About the Tour

Much of what we consider to be archetypally 'Spanish' is part of Spain's Moorish heritage.
The influence of the Moors on Spain's language, art, food, agriculture and, especially, architecture was profound. Join this study tour and explore in depth some of the highlights of Moorish Spain.

 

The tour starts in Madrid and then heads south to Cordoba and Seville, east to Malaga, Granada and Valencia and ends back in Madrid. You will see breath-taking architectural treasures such as the Alhambra, along with visits to fascinating historic villages in the last Moorish strongholds in the Alpujarra mountains and even a day trip to the Rock of Gibraltar.

 

Itinerary - Tuesday 18 October to Tuesday 8 November 2011

Meals provided where specified by (B) breakfast, (L) lunch and/or (D) dinner

 

Tuesday 18 October: Arrival in Madrid

We arrive at Barajas International Airport in Madrid, where we will be met by our English-speaking guide who will show us to the air-conditioned Deluxe bus to transfer to the hotel.

Wednesday 19 October: Madrid

Sightseeing in Madrid's historic "Austrias" Quarter. (B)

Thursday 20 October: Excursion to Toledo

On the second day we will drive to the Imperial city of Toledo, a beautiful, and perfectly preserved medieval city that has been declared a national monument. It is superbly situated on a high hill and surrounded on three sides by the Tagus River.

This ancient town of Toledo remains much the same as it was centuries ago, with its narrow, winding streets and little squares. In fact, Toledo was a Visigothic capital prior to the Moorish invasion of 711. It was conquered and held by the Muslims until it was recaptured by the Christian forces in 1085.

 

The city dates from all periods but mainly the 15th and early 16th centuries and has rightly been described as a "museum city". Behind the old walls we will find a great deal of evidence of the city's history. Under Alfonso X of Castille and Leon (1221-84) Toledo became an important, albeit short-lived, centre of inter-cultural understanding due to the establishment there of the Translation School where Jewish and Muslim translators, sponsored by the court of Alfonso X, translated important religious and scholarly texts of their cultures into early Spanish. The buildings and art of Toledo reflect the three cultures of Spain.

 

We will visit the Gothic Cathedral - the second largest in Spain - which houses many important works of art and an impressive collection of El Greco's paintings. The flamboyant Gothic high altar of 1504 is the work of several artists. Our next stop will be at Santo Tome Church, where El Greco's masterpiece "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz" is shown. The church has a very beautiful Mudejar (Islamic style) tower. We will walk through the winding streets of Toledo's Jewish Quarter, where we will have the opportunity to visit the synagogue Santa Maria la Blanca, the oldest synagogue in Europe. Both the tower and the synagogue are testimony to the on-going presence of the non-Christian cultures of Spain. (B, L)

 

Friday 21 October: Excursion to Segovia and Avila
Segovia

Segovia is one of the most spectacularly sited cities in Spain. The old town, dating from Roman times, is set high on a rocky spur and is surrounded by the Eresma and the Clamores rivers. The splendid city of Segovia can be defined by two of its monuments - the Roman Aqueduct, still crossing the city after almost 2,000 years; and the 11th century fortress "The Alcazar" (the word coming from the Arabic "al qasr" meaning palace or fortress). The Gothic Cathedral and the Romanesque churches are further attractions.

 

Our tour will start at "The Alcazar", the most dramatically sited of all Spanish royal fortress-palaces. Residence of the Christian Kings in medieval times, it is shaped like a ship and is reputed to have inspired Walt Disney's fairy tale animations.

 

Next we walk a short distance to the Main Square where we'll find the entrance to the last great Gothic Cathedral in Spain, nicknamed "The Lady of the Spanish Cathedrals" because of its silhouette. The cathedral museum is installed in the base of the tower. It is hung with Gobelin tapestries of the 18th century.

 

Then, we walk through the main shopping street, Calle Real, which breaches the old wall by the Casa de los Picos. The picos refer to the pyramidal shaping of the stones of the facade. After passing some Renaissance palaces, we reach the famous Roman Aqueduct, the largest and most complete piece of Roman building left in all Spain. Built by the Romans in the 1st century AD, it was still in use until the late 19th century. The structure is made entirely of granite blocks without mortar or clamps and the Aqueduct reaches a maximum height of 29m. It is an extraordinary monument to Roman engineering.

Avila

Avila (or Avila de los Caballeros to give it its full name) lies 1,131 metres above sea level and is the highest provincial capital in Spain. It is built on the flat summit of a rocky hill and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage city.

 

Avila is famous for its intact 2km long city wall, which is considered one of the best preserved in the world, and its 90 towers dating back to the 11th century. It is a splendid example of a Reconquest fortress city, a remnant of the war fought between Christians and Moors for over 700 years. From the lookout, Los Cuatros Postes, there is a wonderful panoramic view over the city.

 

Furthermore, Avila was the birthplace of the mystic writer Saint Teresa of Jesus (1515-82) and is an important pilgrimage site. The Gothic cathedral is integrated into the city's defences. It was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and has the appearance of a fortress, with embattled walls and two solid towers. It contains many interesting sculptures and paintings. (B, L)

Saturday 22 October: Cordoba

In the morning, we take the train from Madrid to Cordoba, approximately 400 kms to the south.

Cordoba is the former capital of Al-Andalus (the term the Moors used to denominate the territory that comprised Islamic Spain). As the seat of the throne of the Spanish caliphate from the year 719 AD, Cordoba was the most populated town in Europe during the 10th century and set the tone for Hispano-Arabian arts and culture. Jews, Christians and Arabs lived together in peace there for long periods of time. There are still many monuments in Cordoba that reflect this prosperous period.

The Cathedral - Mezquita

The Mezquita, actually the Cathedral of Cordoba, is the second biggest "Arab mosque" in the world after Mecca and is one of the most famous landmarks of Islamic architecture. The Caliphs began its construction in the 8th century shortly after they conquered the territory. Over the centuries it was enlarged several times. The Christian forces under Fernando III conquered Cordoba in 1236 and triumphantly erected a Cathedral inside the mosque in the 14th century. The Cathedral - Mezquita is one of the most beautiful cultural monuments in the world.

The Alcazar and the Torre de la Calahorra

The Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos is a medieval fortress located in Cordoba next to the river. Built in the 8th century as a caliphate residence, this complex of buildings and gardens reached major significance during the Middle Ages, when Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella lived there for eight years. The Alcazar is a composition of massive fortress and royal palace. The major attraction of the Royal Fortress is its magnificent backyard gardens. Beautiful fountains, basins and well-cut hedges provide evidence of advanced Moorish horticultural expertise which was taken over by their Christian followers.

 

The Torre de la Calahorra was built during the late 12th century by the Almohads (one of the Muslim groups who came to Spain over the course of time) to protect the nearby Roman Bridge on the Guadalquivir river. Our afternoon is at leisure, for shopping, observing the Spanish way of life from a comfortable terraza, or visiting some other monuments. (B)

Sunday 23 October: Cordoba
Medina Azahara

Medina Azahara (Madinat al-Yahra in Arabic), known as the Brilliant City to the Muslims, was built by Caliph Abd ar-Rahman III on the outskirts of the Cordovan woodland in the northeast part of the city. Construction was started around 936. It is one of the most important archaeological complexes in Spain and popular legend holds that the Caliph named his building after his favourite concubine. The magnificent white city, built in steps into the hillside at the base of the Sierra Morena with the Caliph's palace at the highest point, was designed to be seen by his subjects and foreign ambassadors for kilometres. Today only 10% of it is visible.

The Juderia

Right in the heart of Cordoba is the Juderia, the old Jewish quarter. It is a labyrinth of narrow little streets of whitewashed houses with windows and corners beautifully decorated with flowers. Here you can find the Synagogue, established in about 1315 and built in Mudejar (Islamic) style. The women's gallery and the stucco works with Hebrew inscriptions are particularly remarkable. (B, L)

Monday 24 October: Seville

In the morning, transfer by train from Cordoba to Seville.
Free time during the day in Seville.

Flamenco at Los Gallos

It would be unthinkable to spend an evening in Seville without seeing a real flamenco show since Spain is the homeland - and Seville the birthplace - of this world-famous type of folklore. We will go to Los Gallos where we will watch an outstanding flamenco show - presented by first class artists and acts with plenty of variety and colour. (B)

Tuesday 25 October: Seville

Seville is truly a magical town and known world-wide not only for the setting of three famous operas, Carmen, Don Giovanni and The Barber of Seville, but also for its amazing monuments. No wonder UNESCO considers the Barrio Santa Cruz, the ancient quarter of Seville, a World Heritage Site!

 

Our first visit is to the jewel of the Andalusian capital, the Cathedral, one of the most brilliant examples of Gothic architecture. The largest Gothic building and the 3rd largest Christian church on earth (after Saint Peter's in Rome and Saint Paul's in London) was constructed between 1401 and 1588 on the site of the Almohad mosque, which in turn had been constructed upon the site of a Christian church. The Giralda, Seville's landmark bell-tower, was built by the Arabs in the 12th century as the minaret of the Great Mosque, and is nowadays probably the most emblematic tower of all Islamic architecture. Beside the Cathedral, we find the Royal Fortress of Seville, the Reales Alcazares. Europe's oldest royal residence was originally Moorish, but was subsequently refurbished by Christian rulers, who added the Renaissance structure. King Pedro I, "The Cruel", finally turned the building into a palace. We will take a stroll through the impressive palace gardens, which are laid out in a Moorish style, with streams, waterfalls, beautiful tile-work and hints of jasmine and bougainvillea. The current king, Juan Carlos I, nowadays uses the Alcazares as the Royal Residence when visiting Seville.

 

Next we'll walk through the quarter called Barrio Santa Cruz. It is the old Jewish and
Arab quarter of Seville, with a long history, white-washed houses, and impressive squares and streets. (B)

Wednesday 26 October: Seville
Boat Cruise on the Guadalquivir River

Our cruise on the Guadalquivir river will take about 1 hour. We'll enjoy outstanding views of Seville from this unique perspective. The boats leave from Torre del Oro, the Golden Tower, one of the most important monuments left by the Moors. Just behind it are the majestic Giralda bell tower, the new Teatro de la Maestranza and the Maestranza bullring, one of the most important bullrings in the world. On the left, we'll admire the beautiful three-storey buildings of the old Triana quarter and ahead the world-famous Puente de Triana. This bridge was close to ruin but was saved by Gustav Eiffel who gave it its curious steel construction and resolved the issues of balance that threatened it. Then on the left-hand side we'll see the astonishing Expo '92 area, nowadays converted into a technological park, a fantasy park, office buildings and Public Authority buildings. And ahead, another great bridge, the Alamillo Bridge, built by the most famous Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava, in 1990, also for the '92 Expo. (B)

 

Thursday 27 October 2011: Jerez de la Frontera and Cadiz

Jerez de la Frontera

A one-hour bus ride on the Southern Highway takes us to Jerez de la Frontera, the world's sherry capital (the name "sherry" is actually derived from the city's name Jerez). The word "frontera" means frontier or border and refers to the time when this city was on the edge of territory contested between Moorish and Christian forces. The trip leads us through the hilly countryside of West Andalusia with extensive fields of wheat and sunflowers.

Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez

In Spain, a country in which horse riding has made history; Jerez is considered to be a very important place for horse breeding. We visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, which is located in the Palace-House, Recreo de las Cadenas, a beautiful French style construction dating from the 19th century. We will watch the outstanding exhibition "How the Andalusian Horses Dance", one of the most important horse shows in Europe. Professional riders wearing costumes from the 18th and 19th centuries and riding original white Andalusian Lippizaner horses perform the show, which lasts approximately 75 minutes. It is an authentic Equestrian Ballet put together with choreography taken from classical dressage movements with Spanish music - an impressive spectacle!

Sherry-Bodega "Domecq" with wine tasting and Alcazar

Jerez de la Frontera is above all famous for sherry...
Once in Jerez, a visit to one of the famous Sherry bodegas (wine cellars) whose products have been renowned for centuries is a 'must'. The history of sherry and brandy from Jerez started in the year 1730 when Pedro Domecq opened the first "bodega" in town. The patios, buildings and cellars of Domecq in the city centre of Jerez de la Frontera reflect the architecture and craftsmanship of the sherry trade at the beginning of the 18th century. A professional will explain the age-old sherry blending process.

Afterwards we will visit "Alcazar" which is a former Moorish fortress built in the 11th century. The Alcazar has a superb octagonal tower (la Torre Octogonal).

Cadiz

Cadiz, a city with more than 3,000 years of history, was founded by the Phoenicians, dominated by the Carthaginians, conquered by the Romans, and later on by the Muslims, and eventually re-conquered by King Alfonso of Spain. Ample evidence of these cultures can be found today in the city's history museum, which exhibits some outstanding archaeological finds, such as a famous Phoenician anthropoid sarcophagus, along with a multitude of other fascinating archaeological items. We will also visit the city's impressive Cathedral and the old quarter beside the harbour - a lovely area for a stroll. (B, L)

Friday 28 October: Ronda-Malaga

After breakfast we will depart for Ronda on our way to Malaga. The town of Ronda is one of the oldest in Europe and one of the most interesting ones in Spain. Artists and writers have always been attracted to this natural fortress town - Goya, Ernest Hemingway and the poet Rainer Maria Rilke among them. Ronda is also known as "the cradle of bullfighting". Francisco Romero, who was born here in 1754, laid down the first rules for the bullfighter's art. The bullring of Ronda is the oldest in the world (the 1st recorded bullfight took place here in 1785), and the largest with a diameter of 64m! Its museum houses many historic torero-costumes from past centuries. Upon reaching this very special town we'll take a walking tour through the narrow streets with whitewashed houses and ironwork. The main attractions in Ronda are the Cathedral, 19th-century Casa Don Bosco, the 18th-century bullring and of course the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge), an incredible engineering structure from the 18th century which spans the deep gorge carved out of the rock by the river Guadelevin. About 20 kilometres from Ronda we will visit Acinipo. It was a city created for retired soldiers from the Roman legions more than 2000 years ago. The ruins include a Roman theatre still in use today. (B, L)

Saturday 29 October: Malaga

Malaga, the 2nd largest city in Andalusia, is today a thriving port, just as it was in Phoenician times when it was known as "Malaca", and again under the Romans and then the Moors. It also flourished during the 19th century, when sweet Malaga wine was one of Europe's most popular drinks - until phylloxera ravaged the area's vineyards in 1876. It was reconquered by Fernando and Isabel in 1487 as part of their final campaign to put an end to the Islamic presence in the Iberian Peninsula.

We start our visit at the Cathedral, a national monument and one of the most important Spanish Renaissance buildings in Spain - if, in fact, it can be considered a Renaissance building as it is built in a bizarre mixture of styles. Diego de Siloe began its construction in 1528 and it was not finished until 250 years later. The half-built second tower, abandoned in 1765 when funds ran out, gave the Cathedral the nickname La Manquita (the one-armed one).

 

The lengthy occupation of the area by Muslims is reflected in many buildings and architectural remains. Just behind the Cathedral is the Alcazaba, the ancient palace of the Arab Kings of Malaga which was built between the 8th and the 11th centuries. On the hill directly behind the Alcazaba are the ruins of the Gibralfaro Castle, a 14th-century Moorish castle. From here we will enjoy fantastic panoramic views over the Mediterranean ocean, the city of Malaga and the landscape of the Costa del Sol. (B)

Sunday 30 October

Bus transfer to Gibraltar.

Gibraltar

The jagged, towering solid rock peninsula of Gibraltar is the gateway from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. It was named Jbel al-Tarik (Mountain of Tarik) in 711, after the Moorish leader who captured it, and the name has stuck for more than thirteen hundred years. At the very gateway to the Mediterranean, Gibraltar is a place of major strategic importance in relation to the mainland of Spain. Gibraltar is 4.5km long and 1.5km wide and the rock is 425m high. Today, around 30,000 people live there.

 

Our visit to this unique site with its long and sometimes controversial history begins with a drive from the hotel to La Linea de la Concepcion and then across the border into Gibraltar. Coming in along the coastal road from Marbella towards La Linea de la Concepcon, we will catch our first glimpse of the famous Rock.

 

After crossing the border, minibuses will take us through the Tunnels, remarkable galleries gouged from the rock in 1780, and Europe Point, the southern tip of Gibraltar. From here, we'll have great panoramic views of the Straits and the North African coast which is only a short distance away. We'll tour the Rock of Gibraltar by bus, seeing The Great Siege Tunnels, The Rock Apes, The Moorish Castle, Parson Lodge and Nelson's Anchorage. The Apes' Den, where the famous Barbary apes, the mascots of the Rock, are kept, is a real 'must'. St. Michael's cave is a dramatic natural grotto filled with stalagmites and stalactites. The cave is centuries old and was even referred to by the Roman writer Pomponius Mela. (B)

Monday 31 October: Alpujarras-Granada

Bus transfer to Granada via the Alpujarras Mountain region.

Excursion to the Alpujarras region

The Alpujarras region in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range was the last stronghold and refuge of the Muslims of Spain, during and after the campaign of Granada. It was the site of several bloody uprisings as the Moors were forced to choose between exile in other parts of Spain and forced conversion. The region is extremely beautiful, characterised by Berber-style white villages tumbling down the steep slopes and many almond, citrus and fig orchards that are still tended with traditional Moorish irrigation and horticultural techniques. Gerald Brennan's book South from Granada, details his experiences in the region in the first part of the twentieth century. (B, L)

Tuesday 1 November: Granada (I)
The Alhambra and Generalife

Granada preserves all the enchantment and mystery of eight centuries of Moorish occupation which lasted until the re-conquest by the Catholic Kings in 1492. We will visit the most important example of fine Islamic architecture to be found in Europe, and perhaps in the world: the Alhambra. The Alhambra is an enchanting 14th century building of countless chambers and corridors, painted tiles, inlaid ceilings, intricate inscriptions, elaborate carvings and quiet pools. It is simply unique and a must for any traveller in Spain. Through a direct access from the highest part of the Alhambra we will enter the Generalife, the summer residences of the Nasrid kings for rest and recreation. There are beautiful fountains playing and pools, all set in a lovely, very well cared for garden full of a variety of flowers. (B)

Wednesday 2 November: Granada

We'll have free day to explore Granada on our own. (B)

Thursday 3 November:Granada
Cathedral and Capilla Real

First, we will visit the imposing cathedral, which is situated in the middle of the commercial centre. On the orders of the Catholic Kings, work on the Cathedral began in 1523 to plans in a Gothic style by Enrique de Egas. It continued under the Renaissance maestro Diego de Siloe, who also designed the facade and the magnificent circular Capilla Mayor (Great Chapel). Under its dome, windows of 16th century glass depict Juan del Campo's "La Pasion". The west front was designed by the Baroque artist Granada-born Alonso Cano. His grave and many of his works can be seen in the Cathedral. The Capilla Real (Royal Chapel) is a treasure house of decorative art, precious jewels and fine paintings. During their reign, the Catholic Kings Ferdinand and Isabella, who re-conquered Granada from the Moors and expelled them finally from the Iberian Peninsula, spent a quarter of their considerable income on preparing this extraordinary chapel to receive their mortal remains after death.

Archaeological Museum of Granada

The Archaeological Museum hosts many artefacts from the many different civilizations that settled in Granada, and includes a beautiful Renaissance patio. Its facade dates from 1593.

Friday 4 November: Guadix-Valencia

Transfer by bus to Valencia via Guadix

Guadix

On the journey to Valencia we will take a break in Guadix.
The cathedral town of Guadix is located in the eastern part of the province of Granada, and is surrounded by a desert landscape. It is a bustling country town with a personality all of its own. Dating back to Phoenician and Roman times, it played a major role in the Reconquest. But the most interesting feature of the Guadix area is that almost half of the inhabitants of this large town still live underground. The jagged ochre terrain and the dazzling whitewashed chimneys and doors of the caves contrast dramatically with the snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada, which loom over them. Ever since the Moorish times, the Andalusians have chosen to live underground because it is the best way of escaping the summer heat. Most of today's cave-dwellings are well-appointed and have all modern amenities. Points of interest besides the cave houses are the cathedral, founded in 1589, as well as the cave museum. (B, L)

Saturday 5 November: Valencia, Ancient and Modern.
Old Valencia: the historic city

Valencia was one of the regions inhabited by a significant Islamic and morisco community up until the final expulsion of the moriscos (descendants of the Moors forcibly converted to Christianity in the early 16th century) in 1614. Nowadays Valencia's main attractions and monuments are located within the historic city centre and are within walking distance such as the Cathedral with the bell tower, the "Miguelete", Valencia's main landmark. The Cathedral was built in 1262 and was constantly modified over the last centuries so now the three portals have three different styles. The oldest one is the Romanic "Puerta del Palau". The main entrance "Puerta de los Hierros" represents the baroque era from the 18th century.

Museo Nacional de Ceramica "Gonzalez Marti" (Palacio Marques de dos Aguas)

The Palace of the Marques de Dos Aguas has been recently restored and houses the "Gonzalez Marti" National Ceramics Museum. This Gothic building, with its spectacular 17th-century Baroque facade and 19th-century Neo-Classical interiors has opened its doors for many types of events such as conferences, concerts, presentations, and travelling exhibitions. The "Mercado Central", the central market of Valencia, is the perfect place to get a lively impression of a traditional Spanish market. It is one of Europe's biggest indoor markets and is located in the city centre close to "La Lonja". Here, you can find anything from fresh meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables as well as regional specialties, pastries, or even household goods. Stroll around this beautiful market built in 1914 in a modernist style characterised by the use of glass, metal, cupolas and columns. You can see farmers offering neatly arranged fresh fruit and vegetables, while fishmongers and butchers tout the quality of their products and bargain with the customers. The figures on the two cupolas symbolize the fishmongers and the noisy crowd of customers that visit this place every day.

Museo de Arroz

Rice has played an important part in Valencian life since it was introduced by the Moors in the 8th century, along with oranges, sugarcanes and almonds. It has been one of the city's major exports for centuries and the advanced irrigation techniques needed to grow it were also brought by the Muslims. Rice features, of course, in the most famous Valencian dish, paella. No wonder then, that Valencia has an odd museum like this. It is a very old rice factory which has recently been completely reconstructed to show the whole process, in stages, from a planted seed to the shop shelves. As such, this is really a history museum that will transport us back to the turn of the 20th century.

In the evening, a paella dinner at the restaurant "El Coso de Mar". (B, L, D)

Sunday 6 November
New Valencia: The City of Arts and Sciences and the America's Cup Harbour

Afterwards we will visit the amazing "Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias (CAC). The main attraction of the beautiful city of Valencia, the CAC, is situated within the city centre and is composed of three parts: the Hemisferic, the Museo de las Ciencias Prince Felipe, and the outstanding L'Oceanografic, the largest oceanographic park in Europe featuring the most representative aquatic flora and fauna of our planet. Individual marine habitats bring us up close to the Caribbean and the Arctic, as well as the Pacific Ocean, Red Sea and the Mediterranean. Valencia, Spain's third biggest city has extremely reliable sailing conditions generated by a regular sea breeze environment, as well as a commitment to building sufficient infrastructure to host the America's Cup. Part of that infrastructure is Port America's Cup - with its brand new 700-berth marina right at the heart of where the Cup action took place and literally minutes from what is the race course area - "the stadium". A visit to the America's Cup Harbour gives an insight into where this exciting sporting event took place. (B)

Monday 7 November: Valencia - Madrid

In the morning, transfer by train from Valencia to Madrid.
Transfer time: approximately 1:30 hours. (B)

Tuesday 8 November

Transfer to airport.
Depart for New Zealand (or elsewhere).

 

B, L, D = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided.

While the intention is to follow the outlined itinerary, it is subject to change if necessary. We cannot guarantee that all the sites and museums indicated will be accessible and/or open: your tour leaders have the right to change the itinerary at any time as circumstances dictate.

Teacher Bio

Dr Nicola Gilmour is a Senior Lecturer in Spanish at Victoria University. She lived and studied in Spain for 8 years and has travelled this area of Spain many times. The ongoing influence of Moorish Spain on Spanish culture and national identity is one of her current research interests. See more about Nicola>>