Great Moorish Experience

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Madrid

Arrival day, no activities planned.Madrid, the grand dame of European cities, has it all—history, architecture, museums, galleries, beautiful parks and a wild nightlife. Spain's capital city’s most exciting street is the Gran Vía, but be sure to visit the Plaza Mayor –the true heart of Madrid. Enjoy a coffee in one of the plaza’s many cafes and watch the world go by. A trip to the Museo del Prado, one of the greatest art galleries in the world, is a definite highlight. The main emphasis of the museum is 15th to 19th century Spanish, Flemish and Italian art. There is plenty of Goya and you'll find a wealth of paintings by Diego Velázquez. For a more modern take and one of the best art history lessons you'll ever get, check out the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, a private assembly of paintings from Titian to Picasso. The beautiful Real Jardin Botánico, near the Prado, is a good spot to recover from an art overdose. To see what style the kings and queens lived in, visit the Palacio Real, where you'll see some of the most elaborately decorated and furnished rooms ever. The epicenter of Madrid's nightlife is Plaza del Dos de Mayo, in the area known as Malasaña – head here after hours to have a taste of Sangria and dance to the latest music! The Escorial, a magnificent palace and mausoleum constructed by Felipe II (on the site of a previous dump) is also a major tourist attraction within the capital area. The building’s magnificent style is a worthy monument to the power and wealth that was Spain during the 16th century. The Escorial also became a great center for learning and has an outstanding library. For those of you spending some extra time in the Castillian capital, there are several worthwhile optional tours to nearby cities and towns, such as Segovia and Toledo.

Day 2-3 Seville

Estimated Travel Time: 6 hoursTransfer to Seville, one of the most colourful cities in Spain. We spend our time here exploring Muslim monuments, parks and gardens.Seville is one of the most exciting and beautiful cities in the country. Muslim monuments, flamenco, and a large and lively student population maintain its energetic pulse.First, explore the wonderful parks and gardens of the Alcázar, a magnificent palace dating from Moorish times. During Seville’s warm summer nights (until mid-September) you can enjoy a series of concerts in the authentic and exceptional setting of the Reales Alcazares.The true heart of Seville lies in the Santa Cruz quarter. It is impossible to resist the charm of this district with its winding alleys, picturesque lime-washed houses, delicate, hardly visible, flowery patios and small squares. Seville is home to the world’s largest gothic cathedral. The climb to the adjoining tower, known as La Giralda, is well worth the effort for the great views of the city. The 76m Giralda was constructed by the Moors between 1184 and 1197; after the reconquest Christians fitted the minaret with its bell tower in 1568.Other attractions include the Parque de María Luisa, which has a maze of paths, garden beds, pretty little patios, fountains and shaded lawns, and the Museo Arqueológico.Semana Santa (Holy Week) has been one of the most important celebrations in Seville for centuries. During the week over 50 Brotherhoods process in penitence through the many narrow streets of the centre of the city. Another festival of note is the annual April Fair of Sevilla, one of the major folkloric celebrations of Spain. More than 1,000 temporary 'houses' are built on a huge site, where around 1 million people gather to enjoy flamenco music, dance and dresses, horse parades, sherry and fun.

Day 4-5 Tarifa, Costa de la Luz

Estimated Travel Time: 3 hoursThe sea and the sun are our constant companions here as we relax and take a break from our urban adventures to explore the beautiful coastline and its beaches, with options for marine life sighting tours, kite/wind surfing, horseback riding, or even a day trip to North Africa.The Costa de la Luz (Coast of light) is the western side of the Andalucía coastline, facing the Mediterranean and North Africa. Here the sand is finer and a more golden colour than in the neighbouring Costa del Sol, and typically beaches are more expansive and less visited. Temperatures are slightly milder, and the strong Atlantic wind is favoured by wind and kite surfers alike. The area is also home to long-finned pilot whales, and bottlenosed, common and striped dolphins. From April to June, sperm whales migrate through the Straits of Gibraltar and in July/August, Orcas come to the area. From time to time we are fortunate enough to see a fin whale, the second largest whale in the world. This area is also famous for its succulent king prawns, best savoured with some fine Spanish wine. While in the area we have the option to take a day trip to Gibraltar, or also a short visit to Tangier, in Morocco.

Day 6 Ronda

Estimated Travel Time: 2.5 hoursWe travel to the alluring town of Ronda, nestled deep in the white Anadalucian hills. It’s impossible to miss the town’s most unique feature—a 100m deep gorge splitting the town in two. Enjoy the amazing Andalucian countryside by bike, on foot or even by 4-wheeler. The spectacular gorge is bridged by the magnificent Puente Nuevo (New Bridge). Built in 1751, the bridge is one of the most photographed structures in all of Spain. On one side of the bridge is the old Moorish town with many historic buildings including the House of the Moorish King, worth a visit for its wonderful gardens. On the other side is El Mercadillo, a more recent urban development; to the east of the town are well-preserved Arab Baths. If bullfighting piques your interest, Ronda is the birthplace of the Spanish national pastime, with one of the oldest bullfighting rings in the country. If our timing is lucky we may also have the option to witness this thoroughly Spanish, albeit controversial sport.Most of the important sights in Ronda can be seen on foot, but horse-drawn carriage tours are also available. There is excellent craft shopping in Ronda, which is well known for its pottery, leatherwork and wrought-iron products.

Day 7 Cordoba

Estimated Travel Time: 2 hoursWe move on to Cordoba, once one of the most important capitals in Europe. From the 11th to the 15th century, Cordoba was a sophisticated place where the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths mixed together peacefully. In this harmonious atmosphere, economic, cultural and university systems flourished, and the city produced important philosophers, scientists and artists.The world-famous Mezquita has been called the most beautiful and original building in all of Spain. It is the third-largest mosque in the world with an extension of 23 000 square meters. The colossal hall consists of 11 naves with 110 columns, the capitals of which were taken from old Roman and Byzantine buildings. Above, there is a second row of arcs, creating a unique ambience of light and shadow. Many additions were made by successive Caliphs, such as 8 more arcs in 833, with columns of white marble taken from a Roman amphitheatre. In 987 an enlargement was made doubling the original size of the mosque and adding columns of blue and red marble. The mosque of Cordoba is unique in that it doesn't have the Mihrab as its central point. One other particularity is that it is not orientated towards Mecca, but towards Damascus - perhaps because of nostalgic feelings of Caliph Abderramán I, who expressed in his poetry how homesick he felt for his hometown. When the Christians reconquered Cordoba in 1236, they consecrated the mosque to be the Christian cathedral. In 13th century the first modifications were made and the Capilla Real (Royal Chapel), was added inside the mosque, a most unusual arrangement. In 1523 the Catholic Church and King Charles V decided (against the will of the town's administration) to build a Christian cathedral inside of the original mosque. This work took 234 years, and as a result the original Gothic style is combined with Baroque and Renaissance elements.

Day 8-9 Granada

Estimated Travel Time: 2.5 hoursWe head to the Andaluz city of Granada, where we include a visit to the Alhambra, one of the greatest accomplishments of Islamic art and architecture, and the highlight of the trip for most visitors.During the Muslim rule of Spain, Granada was one of the region’s most regal cities. The greatest Muslim legacy in Europe, the Alhambra, is located in Granada. The Alhambra has captured the imagination of visitors for years, and much has been recorded about the history and purpose of this area. But no amount of reading or study can truly prepare you for your first visit—it is simply breathtaking. The Alhambra is divided into three sections: the Alcazaba, the Palacio Nazaries and Generalife. The Alcazaba is the Alhambra's Muslim 11th century wing, offering spectacular views of the city from the tops of its towers. The Palacio Nazaries is the center of the Alhambra, and is most famous for its detailed works and gardens. The Generalife was the summer palace of the sultans.We board an evening bus for Spain's historical Valencia on day 10.

Day 10-11 Valencia

Estimated Travel Time: 9 hoursValencia, Spain's third-largest city. Historical yet cosmopolitan, it is the home of paella, the Holy Grail and one of Europe’s newest science museums. Valencia is a fun and fascinating study in contrasts.Ensconced in fertile terrain on the shores of the Mediterranean close to the mouth of the river Turia, the luminous city of Valencia comes as a pleasant surprise to many. At night people fill the open terraces and street cafés in the Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, or the romantic dance clubs with live music on the Malvarrosa beach. Everywhere, discos, nightclubs and pubs provide the scene for enjoying a night out.

Day 12-13 Barcelona

Estimated Travel Time: 4 hoursEarly morning train ride to Barcelona. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the city’s museums and cathedrals, or enjoy some of the best shopping in Europe.Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city, but it is its capital when it comes to fashion, architecture, food and music. Known worldwide for its dynamic atmosphere and exciting style, Barcelona never disappoints. As the most cosmopolitan and economically active city in Spain it has always shown its will to be modern. Barcelona is always at the forefront of the latest international styles, whether it be in architecture, fashion or ways of thinking. There is plenty of history too: visit the old Gothic Quarter with its maze of dark streets, historic cathedral, medieval buildings, bars and cafes. Or stroll the Rambla, a large tree-lined pedestrian boulevard perfect for people-watching and window shopping, ending at the harbourfront facing the Mediterranean Sea. Make sure to view Gaudi’s most famous life work, the cathedral La Sagrada Familia, an inspiring yet bizarre testament to the artist’s unique vision. Should you need some quiet time away from it all a visit to the city’s imaginative Parque Guell will cure all ills, as you stroll the tree-lined paths and admire more of Gaudi’s creative genius at play. For nightlife, the highest concentration of beautiful young locals dancing – both in the bars and on the street – can be found near the intersection of Santaló and Mariano Cubi streets. Here you can always find good music, good drinks and lots of fun. Another good nightlife spot for meeting the fashionable locals of Barcelona is on the Plaza Francesc Maciá.

Trip Details

Accommodation	Hotels (13 nts).
Departure	Departs weekly (Apr-Oct)
DepEnd	Sat-Sat
Group Size	Max 15, Avg 10
Meals Included	No meals included.
Recommendation	Not enough time for this trip? Try our 8-day tour, The Southern Spain Adventure - see code ESME.
StartFinish	Madrid to Barcelona
Testimonial	"The perfect mix of history/culture, heaps of fun & laughs and well timed injections of relaxation. I love the G.A.P Adventures format, the balance of coordination and company together with individual freedom is spot on. I would recommend this trip to anyone, especially if you are flying solo." - Kara Coleman travelled on Great Moorish Experience
Transport	Local bus, train.

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2009-04-18	2009-05-01	7+
2009-05-02	2009-05-15	7+
2009-05-16	2009-05-29	7+
2009-05-30	2009-06-12	7+
2009-06-13	2009-06-26	7+
2009-07-11	2009-07-24	7+
2009-07-25	2009-08-07	7+
2009-08-08	2009-08-21	7+
2009-09-05	2009-09-18	7+
2009-09-19	2009-10-02	7+
2009-10-03	2009-10-16	7+
2009-10-17	2009-10-30	7+

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