Itinerary+Michelle

Michelle´s Intinerary:

Publico: Group of 15-20 people that speak Spanish. The group is made up of people aging from 30 to 40 years old.

Time: The trip will be 4 days.

Destination: The trip will begin in Madrid, then travel to Toledo. We will then travel to Cordoba and then take the bus back to Madrid.

Objective: The objective is to visit the cultural and historical places of these areas.

MADRID:

Michelle´s travel trip will begin in Madrid. Madrid is the capital city of Spain. (It is also an autonomous community, but we are only going to be visiting the city). Madrid is the political capital of Spain and is located in central Spain. It possesses modern infastructure, but also hosts some of the most famous and historical monuments in the country. The population of the city is about 3.3 million people and the city is approximately 698 square kilometers. During our traveling in Madrid, we are going to visit the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and the Prado Museum which houses some of the most famous works of art in the world.

Day 1: 12:00 am- Group will meet at the gates of the Palacio Real. 12:00-2:00- Tour of the Palacio Real The Palacio Real is the official residence of the King of Spain. Altthough the royal family does not live in this palace, it is still used for state occasions. The site of the palace dates back to the 10th century fortress construted by Mohammed I. It was inherited after 1036 by the Moorish Kingdom of Toledo. In 1329, King Alfonso XI of Castile used the court of Madrid for the first time. In the 16th century, Antiguo Alcazar (Old Castle) was built on the location but in was burned on December 24, 1734. King Philip V ordered a new palace built on the same location and that is the palace that you see today! 2:00- Free time for lunch 3:30- Meet back outside the Palacio Real to take a bus to the Prado Museam 4:00-6:00- Arrive at Prado Museam and take a guided tour of museam The Prado Museam holds one of the world´s finest collections of European art from the 12th to the 19th century. It was founded as a museum of paintings and sculpture but also holds thousands of drawings, prints, coins, and medals. The museam has works from Diego Valzquez, Francisco Goya, and El Greco and is one of the most visited sites in Madrid. 6:00- Meet group outside the Prado Museam´s front entrance to board bus 6:00-7:00- Bus to Toledo 7:00-8:00- Visit hotel, unpack suitcases, shower, etc. 8:15- Meet in lobby to discuss what we will be doing tomorrow: walking tour of the historical part of the city, alcazar palace, cathedral of toledo

Day 2:

TOLEDO:

Toledo is located in central Spain. It is south of Madrid and north of Cuidad Real. Toledo is also the capital of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. Toledo is known for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage as a place of coexistences of Christian, Jewish, and Moorish cultures as well as for being one of the former capitals of the Spanish Empire. Currently, the city has a population of about 78,000 people and an area of 232 square kilometers. During our visit in Toledo, we will take a walking tour of the historic city begining at Plaza de Zocodover. We will also visit the Toledo Cathedral and see the Santa Cruz Museum.

8:00- Wake up call and breakfast at hotel 9:00-10:00- Bus to Cordoba (luggage stays on bus) 10:00-2:00- Meet in hotel lobby to begin walking tour of the city During walking tour: Begin at Plaza de Zocodover. This was once a marketplace and a central stage for festivals and bull running. Alcazar Palace: Next we will walk to the Alcazar Palace. This building is framed by four towers and has been altered, damaged, and expanded since medieval times. The Palace was built by Emperor Charles V, but it actually never hosted royalty since long before it was finished the capital was established in Madrid. It became the home of widowed queens, retired from the court by their late husbands´successors. Today it hosts a military museum and also the Castilla-La Mancha Library. 2:00-3:00- Break for lunch 3:00-5:00- Meet for tour of the Toledo Cathedral The cathedral of Toledo was built between 1226 and 1493. The cathedral has a range of architetural styles due to its construction having taken place over two centuries. Religious services are still conducted here. The cathedral also has a museum filled with paintings from some of the world´s greatest artists such as El Greco, Goya, and Raphael. 5:00-7:30- Walk to and visit Santa Cruz Museum The Santa Cruz Museum has many archaeological exhibits. It even hosts El Greco´s last known work, the Assumption of the Virgin. 7:30-9:30- Break for dinner and free time to explore Toledo on your own 9:30- Meet back at hotel and discuss plan for next day: Bus to Cordoba at 9:00 am, will visit the Great Mosque, the Cordoba Synagogue, the Convent of Santa Clara, and the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos.

Day 3

CORDOBA:

Cordoba is located in southern Spain. It is south of Toledo and east of Sevilla and Badajoz and it is west of Jaen. The city of Cordoba is the capital of the autonomous community of Cordoba. It has an area of 1,255.24 square kilometers and a population of about 325,000 people. The city is located on the banks of the Guadalquivir river and has a mediterranean climate with Atlantic coastal influences. Cordoba´s history is over 2000 years old. Both the Romans and Muslims contributed to the architecture and beauty of this city. The Moors conquered Cordoba in 711 and at this time was under Islamic Rule. The Arabic influence can be seen in the mosques, gardens, fabrics, etc. In 1236, Christians conquered the city and their influence can also be seen throughout the city. During our tour of Cordoba, we will visit the Great Mosque of Cordoba, the Cordoba Synagogue, Convent of Santa Clara, and the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos.

8:00- Wake up call and breakfast at hotel 9:00-12:00- Bus to Cordoba (luggage stays on bus) 12:30-2:30- Tour of the Great Mosque of Cordoba The Great Mosque of Cordoba is the third largest Mosque in the world. It began construction in 784 and contains colums that date back to the Roman and Visigothic peridods. It was converted into a Cathedral after the Reconquista in 1236. 2:00-3:00- Break for lunh 12:30-2:00- Walk to and tour of the Cordoba Synagogue. The synagogue has a Mudejar style and was built by architects led by Isaac Mohed. After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1942, the building was used for various reasons including a hospital and nursery school. It was declared a National Moument in 1885 and has undergone many phases of restoration for the reopening in 1985. 2:00-3:00- Walk to and free time to walk around the Convent of Santa Clara This abbey is one of the most religious attractions in Cordoba. The nunnery dates back to the year 1512. The front wall is a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, and Mudejar art. The abbey is also famous for the nuns that sell traditional biscuits. 3:00-4:30- Meet at central location near convent and walk to and tour of the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos. The Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos ws re-erected in 1328 by King Alfonso XI. The castel is over 4,000 square metes. It contains Arabian baths, Roman mosaics, and a sarcophagus of marble from the 3rd century. It also contains gards that are Moorish in design and has three towers (there used to be four, but only three can be seen today). 4:30-5:30- Free time to roam around city, buy souviners, etc. 5:30- Return to bus 5:30-10:30- Bus ride back to Madrid 10:30- You have concluded your trip! Go home and have a late dinner!