Spain Tours

OPTIONAL WEEKEND EXCURSIONS:

TOLEDO: The medieval capital of Spain, located about 2 ½ hours away from Salamanca. It was capital of Spain from the Gothic epoch until 1560, fact that explains its impressive medieval architecture. Walking through the streets of Toledo, one feels like having stepped back into the Middle-Ages.
Toledo's crafts have been of high reputation since the middle-ages, not only for the capital's famous swords, but as well for ceramics and textile products. But there are two other products in particular that have made Toledo's cuisine internationally famous: Queso manchego, a very mature cheese often made of ewe's milk, and marzipan which is produced here in extraordinary quality and exported into many countries. One of the most unique features of this city is the winding narrow streets lined with shops and cafes, with some of Toledo?s food and crafts.
While in Toledo, we will visit numerous interesting sites, including the Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca and the Sinagoga de El Tránsito, both done in Mudejar style. Toledo?s Cathedral, built between 1226 and 1492, is certainly the most interesting gothic building in town. You may visit its fantastic collection of paintings, including works of El Greco, Goya and Van Dyck in its vestry. We will visit the Museum that houses some of the most famous painters of El Greco, who was from this city. Our tour bus will also take us to a scenic lookout point over the Tajo River.
This overnight trip will include transportation, local guide, bus tour and 2 ½ hour walking tour visiting some of the most important sites in Toledo. One night in a 3 star hotel in the center of Toledo w/breakfast is also included. Cost is $120-$150 (depending upon the # of people.)

CACERES & TRUJILLO: We will visit the gem of the state of Extremadura, the hill-top Trujillo (population 10,000) is an enchanting old-word town that hasn?t been spoiled my modern times and influences. It is scattered with well-preserved and very picturesque medieval palaces, modern gardens, Roman ruins, Arabic fortresses and churches of every era. It?s most impressive monument is the 10th century Moorish castle with a stunning view of the plains.

Trujillo's true magnificence lies in the stories about the over 600 explorers of the New World that came from this town. We?ll hear the stories about its famous sons: including Conquistador Pizarro's hardships and triumphs, including his journey across the Isthmus of Panama to discover the Pacific Ocean (1513) and his travels to Ecuador, where he took possession of Atahuallpa, whose ransom of 24 tons of gold filled and entire room. There are numerous monuments and even a museum dedicated to Pizarro. You'll also hear about fellow Trujillans Diego Garcia de Paredes (known as the Hercules of Spain, who with one finger stopped a mill-wheel in full motion), and Francisco de Orellana (who accomplished the first descent of the Amazon River.)

The enchanting plaza was the model for the Plaza de Armas en Cuzco, Peru. There are palaces, arched corridors and cafes surrounding the plaza. On one corner of the plaza is the Iglesia de San Martin and across the street is the Palacio de los Duques de San Carlos with 7 chimneys that symbolize the religions conquered in the New World. Down the street, the Iglesia de Santa Maria is the resting place of the ?giant? known as the ?Extremaduran Samson,? referenced in Cervantes? Don Quijote. The church?s 25-panel Gothic altar piece was painted by Gallego in 1480.

We'll continue on to Cáceres, which is Extremadura?s 2nd largest city with a population of 80,000. Caceres? walled old city is one of the finest and best-preserved ensembles of monuments in Europe. Cáceres was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1986. Once you enter the old city of Caceres, you have the feeling that you have traveled back to the Middle Ages. It has experienced such little change since the 15th century that it is often used as a film set. We?ll learn of the city's fabled past and have the opportunity to taste the torta del Casar, a soft, ewe's milk cheese commonly used in the 12th century as a means of payment. Caceres also has some very interesting monuments in the ?Ciudad Monumental,? which is surrounded by walls and

towers built in about 1100. It is a lively place with a sizable student population. We will spend one night in Caceres. An all-inclusive tour costs between $110-$140 per person. For more information in Spanish, visit: www.ayto-caceres.es/ciudad/localizacion

BARCELONA: Besides being the capital of Catalunya, it is one of the main cities of the Mediterranean, rooted deeply in history and culture, and is one of the most famous cosmopolitan cities in Europe. Home to the 1992 Olympic Games, the city offers the visitor a vibrant, well preserved city that is often called a cultural, social and gastronomic paradise. Barcelona is situated in the north-east of the Iberian peninsula and has two official languages: Catalan & Spanish. It has a captivating old quarter, inspiring modernist architecture, world-class museums, hundreds of cafés and restaurants and superb nightlife. Barcelona's old city is one of the nicest and most romantic of Europe.
We will begin our exploration of Barcelona by strolling down La Rambla - the 2km boulevard linking the Old Port with the Placa de Catalunya. The Rambla is the best known landmark of Barcelona, filled with newspaper kiosks, flower and animal stalls, and all sorts of artists. The Gothic (old) quarter lies east of La Rambla and is part of the old town. It is a not to be missed medieval site-with narrow streets, little plazas literally bursting with bars, cafés and restaurants and buildings from the 14th century, when Barcelona was at the height of its prosperity.
Barcelona?s cathedral is the city?s most magnificent example of Gothic architecture. We will go to see a performance of the traditional Catalan dance known as the Sardana here on Sunday at midday. Around the Catedral, you can still see part of the ancient walls incorporated into later structures. Just south of the Boqueria is the Mosaïc de Miró, with one tile signed by the artist.
We will also have the opportunity to visit the City History Museum, The Sagrada Familia church - the project of architect Antoni Gaudi and the Fundacio Joan Miro, dedicated to the most famous Catalan artist of the 20th century, with hundreds of paintings, sculptures, drawings & textiles. In addition, we?ll see The Picasso Museum, the city?s most popular museum, showcasing the artist?s fascinating Barcelona periods.

LISBON, PORTUGAL: Visitors to Lisbon often remark on the attractiveness of Portugal's capital city. The combination of wide tree-lined avenues, large public gardens and handsome squares demonstrates a thoughtful desire to provide a relaxed and informal setting. Lisbon was home to the World Expo 98 and the government of this country has since invested heavily to turn the former Expo site into an accommodation, business and nightlife center.

It is a charming city built overlooking the harbor. Indeed, much of Lisbon?s life and charm come from the water-the sea, the port, the fishing communities and the River Tejo, which still dominates Lisbon life. The Port of Lisbon, back in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, was the beginning of long journeys of great explorers, such as Vasco De Gama, and bold sailing fleets hoping to discover the "New World". Lisbon has a cultural and historical heritage unique to most other European capitals, where Western Europe and Northern African cultures have combined. The Alfama District, the earthier side of the city, has cobblestone streets littered with tiny shops, houses and traditional restaurants. This area of the city that has exotic echoes of Northern Africa, influenced by the many immigrants who have brought their culture and traditions to the city from Portugal's former African colonies.

Fado is a form of music that developed in Lisbon in sailors' bars in the late eighteenth century. It is a mournful, romantic singing style that fits somewhere between blues and flamenco. These traditional sounds are heard at ?casas de fado? around town.

SEGOVIA: Segovia is about 50 miles from Madrid, at the foot of the Guadarrama Mountains. It is one of Spain's richest in terms of cultural heritage. The first inhabitants of Segovia were the Celtic-Iberians; they chose this location because of its defensive possibilities.
Then the Romans conquered the area and built it?s most important treasure, Segovia's aqueduct, the eternal symbol of the city. An extraordinary Roman construction, it is a landmark in Roman civil engineering. While it is over 2000 years old, its granite blocks hold together without plaster of any kind. It has 166 arches and reaches a maximum height of 29 meters over the Plaza del Azoguejo. From the top there are magnificent views over the city.
Also not to be missed in Segovia is the ?Alcázar? or ?Fortress.? This building looks like a fairytale castle. While its origin as a fortress is not certain, it was used as a military building in the 13th century. Inside there are several halls that are open to the public and it is even possible to go up to the ?Torre del Homenaje? to see the breathtaking view of the city.
We will also visit Segovia?s Cathedral is known as "La Dama de las Catedrales" (The Lady of the Cathedrals). It dominates the whole city and is located in the gardens of the Alcazar. Construction work on the Cathedral began in 1525, its style is late Gothic and the exterior is covered with steeples, pinnacles and buttresses, as well as beautiful doors. Inside there are 18 chapels, some magnificent pieces of glasswork, the Gothic Choir, the cloister and the Cathedral Museum.

Leon: The origins of the city of Leon go back to the year 68 AD, when the Roman legion formed by the Emperor Galba was quartered here. During the reign of Ordono II it became the most important city in Christian Spain. After being sacked by Almanzor it was rebuilt by Alfonso V, and was enlarged during the 11C.

Leon itself lies on a fertile plain surrounded by woods, orchards and meadows, and has a population of over 120,000 inhabitants. Within the two cities it encapsulates, i.e. the old medieval part and the modern one that stretches alongside the river, there is an extraordinary historical and artistic heritage. The Roman and medieval walls in between help to highlight the beautiful contrast between the old quarter and the squares, known as the Plaza Mayor and the Plaza del Mercado, and the avenues, modern buildings, parks and gardens that lie to the west. The three most characteristic monuments that stand out for their great artistic value in Leon are the Cathedral, the Collegiate Church of San Isidoro and the Convent of San Marcos.

Today, Leon is the largest and most important leather-working centre of the country and is commonly known as the "shoe capital". Its impressive factories produce high quality shoes as well as saddles, boots and other leather goods sold domestically and abroad. Gold and silver mines, embroideries, steel production, textiles and soaps are other important economic activities.

Valladolid: The city of Valladolid , capital of the region, is located in the centre of the Autonomy of Castile and Leon, 100 miles Northwest of Madrid with a population of around 400,000 inhabitants.

It was founded in the eleventh century by Count Pedro Ansúrez, during the reign of Alfonso VI of Castile , on the banks of the River Pisuerga near the River Duero. The city increased in importance right through the Middle Ages, at the end of which it came to host the Court of the Castilian King.

Valladolid is the most important city of Castile and Leon , and one of the most important in Spain , combining the splendor of its past with contemporary advances and development. Today it is a modern city with an important artistic and cultural heritage, which has been witness for its progression as a cultural, economic and industrial centre.

The city and its surroundings are well known for the famous writers and poets of great fame have been raised or lived in this city: Miguel de Cervantes, José Zorrilla, Gaspar Nuñez de Arce, Rosa Chacel and Miguel Delibes among them.

INCLUDED SPAIN TRIP EXCURSIONS

LA ALBERCA: one of the most beautiful little villages in Spain and the first to be declared a National Monument in 1940. The population conserves interesting customs of the old world traditions. You will see men riding on burros through the very narrow streets, as well as charming houses built hundreds of years ago. We will have a local guide to explain the customs of those still living in this town.

MADRID: The bustling capital of Spain, Madrid has a lot to offer! It is a city of great monuments, lovely plazas and parks and one of the most famous art museums in the world-El Prado. Perhaps the most beautiful neoclassic building of all Madrid, El Prado was built in 1785. It was originally intended to be a museum of natural history and became Madrid´s Museum of Art in 1819.Madrid has an impressive amount of monuments and interesting sights. Some of the sights that we will see include:

• The Plaza Mayor is an impressive square built between 1617 and 1619. The buildings are mostly Renaissance style and during 17th century this square was the scenery of theater performances, bullfights, and served as meeting-place of the Gremios, the associations of craftsmen.
  
• The Palacio Real is Madrid's Royal Palace is an impressive example of italian baroque style. Construction was begun under Philip V but Charles III was, in 1714, the first king to have his residence here.
  
• The Fountain of Cibeles is a beautiful fountain, made after a design by Ventura Rodriguez, and is considered one of the landmarks of Madrid.
  
• La Puerta de Alcalá is a beautiful triumphal arch made by Francisco Sabatini in 1778, after the arrival of King Charles III to Madrid.
  
• La Puerta del Sol was, in 15th century, the main entrance to Madrid. Today Puerta del Sol and the square, Plaza del Sol, form the very center of the Spain's capital. The monumental clock and the statue of a bear are landmarks of Madrid.
  
• ?El Rasto? is a gigantic flea market that takes place each Sunday morning in Ribera de Curtidores. Here you can discover new and nothing less typical facets of this city, and perhaps find one or another bargain.
  
• "Las Ventas" is Madrid´s bullring and is one of the most important and traditional in the country, with an elegant Neo-Mudejar-style facade.

AVILA: This delightful medieval city enjoys the highest elevation in Spain, and is referred to as "the city of stones, city of saints." One of the finest remnants of Europe's medieval era, the pre-Roman walled city of Avila was sacred to an ancient Celtiberian culture long before the arrival of the Romans or Christians. Avila is extremely popular with tourists today, yet in the late medieval ages its visitors were pilgrims coming to the church in the center of the walled city.
It is probably one of the best walled cities in the world. The walls, up to 9 ft thick, were constructed following Alphonso VI's recapture of the city from Moors in 1085 after it was captured by the Moors in 714 AD & recaptured by the Christians in 1088. Its protective walls built in the 12th century. Extending for 8202 ft, around the old town, the massive wall is punctuated by ninety, heavily fortified stone towers. Today the wall is considered one of the best preserved in the world. If you want to take a walk on the top of the wall, the view is amazing!
The picturesque wall's gates are used by both pedestrians and motor cars. The most famous of these gates is the Puerta de la Santa, at the Plaza de Santa Teresa de Jesus. Santa Teresa was a bold 16th century woman who founded a number of convents throughout the area, including one at the Plaza that now bears her name.
Other important sites include the cathedral, Spain?s 1st Gothic cathedral, begun around 1135 following a grant from Alphonso VII, and the Real Monasterio de Santo Tomas.

EL ESCORIAL: El Escorial, also known by its full name Monasterio de San Lorenzo del Escorial, is one of the most impressive buildings in Spain. It was built by Felipe II, to celebrate his victory over the French in 1557. Philip's intention was to build a royal burial place for the monarchs of Spain in accordance with the wishes of his father, Emperor Charles V, and to honor a vow he had made to build a church dedicated to Saint Lawrence. After the death of Spaniard Juan Bautista de Toledo, the first architect of the palace, in 1567, the work was completed by another Spanish architect, Juan de Herrera. Philip lived at El Escorial for 14 years and died there in 1598.

It is located about 25 miles Northwest of Madrid. The majestic monastery-palace of El Escorial interior features a royal palace, an impressive mausoleum of gold and marble, a valuable library with old books and manuscripts, a basilica, and a large collection of paintings.

Coming from the main entrance from the West, the palace resembles a fortress. Its architectural forms, based principally on classical Roman sources convey monumental grandeur, combined with a simplicity of decoration that borders on severity. Within, the royal apartments are relatively modest, since Philip's religious convictions led him to live in considerable austerity.

ZAMORA & EL PERDIGON: Tonight we will head for the small town of Zamora, located about one hour from Salamanca. Zamora is known as the ?living Romanesque museum? due to the artistic mark left by the inhabitants during the 12th century. It has been inhabited by Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Spanish Catholics and has been the sight of numerous fierce battles all the way up into the 19th century. The most famous monuments are the churches and the cathedral. Zamora is set on a hill and has a lovely view of the River Duero.

RODAS VIEJAS: We will go to the countryside, about one hour from Salamanca, to one of the most famous regions for bulls. It is said that the fiercest bulls used in bullfights are raised here. We will take a tour of the finca to get an up-close view of the bulls in the gorgeous countryside and learn about the process of raising bulls for bullfights. There is also an option to ride horses. Then we will go into the finca´s bull ring to learn how to ?bullfight? with a baby bull (no violence.) Afterwards, we will have some typical Spanish food before returning back to Salamanca.

IN SALAMANCA: The Cathedral: Salamanca's cathedral is a typical example marking the transition from Gothic to Renaissance. Spaniards call this cathedral "La Nueva", the new one, as the old cathedral still exists at its side.
In its splendid interior pay attention to the "Golden Chapel" with extraordinary works of sculpture and to the Patio Chico, the small yard, to be found at the place where "old" and "new" cathedral are built together.

The University Quarter: This delightful area close to the school is lined with bookstores and outdoor cafes. The University of Salamanca is found here. It is one of the oldest universities in the world, founded by King Alphonse IX only a short of time after the Universities of Bologna and Paris and is considered a masterwork of plateresque style. The façade is ornamented with numerous figures, the most famous among them the "frog on a skull", which tourists have fun trying to make out among the large number of other small figures.

Other important buildings in this quarter are the Renaissance palace, Palacio Anaya and the famous Casa de las Conchas, the landmark of the town in front of the language school. The façade of this 15th century house, which is considered one of the most representative examples of Isabellinian Renaissance style, is ornamented with reliefs of Saint Jacob's shells.

At Plaza del Poeta Iglesias is to be seen the church Iglesia de San Martin, founded in 12th century, with its beautiful Romanesque style northern portal.

Plaza Mayor: This large square, created in 18th century by Churriguera, is without doubt among the most beautiful in Spain. It forms the real center of town, not only geographically. Here it is a daily meeting spot for many of the city?s residents and visitors. There are nightly shows and concerts. It is the ideal place for people watching. In the streets around the Plaza, there are also many important monuments and churches.