GENERAL INFORMATION
Excursions include transportation in deluxe motor coach, bilingual tourist guide, and entrance to Museums / Monuments where applicable.
Full day excursions incluye lunch with beverages
WWW2009 Technical Secretariat reserves the right to cancel or modify the excursion program if a minimum participation of 25 people is not reached or under certain circumstances that may occur beyond the control of the organizers.
In the first case, participants will be informed 1 week before, and will be offered similar regular tours (leaving from city center), or be reimbursed.
For futher information, please contact .www2009secretariat@pacifico-meetings.com
TOUR 1:
MONDAY – APRIL 20, 2008 (09:00-17:30)
SEGOVIA FULL DAY
The impressive aqueduct that has cut across the city from the times of the Romans is the symbol of this Castilian city of signal architectural wealth.
The aqueduct, which dates from the first century, is over 700 meters long. its 166 arches are built out of granite blocks. The aqueduct reaches its maximum height –28 meters- over the Azoguejo Square.
The cathedral and castle are also imperatives for the visitor to the city. The former, known as the lady of cathedrals, is one of the latest exponents of Spanish Gothic style. The “Alcázar” or castle is renowned for its unique architecture and spectacular views of the city and surroundings.
Segovia also conserves several charming Romanesque churches, such as San Millan’s, St Martin’s or St Stephen’s.
TOUR 2:
TUESDAY - APRIL 21, 2008 (10:00-13:30)
MADRID CITY TOUR AND PRADO MUSEUM
Around the galleries feature major masterpieces of European art such as The Annunciation by Fra Angelico, Christ washing the Disciples’ Feet by Tintoretto, The Descent from the Cross by Rogier van der Weyden, The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymous Bosch, and The Three Graces by Rubens.
They also include key works of Spanish art such as Las Meninas by Velázquez, Jacob’s Dream by Ribera and The Third of May: the Executions on Príncipe Pío by Goya.
TOUR 3:
WEDNESDAY - APRIL 22, 2008 (09:00-17:30)
SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL
Its monastery, considered to be the eight wonder of the world, is sited in an exceptional natural setting near the town, which retains all its elegance and charm.
The Herrerian style monastery was completed in 1584. In 1984 the Unesco declared it a World Heritage Monument.
TOUR 4:
THURSDAY - APRIL 23, 2008 (09:00-13.30)
MADRID: ROYAL PALACE AND WALKING TOUR TO AUSTRIAN QUARTER
The Arabs had chosen the same spot where the Royal Palace stands today as the site for their castle.
First stones of the today building was set place in 1738.The Royal Palace, which is magnificently furnished, with one of the most important tapestry collections in the world and different epoch-including several by Goya-is a highly interesting museum complex. It looks over a magnificent Panorama consisting of the Gardens of Las Vistillas, el Campo del Moro, the Sabatini Gardens and the Casa de Campo.
TOUR 5:
FRIDAY - APRIL 24, 2008 (09:00-17.00)
TOLEDO
A city of extraordinary beauty immortalised by the painter El Greco, Toledo benefits from an exceptional location on a cliff surrounded by the Tajo River.
The city is a model of peaceful cultural co-existence among the three religions, Christian, Muslim and Jewish.
They have all left a splendid architectural legacy in their respective temples. Toledo is surrounded by the Arabic walls, with entrances into the old city at the Bisagra, Cambró and Sol Gates, built in the Renaissance, Plateresque and Mudejar styles, respectively.
The most prominent monuments in Toledo include its cathedral –pure in its Gothic lines-, which has accumulated sculptures of many different styles over the centuries. Santo Tomé and Santa María Churches.
Toledo is home to one of the most famous Greco´s masterpieces, the “Burial of the Conde de Orgaz”, visited daily by hundred of art lovers.
Toledo’s “Alcazar” or castle, another of the city’s major monuments was built in the sixteenth century under the orders of Charles V. Finally, Toledo’s snarl of narrow Medieval streets that open onto its famous Zocodover Square hold enormous appeal for the city’s modern visitors.
