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SPAIN
AND
ARCHITECTURE TOUR
MAY 2
- 13, 2007
BARCELONA
DESTINATION DESCRIPTION
 In
the realms of architecture and art, Gaudí and Miró are doubtless
Barcelona’s most notable Spanish talents.
 In
the ancient heart of the city there are stunning examples of Gothic art
and architecture. As one wanders through the narrow streets it is like
returning to a bygone age. The imposing cathedral and the church of
Santa Maria del Mar remind us of an ancient Catholic heritage which
persists through to the modern age.
PROGRAM
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Wednesday,
May 2, 2007
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Depart
U.S.A. for Barcelona, Spain
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Thursday, May 3, 2007
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| Morning |
Arrival
Barcelona.
Individual transfers from the airport to Avenida Palace
Hotel, 605-607 Gran Via,
Barcelona
08007,
Spain
A four-star Superior Hotel well located in Barcelona.
|
| Afternoon |
Panoramic
drive around the city including the view from
the Olympic Ring Area on the hill of Montjuic for an excellent
view of the city. From
Montjuic, North Station, Teatro Nacional by Bofill and other
interesting sites including a visit to the Mies van der Rohe
Pavillion.
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| Evening |
Welcome
Reception at Avenida Palace Hotel
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Friday, May 4, 2007
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| Morning |
Walking
tour of Las Ramblas with its many bird and flower stalls.
Continue on to La Boqueria produce
market
Walk
through the older part of town, the Gothic Quarter including
the Plaza del Rey and the Plaza de San
Jaime, the Gothic Cathedral and continue to charming Mongcada
Street which is lined with medieval Gothic palaces where many
have been converted to museums and the Picasso Museum
that is housed in four of these palaces.
Paella
lunch at Set Portes
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| Afternoon |
Visit
the MACBA Museum of Contemporary Art whose building is by
Richard Meier.
Optional
visit to an art gallery.
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| Evening |
Glass
of wine at an artist’s studio
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Saturday, May 5, 2007
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| Morning |
Drive
by the Parque de
la
España Industrial and see “Woman and the Bird,” Miro’s last sculpture work.
Next, visit the Caixa Forum, the permanent art collection
of the La Caixa Savings Bank that is housed in an old restored factory.
Then on to the Museum
of Catalan
Art,
recently re-opened after major restoration, and now houses most
of Barcelona’s
art collection up to the 20th century.
Lunch at the museum.
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| Afternoon
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In
the afternoon, Visit the Miró Foundation, in a building by the
architect Josep Lluis Sert, a great friend of Miró.
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| Evening |
Drinks
at a private home to see the owner’s collection
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Sunday, May 6, 2007
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| Morning |
Drive
to Figueres to visit the Dali Theatre-Museum and his famous
jewels.
Lunch
at charming Mas Pau
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| Afternoon |
Drive
to Girona, a city founded by the Romans, and stroll through the
beautifully restored historic quarter.
The
Catedral has a 12th century tapestry of the Creation.
Return to
Barcelona
and
dinner on own
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Monday, May 7, 2007
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| Morning |
Day dedicated to Gaudi and his Modernist
contemporaries,
Manzana
de la Discordia, a block of fascinating apartment buildings.
"La Pedrera" by Gaudí
with its interesting exhibition on Espal Gaudí, and visit
an apartment furnished by Gaudí. Then a visit to "Park
Güell"
Lunch at La Venta. |
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Gaudi Buildings
|
| Afternoon |
The
next visit is to the most famous of Gaudi’s works (even though
it has remained unfinished). This is the remarkable temple “La
Sagrada Familia”
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| Evening |
Concert
at Palau de la Musica (subject to programming)
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Tuesday, May 8, 2007
|
| Morning |
Free morning in
Barcelona
for shopping
Lunch on your own
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| Afternoon |
Transfer
and flight to San
Sebastian
Arrival
Transfer to the Maria
Christina
Hotel,
20004 Donostia,
San
Sebastian,
Spain
|
 |
| Evening |
Dinner at Urepel or similar |
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
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| Morning |
Excursion
to Bilbao.
Panoramic tour by tram and the new metro, designed by Sir
Norman Foster. Stroll through the Old Quarter ( 7 Calles)
Visit
to the
Guggenheim
Museum
with lunch at the Museum Restaurant whose chef is the famous
Basque chef, Martin Berastegui.
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| Afternoon |
Visit
the
Fine
Arts
Museum
before returning to
San Sebastian
Evening
is free
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Thursday,
May
10, 2007
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| Morning
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Visit
the Chillida Leku on the outskirts of the city, the museum and
sculpture garden of the late Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida
followed by a panoramic drive around the city, starting with the
great view from Monte Iguedo Then see the corten iron sculptures on the
seafront by Chillida called the Wind Combs (Peine de Vientos).
From the boardwalk along the
Bahia
de la Concha, stroll into the old fishing quarter and the Casco
Viejo. Enjoy a tapas
lunch in this charming old quarter.
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| Afternoon |
In
the afternoon visit the Iglesia de
Santa Maria.
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| Evening |
Free or dinner reservations at Arzak
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Friday, May 11, 2007
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| Morning
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Drive
into the French Basque country and a panoramic drive around
Biarritz.
Enjoy a stroll
around the charming seaside resort and active fishing village of St. Jean de Luz past the
Church
of
Saint
Jean Baptiste. Continue
drive to
Bayonne to visit the lovely
Cathedral and lunch in the
Bayonne
area.
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| Afternoon |
Return
to Spain
via the pretty town of
Biarritz
and Evening is Free
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Saturday, May 12, 2007
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Free
Day. Suggestions:
Visit the marvelous Aquarium or the Kursaal, the new
convention center by the architect Rafael Moneo (will advise
exhibitions).
San
Sebastian
is a great city for
shopping, or take a drive to Hondarribia for a wonderful
fish lunch
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| Evening |
Farewell dinner at Zuberoa
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Sunday, May 13, 2007
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| Morning
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Group transfer to the airport for
departure |
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| Package
includes
:
·
11 nights
accommodation in first class hotels based on double occupancy
·
Meals and
private dinners as described in itinerary
·
English
speaking guide/lecturer throughout
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Entrance
fees
·
Deluxe
motor coach transportation thrughout
·
Concert
at Palau de la Musica
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Tips in
restuarants
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Porterage in airports and hotels where applicable
·
Price based on minimum of 20 paying persons
·
Information folder
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Land Package Price Per Person:
Double Occupancy in First Class Accommodations
:
€4,570.00/USD 5,495.00
Land
Package Single Supplement
:
€1,535.96/USD 1,967.00
*
Price Includes a $500 Tax Deductible Per Person donation to Art
League of Bonita Springs
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The price is based upon a minimum of 20
paying participants per coach in double/twin occupancy at an
exchange rate of €1.274422/USD.784796
(rate as of 5/26/06) The price is subject to change due to increase in taxes,
surcharges, currency fluctuation, or if participation is less
than 20.
Deposit
& Payment Conditions
:
A deposit of $1,000.00 per person is required to confirm
your place on the tour. The
price is subject to change due to increase in taxes, surcharges,
currency fluctuation, or if participation is less than 20.
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