day 5: Seville - Itálica
  • Breakfast and sightseeing tour of the historic centre of Seville: the Reales Alcázares, a palace of mudéjar inspiration and a Royal residence of the Monarchy since the 14th century (at present still used by King Juan Carlos). The Cathedral, one of the gothic masterpiece in Spain, was built above the foundations of the main mosque: reminders of the ancient mosque are the Patio of the Orange trees and the Minaret of the Giralda. Walk along the Santa Cruz Quarter, a labyrinth of narrow streets part of the ancient Jewish area. After Lunch, we travel to Itálica, an ancient roman town superbly preserved, founded in 206 BC, and the birthplace of the emperors Trajano and Adriano. The huge amphitheatre, the theatre and the ruins of some private and public buildings are still preserved

  • Back to the city centre and time allowing, we stop at the Casa de Pilatos Palace, dating back to the 15th century, today a Museum of Roman art

  • Transfer to the hotel in Itálica. Dinner and accommodation

Day 6: Seville - Jerez - Puerto de Santa María
  • Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Jerez de la Frontera, worldwide known for the sherry-wine production. Visit to the Cathedral, built after the Reconquest of Spain from the Moors on the foundations of the ancient Mosque. Next, we will see the Cabildo Building, renaissance style, the Plaza de la Asunción and the Church of San Miguel. Time allowing we can choose to see a show of the Andalusian horses, taking place in the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art (Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre)

  • Lunch and we continue our cultural route to El Puerto de Santa María. Walking around the old town dated from the 18th and 19th centuries, we will see the Mayor Prioral Church, built under the reign of Alfonso X. Free time

  • Transfer to the hotel, dinner and accommodation

Day 7: Puerto de Santa María - Arcos - Ronda - Antequera
  • Breakfast and today we travel to Arcos de la Frontera, one of most beautiful old towns in Spain. Walking through the medieval area we reach the Cabildo Square, the Santa María de la Asunción and the San Pedro Churches. Departure for Ronda. Arrival and sightseeing tour of the old town: the Mondragón Palace, in a mudejar style; the Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor, built on the site of the main mosque of the city. Finally, we will visit the Bullring, the oldest one in Spain

  • Once in Antequera we walk to the Colegiata de Santa María, through the Arch of the Giants, feature of a primitive Renaissance, to the San Agustín Church, designed by the same architect of the Malaga Cathedral and we end at the San Sebastián Church, whose tower is one of the symbols of the town

  • Transfer to the hotel in Antequera, dinner and accommodation

Day 8: Antequera - Málaga Airport
  • Breakfast and departure for Málaga airport. Arrival and end of this cultural route






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