MADRID CONGRESS European Federation of Abrasive Products May, 23 rd -25 th, 2012

Transcription

1 SOCIAL PROGRAM MADRID CONGRESS 2012 European Federation of Abrasive Products May, 23 rd -25 th,

2 DAY 1ST : Wednesday MAY 23rd MUSEUM TOUR: VISIT DEL PRADO Meeting time: 9:45 AM in lobby of the Grand Hotel Melia Fenix 10:00 AM departure Return: 12:30 AM in the hotel Madrid is well known for having some of the best art museums in the world. The Art Triangle, just in the heart of the city places the three more famous museums, Prado Museum, Thyssen Bornemisza and Reina Sofia. Each one of them has different collections and its own personality. Prado museum. It is well known all around the world for its master pieces. Its magnificent collection of pictures and sculptures from medieval age to 18th century are admired by visitors from all around the world, as it is a firs level museum that can be compared with the Louvre Museum in Paris or the British Museum in London. Spanish artists masterworks (Velazquez, Goya, El Greco, Murillo ) are the ones that are more popular in the museum. 2

3 DAY 1ST : Wednesday MAY 23rd OLD MADRID WALKING TOUR HALF DAY Meeting time: 4:45 PM in lobby of the Grand Hotel Melia Fenix 7:00 PM departure of buses Arrival directly in the restaurant for dinner by walk Return: 11:00 PM by bus to hotel after dinner. Transfer by coach from hotel to the city center accompanied by a English/French Speaking local guide. 11We will know the oldest part of the city in a walking tour by the heart of Madrid, the most beautiful and cosy area in the town. We will start the visit at Madrid's Royal Palace, considered by many to be one of the finest palaces in Europe. It is not the official residence of the King of Spain, though official banquets and other important state events do take place here. The Royal Palace, is built on the site of the old Alcázar, which was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve King Felipe V decided to build a palace for his Borbon dynasty and the plans were to create a grand palace along the lines of France s Versailles. Outside the Palace you will find the Sabatini gardens and the Field of the Moors the latter offering fine views up from the Manzanares River. Then we will continue to Habsburg Madrid quarter. This Madrid Hapsburg tour encompasses the 16th- and 17th-century Madrid, including the grand squares and traffic arteries that the Hapsburg families built to transform a quiet town into a world-class capital. You will visit not only Plaza Santa Ana, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa, but also some special, hidden corners, some of which not even the locals are aware of, narrow streets closed to traffic, old palaces and churches..you will travel to 17th century just some meters away from the hectic Madrid city center. 3

4 DAY 2 nd : Thursday MAY 24 th EXCURSION TO EL ESCORIAL + VALLE DE LOS CAIDOS Meeting time: 10::30 AM in lobby of the Grand Hotel Melia Fenix Departure of bus: 10:45 AM Return at hotel: 5:00 PM San Lorenzo de El Escorial An Impressive Fortress & Monument The three part fortress/monument of El Escorial is found 50 Km northwest of Madrid, commanding the town and the neighbouring region for its impressive structure covering a rectangular area of over 30,000 square metres. Its history is just as impressive. Escorial was built to honour St. Lawrence after having defeated the French on that day. (August 10th, 1557), King Philip II charged his scholars to find a place to build it. This town and the Castle/monastery have undergone many political and demographic changes; beginning with the ruling that the town was given the title of Villa and was carved out of the jurisdiction of Segovia, to which it belonged. This architectural gem has also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 4

5 Valle de los Caídos Valle de los Caídos consists of a grandiose funerary monument built between 1940 and 1956 in memory of the victims of the Civil War of A lovely, solitary valley was chosen for its location, which stands in the mountains of Guadarrama, in a landscape formed by granite rock and green pines. You will find an imposing stone Cross some 150 meters tall and with arms reaching some 46 meters wide. This monument rises over a basilica that was carved 250 metres into rock by Republican prisoners of war, some dying in the 16 years that it took to build. Many Spaniards consider it a symbol of the dictatorship and therefore, it has been shunned by many tourists. Nevertheless, the magnificence of its views and the monument itself make a visit highly recommendable. The architects Pedro Muguruza and Diego Méndez took part in the project, while the part of the sculpture was designed and completed by Juan de Ávalos, who crafted the 18-meter-high stone figures which decorate the base of the Cross. These can be accessed by way of a funicular and the Piedad ensemble over the portal of the basilica can be reached by a great stairway. The inside of this 262-meter-long Basilica de la Santa Cruz consists of a vestibule, an atrium and a bronze railing, decorated with 40 statues of saints, which give way to the nave containing six side chapels dedicated to different evocations of the Virgin. Hidden from the public, are also the 40,000 tombs of the soldiers of the warring factions of the Civil War. 5

6 DAY 2 nd : Thursday MAY 24 th BERNABEU TOUR Meeting time: Departure of bus: Return: 2:30 PM in lobby of the Grand Hotel Melia Fenix 2:45 PM 5:00 PM by bus to hotel Can you imagine customizing your own visit of the Bernabeu; seeing all the hidden corners and legendary places you've only seen in pictures? Doing so at your own pace, for as long as you wish, on any day of the year? Every Madridista's dream now comes true thanks to the Stadium Tour. Here's what you will see: - PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE STADIUM The Tour starts in one of the 8 panoramic lifts at the stadium, giving visitors an idea of the greatness of the team and the Club. - TROPHY ROOM European Cups, Intercontinental Cups, League titles, Spanish Cups, UEFA Cups, Spanish and European Super Cups, and many more titles make up the most impressive track record any football club has ever had. The trophy exhibition includes videos of legendary fixtures, historical kits, pictures of players from the first team, boots and equipment and a vast array of club-related memorabilia. - WALK AROUND THE PITCH You will be able to see just how spectacular our stadium is from the ground. - PRESIDENTIAL BALCONY, PLAYERS' TUNNEL, BENCHES AND COACHING AREA, DRESSING ROOMS, PRESS ROOM Get to know the heart of the Best Football Club of the XX Century. - STORE Our shop offers a wide variety of official merchandise where you are sure to find the ideal souvenir to commemorate your visit. 6

7 DAY 2 nd : Thursday MAY 24 th SPANNISH DINNER: CORRAL DE LA MORERIA Meeting time: 7:15 M in lobby of the Grand Hotel Melia Fenix Departure of buses: 7:30 PM Return by bus, arrival at hotel: 11:30 PM C/ Moreria, Madrid Tfno Corral de la Moreria, was started by Manuel del Rey in 1956, and it is the most known tablao flamenco in the world. Throughout its history, Corral de la Moreria flamenco show has witnessed the performance of some of the finest professionals of this discipline, including: Pastora Imperio, La Chunga, María Albaycin, El Güito, Mario Maya, Manuela Vargas, etc. It s location is perfect, as it is in the center of Madrid next to the Royal Palace, in the main quarter in the city. Considerer as the Cathedral of flamenco art of Spain, this stablishment is frecuently visited by well-known celebrities visiting Madrid. END OF SOCIAL PROGRAM 7