| OFFICIAL PROGRAMME
Welcome Cocktail
Circulo de Bellas Artes – Madrid – September 9 th
Founded in 1880, the «Circulo de Bellas Artes» has occupied one
of the most emblematic buildings of the Gran Via / Alcala confluence since 1926. The
Palace, declared as a National Monument, is located between Puerta de Alcalá and Puerta
del Sol, in the most awesome circuit of Madrid Architecture. The calendar of exhibitions
and cultural events guaranties an outstanding environment for both business and pleasure.
Congress Dinner
Castillo de Viñuelas – September 12 th
King Sancho IV built the Castillo de Viñuelas in the XIII
century, 25 kilometers away from the Madrid Center and it
has been a Royal hunting reserve ever since.
The castle has incurred in several major modifications in
its long history, including various new buildings. The last were done by its previous
owner Duque del Infantado in 1870 and again in 1919. Nowadays, it is very well conserved
and is still a restricted hunting area. The castle’s main hall and the hunting
pavilion are often hired for special events such as our Congress Dinner.
EXCURSIONS
Madrid – Sunday
September 10 th
Half-day tour, also
includes a visit to the old City and the Royal Palace. King Philip II named Madrid the
capital city of his empire and chose it as the location for his court in 1561.
The «Madrid de los Austrias», with its compact streets,
squares, monasteries and palaces, was born. The Plaza Mayor, opened to the public by
Philip III in 1620, was the city core: the market, religious processions, festivities and
bullfights were held there. The Bourbouns, whose dynasty started in the XVIII century with
Philip V, have left a legacy of splendid art works and monuments in Madrid, including the
Royal Palace, the Fine Arts Academy of San Fernando and the Prado Museum. These are just a
few examples of places, which, besides their architectural interest, offer the visitor the
possibility to admire some of the best and most remarkable collections of tapestries,
furniture, sculptures and world-famous art masterpieces.
Price: EURO 34.
Toledo – Monday September 11 th
Full day tour, lunch included. Toledo (71 kms away) is
known as the museum-city due to its historic splendour and beauty. Surrounded by medieval
walls lies the city where Hebrew, Muslim and Christian cultures blended, and all of them
have left their indelible imprint. The city has a cathedral, a mosque and various
synagogues.
The spirit of El Greco can still be sensed in the
streets, and his studio and numerous paintings can be admired in his house as well as many
churches aroud the city.
Price: EURO 57.
El Escorial –
Tuesday September 12 th
Half day tour to the
Monastery. The Monastery of El Escorial (49 kms away) was built by the architect Juan de
Herrera in the 16th century and is the mausoleum of the Spanish royalty. King Philip II, to commemorate the victory of the
battle of San Quentin, commissioned the construction of this famous edifice. He saw it as
a monastery, a palace and a crypt for his father’s sarcophagus. Since then it has
been the burial ground for all the Kings of Spain. The monastery houses show valuable art
works and a remarkable library.
Price: EURO 36.
POST CONGRESS TOUR
Cordoba – Sevilla – Granada
– September 14 th
-16 th
A three days, two nights
tour leaving Madrid by bus at 07.00 a.m. on the first day to Cordoba. This city was built
by the Romans and became the place of pilgri-mage for Muslims, which displaced Mecca until
the Middle ages.
After lunch, visit the
famous Mezquita, the jewel of all mosques, the cathedral, the Jewish quarters, the Moorish
walls and many other interesting monuments.
The tour then will
continue to Sevilla.
The following day, after
breakfast at the hotel, visit of Sevilla. This is the best-known city of Andalucia.
Discover its narrow and bustling streets, the Gothic cathedral, the «Barrio de Santa
Cruz», the «Torre del Oro» and the Giralda, which was a Moorish minaret. Through its
beautiful gardens and parks, watch the gypsy and flamenco dancing before taking time off
for some shopping. The tour then will continue to Granada. After breakfast at the hotel,
visit Granada, nestled in the fertile plain of the Genil river.
The city is called «La
Sabika» in Arab, which means the red hill on which lies the Alhambra Palace and Fortress.
In the south rises the white peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain in the
Peninsula. Granada preserves all the enchantment and mystery of eight centuries of Moorish
occupation, which lasted until the re-conquest by Catholic Kings in 1492. The Alhambra is
a castle complex of worldwide fame, they say it’s the eighth miracle of the world !!!
The Alhambra’s layers of walled fortifications encircles several square kilometres of
countless chambers and corridors, painted tiles, inlaid ceilings, intricate inscriptions,
elaborate carvings and quiet ponds. Through a direct access from the top part of the
Alhambra, we will enter into the Generalife, the summer residence of the Nasrid kings.
There are beautiful
fountains and pools, all set in a lovely manicured garden full of a variety of different
flowers. The tour will then continue and end in Madrid.
Price: EURO 254 per
person for a double room. EURO 313 in a single room.
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