spain tours, art museum, spanish tours

<body>  <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="12"> <tr> <td> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td class="textstyle3"><h1 class="Headline">Custom Private Travel in Spain<em></em></h1> <p align="center" class="testtest"><strong><font color="990000" size="4"><a href="topSights.htm#andalucia">Andalucia region</a> • <a href="topSights.htm#seville">Seville</a> • <a href="topSights.htm#madrid">Madrid</a> • <a href="topSights.htm#barcelona">Barcelona</a><br> <a href="topSights.htm#spanishCulture">Very Spanish Cultural Experiences</a></font></strong></p> <p align="center" class="testtest"><strong><font color="990000" size="4"><img src="Calendar_Images/sights2.jpg" width="246" height="167" alt="spain tours, art museum, spanish tours"></font></strong></p> <h1>Southern Spain is ancient Andalucia!</h1> <p> If you’ve ever seen El Cid, you know that the Moors conquered Iberia then the Catholics took over. Of course, that took almost 800 years—and in the process created Europe’s most fascinating and frankly gorgeous fusion of cultures and traditions. Seville is the suavest of cities.<img src="Calendar_Images/sights4.jpg" width="140" height="187" hspace="10" align="right" alt="spain tours, art museum, spanish tours"> The Alhambra Palace of Granada? The way water in all its gurgling, splashing variety is used to cool the air that whispers through beautiful stone fretwork is unimaginable. The vastness of la vega—the province’s plain—is truly cinematic, scattered with whitewashed villages, punctuated by ruined alcazares (fortresses), and carpeted in vineyards, swatches of gnarled olive trees and stately groves of poplar. And the walks in the Pueblos Blancos --white-washed medieval villages—are gentle revelations every step of the way.</span></p> <p class="textstyle3">The rich nature in Andalusia offers the traveler snow and sea, mountains and plains, cities and towns enveloped in a historical ambience that, at times is as magical as the legends.Our resident guides are exceptionally well-connected so you get introductions to ceramicists, the families that own the olive groves, even into the kitchen or a private art studio in Sevilla. Can you tell? Andalucia is one of our favorite places on earth. </p> <p class="textstyle3"><a name="seville"></a>Seville is 2000 years of Roman, Arabian, Baroque and much more!</span><br> Seville, the former royal port became the richest city in Europe after Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. Its now rich in tapas cuisine, art, olive oil, architecture, bulls, Flamenco dancers and hospitality. Seville’s beauty inspired Mozart, Rossini and Bizet to compose operas such as “El Barbero de Sevilla” , "Don Juan" and "Carmen". Famous for its old monuments and intense nightlife, Seville will inspire you on many levels. Those who appreciate architecture should stop to see the 15th century Cathedral of Seville, the largest gothic Cathedral in the world. Another heavenly inspiration is the Giralda Tower, consisting of 5 naves and 25 chapels offering great views. While you’re there, take time to soak up the scenery of the small plazas and winding narrow streets where you’re sure to find tapas and a flamenco festival.</p> <h1>Hot Spots to Visit in Seville</span></h1> <p class="textstyle3"><span class="textstyle3headline">Giralda Tower:</span> The most striking monument in Seville without a doubt, this dominating tower that can be seen from all parts of the horizon with its ringing toll bells. Its construction over Roman stonework dates back to 1184, whose gold had cost 4,000 dinars in 1198 during the Spanish Moorish period. Be sure to climb the 300 feet to the top of Europe's tallest medieval towers for a excellent panoramic view of 2000 year old Sevilla!<br> <span class="textstyle3headline">The Alcázar Castle (Seville):</span> The oldest royal residence in Europe still in use was built by Peter the Cruel (1350-69) in 1364, 78 years after the Moors left Seville. Ferdinand and Isabella once lived here. It is a example of the Mudéjar, or Moorish style and it was done by workers from the Alhambra in Granada.<img src="Calendar_Images/sights6.jpg" width="260" height="198" hspace="10" align="right" alt="spain tours, art museum, spanish tours"><br> <span class="textstyle3headline">Cathedral de Sevilla:</span> The Christians are not the only occupants of Seville who considered this site holy; an enormous mosque stood here before the Reconquista. To quote the Christians who built the cathedral, they planned one "so immense that everyone, on beholding it, will take us for madmen." They succeeded. After St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London, the cathedral of this Andalusian capital is the largest in Europe. <br> <span class="textstyle3headline">Casa de Pilatos,</span> the prototype of the Andalusian palace. The construction began at the end of the 15th century and was finished by Don Fadrique de Ribera, first Marquee of Tarifa, upon returning from his trip to Jerusalem in 1519. The name of Pontius Pilot comes from a popular belief that Don Fadrique reproduced the palace from the Roman's house in Jerusalem<br> <span class="textstyle3headline">Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes de Sevilla (Seville): </span>The Prado doesn't own all the great Spanish art in the country. Located in the early 17th-century convent of La Merced, this Andalusian museum is famous for its works by such Spanish masters as Valdés Leal, Zurbarán, and Murillo. Spain's golden age is best exemplified by Murillo's monumental Immaculate Conception and Zurbaran's Apotheosis of St. Thomas Aquinas.</p> <a name="madrid"></a><h1>Madrid is much more than Europe's highest capital city!</h1> <p class="textstyle3">This cosmopolitan city is the capital of Spain as well as the home of the Spanish Royal Family. Characterized by intense cultural & artistic activity & a very lively nightlife, there’s little time for a siesta. Madrid really does stay open 24 hours a day – restaurants do not even open until eight or nine o'clock and many nightclubs are open until the early morning hours. A pleasant refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city is the Retiro Park, filled with statues and fountains and the occasional exhibitions held in Crystal Palace. Another place to escape is the Prado Museum, one of the world's finest art museums with works by El Greco, Goya and Velázquez. Of course, your trip would not be complete without a visit to the Royal Palace, an enormous 18th century palace whose 2800 rooms include tapestries, a royal clock collection and five Stradivarius violins. </p> <p><H1>Hot Spots to Visit in Madrid!</h1></p>Prado Art Museum: First opened to the public in 1819, the Prado Art Museum remains one of Europe's key art galleries. It houses all the finest works collected by Spanish royalty. There are over 3,000 paintings including the world's finest collections of Velázquez, Bosch and Goya. <br> <span class="textstyle3headline">Plaza Mayor:</span> The most important historical square in Old Madrid. Dating back to the 17th century, it was originally planned by Phillip II as the public meeting place for the new capital. Kings were crowned here, and demonstrations and festivals took place here. It is still widely used. In the summer months, it is an music stage and outdoor theatre; in the fall it hosts a book fair; and around Christmas, it takes on festive look with holiday decorations.<br> <span class="textstyle3headline">Retiro Park:</span> This is the most popular of Madrid's parks and it covers 330 acres. It is situated behind the Prado Art Museum and offers a nice combination of wide open spaces and formal gardens. You can just sit on one of the many park benches or if you prefer, you can take a jog, row a boat, have a picnic or even have your fortune told.<br> <span class="textstyle3headline">Royal Palace:</span> Once the principal royal residence until Alfonso XIII went into exile in 1931, the Royal Palace is used by the present royal family only on state occasions. It has more rooms and more pompous portraits of the monarchs than any other palace in Europe and its library has one of the biggest collections of maps, books, manuscripts and musical scores in the world. <br> <span class="textstyle3headline">The Autumn Festival:</span> The Festival de Otoño has a lineup that attracts the cream of the European and Latin American musical communities. The usual roster of chamber music, symphonic pieces, and orchestral works is supplemented by a program of zarzuela (musical comedy), as well as Arabic and Sephardic pieces that were composed during the Middle Ages.</p> <h1>Barcelona is sophisticated, elegant, culturally rich and energetic!</h1> <p>The historic capital of the Catalan kingdom</span> that once controlled much of Mediterranean, is full of architecture that is unique & inspiring. It has world class museums include the Picasso Museum & the Fundacio Joan Miro. There is a fascinating old quarter, the Barri Gotic and a night scene that rivals any in the country. There are hundreds of cafes, bars, shops and sights. The greatest concentration of bars and restaurants is within walking distance of La Rambla. There is a Gothic <img src="Calendar_Images/sights5.jpg" width="140" height="187" hspace="10" vspace="10" align="right" alt="spain tours, art museum, spanish tours">cathedral where each Sunday at noon crowds gather for the performance of the sardana, a traditional Catalan dance. <br> <br> <h1>Hot Spots to Visit in Barcelona</h1><p> <span class="textstyle3headline">Gothic Quarter:</span> Known as the Barri Gótic, this is the old town district which is host to a wealth of Gothic monuments. This area was formerly an ancient fortified Roman village. It is the site of both historic monuments and modern institutions. Here you can see the Plaça Nova with its twin semicircular towers of the well-preserved Roman walls, the aqueduct which transported water from the Collserola hills, the Cathedral which dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries. <br> <span class="textstyle3headline">La Sagrada Familia:</span> This amazing church, the Church of the Holy Family, is Gaudís masterpiece and one of the most recognizable landmarks of Barcelona. Unfortunately Gaudí died before it could be completed. Today work continues on the structure, but without any true idea of what Gaudí intended. Some speculate that the church will be completed by the middle of the 21st century. <br> <span class="textstyle3headline">Las Ramblas:</span> This fantastic boulevard runs between Plaça de Catalunya and the port. Here you will find people of all ages and social classes enjoying the small stands that sell flowers, vegetables, books and newspapers as well as the street-theatres, cafes and terraces. Marvel at the street performers such as jugglers, singers, dancers, sidewalk artists and living statues.<br> <span class="textstyle3headline">Parque Güell:</span> This was started by Gaudí as a real-estate venture for a friend, the wealthy, well-known Catalan industrialist Count Eusebi Güell. However, the project was never completed. Only two houses were constructed. In 1926 the city took over the property and turned it into a public park. Throughout the park you will see the surreal architecture for which Gaudí is famous.<br> <span class="textstyle3headline">Picasso Museum:</span> Picasso enthusiasts will not want to miss this. Two old palaces were converted into a museum to house a collection of works by Pablo Picasso. He donated 2,500 of his paintings, engravings and drawings to the museum in 1970. </p> <p><h1>Very Spanish Cultural Experiences! </h1><br> Sitting in Sol or Sombra at the Bullfights:</span> With origins as old as pagan Spain, the art of bullfighting is the expression of Iberian temperament and passions. Detractors object to the sport as cruel, bloody, violent, hot, and savage. Fans, however, view bullfighting as a microcosm of death, catharsis, and rebirth. These philosophical underpinnings may not be immediately apparent, but if you strive to understand the bullfight, it can be one of the most evocative and memorable events in Spain. Head for the plaza de toros (bullring) in any major city, but particularly in Madrid, Seville, or Granada. Tickets are either sol (sunny side) or sombra (in the shade); you'll pay more to get out of the sun. Observe how the feverish crowds appreciate the ballet of the banderilleros, the thundering fury of the bull, the arrogance of the matador--all leading to "death in the afternoon."<br> <span class="textstyle3headline">Feasting on Tapas in the Tascas:</span> Tapas, those bite-size portions washed down with wine, beer, or sherry, are reason enough to go to Spain! Tapas bars, called tascas, are a quintessential Spanish experience. Originally tapas were cured ham or chorizo (spicy sausage). Today they are likely to include everything--gambas (deep-fried shrimp), anchovies marinated in vinegar, stuffed peppers, a cool, spicy gazpacho, or hake salad. These dazzling spreads will hold you over until the fashionable 10pm dining hour."<br> <span class="textstyle3headline">Getting Caught Up in the Passions of Flamenco:</span> It's best heard in some old tavern, in a <img src="Calendar_Images/sights3.jpg" width="102" height="126" hspace="10" align="right" alt="spain tours, art museum, spanish tours">neighborhood like the Barrio de Triana in Seville. From the lowliest taberna to the poshest nightclub, you can hear the staccato heel clicking, foot stomping, castanet rattling, hand clapping, and sultry guitar & tambourine sound. Some say its origins lie deep in Asia, but the Spanish gypsy has given the art form, which dramatizes inner conflict & pain, an original style. Performed by a great artist, flamenco can tear your heart out with its soulful singing.<br> <span class="textstyle3headline">The running of the bulls in Pamplona:</span> In 1926, Ernest Hemingway brought the frenetic charge of Pamplona's Festival of San Fermin to life in The Sun Also Rises. Today, that same energy still exists for the thousands who descend upon the city each July. At the center of the celebration is the famous encierro -- the running of the bulls. It is held at eight o'clock each morning from the 7th to the 14th of July inclusive. It consists largely of young men (although it admits all types) who run in front of the bulls to lead them from their pen up and into the bull-ring. It usually lasts from two to three minutes - although if there are complications due to loose bulls it can last much longer. The length of the run is some 800 metres (about half a mile) and you don’t have to sign up anywhere to take part; you just enter into the run and choose the street where you will run and try to do as best as you can. </p> <p align="center" class="textstyle3"><font color="990000"><strong>Quality before Quantity:</strong></font></p> <p align="left" class="textstyle3">We are "sold out" for some 2004 dates, avoid disappointment and book your exclusive Spain experience ASAP....you won't regret it! </p> </td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="right" class="textstyle2"><p><table width="100%" height="65"> <tr> <td> <div align="center"> <p align="left" class="textstyle3">Please <a href="../contact/index.htm" target="_top">contact</a> a MagicalSpain representative to begin planning your trip or tour for the current and upcoming season. 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