Tour Booklet You are travelling to Europe a wonderful assembly of diverse countries that have, over hundreds of years, evolved and formulated their individual and often unique customs, styles and quirkiness. We want to (and sometimes have to) fit into the region s natural patterns and irregularities. Much will appear so very different from home and surely it is exactly those very differences that inspired you to go there in the first place! To help you, this useful booklet contains additional general travelling handy hints, additional information specific to your tour, plus brief introductory information regarding the major sites and regions you will be visiting. Where possible, while on tour, your Tour Manager will access and provide local city maps. It is surprisingly difficult to supply in advance any genuinely useful city maps that can fit on an A4 sheet of paper and still show street names with any clarity. Either the larger city map is too detailed and the print is minute, or the usefulness is just not there. Where possible we have included them. We would like to wish you a wonderful trip through Europe and a safe return home. Best wishes from the Albatross Team 1
TOUR MAGNIFICO SPAIN & PORTUGAL Some local and regional background information. This information is meant only as a light overview of some of the towns and regions you will be visiting. Madrid Many well-known buildings are in the city including the City Hall which looks like a high-gothic Cathedral, Royal Palace, the 16 th century baroque Alcala gate and more. Visit the Prado Museum designed in Neo-Classical style, which is home to many works of art including Spanish, Italian and Dutch pieces. Alternatively visit Parque del Retiro which is the most popular park in Madrid located east of the city centre with many entertainers to watch including street performers, musicians, jugglers and so on in the weekends. Retiro park is made up of a park, a lake and various museums and buildings including the Museo del Ejército, an army museum and Palacio de Cristal, a beautiful glass building mainly housing temporary exhibitions. Gastronomy is a very big part of Madrid, this is their culture and business. Take the time to sample some of the local homemade dishes and tapas that can be bought from the various restaurants in the city. Take the time to walk along the Gran Via which is the city s most important shopping area lined with hotels, theatres and shops. Cordoba Here you will find the famous 8th century, UNESCO World Heritage listed Mesquita the Cathedral and former Great Mosque of Córdoba. The old Jewish quarter nearby filled with many irregular narrow streets where you will find the Synagogue and Sephardic House. There are many sculptures, memorials and religious structures scattered around the city. Granada Made up of multiple districts, the old town boasts a mixture of original Arab and Christian architecture, the Cathedral and Royal Chapel. The 16 th century Granada Cathedral which is the second-largest cathedral in Spain towers over the streets, with a Renaissance designed interior. Inside you will be able to enter the Sacristy which has a collection of paintings, mirrors and furnishings. The Royal Chapel was built in Gothic style, inside the marble tombs are Renaissance style. The tombs of Catholic Monarchs King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I are here, the site of their victory. Visit the museum where you can view many objects symbolizing the Monarchs rule. Relax in the Plaza de Bib-Rambla square where you can enjoy a quiet meal and watch the fountain. Alhambra Palace The UNESCO World Heritage site the Alhambra Palace, a very renowned building of the Andalusian Islamic historical legacy. With origins dating back to the 9th century and named for it reddish walls, this fortress complex looms high over the city. In the 13th and14th century the Moorish Emirates built the famous Nasrid Palaces surrounded by lavish gardens and courtyards. Moorish poets once described the Alhambra as "a pearl set in emeralds". This is one of the great sights of the world. 2
Ronda The city of Ronda is situated either side of the El Tajo canyon with the Guadalevin River running through it. The city is separated into the New town and the Old town. Ronda has three bridges Puente Romano (Roman Bridge), Puente Viejo (Old Bridge) and the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) spanning over the canyon. Inside the Puente Nuevo there is a small museum you can visit which details the history of this bridge. The views from these bridges are very impressive and not to be missed. Seville Hugely influenced by the Arabic culture, the city has a strong medieval, baroque and renaissance heritage. The well preserved city has many places of interest from the Cathedral of St Mary built on the former site of the city s mosque to the Plaza de Espana. The Cathedral of St Mary features the longest nave in Spain 60 metres in length, with ramps built in the interior rather than stairs to allow entry to the top on horseback. Facing the Cathedral the UNESCO World Heritage site Alcazar stands as one of the oldest royal palaces still in use in Europe. There are many museums to see including bull fighting attached to the Bull Fighting Arena, the Museo del Baile Flamenco which is dedicated to the art of Flamenco dancing and many more. Cadiz The Atlantic port of Cadiz is situated on a peninsula, the seafront is lined with centuries-old houses and behind this you will find the grand cathedral surrounded by a historic centre of honeycombed narrow streets. Take time to explore and discover the small, pretty squares and pavement bars, which serve up some of Andalucia's tastiest seafood treats. Cadiz has some of Spain s most beautiful beaches, along the old town there is La Playa de la Caleta and near the newer part of the city you can see La Playa de la Victoria and so much more. Merida With many churches, temples and monuments to see around Merida, take the time to walk the side streets and get lost in this town full of Roman history. The UNESCO World Heritage site Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida consists of many ruins and sites in town. Part of the Ensemble of Merida running through the town is the Puente Romano bridge standing over the Guadiana River, this is the longest of all the existing Roman bridges with a length of 790m and is still used today by pedestrians. Estremoz Estremoz is one of the three marble towns in the region of Alentejo, and is internationally known for its marble. The marble here comes in several colours from white, pink, grey or black and has been used across the small Portuguese city in the sculptures and architecture. One of the sculptures built using this marble is the pillory in the central square built in Manueline style from the 16 th century. Above the town stands the castle and museum which has great views over the city. Evora The UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Évora is enchanting. Discover the rich history spanning 2,000 years in the compact centre of town which is easily explored on foot and boasts a Roman temple, Moorish buildings, Christian monasteries and convents, medieval walls and a huge aqueduct. In the centre of the city lies Giraldo square with its beautiful Renaissance fountain dating back to 1570 with the Gothic Estaus Palace. Enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants scattered around this town serving some of the traditional local dishes and desserts. Take a walk down some of the shopping streets in the town to see the small shops selling souvenirs and clothes. 3
Lisbon The second oldest capital in Europe, Lisbon is built on a series of undulating hills, with grand sights, paved avenues, museums, historical trams and colourful funiculars. The whole city is a celebration of its glorious past. This wonderful, historical city has many sites to see and visit - from the Belem Tower, to the fairytale palaces and the Discoveries Monument, built on the north bank of the Tagus River. Additionally there are numerous museums in the city to learn more about the historical town including National Museum of Ancient Art, The Roman Theatre Museum and Lisbon City Museum. Relax and enjoy a coffee and Portuguese Pastel de Nata (small, soft custard pies - served hot) in the famous Pastelaria de Belem which has a baking tradition dating back 175 years. Sintra Explore the old town of Sintra with its noble villas and palaces which prompted Lord Byron to say the town was perhaps in every respect the most delightful in Europe". The Palace de Pena UNESCO World Heritage site which is also classified as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal dating back 500 years was originally a peaceful monastery until destroyed by an earthquake. Due to its fantastic hill top location Ferdinand II rebuilt it to be the luxurious summer palace of the royal family. With stupendous views - on a clear day you can easily see Lisbon the palace is one of the greatest expressions of 19th century architectural romanticism in the world. Obidos Known as one of Europe's most romantic medieval villages, you will find picturesque cobblestone streets lined with colourful houses adorned with geraniums and bougainvillea and whitewashed churches all of which is encircled by the walls of a 12th century castle. Take a walk along Rua Direita which is the main street in town leading to the Town Gate and Castle. Nazaré A traditional fishing village with picturesque long beaches, Nazaré is located on the Atlantic coast. Occasionally seen in town are the traditional costumes worn by the fisherman checkered shirts and trousers; and their wives headscarf with an embroidered apron over seven flannel skirts; if seen ask to get a photo to keep as a souvenir. To access great views of Nazare take the funicular 110 metres up the hill to the town of Sitia. Porto Porto is the second largest city of Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was built along the hills which overlooks the Douro River estuary, built differently to most Portuguese towns it has many granite and monumental buildings rather than Baroque style. Porto is the port wine capital with cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia which is across the Douro River. Taste the Tripe Soup - Tripas à moda do Porto which was a regular meal in 1415 due to the small amounts of meat available and has become a local speciality. Braga The historic city of Braga is the third largest in Portugal, with its many churches, monasteries, sanctuaries, monuments and more there is so much history to absorb. The architecture in the city dates back to the late Neolithic and Roman eras. Home of the famous Bom Jesus Sanctuary, built in 1784, this twin towered neoclassical church sits on top of a hill, above an enormous Baroque staircase lined with chapels. 4
Guimaraes Situated in a valley with the Ave River running through, the city is divided in two. This historical city has many medieval streets and historic monuments throughout and has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Often called the birthplace of Portugal Guimaraes was the birthplace of the first Portuguese King Afonso I. Guimaraes has very feminine local gastronomy particularly its confectionery. Some of the local dishes you can find in this city are "Tortas de Guimaraes" (Guimaraes' pies) and "Toucinho do céu". Also known for its "meat" cake, this is a kind of bread in a pizza shape often served with pig, sardines or other toppings. Pinhao Located along the Douro River in the heart of the Port Wine country is the small town of Pinhao. Known for the picturesque views of the surrounding hills, covered in vines and rustic country houses this region has to offer. In the town centre is the historic Pinhao Railway station which was used heavily for the main transportation point of the Alto Douro wine region from 1880. In 1937 the station was decorated with panels of different scenes depicting the culture and livelihood of the Duoro region which is an excellent way for visitors to learn the history of the area. Salamanca Salamanca s old city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage listed site with its many religious buildings, palaces, museums and squares. Salamanca has a largely pedestrian centre and the city brims with striking monuments and buildings such as the ancient university and cathedral, many of which are constructed out of golden stone. There are two cathedrals in Salamanca one from the 12 th century completed in Romanesque style and the second completed in the 19 th century in Gothic and Baroque style, both in the same part of town sharing a wall together. Plaza Mayor is one of the finest squares in Spain which is always very busy and full of restaurants and cafes to enjoy a meal in. Maybe try the local speciality "chanfaina" a spicy rice dish with liver and/or blood that is served in bars as a tapa. El Valle de los Caidos El Valle de los Caidos (translated as The Valley of the Fallen). Set in the woodlands of the Sierra de Guadarrama hills, the enormous Basilica de la Santa Cruz was built in honor of those who fell during the Spanish Civil War. This remarkable Basilica is actually underground - hewn out of the centre granite ridge which is topped by the tallest memorial cross in the world at 150 metres tall. Toledo Sitting high above the Tagus River, Toledo has a wealth of monuments. Christians, Arabs and Jews lived together here for centuries hence it is sometimes called the city of the three cultures. Here you will find a city crammed with churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques and synagogues. Spend some time exploring this stunning open-air museum. Visit the main plaza, Plaza de Zocodover to relax and enjoy a coffee in the many cafes. 5