SPAIN & PORTUGAL

MARK JONES
SPAIN & PORTUGAL
‘A PANDORA’S BOX’
28 DAYS
DEP: 30 MAY 2015
DAY 1 SAT MAY 30
FLY OUT
Assemble at Sydney airport to join our evening flight to Barcelona via Dubai.
DAY 2 SUN MAY 31
BARCELONA
(D)
Following our early afternoon arrival in Barcelona, our Tour Manager will take us for a walk around the historic Barri
Gotic (Gothic Quarter) to introduce us to the colourful atmosphere of Spain. The Quarter stands on the former
Roman colony of Barcino which was built on top of the earlier Carthaginian town of Barca. The original town was
established by the conqueror Hannibal Barca who passed through here with his elephants on his way to Rome. These
narrow cobbled lanes and renaissance lined squares in the Barri Gotic were from 1895 to 1904, both workplace and
home to Pablo Picasso. On the Placa de le Seu, sits the stunning Barcelona Cathedral (admission is free after 5.15PM)
which was commenced in 1298. The cathedral is dedicated to St Eulalia, and within the cloister is the “Well of the
Geese” which houses thirteen white geese representing Eulalia’s age at the time she was martyred. In the same area
are the UNESCO listed Palau de la Musica Concert Hall and the Basilica Santa Maria del Pi (St Mary of the Pine Tree),
which was built between 1319 and 1391and boasts a 54 metre high octagonal bell tower and a huge rose window.
We will also have some free time to stroll along La Ramblas, a broad tree lined boulevard described as one of the
world’s most culturally energised thoroughfares. The 1.2 kilometre walkway extends from the port to the Placa
Catalunya, a large square of fountains, sculptures and grass verges that is regarded as the heart of the city. This
evening at our hotel’s rooftop bar, we will cap off the day with “tapas and tipples at the top”.
DAY 3 MON JUNE 1
CADAQUES
(B)
This morning we join the first of our twenty two ”step-on” guides who will add that important ingredient of local
knowledge to our Spain & Portugal experience. We will begin with a tour of Barcelona, the colourful Catalonian
capital which is regarded as Spain’s most cosmopolitan and progressive city. You cannot fail to be amazed by its
iconic architecture such as the Torre Agbar, fondly referred to by the locals as “the suppository”, and the famed and
bizarre creations of Antoni Gaudi. Heading out into the suburbs, we will see four of Gaudi’s six UNESCO listed World
Heritage Sites in Barcelona, the incredible Sagrada Familia Basilica, Palau Guell, Casa Batllo and Casa Mila. This
afternoon, we will drive north to our two night stay in the small Costa Brava village of Cadaques on Cap de Creus,
Spain’s easternmost point. From the time he was a child, Salvador Dali spent many barefoot hours on this remote
cape which is regarded as the source and inspiration for his surrealism. Over the next two evenings, the local village
cafes should present some interesting opportunities for dinner, with the grilled seafood platter at Cuatro being
highly regarded.
DAY 4 TUE JUNE 2
CADAQUES
(B)
This morning, we will pass through the nearby towns of Roses and Empuriabrava, the Little Venice of Spain, en route
to the Dali Theatre-Museum in Figueres which is dedicated to the surrealist painters' genius. Described as “the
world's largest surrealist object”, this museum showcases all the various aspects of Dali's art, including some of his
greatest masterpieces. Dali actually started and ended his life in Figueres, but his childhood holidays and the
majority of his adult lifetime were spent in Portlligat, a one kilometre walk from Cadaques. His house is now an
eccentric museum which we will visit this afternoon. We will enjoy the remainder of the day around Cadaques,
which has attracted such famous visitors as Picasso, Walt Disney, the Duke of Windsor and Greek shipping owner
Stavros Niarchos.
DAY 5 WED JUNE 3
OVERNIGHT TRAIN
(B)
En route back to Barcelona this morning, we will firstly stop in Pubol to visit the Gala Dali Castle which, with Figueres
and Portlligat, forms the third point of the Dali triangle. The castle has figured in documents since the 11th century,
and Dali bought the remains in 1969 to restore it as both a refuge and a mausoleum for his wife Gala. What you see
today is the loving result. Our next stop is in Girona which looks like a set for a medieval movie. With its looming
cathedral and formidable walls, Girona in 1808 held off Napoleon’s armies for seven months whilst all around, cities
and entire regions were capitulating. The city’s story is written on every stone, and we will learn of it during our
guided tour. The 18th century Placa de la Independencia is an ideal place to relax and enjoy a coffee whist soaking it
all in. Returning to Barcelona, we have a 7.15PM check-in for our Gran Classe overnight train to Granada. There is a
bar and café on the train and I imagine our en-suite cabins will provide a new dimension to rail travel.
DAY 6 THU JUNE 4
UBEDA
(B)
Awake this morning as we travel through the legendary Don Quijote’s “La Mancha” to the final capital of the Moor’s
kingdom, Granada. We arrive in Granada this morning for the celebration of the annual Corpus Christie festival
which will add another colourful dimension to our visit. After breakfast in a local restaurant, we will enjoy a tour of
Granada which between its capture by the Moors in 711 and their ultimate expulsion in 1492, grew into one of the
world’s wealthiest and most refined cities. Our guided tour will show us the city’s cobblestone streets lined with
cathedrals and plazas and the UNESCO listed Alhambra, the mighty yet graceful fortress begun by the 13th century
ruler Al-Ahmar. The Alhambra is regarded as the most exciting, sensual and romantic of all European monuments, a
“fantasy of lace and stone”. This afternoon, we head north for our two night stay in Ubeda, whose Old Town area
boasts a fine heritage of marvellous architecture.
DAY 7 FRI JUNE 5
UBEDA
(B)
It’s a leisurely day in Ubeda, whose crown jewel is the Plaza Vasquez de Molina, almost entirely surrounded by quite
beautiful 15th and 16th century stone buildings. The Plaza 1 de Mayo used to be the market square and bullring, and
the Inquisition burnt heretics where the kiosk now stands. St John of the Cross died here in1591 and his relics lay in
the adjacent Museo de San Juan de la Cruz. The town is well known for its typical green glazed pottery which dates
back to Islamic times. This afternoon, we will visit adjacent Baeza with its lovely 16th century gothic and renaissance
buildings. In the centre of the Plaza del Populo, is the Fountain of the Lions which is topped with an ancient statue
believed to represent Imilce, an Iberian princess who was married to Hannibal.
DAY 8 SAT JUNE 6
RONDA
(BD)
Today we will visit UNESCO listed Cordoba, a former capital of Muslim Spain, where our guided tour will include the
1st century BC Roman bridge built in the time of Augustus and the incomparable 8th century Mezquita or Great
Mosque. The forest of internal stone pillars and arches of this treasure is so vast that the Christian cathedral built
inside seems lost in the shadowy aisles. A walk around the Alley of Flowers and the Jewish quarter west of the
Mezquita’s towering walls, gives the impression that little has changed since the 10th century when Cordoba was
regarded as one of the western world’s greatest cities. Next is Antequera where we will visit the Dolmens and their
wonderful Visitor’s Centre. These incredible Neolithic tombs date back some 5800 years and are currently awaiting
UNESCO World Heritage listing. Our two night stay, with dinner included this evening, is in delightful Rhonda
DAY 9 SUN JUNE 7
RONDA
(B)
Straddling the El Tajo gorge and the Rio Guadalevín, Ronda is one of Spain’s oldest and most spectacular towns. The
18th century Puente Nuevo (new bridge) spanning the 100m deep chasm has stunning views over the Serranía de
Ronda Mountains. We will join our local guide for a walking tour of the town to see the gardens, the palace and the
oldest bullring in Spain, which is home to both the Bullfight Museum and the birthplace of modern bullfighting. After
the tour, the remainder of the day is free to further explore Ronda with perhaps a descent into the gorge or a visit to
the restored Arab Baths which are said to be the best preserved in Europe. This evening you can explore the old
quarter and find a characterful taberna to enjoy an atmospheric dinner.
DAY 10 MON JUNE 8
SEVILLE
(BD)
Our first stop today is in Arcos de la Frontera, one of Spain’s most famous pueblo blancos (white towns), which is
spectacularly situated on top of an unassailable ridge. We will visit the Plaza del Cabildo where the views from the
lookouts over the River Guadalete are stunning. They will be even further enhanced when accompanied by Café Con
Leche and Pastas de las Monjas Mercedarias in the Parador. Next is a guided tour of Cadiz, considered the oldest
continually inhabited settlement in Europe. Now into its fourth millennium, Cadiz is an ocean settlement almost
surrounded by water and is as romantic as it is mysterious. Columbus sailed from here in 1493 on his second voyage,
and again in 1502 on his fourth voyage, to the new world. In 1587, Sir Francis Drake singed the King of Spain’s beard
with a raid on the harbour here, delaying the imminent dispatch of the Spanish Armada. In the eighteenth century,
Cadiz enjoyed 75% of Spanish trade with the Americas and was the richest and most cosmopolitan city in Spain. Our
final stop is in Jerez, where we will enjoy a visit to a local bodega to sample their famous sherry. When Francis Drake
returned to Britain from Cadiz with 3000 plundered barrels of this local wine, it created a storm. The formerly
undiscerning Brits developed an incurable taste for Spanish sherry and Jerez became the capital of a booming export
industry. Our next two nights, with dinner included this evening, are in UNESCO listed Seville, a picture perfect image
of Andalucia, with orange groves, flower filled patios and castanet rattling Gypsies.
DAY 11 TUE JUNE 9
SEVILLE
(B)
Our Seville Guide will take us on a tour today of the home town of Carmen, Don Yuan and Figaro which will include
one of the world’s largest cathedrals with its stunning treasury. We will also see the burial place of Christopher
Columbus, the Giralda Tower, the Jewish Quarter and the Alcazar Palace which was constructed by the Moors in 712
and further extended by King Pedro the Cruel of Castile in the 1360s. On the outskirts of Seville, we will visit Sanlucar
la Mayor to see the world’s most powerful solar energy plant. A network of 1255 mirrors, each of 120 square metres
in size, reflects the sun on to one receiver on top of a 165 metre tower. Returning to Seville, you will then be free to
explore the Santa Cruz quarter with its narrow streets, flowered balconies and hidden courtyards. We have a
flamenco show included in Madrid, but for those seeking more, Seville is equally famous.
DAY 12 WED JUNE 10
LISBON
(BD)
It’s an early start today as we head for Portugal with visits to two UNESCO listed sites along the way. The first of
these is Merida, the former Roman capital of the Province of Lusitania, which is home to the most impressive and
extensive Roman ruins in Spain. Our guided tour will include Trajan’s Arch, the Temple of Diana, the spectacular sixty
arches of the Roman bridge crossing the River Guadina, and the stunning six thousand seat theatre built in 15BC.
Crossing into Portugal, our next stop is in Evora which before the Romans arrived in 59BC, was a Celtic settlement
known as Ebora. The fortress like cathedral was built in 1186 and the flags of Vasco de Gama’s ships were blessed
here in 1497 before setting sail on their voyage of discovery. The 2nd century Temple of Diana is one of Iberia’s best
preserved Roman ruins and the houses and shops built into the arches of the aqueduct are quite unique. Our three
night stay, with dinner included this evening, is in the capital, Lisbon, which sits on seven hills beside the River Tejo.
DAY 13 THU JUNE 11
LISBON
(B)
It is said that if history is your thing, Lisbon is your place. The legendary Greek king, Ulysses, was supposedly first
here and followed through history by the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians and the Romans in 205BC. It all started
again when the Moors arrived in AD 714 until they too were evicted by the Christians with the help of the crusaders
in 1147. The most significant historical event to impact on Lisbon however, happened at 9.40AM on November 1st
1755, when Europe’s worst recorded earthquake, with accompanying tsunami, claimed the lives of some 90,000 of
Lisbon’s estimated 270,000 residents. Our guided tour highlights will include Geronimos Monastery and a visit to the
monuments at UNESCO listed Belem, the launching pad for Portugal’s Age of Discovery voyages, which lead to the
opening of the New World. Our tour today will also include an exciting ride on public tram No 28 to get a local’s view
of the city. This evening is free to venture out and try the local cuisine and listen to some Fado, the country’s
national melancholy music treasure.
DAY 14 FRI JUNE 12
LISBON
(B)
This morning we drive to the stunning UNESCO listed town of Sintra, of whose charms, Lord Byron even waxed
lyrical. Complete with hilltop castles, palaces, convents, pastel-hued villas and parks, the royal summer resort of
Sintra really is a storybook village. Our next stop is at the 150 metre cliffs of Cabo da Roca (Rock Cape), the
westernmost point in Continental Europe. Leaving the cape we will enjoy a lunch stop in Cascais, the former fishing
village turned ocean side resort. On our way back to Lisbon this afternoon we will pass through Estoril, in whose
casino Ian Fleming hatched the idea for the James Bond movie “Casino Royal”. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
DAY 15 SAT JUNE 13
OBIDOS
(B)
This morning we visit the UNESCO listed Palacio Nacional de Mafra. Wild spending Dom Joao V spent pots of
Brazilian gold in building his baroque palace which covers four square kilometres and includes 1200 rooms, a basilica
and a monastery. No expense was spared and some 45,000 artisans toiled on what was to be Portugal’s Vatican,
complete with two towers to shelter the world’s largest collection of bells which number 92 in total. The 83 metre
long barrelled vaulted library is home to some 40,000 15th -18th century books, many of which were bound by the
monks. The palace of course, has a nearby walled 819 hectare park where Dom used to do his hunting. Our
overnight stay is in the beautiful walled village of Obidos with its gorgeous flower bedecked whitewashed houses
livened up with dashes of vivid yellow and blue paint. In 1228, the town was given as a wedding gift to Queen Dona
Isabel from her husband, King Dom Dinas. The Igreja de Santa Maria Church had its 15 minutes of fame in 1444 when
ten year old Alfonso V married his eight year old cousin Isabel here. This afternoon is free to explore the castle, walk
the walls and see the three kilometre long aqueduct.
DAY 16 SUN JUNE 14
TOMAR
(B)
We will see two more World Heritage sites today, the first being the Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaca, which
was founded in 1153 to honour a promise by King Alfonso Henriques (see DAY 18) following his defeat of the Moors
in 1147. After forty years of construction, it housed 999 monks who in shifts, held mass non-stop around the clock.
The nave is 106 metres long but only 23 metres wide with huge pillars and truncated columns. Our lunch stop is in
the beautiful coastal town of Nazare, whose enormous waves featured on “60 Minutes” on July 6th. With its cobbled
stone streets and colourful fishing boats, it is at certain times of the year, home to the world’s biggest waves. On
arrival we will take the funicular up to the overhanging promontory village of Sitia to take in the views. The little
church here has attracted such famous VIP pilgrims as Vasco de Gama. Our other UNESCO listed site today is the
Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria, in Batalha which was built to commemorate the 1385 Battle of Ajubarrota
where 6500 Portuguese soldiers repulsed some 30,000 of those of Juan I of Castille. With an exterior of flying
buttresses, pinnacles and parapets, one is on entering, transported to another world where solid rock has been
carved into forms as delicate as snowflakes and twisted rope. Our final visit today is to Fatima, Portugal’s famous
pilgrimage site which each year attracts up to six million people to the glade where on 13th May 1917, the Virgin
Mary is said to have appeared to three peasant children. Two huge basilicas now stand on opposite ends of a
courtyard twice the size of St Peter’s. The Basilica da Santissima Trindade, with its twelve 30ft bronze doors can
accommodate 9,000 worshippers. From Fatima, we head to our two night stay in lovely Tomar on the River Nabao
with its historic pedestrian friendly centre and riverside park.
DAY 17 MON JUNE 15
TOMAR
(B)
It’s a leisurely day today with a morning visit to the Castelo de Almourol, built in 1171 by the Knights Templar on the
site of a former Roman fort. Like the stuff of legend, this ten towered castle stands just out of reach on a small island
in our old friend from Lisbon, the River Tejo. We will visit the castle by boat from nearby Tancos, after which, we will
have a lunch stop in Constancia, whose riverside promenade is very pleasant. A local speciality here, Queijinhos do
Ceu (sweets from heaven), is still being made by local nuns from almond meal and egg yolks. This afternoon back in
Tomar, we will have a guided tour of the fabulous Convento de Christo, the former headquarters of the Knights
Templar which was founded in 1160 by the Grand Master, Gualdim Pais. The Convent is one of Portugal’s most
important historical and artistic monuments and has been on the World Heritage List since 1983. The Knights
Templar, originally a group of French crusaders, accumulated enormous power and wealth over the centuries and
bankrolled much of the Portuguese Age of Discovery. The convent, a stony expression of magnificence, was built on
a volatile Muslim/Christian border and includes an extraordinary sixteen sided Templar Church built as an imitation
of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem
DAY 18 TUE JUNE 16
GUIMARAES
(BD)
We head north today to Coimbra, the medieval capital of Portugal for 116 years until it was transferred to Lisbon in
1255. The prestigious hill top University of Coimbra, one of the world’s oldest, was founded in Lisbon in 1290 and
transferred here in 1537. Our guided tour will include the university to see its famous clock tower, Graduates Hall
and the simply stunning Joao V library. If you do not mind the climb, you can enter the old town via the Moorish
gateway, Arco de Almedina and thence via the the Rua Quebra Costas (backbreaker) Stairs and a labyrinth of steep
lanes up to the university. Our other visit today is to the Quinta da Avaleda winery and gardens in Penafiel, where
we can sample the renowned Vinho Verde and local cheeses. From the winery, it’s a short run to our two night stay,
with dinner included this evening, in Guimaraes, the proud birthplace of the Portuguese kingdom. A council of
bishops was convened in Guimaraes in AD 840 and Afonso Henriques, the first independent king of Portugal was
born here in 1110. He later used the city to lead the main thrust of the Reconquista against the Moors. With its maze
of crooked streets leading to the main square, Largo de Oliveira and the Ducal Palace, charming Guimaraes’ beautiful
old centre is today a UNESCO listed site.
DAY 19 WED JUNE 17
GUIMARAES
(B)
Our first stop today is in Braga, where we will take a funicular train up to the famous Bom Jesus Sanctuary. Built in
1784, this twin towered neoclassical church sits on top of a hill, above an enormous baroque staircase lined with
chapels. The Sanctuary, a famous pilgrimage site where pilgrims climb to the top on their knees, is the most visited
and photographed church in Portugal. From Braga, we visit the hilly city of Porto on the mouth of the River Douro,
whose upstream reaches are home to Portugal’s famous UNESCO listed vineyards. Our guided tour will show us the
Avenida dos Aliados - a sloping boulevard lined with grand buildings - and the medieval streets and dark alleyways of
the UNESCO listed Ribeira which meander down to the riverfront square, Praça da Ribeira, the most picturesque
spot in the city. Porto was actually the source of the name “Portugal” and its history dates back to the Roman period
with many of their ruins lurking beneath the current foundations. Near the river stands Casa do Infante, where it is
claimed that Henry the Navigator was born in 1394. To supplement the historic, two recent masterful constructions,
the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Casa de Musica (House of Music), have turned the city into a pilgrimage
site for architecture buffs. We will see some of both Porto’s old and new icons including the cathedral, the Church of
San Francisco and the tiled waterfront town houses and enjoy a cruise on the River Douro followed by a visit to a
port wine warehouse where you can sample the country’s most famous product. Return to Guimaraes this
afternoon.
DAY 20 THU JUNE 18
CIUDAD RODRIGO
(BD)
From Guimaraes, we head south easterly today though Amarante, the hometown of “St Valantine”, to Vila Real
where we will have a guided tour of the fabulous 18th century Palacio de Mateus, one of Portugal’s greatest baroque
masterpieces, famously depicted since the 1940s on bottles of Mateus Rose. Our tour will show us both the palace
and its fantasy of gardens. Our other stop today, on a route few Australians will have travelled, is in the hilltop
fortress town of Trancoso, a warren of cobblestone lanes within the mighty 13th century walls. Entrance to the old
town is via the King’s Gate whose guillotine-like door sealed out unwelcome visitors. From Trancoso, we continue on
into Spain and the border town of Ciudad Rodrigo whose Celtic history dates back to the sixth century BC. The
Romans later established their river port town of Augustobriga here in honour of the Emporer Octavian Caesar
Augustus. Dating this period are the Three Columns, an enigmatic monument at the entrance to the town. For
centuries, the town was the subject of disputes between the Arabs and the Christians, and between 1810 and 1812
during the Napoleonic War, the town was put under siege by both Napoleon and Wellington. With its medieval walls
and seven gates constructed in the 12th century, Ciudad Rodrigo today has Historic–Artistic Status. We will have a
guided tour of the town on arrival which will include the city walls, the cathedral and the lovely fifteenth and
sixteenth century buildings surrounding the Plaza Mayor and Plaza del Conde. If you are looking for something
different, the Museo del Orinal houses a collection of a staggering 1300 chamber pots from 27 different countries.
Our dinner and overnight stay is in the Parador in the Castle of Henry II which was built into the city walls in 1372
overlooking the Roman bridge across the River Agueda.
DAY 21 FRI JUNE 19
SALAMANCA
(B)
It’s a short run today to our overnight stay in the UNESCO listed star, Salamanca, whose stunning sandstone
architecture is considered unequalled in Spain. On arrival, our local guide will take us on a walking tour of Salamanca
which was besieged by Hannibal in 220BC before the Romans and the Moors arrived. Its biggest turning point
however was the founding of the university here in 1218, which soon became the equal of Oxford and Bologna.
Amongst all the wonderful architecture, we will see the towering cathedral with its magnificent doorways on the
western face, the stunning 1428 Patio de las Escuelas of the university, and the Convent of San Esteban. The former
bull ring built in the early 1700s has now been converted into one of Spain’s greatest squares, the Plaza Mayor. The
remainder of the day is at leisure with a strong recommendation for a stroll into the square this evening, which is
particularly captivating when illuminated for dinner.
DAY 22 SAT JUNE 20
MADRID
(BD)
Our first stop this morning is for a guided walking tour of the UNESCO listed medieval walled city of Avila, a picture
from a bygone age. The city is completely circled by its 11th century twelve metre high walls, complete with eight
monumental gates and eighty-eight towers which is considered one of the world’s best defensive perimeters. Avila’s
spirit and legend are most linked to St Teresa who was born here in1515. She helped defeat the Reformation and
established the Carmelite Order. Avila’s 12th century granite cathedral is the earliest gothic church in Spain. Our
other visit today is to UNESCO listed Segovia, which is just loaded with monuments. Our guided tour here will show
us the Alcazar, the Cathedral, the many lovely buildings and squares, and of course its major icon, the 2000 year old
still functioning aqueduct which was built by the Romans in the 1st century AD. This incredible engineering
masterpiece includes a 728 metre long and 28 metre high granite block bridge made up of 163 arches. It was used to
bring water to the city from the mountains some 15 kilometres away and, incredibly, not a single drop of mortar was
used in its construction. From Segovia, we are off to Europe’s highest capital, Madrid, for a three night stay. This
evening, our local guide will take us on a tapas bar walk which should be great fun. We will start in Sol at a tiny bar
near our hotel where they specialise in mushrooms (not the funny ones), before moving on to others nearby to
sample hams, cheeses and desserts, and perhaps a drink.
DAY 23 SUN JUNE 21
MADRID
(B)
Madrid, when being planned and built, was the centre of a powerful empire spreading around the globe. It is a
sprawling city, but many old gems still remain such as the Plaza Mayor, the opulent Palacio Real, the Plaza de
Oriente, and the strangely incongruous luxury convent, Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, which was named after
the simple sandals worn by the Franciscan nuns. Established in 1559 by the widowed daughter of King Carlos I, it
quickly became one of Spain’s richest religious houses. In contrast, our guided tour will also include what is
reportedly Europe’s largest flea market at El Rastro with its thriving mass of vendors, buyers and pickpockets. Our
final visit is to Spain’s temple of art, El Museo de Prado. “The Prado”, with its adjoining galleries, the Cento de Arte
Reina Sofia and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, is Madrid’s most famous attraction. In this triangle, there are more
priceless masterpieces on view than in any other single part of the world. We have planned our visit at the end of
the tour to allow those of you wishing to stay on longer to do so, and others to pursue alternative interests.
DAY 24 MON JUNE 22
MADRID
(BD)
Today, we will visit the UNESCO listed Imperial City of Toledo, regarded as Iberia’s “Rome”. This remarkable
medieval city bristles with monumental splendour. With twisting lanes, blind alleys and decorated internal patios,
Toledo is a mix of Damascus, Fez and Cairo grafted onto Spain, and as such, is the country’s most popular tourist
destination. Toledo, established by the Romans as Toletum, which is spectacularly situated on a hill surrounded on
three sides by a loop of the River Targus and a city wall on the other. El Greco lived in Toledo from 1577 till his death
in 1614 and the city is just brimming with his works in museums, galleries, churches, etc. Our guided tour will include
the grand Cathedral of Toledo with its famous El Greco and Goya paintings together with the Transparente, a wall of
marble and florid baroque alabaster. We will see the Synagogue de Santa Maria la Blanca with its intriguing history
and architecture, and at the highest point in the city, Toledo’s most recognisable edifice, the Alcazar, which with
many embellishments dates back to the 10th century. We will have some free time for you to further explore, or
perhaps visit one of Toledo’s famous Damascene steel workshops, the delightful cloisters of the Franciscan
monastery, or just follow the El Greco fans. There are also many lovely squares in Toledo, such as the Plaza de
Zocodover, which was formerly home to bullfights and burnings at the stake. It is now an ideal spot to just sit and
watch the world go by. This evening back in Madrid, we will feel the pulse of Spain at a lively Flamenco dinner.
DAY 25 TUE JUNE 23
ZARAGOZA
(B)
First stop today is in Guadalajara to see the Mendoza family’s fabulous Palacio de los Duques del Infantado which is
considered one of Spain’s most spectacular buildings. From Guadalajara, and following “The Way of El Cid”, we will
have a lunch stop in Medinaceli to see the 1st century Arco Romano, the only triple arcaded Roman arch in Spain.
This afternoon, we enter the former colourful Kingdom of Aragon and continue on to our overnight stay in historic
Zaragoza which was founded during the rule of Caesar Augustus in 14BC. The remainder of the day is at leisure to
enjoy this World Heritage Listed town.
DAY 26 WED JUNE 24
SIGUENZA
(BD)
This morning, our Zaragoza Guide will show us the ancient forum, theatre and thermal baths which reflect the
splendour of the city as it was at the time of Augustus. It was also here on January 2nd AD 40 that St James the
Apostle saw the Virgin Mary descend on to the top of a marble pillar which today is ensconced in the Basilica of Our
Lady of El Pilar, one of the biggest and most important churches in Spain. Equally stunning are the eleventh century
Aljaferia Palace, a wonderful example of Muslim art, and the UNESCO listed La Seo Cathedral constructed in 1683.
From Zaragoza, it’s a short run to Siguenza, which also dates back to the Roman period, and whose memorable
architecture includes the cathedral which was begun in 1130 and the Plaza Mayor. The hilltop Siguenza Castle was
commenced in the 5th century, extended by the Moors in the 8th century, and played a large part in the civil wars of
the 13th and 14th centuries. We will have time this afternoon to enjoy this lovely setting and complete any last
minute shopping before our final night’s stay and atmospheric farewell dinner in the castle.
DAY 27 THU JUNE 25
FLY OUT
(B)
After breakfast this morning, we will visit the UNESCO listed old town of Alcala de Henares whose legendary
university was founded in 1486. Our guided tour will show us the university’s Mudejar Chapel and the magnificent
auditorium where the King and Queen of Spain give out the prestigious Premio Cervantes literary award each year.
From the university it is only a short drive to Madrid Airport to join our afternoon flight to Sydney. A cost effective
stopover in fascinating Dubai is also an option on the way home.
DAY 28 FRI JUNE 26
ARRIVE HOME
Arrive back in Sydney in the evening.
Tour Cost:
$10,185 per person, twin share
Single Supplement: $1370
Tour subject to minimum numbers
DEPOSIT:
FINAL BALANCE DUE:
$1000 per person
20 MARCH 2015