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You’re cordially invited to see the Splendors of Spain
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This exclusive 10-day custom designed deluxe escorted tour features visual arts and cuisine — two keys to understanding any culture. The power and glory of Spain is reflected in the cities we visit. Enjoy four regions in the Heart of Spain - Madrid, Segovia, La Rioja and Toledo.
Travel with Through Open Doors — the knowledgeable veteran travelers and consummate hosts with a worldwide reputation for excellence. Would you like to sample Spain’s succulent roasted baby lamb, exquisite fish and glorious tapas? All this and more is in store for our visit to Spain’s dazzling culinary riches. Not only are we going to immerse ourselves in four areas of Spain, but also have the benefit of attending the famous Juan de Altamiras Cooking School that will add wonderful culinary insights into learning about the traditions and new styles making Spain the culinary capital. Without a doubt, our food-oriented trip to Spain is the best way to get to know the country, its people and its gastronomy.
Our luxurious hotel is set in the cultural center of Madrid with its neighbor The Prado, Thyssen- Bornemisza, Centro de Arte Moderno Reina Sofia museums with Parque del Retiro and the historic old town only a brief stroll away. The fashionable Salamanca district has the best shopping on Calle Serrano and Velazquez for the latest fashions. A must is El Rastro, Sunday’s ritual for Madrilenos, whether it’s looking for rare stamps, coins, books or antiques the full length of la Ribera de Curidoros is an institution and a very festive atmosphere.
Madria is a city that adopts traditions and customs from the rest of Spain, as though it was its own. Thus, it has made “arte jondo” (Flamenco) one of its most valied. here the Tablaos are the best in the country. Closely linked with the culture of Andulusia, both bullfighting and flamenco came to Madrid with the gypsies, and have become international attractions.
We will navigate Madrid as a true Madrileno: with your appetite. From a memorable evening of tapas-hopping you will be introduced to the histories and nuances of this most self indulgent ritua.l. From top dining establishments, you can experience the best traditional and trendy places in Madrid. Learn about Spain’s wines from the various regions of Spain. Attend Juan de Altamiras, internationally renowned and premier private cooking school for gourmets. Go behind the scenes into the kitchens of some of Spain’s hottest chefs. Learn the secrets of all the rage Spanish cuisine influenced by “World’s Best” Ferran Adria at a Master Cooking Class.
Enjoy impressive Segovia with its monumental Roman aqueduct, the largest and best preserved of its kind anywhere. Segovia is and has been the meeting point of cultures down through the millennia: Roman, Arabic, Jewish and Christian. The city today vibrates with the same power and drive that it did in the Middle Age, as symbolized by the majestic Alcazar. We will taste the famous, special sweets prepared by the Dominican Nuns in Segovia.
Be the first to see the newest architectural wonder to come on the world stage! The superstar archictect, Frank Gehry designed Marques de Riscal world class winery and hotel. Then visit Santiago Calatrava’s curvaceous Bodegas Ysios! Spend two days sampling Spain’s best vintages in La Rioja. Enjoy a private wine tasting at one of Rioja’s oldest family-owned wineries but with one of the most innovative and forward thinking winemakers.
Enter through centuries-old doors of cigarrales in Toledo - one of the most important European centers with the greatest wealth of monuments. Known as the “city of the three cultures”, because Christians, Arabs and Jews lived together here for centuries, behind its walls, Toledo preserves an artistic and cultural legacy. UNESCO has declared its beautiful civil and religious buildings World Heritage Sites.
Reasons to go
- Early morning market visits to el Mercado de San Miguel, ending with typical “Churros and Chocolate”
- Attend the premier cooking school to see and taste all the latest gourmet flavors
- Be enthralled at seeing Frank Gehry’s winery and hotel in Elciergo, which will leave you speechless
- Be introduced to the latest outstanding Spanish wines and meet the young winemakers
- Though the Prado Museum is considered by many experts to be the best in the world, there are more than 40 other museums in Madrid
- Segovia’s Alcazar, a source of inspiration for Walt Disney, and where Queen Isabella promised Columbus financial backing
- The majestic landscape which dominates the Castilian lands
- Toledo is one of the jewels found in Spain; this old city retains its medieval road plan
- Evenings of Flamenco, tapas and music that you will never forget
- Little Black Book of Restaurants, shopping recommendations
- See the best Mudejar art and architecture derived from the Islamic art traditions on the Iberian Peninsula
- World Heritage sites, as well as National Patrimony, hold a store of wealth to be shared with you
Don’t leave Madrid without
- getting intimate with the Velázquezes and Goyas at the Prado.
- renting a rowboat in Retiro Park.
- sipping mojitos at Chicote, where Ava Gardner quaffed iced gins.
- making Sunday rounds of El Rastro flea market, devoting quality time to the antiques.
- dedicating a day to the blue-chip art collections of the Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía museums.
- attending an opera at the restored Teatro Real.
Around the Edge
Prado • Goya • Paella • Picasso • Santiago Calatrava • Salamanca District • Frank Gehry • Bacalao • Diego Valazquez • El Rastro • The Royal Academy of San Fernando • Bullfights • Dali • Joan Miro • Plaza Mayor • Churros • Cristal Palaces • Don Quixote • Calle Serrano • Plaza Oriente • Gran Via • Puerto del Sol • La Rioja • Descalzas Reales Convent • Cava • Plaza de Espana • Reina Sofia Art Centre • Madrilenos • Flamenco • Jamon • Ernest Hemingway • Pio Baroja • Cervantes • Alcazar • Santo Domingo de la Calzada • Gothic Embellishments • Thyssen-Bornemisza • Lladró
Our Splendors of Spain features the best of Castille
- Select Jr. Suite with a view and special amenities - eight nights at the Ritz Madrid
- Full buffet breakfast daily, four gourmet dinners, five lunches during excursions
- Bottle of Cava, homemade chocolate and biscuit in room on arrival
- A chauffeured, full day tour of Toledo and a half day tour of Segovia
- Private chauffeured airport transfers
- A Market tour, Master Cooking Class, and lunch with one of Madrid’s best known chefs
- Evening extravanganza Flamenco show
- A personal shopper at your service
- Private art and restoration tour of The Prado
- Highly personalized comprehensive half-day tour in Madrid set at your own pace and interest
- Special events in very private places
- An overnight in La Rioja
