Welcome to Spain! Visiting Spain opens a window into a country of rich culture, character and festivity. Undeniably unique in so many ways, Spain has been one of the major cultural centers in Europe for thousands of years. Its extraordinary artistic heritage extends from grand achievements in painting and architecture to music. Renowned painters such as El Greco, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso transformed the trends in art and it was in Andalusia that the first guitar was invented in the 1790’s! Later Andres Segovia of Spain, took this invention to new heights by establishing the classical guitar as a genre, and later, Paco de Lucia, became the best known flamenco guitarist internationally. Many artists and musicians came before and many after, but Spain’s role at the forefront of these artistic movements has been unwavering.
Spanish music is at the heart of its culture and has had an important impact on music in western culture. Though best know for traditions like flamenco and the Spanish guitar, Spanish music is incredibly diverse from region to region. When traveling to such areas as Granada, Sevilla and Madrid, these distinctive sounds and characteristics can be heard on the streets and in the concert halls. Reflected in that music, is the culture of people that find this expression integral to their lives and well being.
Day One
- Depart North America for Madrid, Spain.
Day Two
- Morning arrival in Madrid.
- Panoramic tour of Madrid, the capital of Spain, en route to the city center.
- Welcome lunch of Spanish tapas.
- Check in to your hotel and enjoy an orientation walk with your tour manager.
Day Three
- Breakfast in hotel dining room.
- Guided city tour of Madrid. See the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Torros.
- Suggested visit of the interior of the Royal Palace or one of Madrid’s premier museums.
- Concert at a local school, senior home or community center in Madrid.
- Enjoy time for dinner and independent exploration.
Day Four
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Depart Madrid for Granada, located in the heartland of Andalucia.
- Orientation walk with your tour manager.
- Night of Flamenco in an authentic Andalucian tablao.
Day Five
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Guided visit of “La Alhambra,” a gorgeous palace fortress of the Moorish rulers of Southern Spain exhibiting the country’s most famous example of Islamic architecture.
- Friendship concert with a choir from Granada. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn the musical traditions and customs of a local choir while sharing some of your own.
Day Six
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer from Granada to Seville, the lovely provincial capital of Andalucia.
- Sightseeing tour of Seville. Highlights include Plaza de Espana, Torre de Oro, the Cathedral, and the Moorish Tower and Palace.
- Friendship concert with a choir from Seville.
- Dinner can be arranged upon request.
Day Seven
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Suggested visit to the Moorish Alcazar and gardens, the Cathedral, or the Flamenco Museum.
- Accompany mass at either the prestigious Cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic cathedral and third largest church in the world completed in the 1500’s, or at the Hospital de la Cardidad Church, San Jorge, a richly decorated church of the 17th century. The interior is adorned with famous paintings and frescoes.
- Festive Farwell Dinner at a local restaurant serving traditional specialties.
Day Eight
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Depart Seville for your return flight to North America.
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Welcome Home!
Welcome to Spain! Visiting Spain opens a window into a country of rich culture, character and festivity. Undeniably unique in so many ways, Spain has been one of the major cultural centers in Europe for thousands of years. Its extraordinary artistic heritage extends from grand achievements in painting and architecture to music. Renowned painters such as El Greco, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso transformed the trends in art and it was in Andalusia that the first guitar was invented in the 1790’s! Later Andres Segovia of Spain, took this invention to new heights by establishing the classical guitar as a genre, and later, Paco de Lucia, became the best known flamenco guitarist internationally. Many artists and musicians came before and many after, but Spain’s role at the forefront of these artistic movements has been unwavering.
Spanish music is at the heart of its culture and has had an important impact on music in western culture. Though best know for traditions like flamenco and the Spanish guitar, Spanish music is incredibly diverse from region to region. When traveling to such areas as Barcelona and Madrid, these distinctive sounds and characteristics can be heard on the streets and in the concert halls. Reflected in that music, is the culture of people that find this expression integral to their lives and well being.
Day One
- Depart North America for Madrid, Spain.
Day Two
- Morning arrival in Madrid.
- Panoramic tour of Madrid, the capital of Spain, en route to the city center.
- Welcome lunch of Spanish tapas.
- Check in to your hotel and enjoy an orientation walk with your tour manager.
Day Three
- Breakfast in hotel dining room.
- Guided city tour of Madrid. See the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Torros.
- Afternoon concert at a local school, senior home or community center in Madrid.
- Suggested visit to the interior of the Royal Palace or one of Madrid’s premier museums.
- Enjoy time for dinner and independent exploration.
Day Four
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Guided excursion to either Toledo or Avila, both UNESCO World Heritage Cities.
- Excursion to Toledo, the former capital of the Spanish Empire known for its multicultural co-existence of Moors, Christians and Jews along with the fabulous monuments they created.
- Or an excursion to Avila, a glorious medieval walled city of Castilla and Leon.
- Depending on your excursion, either accompany mass at the prestigious Toledo Cathedral, ranked among the greatest Gothic structures in Europe, or at The Royal Monastery of Santo Tomas in Avila, a three cloister complex built in 1482.
- Night of Flamenco in a traditional Madrid tablao.
Day Five
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Depart Madrid for Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, Spain.
- En route, stop in Zaragoza for lunch. See the Basilica el Pilar, reputed to be the first church in history dedicated to Mary.
- Evening arrival in Catalonia. Check in to your hotel in Barcelona or along the scenic Costa Brava.
- Enjoy an orientation walk of the hotel neighborhood.
- Dinner can be arranged upon request.
Day Six
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Guided tour of Barcelona, covering Parc Guell, Catedral de la Sagrada Familia and the Gothic Quarter.
- Free afternoon to explore Barcelona’s lively pedestrian market street, las Ramblas.
- Evening Friendship Concert with a choir from Catalonia.
Day Seven
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Excursion to Montserrat, one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Spain and home to Escolania, the oldest boy choir in Europe.
- Choral offering at the main altar of the Basilica of Montserrat.
- Festive Farewell Dinner at a traditional Catalan restaurant.
Day Eight
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Depart Barcelona for North America.
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Welcome home!
