Tour of Spain - 2020
Map of Spain, tour cities noted by a star.
Madrid, Calle de Alcala
Students at the Alhambra
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17-day Educational Tour of Spain - Madrid, Toledo, Granada, and Córdoba
Global Praxis is pleased to offer this private educational tour that is more "compact" than the traditional 4-week college-credit study abroad programs. By popular demand, adult learners, working professionals, community residents, and retired couples have asked us to create a shorter length program but one that retains the same level of high-quality and cultural/educational immersion. The purpose of all Global Praxis educational tours and programs is as stated under our company name above: “Creating International Learning Environments.” The emphasis here is on “learning.” Our associates and contacts in the host countries are selected based on their expert knowledge and ability to impart to you the cultural, historical, political, and social dynamic of their respective countries. This is what distinguishes our programs from others and it affords our participants a value-added dimension that offers you much more than simple tourism. Dates: June 15 - July 1 Itinerary at-a-glance (see below for detailed itinerary): Day 1 - Departure from U.S. Day 2 - Arrival at Barajas International Airport (MAD) and transfer to Hotel Sterling Day 3 - Walking tour of central Madrid (including the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor) Day 4 - Tour the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales Day 5 - All day excursion to the city of Toledo Day 6 - Free day Day 7 - Morning visit to El Rastro, afternoon at Parque del Retiro Day 8 - Guest Lecturer Day 9 - Visit to El Escorial palace Day 10 - Museo del Prado Day 11 - Travel to Granada. Evening dinner and flamenco performance Day 12 - Tour the majestic Alhambra palace Day 13 - Morning: visit the Cathedral of Granada; afternoon: depart Granada for Córdoba Day 14 - Visit the Mezquita and Old Jewish Quarter Day 15 - Free morning and depart for Madrid in afternoon Day 16 - Museo Reina Sofía, evening Farewell Dinner Day 17 - Depart Madrid Apply for Program: Complete the application form to begin the registration process. |
Detailed Itinerary
Note: As reservations for hotels, tours and events are finalized the following itinerary may be updated.
Day 1 - Departure from U.S.
June 15, 2020
Day 2 - Arrival in Madrid
June 16, 2020
Bienvenidos a Madrid! – We will meet you at the airport and provide transportation to Hotel Sterling.
Bienvenidos a Madrid! – We will meet you at the airport and provide transportation to Hotel Sterling.
Day 3 - Walking Tour of Central Madrid
Plaza Mayor
June 17, 2020
Breakfast at Hotel
In-Country Orientation
Two-hour walking tour of Central Madrid. Our Madrid guide will guide us through the major sites within walking distance of our hotel including: the Royal Palace; Old Madrid Town Hall; Plaza Mayor; Mercado San Miguel; Cuchilleros Street; Puerta del Sol; Plaza del Callao; the Gran Vía, and return to Hotel Sterling.
Evening: Visit the Plaza Santa Ana for Tapas
Breakfast at Hotel
In-Country Orientation
Two-hour walking tour of Central Madrid. Our Madrid guide will guide us through the major sites within walking distance of our hotel including: the Royal Palace; Old Madrid Town Hall; Plaza Mayor; Mercado San Miguel; Cuchilleros Street; Puerta del Sol; Plaza del Callao; the Gran Vía, and return to Hotel Sterling.
Evening: Visit the Plaza Santa Ana for Tapas
Day 4 - Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
June 18, 2020
Breakfast at Hotel
Guest Lecture: “Origins of Islamic Influence in Iberia”
Afternoon: Tour the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales – Originally, a richly endowed convent in the former palace of King Charles V, that was begun in the year 1559. Due to the wealth generated by the dowries of daughters of Royal families sent to this convent, it amassed significant relics and major works of art that are still exhibited within the convent including works by Titian, Caravaggio, Brueghel the Elder, and tapestries woven to designs by Rubens.
Tapas at Mercado San Miguel
Breakfast at Hotel
Guest Lecture: “Origins of Islamic Influence in Iberia”
Afternoon: Tour the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales – Originally, a richly endowed convent in the former palace of King Charles V, that was begun in the year 1559. Due to the wealth generated by the dowries of daughters of Royal families sent to this convent, it amassed significant relics and major works of art that are still exhibited within the convent including works by Titian, Caravaggio, Brueghel the Elder, and tapestries woven to designs by Rubens.
Tapas at Mercado San Miguel
Day 5 - Excursion to Toledo
Toledo
June 19, 2020
Breakfast at Hotel
All-day excursion to the over 2,000-year-old City of Toledo: With the assistance of our professional guide, we will explore the former capital city where, for a time the three major religions co-existed and thrived – Jewish, Islamic, and Christian. We will visit important shrines from each of these religions including: the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca; the Mezquita of Cristo de la Luz; and the incredibly vast Cathedral of Toledo, ranked as one of the greatest Gothic structures in Europe; and the Iglesia of Santo Tomé, that houses the painter El Greco’s greatest masterpiece, “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.”
We will have lunch at one of the local restaurants that features the regional cuisine.
Breakfast at Hotel
All-day excursion to the over 2,000-year-old City of Toledo: With the assistance of our professional guide, we will explore the former capital city where, for a time the three major religions co-existed and thrived – Jewish, Islamic, and Christian. We will visit important shrines from each of these religions including: the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca; the Mezquita of Cristo de la Luz; and the incredibly vast Cathedral of Toledo, ranked as one of the greatest Gothic structures in Europe; and the Iglesia of Santo Tomé, that houses the painter El Greco’s greatest masterpiece, “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.”
We will have lunch at one of the local restaurants that features the regional cuisine.
Day 6 - Free Day
June 20, 2020
Breakfast at hotel.
Free day.
Breakfast at hotel.
Free day.
Day 7 - El Rastro and Parque del Buen Retiro
Parque del Buen Retiro
June 21, 2020
Breakfast at Hotel
Morning visit to “El Rastro,” Europe’s biggest and longest-running Flea Market that draws huge crowds for shopping and people-watching.
Afternoon: Stroll through the “Parque del Retiro,” Madrid’s version of Central Park. Covering over 350 acres and comprising 15,000 trees, El Retiro Park is an oasis in the heart of Madrid. This land belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until it was made a public park in the late 19th century.
Breakfast at Hotel
Morning visit to “El Rastro,” Europe’s biggest and longest-running Flea Market that draws huge crowds for shopping and people-watching.
Afternoon: Stroll through the “Parque del Retiro,” Madrid’s version of Central Park. Covering over 350 acres and comprising 15,000 trees, El Retiro Park is an oasis in the heart of Madrid. This land belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until it was made a public park in the late 19th century.
Day 8 - Guest Lecturer
June 22, 2020
Breakfast at Hotel
Guest Lecturer
Breakfast at Hotel
Guest Lecturer
Day 9 - Visit to El Escorial Palace
June 23, 2020
Breakfast at Hotel
Excursion to “El Escorial” the palace/monastery/fortress that King Philip II built which houses magnificent paintings, a vast library of medieval tomes, and serves as the final resting place for Spanish Royalty.
Breakfast at Hotel
Excursion to “El Escorial” the palace/monastery/fortress that King Philip II built which houses magnificent paintings, a vast library of medieval tomes, and serves as the final resting place for Spanish Royalty.
Day 10 - Museo del Prado
Las Meninas by Diego Velasquez - Masterpiece of spatial perspective.
June 24, 2020
Breakfast at Hotel
Morning: Lecture on the Art of El Prado
Afternoon: Visit the Museo del Prado. El Prado is widely considered to have one of the world’s largest and finest collections of European art dating from the 12th century to the 20th century and the single best collection of Spanish art with paintings from such illustrious artists as: Diego Velásquez; Francisco de Zurbarán, Francisco Goya, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, and many others.
Breakfast at Hotel
Morning: Lecture on the Art of El Prado
Afternoon: Visit the Museo del Prado. El Prado is widely considered to have one of the world’s largest and finest collections of European art dating from the 12th century to the 20th century and the single best collection of Spanish art with paintings from such illustrious artists as: Diego Velásquez; Francisco de Zurbarán, Francisco Goya, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, and many others.
Day 11 - Travel to Granada, Evening Dinner and Flamenco Performance
June 25, 2020
Breakfast at hotel
10:00 am: Travel to Granada
Transfer to Hotel and relax until evening.
Evening: Experience authentic Flamenco performance – Dinner and Show – at “Venta El Gallo,” set in the Sacromonte caves in the hills of Granada.
Breakfast at hotel
10:00 am: Travel to Granada
Transfer to Hotel and relax until evening.
Evening: Experience authentic Flamenco performance – Dinner and Show – at “Venta El Gallo,” set in the Sacromonte caves in the hills of Granada.
Day 12 - Tour the Majestic Alhambra Palace
The Alhambra
June 26, 2020
Breakfast at Hotel
With an experienced professional guide, we will tour the magnificent grounds, palace, and fortress of the Nasrid Dynasty - the last bastion of Islamic presence in Iberia prior to their expulsion by Isabel and Fernando in 1492.
Afternoon and evening at your leisure.
Breakfast at Hotel
With an experienced professional guide, we will tour the magnificent grounds, palace, and fortress of the Nasrid Dynasty - the last bastion of Islamic presence in Iberia prior to their expulsion by Isabel and Fernando in 1492.
Afternoon and evening at your leisure.
Day 13 - Cathedral and Royal Chapel Visit
June 27, 2020
Breakfast at Hotel
Morning: Visit the Cathedral of Granada and Royal Chapel where Isabel and Fernando are entombed.
Early afternoon: Depart Granada for Córdoba
Arrive at hotel in Córdoba and rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure.
Breakfast at Hotel
Morning: Visit the Cathedral of Granada and Royal Chapel where Isabel and Fernando are entombed.
Early afternoon: Depart Granada for Córdoba
Arrive at hotel in Córdoba and rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure.
Day 14 - Mezquita and Old Jewish Quarter
Chapel of Sagrario at Mezquita
June 28, 2020
Morning: Our professional guide will explore with us the majestic Mezquita (The Great Mosque of Córdoba) expanded during the Caliphate of Córdoba under the rule of Abd al-Rahman III in the 10th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the world’s greatest achievements in Islamic architecture. When the Christian armies conquered Córdoba in the 13th century, the Mezquita’s beauty prevented them from destroying it thus eventually building a Catholic Cathedral on the same grounds where the Mezquita stands.
After the tour of the Mezquita, our guide will take us through the winding medieval lanes of the old Jewish Quarter and visit the only remaining Synagogue in Córdoba.
Afternoon and Evening: At your leisure.
Morning: Our professional guide will explore with us the majestic Mezquita (The Great Mosque of Córdoba) expanded during the Caliphate of Córdoba under the rule of Abd al-Rahman III in the 10th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the world’s greatest achievements in Islamic architecture. When the Christian armies conquered Córdoba in the 13th century, the Mezquita’s beauty prevented them from destroying it thus eventually building a Catholic Cathedral on the same grounds where the Mezquita stands.
After the tour of the Mezquita, our guide will take us through the winding medieval lanes of the old Jewish Quarter and visit the only remaining Synagogue in Córdoba.
Afternoon and Evening: At your leisure.
Day 15 - Free Morning and Depart for Madrid in Afternoon
June 29, 2020
Last opportunity for shopping and eating local delicacies like “Salmorejo.”
Late afternoon: Depart for Madrid
Last opportunity for shopping and eating local delicacies like “Salmorejo.”
Late afternoon: Depart for Madrid
Day 16 - Museo Reina Sofia
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía - Guernica
June 30, 2020
Breakfast at Hotel
Morning Lecture: Pablo Picasso’s monumental work entitled “Guernica.” Background and significance of this extraordinary work will be discussed in preparation for viewing it in the afternoon.
Afternoon: Visit the Museo Reina Sofía – Spain’s national museum that boasts one of the finest collections of contemporary art.
Evening: Farewell Dinner
Breakfast at Hotel
Morning Lecture: Pablo Picasso’s monumental work entitled “Guernica.” Background and significance of this extraordinary work will be discussed in preparation for viewing it in the afternoon.
Afternoon: Visit the Museo Reina Sofía – Spain’s national museum that boasts one of the finest collections of contemporary art.
Evening: Farewell Dinner
Day 17 - Depart Madrid
July 1, 2020
Departure from Madrid – End of Program
Muchas Gracias!
Departure from Madrid – End of Program
Muchas Gracias!