WISDOM TRAVEL & TOURS

A TRAVEL KNOWLEDGE COMPANY

10 DAYS SPANISH SPLENDORS TOUR

FAST FACTS
o Name: Kingdom of Spain
o Capital: Madrid
o Area: 505,990km2
o Population: 4,74,31,256
o Official Language: Spanish
o Currency: Euro
o 1 EUR = INR 88
o Time Zone: GMT +01:00 (4.5hrs behind India)
o Season: March to October

AMAZING FACTS
 Madrid is not only the capital of Spain. It is also the geographical centre of the
country. At the centre of Madrid you can find the Puerta del Sol ("The Sun Gate"),
which is the centre of the country & the Spanish radial road system
 Although Spanish is the majority language, Spain has 4 co-official languages -
Catalan, Basque, Galician & Aranese
 Spanish is the world’s second most spoken mother tongue
 UNESCO's third largest heritage country, it has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Only Italy and China have more
 The Sistine Chapel of Prehistory is in Spain, at Altamira cave, near Santander
 It’s the World’s largest producer of Olive Oil
 The current King of Spain is Felipe VI
 More than 1 million hectares are dedicated to wine
 There are more than 8000 beaches in Spain
 Traditionally, you have 2 surnames in Spain – the 1 st surname from your father & 2nd
from your mother
 The Spanish prefer to sleep for a few hours after lunch before returning to work. This
means that stores may be closed from about 2 to 5pm. But, they usually open again
until around 8 or 9pm
 Spain is the only country in Europe that produces bananas

BOLLYWOOD MOVIE SHOT: ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA

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VISAS
 Single/Multiple Entry?
 E-Visa/Sticker Visa?
 Passport Validity?
 Documents Required?

VISA INFORMATION
 Visa Application Form
 Biometric
 2 Photos
 Your passport.
 Copies of passport pages with info.
 Flight reservation.
 Proof of accommodation.
 Medical Insurance.
 Medical Certificate.
 Proof of Sufficient Financial Means.

DAY 1: MADRID ARRIVAL TRANSFER

AMAZING FACTS ABOUT MADRID
 Madrid gets its name from the Arabic "magerit" which means 'place of many
streams.'
 For more than a 1100 years the mountains of the Castilian Central Plateau were only
scarcely inhabited, until Muhammad I, ruler of the Arabic reign of Córdoba, chose to
build a small castle in the region in the late 9th century.
 On a majestic hill with an excellent surveillance view over the valley and in
convenient proximity to the Manzanares river, this little citadel developed into a
fortress with rapidly growing importance
 Today Madrid is European Cultural Capital
 Madrid’s metro system is one of the largest in Europe
 The oldest restaurant in the world is located in Madrid, Sobrino de Botín is a classic
Spanish restaurant that was founded in 1725
 The largest bullfighting area in Spain, which can seat almost 25,000 people is located
in Madrid
 Madrid is home to an astonishing amount of students, due to the fact that Madrid is
one of the unsurpassed hot-spots of university education in Europe
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EVENING CHOCOLATE & CHURROS TOUR

 Join an expert culinary guide to visit one of the city's most famous chocolate cafe.
Thick, sweet, and delicious chocolate and churros await you on your arrival.
 You'll participate in an exquisite tasting session, trying Spanish chocolate delicacies.
 Not to be confused with hot drinking chocolate, as this hot chocolate is thick and
looks more like a pudding that can be eaten with a spoon.
 It is also recommended to drink it once all your churros have been dipped & eaten
 When it comes to the history of churros, it’s complicated. Some historians say that
the Spanish churro is a descendant of a Chinese pastry, called youtiao
 Churros is a fried-dough Crunchy pastry, made with combination of flour, water, a
pinch of salt & sprinkled with sugar

HOTELS IN MADRID
HOTEL EUROSTARS CENTRAL 4*
 Standard Room (22sqm)
 Standard Room with Balcony (26sqm)
 Superior (31sqm)

NH COLLECTION MADRID PALACIO DE TEPA 5*

 Standard Room (25sqm)
 Family Rooms (45sqm)
 Junior Suite (45sqm)

DINNER AT LOCAL RESTAURANT

DAY 2: FULL DAY MADRID CITY TOUR

Pick-up Time: 1000hrs
Duration: 8hrs

ROYAL PALACE OF MADRID

 The Royal Palace of Madrid is located in western Madrid, and it is the official
residence of the Spanish Royal Family.
 It is considered the most important Baroque palace in Spain
 The Royal Palace of Madrid was built in the 18th century by order of Philip V on the
site of the old Alcázar fortress, a former Moorish castle
 The palace has 135,000sqm (1,450,000sqft) of floor space and contains 3,418 rooms
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 Highlights: Main façade, Grand Staircase, Throne Room, Hall of Columns, Dining
Room, Antechamber of Charles III (The Conversation Room), Royal Armory, Plaza de
Oriente, Palace Gardens known as the Campo del Moro (“The Moor’s Field”),
Sabatini Gardens

SAN MIGUEL FOOD MARKET

 Established in 1916, Mercado de San Miguel is one of the oldest and most alluring
markets in Madrid.
 With its stunning 20th-century glass walls, it could easily be considered among the
finest examples of iron and glass architecture in the Spanish capital, alongside the
city’s Crystal Palace in Parque del Buen Retiro.
 In 2000, it was declared Bien de Interés Cultural (Property of Cultural Interest)

PLAZA MAYOR
 A famous public square located at the center of the city
 The Plaza Mayor’s origins date back to the reign of Philip III in 14 th Century, with
architect Juan de Herrera undertaking the original design, it was completed in 1619
 Unfortunately, it then suffered several bouts of flaming bad luck.
 The first fire struck in 1631
 The second fire happened in 1670 and another fire struck the plaza in 1790
 The plaza we know and love today was then rebuilt by Juan de Villanueva (he took it
from 5 to 3 floors, among other changes). The construction took years & finally
finished in 1854
 Its first name was the Plaza del Arraba, Later it was changed to Plaza de la
Constitución and Plaza de la República. At the end of the Spanish Civil War, it was
finally given its current name: the Plaza Mayor
 Throughout the years, the Plaza Mayor has been used for a variety of different
purposes. It was once used as a marketplace for food & other goods. It’s also been
the site of many events like bullfights, public executions, trials during the Spanish
Inquisition and crowning ceremonies
 Nowadays, you can find several pleasant outdoor cafes and restaurants in the plaza,
usually full of tourists.
 It’s the main place for annual Christmas markets, held since 1860

PUERTA DEL SOL

 It’s one of the main plaza of Madrid, Spain. It was reputedly named for a gate
(puerta) that stood there until 1510 & had on its front a representation of the sun
(sol).
 Throughout Madrid's history the square has been the focal point of transportation
and of intellectual and economic activity
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 A stone slab on the pavement in front of the main entrance to the Casa de Correos
marks Spain’s Kilometre 0, the starting point for all major radial roads in Spain

THE PRADO
 It is one of the biggest and most important museums in the world.
 Its collection includes works of European artists, from the 12th to the 19th century
 The construction of the Prado was interrupted during the Napoleonic Wars, and
completed in 1819
 The word 'prado' means 'meadow' and the museum was named as such because its
location used to be market gardens
 The Museo del Prado is 1 of 3 museums in Madrid that make up the Golden Triangle
of Art. The other 2 museums are Museo Reina Sofia & Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
 The original collections of Museo Nacional Del Prado were sourced in the monarchs
of the Habsburg and Bourbon in Spain.
 100 years after it officially opened, the Museo del Prado had run out of space in the
original structure. An addition was added to the building
 2 buildings were added in 1950s & 1960s, enlarging the complex even more as the
years went on to house the growing collection
 In 2007 another wing was added to accommodate its growing collection
 The Museo del Prado's collection is so large that only 1/7th of the collection is on
display at any given time
 The Prado contains the most complete collections in the world of the works of El
Greco, Velázquez, and Francisco de Goya, as well as of such Spanish masters as José
de Ribera and Francisco de Zurbarán.
 The exhibition at the Prado presents 10 paintings realized by Picasso between 1906
and 1967

RETIRO PARK
 El Retiro Park was planned in 1632 as a palace garden for King Felipe IV and it
belonged to them until the 19th century when it was converted to Public Park
 Inside the park, there is section dedicated to Roses, there are at least more than
4,000 stems, of which you can breathe in at once

GRAN VÍA
 The Gran Vía (The Great Way) is one of the most important shopping areas in
Madrid, Spain
 The Gran Vía is the street that never sleeps and is also popularly referred to as the
Broadway of Madrid
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 The plan to create this street was devised in the middle of the 19th century because
of the decision of the urban planners to have a thoroughfare, which can connect the
Calle de Alcala with the Plaza de Espana
 This project gave the architects an opportunity to create many modern buildings.
The most appealing and eye catching building is the Edificio Metropolis (Metropolis
building). This famous building is situated at the beginning of the Calle de Alcala. This
is a landmark of the city, and was constructed during the years 1907 and 1911
 Other Landmarks on the Route
- Edificio Grassy
- Plaza del Callo
- Edificio de Espana
- the Torre de Madrid
- Plaza de Espana

LUNCH & DINNER AT LOCAL RESTAURANT

SPANISH CUISINE
 Whether you're on a city break in Barcelona or Madrid, or you've plumped for a
countryside or coastal retreat, Spanish food is full of flavor and character
 Must try Dishes include
o Gazpacho - A Traditional Reddest Tomato Soup with Herbs & Olive oil
o Salmorejo - A Version of Gazpacho Originating from Cordoba
o Paella - Often considered as Spain’s National Dish, made of Rice, Butter Beans
(Vaal), French Beans, Saffron & Herbs
o Tortilla Española - Spanish omelette with potatoes, onions & herbs
o Gambas al ajillo - sizzling prawns
o Pollo al ajillo – Garlic Chicken

DAY 03: MADRID (TOLEDO EXCUSRION)

AMAZING FACTS ABOUT TOLEDO
 Located on the banks of the Tagus in central Iberia, Toledo is known as the "Imperial
City" because it was the main venue of the court of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
in Spain
 Toledo is known as city of 3 cultures’, Judaic, Christian, and Islamic melting pot
 The earliest recorded history of Toledo comes from the Romans, who captured this
Iberian city in the year of 192 BC
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 It was former capital of Spain, until 1560 when Philip II of Spain moved his court to
Madrid
 One product Toledo has been renowned for since the 16th century is Toledo steel.
 For this reason, Toledo became a centre of traditional sword-making and Toledo
swords became the standard weaponry among the Romans
 Elsewhere in Spain, marzipan usually comes in the form of a traditional Christmas
cake, but here you can find it sold as a daily snack. Mazipan is made from almond
paste and is traditionally made to resemble cute animals
 Within Spain, we can also find more “Toledos” besides the former imperial capital
city. The provinces of Asturias, Huesca, Orense & Tenerife all have their own Toledo
 There are many cities that share the name Toledo. Among our international
namesakes we can find 6 cities in the United States & in addition, another 7
distributed all over the world, in Belize, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the Philippines,
Portugal and Uruguay

HALF DAY TOLEDO TOUR

Pick-up: 1000hrs
Duration: 5hrs

CATEDRAL DE TOLEDO
 Construction began in 1227 under the reign of King Ferdinand the Saint on site of the
Great Mosque of Toledo
 Built from 1227 to 1493, the long process is reflected in Toledo Cathedral's variety of
style
 The famous Spanish Renaissance painter El Greco played a major role in the
evolution of the cathedral as a repository of fine art
 The awe-inspiring, enormous gold-grilled gates and altar in the main chapel make
the interior shimmer.
 The chapel’s works of art, elaborate frescoes, massive doors, detailed sculptures and
intricate crucifixes give visitors the feeling of stepping back in time to hundreds of
years ago and walking through centuries of history

ALCÁZAR DE TOLEDO
 As in many Spanish cities, there is a majestic Alcazar fortress, crowning the city. The
kings of Castile used the fortress as their residence
 Built in the 3rd century and initially used as a Roman Palace, the Alcazar has played
an important role in the history of Spain.
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 Over the centuries, the building has served many purposes, including being used as a
castle, a fortress, a prison, a military headquarters, and the King’s residence
 The current design was constructed in the 16th century by King Carlos V
 During the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, the building was severely damaged but
was rebuilt in the years that followed.
 Today, it houses the Museum of the Army as well as a regional library.


OTHER ATTRACTIONS
 SINAGOGA DEL TRÁNSITO
 PLAZA DE ZOCODOVER
 MOSQUE OF CRISTO DE LA LUZ

LUNCH AT LOCAL RESTAURANT IN TOLEDO

EVENING FREE IN MADRID

DINNER AT LOCAL RESTAURANT IN MADRID

DAY 04: MADRID TO SEVILLE AVE TRAIN

1000hrs: Madrid to Seville AVE Train (2.5hrs)

AMAZING FACTS ABOUT SEVILLE

 Seville is the capital of Andalusia
 In 2012 Seville was named 'the city of the 4.000 bars‘
 It is common that you see a lot of dirty napkins and maybe some olive pits on the
floors of busy and popular bars in Seville, Don't take this the wrong way it is just the
work of some locals which wanted to let you know the food was good
 Seville has 3 UNESCO buildings; The Real Alcázar, the Cathedral and Archivo de Indias
 The third biggest Cathedral in the world, after St. Paul Cathedral in London and
Vatican in Italy, was built in Seville. The most beautiful Gothic Cathedral in the world
with a tremendous history and look. Another thing that makes this cathedral so
important is that there has been burred the famous explorer Christopher Columbus
 Seville Oranges are highly in demand for making Marmalade
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 Home to one of Europe’s most colorful festival Feria de Abril, its a week long spring
fair with dancing, drinking, eating and socializing

AVE TRAIN
 With 3,100km of track the Spanish high-speed AVE trains operate on the longest
high-speed network in Europe
 Running at speeds of up to 310 kmph this extensive network allows for fast
connections between Major cities in Spain

1300hrs: Arrive Seville Station & Transfer to Restaurant for Lunch

1400hrs: After Lunch Transfer to Hotel

1700hrs: EVENING VISIT LAS SETAS DE SEVILLA

 Popularly known as the Mushrooms of the Incarnation or Metropol Parasol
 It measures 150 x 70m & is approximately 26m high.
 It was the winning project in the competition opened by the Seville City Council to
carry out the renovation of the square in which it is located; its designer was the
architect from Berlin, Jürgen Mayer

1800hrs: FLAMENCO SHOW WITH TAPAS DINNER

 Flamenco’s mysterious origin can be traced back to Andalusia, in the South of Spain
and dates back to nearly five hundred years!
 The name comes from the Andalusian expression”fellah min gueir ard”, which means
“landless peasant”. Similar to the wandering Bird Flamingo
 Flamenco is a passionate Spanish dance. With a diverse dance that mixes different
cultural influences such as Islamic, Andalucian, gypsy, Sephardic and Arabic
 It’s singing & music can be traced back to the Punjabi singing of India, Persian Zyriab,
classical Andalusian orchestra from the Islamic Empire, Jewish Synagogue chants,
Arabic Zayal, Andalusican folk, Mozarabic forms, western African influences from
New World Caribbean, Central and South American colonies
 Flamenco clothes were traditional Andalusian but they actually originated from the
Spanish gypsies in the 19th and 20th century.
 The performance is also known for its singing, guitar playing, romance & colorful
costumes
 People describe Flamenco as a state of mind in that it is an expression of deep
emotions. In addition, it creates a connection with the audience. If it doesn’t, then
the artist fails.
 Traditionally Tapas are small savory dishes, snacks or appetizers of Spanish cuisine.
 It contains breads and meat, or a selection of dishes from ham, stuffed mussels, fried
squid, to olives, sautéed mushroom and other vegetables
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 They may be cold (mixed olives & cheese) or warm (like chopitos, battered, fried
baby squid)

DINNER AT LOCAL RESTAURANT

DAY 05: FULL DAY SEVILLE TOUR

Pick-up Time: 1000hrs
Duration: 9hrs

PLAZA DE ESPAÑA
 Plaza de España is a large half-circle facing the Guadalquivir River, from which ships
began their journey towards America.
 It was originally created as a symbol of Spain's history and its bond with American
colonies. It was designed by the great Seville architect Aníbal González
 Covering a total of 50,000sqm, it took 15 years to build and was completed just one
month before the Expo
 It was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929 aka Expo 29, which took place
in Maria Luisa park, as the Pabellon de Andalucia
 There is a navigable canal along the entire perimeter of the square, crossed by 4
bridges representing the 4 ancient kingdoms of Spain (Castile, León, Navarre &
Aragón)
 Every Spanish province is represented in Plaza de España in the form of large tiled
alcoves
 They all share the same layout: the front features a scene from a historic event, with
characteristic monuments along the sides and a map of the province on the ground,
flanked by a pair of covered bookshelves containing information about that province

REAL ALCÁZAR
 The Alcázar of Seville is a royal palace in Seville, Spain, built for the Christian king
Peter of Castile.
 It is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe.
 The Alcázar of Seville is a magnificent marriage of Christian & Mudéjar architecture
 The term Alcázar comes from the Arabic al-qaṣr, itself derived from the Latin
castrum (“castle”).
 The Alcázar started life in the 10th century as a fort for the Cordoban governors of
Seville but it was in the 11th century that it got its first major rebuild.
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 In the 12th century, the construction became considerably more established as a

palace, along the lines of the one we know today, when the Almohad Caliphate
controlled the region
 It was registered in 1987 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, along with the
adjoining Seville Cathedral and the General Archive of the Indies
 The most celebrated & recognizable parts of the Alcázar are the façade, the
Ambassadors’ Hall and the Patio of the Maidens in the Mudéjar (Islamic-Christian)
Palace of King Pedro

CATEDRAL DE SEVILLA
 Seville Cathedral is one of the famous Roman Catholic cathedrals in Spain
 It is the third largest cathedral in the word and the largest Gothic style cathedral.
 The Reconquista in Spain was concluded in the year 1248 & Muslim structures
started being transformed into Christian ones.
 Similar to the Alhambra in the area, Seville‘s cathedral was built to demonstrate the
city’s power and wealth
 It was built on the site of the great 12th-century Almohad mosque
 the Seville mosque was turned into the Seville Cathedral in the 13th century
 The cathedral’s construction lasted over a century, from 1401 to 1506
 After its completion, Seville Cathedral supersede Hagia Sophia as the largest
cathedral in the world, a title the Byzantine church had held for nearly a thousand
years
 The cathedral consists of 80 chapels
 In 1987, UNESCO added this church as a World Heritage site
 Christopher Columbus is buried in this church
 Other cities claim to hold the remains of Christopher Columbus – Havana, Cuba, and
Santo Domingo in the Domican Republic - but recent DNA tests proved beyond
doubt that this tomb does hold Columbus
 The stuffed crocodile, known as El Lagarto is always a fun spot for kids. It was a gift
from the Sultan of Egypt to King Alfonso X, for asking for the hand in marriage of his
daughter Berenguela. Although the Sultan did not wed the princess in the end, the
crocodile stayed, and was stuffed. Now it is one of the cathedral’s quirkier relics

GIRALDA BELL TOWER

 The crowning glory of the Seville Cathedral is the tall Giralda Bell Tower.
 It was originally built as a minaret between 1184 & 1198 during the Moorish period,
with a Renaissance style top subsequently added by Spanish conquistadors in 16th
century.
 At the top is the 16th century El Giraldillo weather vane, an enormous bronze statue
of a female figure bearing a cross to symbolize Faith
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 The tower is 104.1m (341.5ft) in height and remains one of the most important
symbols of the city, as it has been since medieval times

REAL MAESTRANZA BULL RING AND BULLFIGHTING MUSEUM

 Known by fans as the "Cathedral of Bullfighting" and officially known as the Plaza de
Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla
 the bullring in Seville is one of the most important in Spain and one of the most
visited tourist attractions in Seville
 The arena accommodates 14,000 and, despite its size, the acoustics allow you to
hear everything wherever you're sitting
 Originally built from wood, this famous bullring started to be constructed in the year
1761
 There is also the 'Museum of bullfighting' with, among other things, a hall with
paintings about bullfighting.
 The museum displays all kinds of objects that show the history and evolution of
bullfighting and toreros in Spain
 The corrida season is from Easter Sunday to 12 October, with around 20 fights in
total

CALLE SIERPES
 The pedestrianized stretch of Calle Sierpes is the commercial heart of Seville.
 Since the 15th century, it’s been an important center of trade, home to blacksmiths,
cobblers and artisans.
 A shopping street for centuries, it used to be called Calle Espaderos, as it was once
home to a fellowship of sword (espada) makers
 This traditional, bustling street, today plays host to some of the city’s most
important events.
 It is part of the Official Route for Semana Santa (link interno), running from the Plaza
de la Campana to the Plaza de San Francisco.
 At the end of the shopping day, it becomes a place for relaxed chats in its bars, cafés
and bakeries

OTHER ATTRACTIONS
 SANTA CRUZ NEIGHBORHOOD

SOUVENIRS

LOS ABANICOS (HAND FAN)

 The Spanish fan, or abanico, is a popular souvenir that celebrates Spanish culture.
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 The first hand fan in Spain dates from 1802 in Valencia and quickly became a must
have among upper class women
 Many traditional Spanish dances use the abanico as a prop, and you can find fans in
a variety of colors and styles, all with a range of elaborate and beautiful designs for a
unique gift.
 It can be used as they were intended to cool yourself off at outdoor events or for
home decór that is easy to change and update
 The secret language of the Spanish “abanico“
- Wave fan very fast: “I really like you”
- Open fan over the chest showing the design “Yes”
- And many more secret gestures

ARTISTIC TURRON
 its origins can actually be traced back to the Moors who invaded the country back in
the early Middle Ages
 This nutty confection, also known as nougat is widely enjoyed across Spain with well-
established artisans cooking it to perfection and making mouths water for years.
 There are basically two types of Turron, a soft kind, and a hard kind. The soft kind is
usually very easy on the tooth and the hard kind is rich in almonds and nuts

ANDALUCIA OLIVE OIL

 Olive oil from Andalusia in Spain is considered as the best in the world
 70% of all Spanish Olive Oil, comes from Jaén province, a small Andalusian province
 Jaén produces more olive oil than all of Italy combined
 The Ancients referred to olive oil as ‘liquid gold’

OTHER SOUVENIRS
 Flamenco dress
 Bota (leather bottle)
 Spanish saffron

LUNCH & DINNER AT LOCAL RESTAURANT

DAY 06: FULL DAY CORDOBA TOUR

Pick-up: 0800hrs
Duration: 12hrs
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AMAZING FACTS ABOUT CORDOBA

 Cordoba was founded in 169BC by Romans
 At one time, Cordoba was the world’s largest city counting about 1 million residents
 Cordoba is world-renowned for its leather manufacturing sites & silversmiths
 Cordoba's period of greatest glory began in the 8th century after the Moorish
conquest, when some 300 mosques and innumerable palaces and public buildings
were built to rival the splendors of Constantinople, Damascus and Baghdad
 Cordoba was a spot of peaceful coexistence of 3 different cultures: Jews, Muslims
and Christians.
 During its hugely prosperous & successful Moorish Caliphate era (766-1031),
Cordoba was a great cultural, political, financial and literary center, with the largest
library in the world of al-Hakam II - thought to have amounted to 400,000 books
 Cordoba has tuneful surnames such as “Constantinople of the Occident” or “Pearl of
Moorish Spain”.
 It is a popular saying that the prettiest women of Spain are natives of Cordoba
 México, Colombia, Argentina and the USA, also have a Córdoba
 During the famous month of May in Córdoba, a festival named Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO, is celebrated. During the Patios, neighbors
from the most emblematic neighborhoods participate in a contest to get the title of
Most beautiful courtyard of Córdoba. Decorated with lots of different flowerpots,
the courtyards

HISTORIC CENTRE
 The charming, well-preserved historic center belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage
 It reflects thousands of years of occupation by different cultural groups – Roman,
Visigoth, Islam, Judaism and Christian-, that all left a mark
 Cordoba’s historic downtown area has preserved its enchanting panache over the
centuries.
 The former Jewish Quarter (the so called Judería) harbors treasures of Moorish
architecture and is home to some of the most spectacular monuments in town
 The Historic Centre of Cordoba now comprises the streets surrounding the Great
Mosque and all the parcels of land opening on to these, together with all the blocks
of houses around the mosque-cathedral

PLAZA DE LA CORREDERA
 A popular meeting point of Cordoba for students
 it is the only site in town with Castlilian buildings as they are found in Madrid or
Salamanca
 The square’s actual appearance has remained unchanged since the 17th century
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 The square had been the scene of executions and punishments ordered by the
Inquisition and it had also been bullring
 Now throughout the year Corredera Square serves as an emblematic scene for
various cultural events, including the annual Flamenco Night

ROMAN BRIDGE
 Built under the command of the Roman emperor Augustus in first century
 The Moors in 918 extended the bridge to the state in which it appears today
 At all times this bridge was of enormous significance for the city.
 Once part of an important Roman commercial and military route, the bridge played a
key role in medieval times, when people protected their city against attacks of Peter
the Cruel
 For 20 centuries, the only access bridge to Córdoba was the Roman Bridge
 From 2004, vehicles are not allowed

MEZQUITA-CATEDRAL
 The Mezquita (Spanish for "mosque") of Cordoba is a Roman Catholic cathedral.
 When Muslims conquered Spain in 711, the church was first divided into Muslim
(Mosque) and Christian halves (Christian Visigothic Church)
 This sharing arrangement of the site lasted until 784, when the Christian half was
purchased by the Emir ‘Abd al-Rahman I, who then proceeded to demolish the
original structure and build the grand mosque of Cordoba on its ground
 The Emir wanted Cordoba to outshine Byzantium and Baghdad in science, culture &
arts, from where he had had to flee following the overthrow of his family in
Damascus
 The dimensions of the Mosque kept growing, thanks to the additions by other
caliphs in the following centuries.
 In 1236, the Mosque was reconverted into a Christian church, when Ferdinand III of
Castile conquered Cordoba.
 The Christian rulers decided to preserve the Mosque, and instead of destroying it,
they enhance its beauty by adding new spaces and monuments
 The Mosque’s focus point is a shell-shaped prayer niche, built in the 10th century.
The mihrab traditionally faces Mecca.
 However, the Mosque of Cordoba’s mihrab faces south, just like the Damascus
Mosque, and not south-east, where Mecca is supposed to be
 The most exquisite decoration in the whole complex is found in the 3 rd mihrab
(prayer niche), a small octagonal recess roofed with a single block of white marble
that is carved in the form of a shell and has walls inlaid with Byzantine-style mosaics
and gold
 It is perhaps the most accomplished monument of the Umayyad dynasty of Cordoba
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 The mosque had the original copy of Quran as well as an arm bone of Prophet
Mohammed, due to which it became a major Muslim pilgrimage site from 786-1235
 Today it houses the main church of the diocese of Cordoba in Spain
 Other Highlights include, Patio de los Naranjos (Orange & Palm Trees Courtyard), Bell
Tower, Maksura & Cathedral

ALCAZAR DE LOS REYES CRISTIANOS

 The Alcazar has always been an important place in Cordoba. It used to be the
residence of Roman governors and Moorish caliphs, and in 1328 it became the home
of the Spanish kings when they were in Cordoba.
 It is known as the Alcazar of the Reyes Cristianos because the Christian Kings
Fernando and Isabella lived in the castle for over 8yrs while they orchestrated the
reconquest of Granada.
 It was in the Alcazar that Christopher Columbus pitched his idea of looking for a
Western route to reach India
 The Alcazar was strategically built on the banks of Guadalquivir river, to the south-
west of the casco antiguo (the old town)
 The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos is a quadrangular building notable for its
powerful walls & 3 towers: the Tower of the Lions, the Tower of Allegiance, and the
Tower of the River.
 The Tower of the Lions contains intricately decorated ceilings that are the most
notable example of Gothic architecture in Andalusia.
 Inside, the Alcázar houses Roman mosaics and sarcophagi from the 2nd and 3rd
centuries, as well as Moorish baths (now used for weddings).
 The Alcázar is surrounded by magnificent gardens called the Paseo de los Reyes
where there are statues of all the kings linked to the palace-fortress
 From 16th Century the castle was used as a civil prison, and later as a military one
 Nowadays the building is a Historical Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
 It doubles as a museum & a place for public and private events

MEDINA AZAHARA
 The Caliphate city of Medina Azahara, literally “the shining city,” is an archaeological
site of a city built in the mid-10th century CE by the Umayyad dynasty as the seat of
the Caliphate of Cordoba
 Legend has it that Abd ar-Rahman built Medina Azahara for his favorite concubine,
Azahara
 The more likely reason for Medina Azahara is that the caliph wanted to show off the
power & importance of Islamic Spain, and establish it as a rival to the great cities of
the east
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 Construction began in 936 AD, though it took 4 decades to complete, the initial
construction was quick.
 By 945 the Caliph was in residence and in 947-948 he had moved his government
and entire court to the shining seat of his caliphate
 After prospering for several years, it was laid to waste during the civil war that put an
end to the Caliphate in 1009-1010.
 The remains of the city were forgotten for almost 1,000 years until their rediscovery
in the early 20th century.
 This complete urban ensemble features infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water
systems, buildings, decorative elements and everyday objects.


DAY 07: SEVILLE TO GRANADA

0900hrs: Seville to Granada Transfer (Approx. 250km, 3hrs)
1200hrs: Lunch at Local Restaurant
1300hrs: Arrive Hotel & Complete Check-in formalities

AMAZING FACTS ABOUT GRANADA

 Granada was originally called Gárnata which could mean “hill of strangers” in Arabic
 City symbol is the pomegranate which is fitting considering that "granada" in Spanish
means 'pomegranate.'
 Granada was under Islamic rule for more than 700 hundred years (from 711 to 1492)
 Granada was originally an Iberian settlement and later a Roman town, but it did not
become important until it came under the influence of the Moors.
 In the 8th century it was first governed by the caliphate of Damascus, and Granada
later was sometimes called the "Damascus of the West."
 The Moors made Granada a flourishing city from the 9th to 15th centuries
 Its population was a mixture of Arabs, Berbers, and Spaniards, with 3 faiths: Muslim,
Jewish, and Christian.
 Each group lived in its own quarter. In the 13th century the city passed to the Nasrid
kings, who reigned for 250 years and built the palace of the Alhambra and additional
fortifications.
 Granada became a walled city, with 20 towers in the surrounding area to defend it
from attack
 In 1492, Granada, the last city to be held by the Moors in Spain
 Granada is surrounded by mountains. Almost at the end of every street you will see
one, and they turn white during the winter
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1600HRS: AFTERNOON GRANADA CITY TOUR

Pick-up: 1600hrs
Duration: 4hrs

ALHAMBRA
 A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this medieval complex encompasses a palace,
fortress, and gardens, all with a richly-layered history
 The word 'Alhambra' is a short form of the word 'Calat Alhambra' which is the name
given to a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain.
 King Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Yusuf ibn Nasr (known as Alhamar) founded the
Nasrid Kingdom in Granada
 The palace started off as a small fortress that was built in 899.
 After years of neglect, the Moorish king of Grenada renovated it in the 11th century.
 The fortress was to later be converted into a royal palace in the 1333 century by
Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada.
 The Alhambra Palace was home to the Spain Emirs until 1492 when the Catholic
Monarchs conquered the Nasrid Dynasty
 The Palace was strategically located on the hill to give view of the whole expanse of
the city of Granada as well as the meadow
 The Alhambra’s buildings include royal palaces, royal apartments, gardens, pavilions,
military barracks, mosques, churches, towers, and forts, most of which are enclosed
within a high stone wall. As with all cities that have a long history, the Alhambra
grew organically over time. There are four main sections
 The Nasrid Palaces are comprised of the Comares Palace, the Palace of the Lions, and
the Partal Palace. These palaces showcase most of the extraordinary art in the
Alhambra
 Apart from Nasrid Palace, other attractions Include: The Palace of Carlos V, The
Alcazaba, The Medina, Rauda - Royal Cemetery, Gardens & Palace of the Generalife

GENERALIFE
 Recreational house of the sultans of Granada, surrounded by orchards and gardens
 Linked to the Alhambra by a series of gardens and surrounded by 220 hectares of
meadows, the Generalife is filled with ornamental and vegetable gardens, beautiful
buildings, and constant renovation and rebuilding.
 The Moorish gardening tradition can be seen throughout the Generalife
 The most iconic water feature is the fountain in the Courtyard of the Lions, which
represents the 4 heavenly gardens of Islam. There you'll find a dish-like fountain held
up by 12 unique, beautifully carved marble lions. The lions each spout water, which
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runs through four water streams across the marble courtyard and then into other
rooms

GRANADA CATHEDRAL
 Located in the city’s old quarter, specifically in Plaza de las Pasiegas, is the majestic
Granada Cathedral. I
 t is considered to be Spain’s first Renaissance church since, when it was built, no
other churches in the country boasted such a distinctive architectural style.
 Its construction began in 1523 and was not completely finished until 1704.
 This emblematic building constituted a new era of Spanish religious Renaissance
buildings. Its façade and exteriors were perfected when its construction was
completed and are adorned by Baroque elements that complement the beauty of
this symbolic place.
 Its interior is distinguished by its large halls flooded by light and its exquisite
decoration, consisting of various, perfectly conserved, allegorical works paying
tribute to religious passages
 The Royal Chapel is connected to the cathedral and it is the final resting place of two
of the most notable historical figures from Spain

LA ALCAICERÍA (ARAB MARKET)

 Alcaicería (artisanal market) is what remains of the Grand Bazaar of the Nasrid
period that stretched centuries ago from Plaza Nueva to Plaza Bib-Rambla
 The old Arab silk market, after the conquest by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II
of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, was renamed Real Sitio and Fuerte de la Alcaicería
de Granada, and in the 16th century it had almost 200 stores.
 Unfortunately, in 1843, a fire in a match store destroyed it completely, so it was
rebuilt in a neo-Arab and romantic style, very fashionable in that century
 Located in close proximity to the Cathedral, this set of narrow streets is today
dedicated to Granada’s craft shops, where Fajalauza earthenware, inlaid wood,
nativity scenes and the popular colored glass lampposts are sold.
 In addition, there are also bookstores, jewelry stores and souvenir shops, where you
can find the gifts you are looking for

OTHER ATTRACTION
 ALBAICÍN (ARAB QUARTER)

DAY 08: GRANADA TO BARCELONA

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1130hrs: Check-out from the Hotel & Lunch at Local Restaurant

1230hrs: Transfer to Granada Train Station to board AVE for Barcelona (7hrs)

AMAZING FACTS ABOUT BARCELONA

 There is a dispute about the founding of Barcelona. There is one camp which claims
that Hercules founded the city about 400 years before the building of Rome. The
other side believes that Barcelona was built by Hamilcar Barca, the father of
Hannibal. The name Barcelona comes from the Barca family of Carthage who ruled
the area in the 3rd century before Christ
 Gustave Eiffel’s original idea for Eiffel Tower was to pitch the proposal to the city of
Barcelona, and so he did. However, it didn’t go as planned and the city wasn’t too
convinced so they rejected
 Barcelona had no beaches until the 1992 Olympics, Now, there are 7 blue-flagged
beaches dotting the city’s 4.5 km coastline.
 Not to mention it has been voted the “Best Beach City” by National Geographic
 There are nearly 3 million cruisers passing through the 7-terminal cruise port of
Barcelona each year, making it the 6th busiest in the world and no.1 in Europe
 Barcelona boasts 9 UNESCO-protected monuments
 Barcelona is the first and only city that received a Royal Gold Medal for architecture
in 1999
 More than 10% of the city is covered in over 68 different green spaces and parks.
 Parc de Collserola is the world’s largest metropolitan park and is 22 times larger than
New York City’s Central Park

2000hrs: Arrive Barcelona, Enjoy Dinner at local restaurant

2100hrs: Later check-in at Hotel

DAY 09: FULL DAY BARCELONA CITY TOUR

Pick-up: 1000hrs
Duration: 10hrs

PLAZA CATALUNYA
 Before the 19th century and the destruction of the walls surrounding Barcelona, the
Plaça de Catalunyà was not part of the city.
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 It was located just outside of the walls and linked Barcelona with small towns
nearby.
 Nowadays, those towns are integrated into the city as well as the Plaça de Catalunyà.
 The construction of the plaza started in 1889, for the universal exposition.
 Before this date, it was only a marketplace & people lived there, it was also much
smaller than it is now
 The works lasted for 30 years and the plaza was finally inaugurated in 1929
 Today it has become the urban core of Barcelona. It is indeed the meeting point of 4
metro lines and of a great number of bus lines too, which come there day and night

LA RAMBLAS STREET
 Often called as Spain’s Champs Elysees, Barcelona’s iconic Street is filled with locals
and tourists alike, with Kiosks, flower stalls and street artists, along with colorful
shops and historical buildings
 One of the first facts to know about La Rambla is that it is not just one but 5 streets
in succession
 Together they form the 1.2km long boulevard which runs from the Mirador de
Colom by the waterfront, to Plaça Catalunya, the central square of Barcelona where
the Old Town meets the more modern Eixample neighborhood
 The origins of La Rambla as a street date back to the 15th century when the sewer
was diverted and covered up.
 From then onwards it became an important axis for transport, public gatherings,
markets and festivities

LA BOQUERIA MARKET
 The Boquería Market is one of the most emblematic places of the famous Ramblas
and one of the places you cannot miss during your visit to Barcelona
 It is the oldest market in the city since in 1217
 It all started when a group of merchants gathered outside the city to save goods
entry taxes and in this way little by little it was converted into what It is now but with
the difference that now you have to pay taxes
 The name of 'Boqueria' comes from the meat of the goat male, the Catalan boc that
was the most demanded at that time
 Today, the market has 300 stores inside where the merchants sell all kinds of meat,
fish, vegetables and exquisite sweets
 In 2005 it was awarded with the award for the Best Market in the World

PASSEIG DE GRACIA
 Passeig de Gracia is the most expensive street of the city of Barcelona - and also the
most expensive of Spain!
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 It is nowadays famous for being one of the most important shopping avenues of the
Ciutat Comptal, but it is also one of the most beautiful avenues of the city, full of
history and architectural masterpieces
 The Passeig de Gràcia Homes Used To Be Identical, later they were modified as per
the owner
 Attractions on the Street include - UNESCO-listed Casa Batlló & Casa Milà

SAGRADA FAMILIA
 One of Europe's most unconventional churches, this spectacular basilica is the most
famous sight in Barcelona.
 The UNESCO-listed Basilica de la Sagrada Familia stands in the northern part of the
city, dominating its surroundings with its 18 spindly towers soaring high above all
other monuments.
 Antoni Gaudí was commissioned in 1882-83 to design this basilica as a neo-Gothic
church
 But instead of following the plans, he created a signature example of his famous
surrealistic Art Nouveau architecture.
 From 1882-83 up until his death in 1926, Catalan Art Nouveau master Antoni Gaudí
devoted himself to the construction of La Sagrada Família
 He had no firm ideas in mind, preferring to alter and add to the plans as work
progressed.
 Although Gaudí had originally forecast between 10-15yrs, the church was never
completed.
 As a result, the main work by the most important Catalan architect of modern times
remains just a shell, and nobody knows whether or when it will ever be completed
 Gaudí's main goal for La Sagrada Família was to teach people about Catholicism
through architecture.
 The best place to see this is right outside of the church, where you'll odes all over.
 The Sagrada Familia currently has 8 towers. However, by the time it is finished, it will
have 18
 Each of the 18 Towers is Significant - 12 towers represent the apostles, 4 of them
represent the evangelists, 1 is designated for the Virgin Mary, and of course the last
one, the highest one in the middle, represent Jesus Christ
 The 3 main facades
o The Nativity facade, celebrates the birth of Christ, has three portals – Hope,
Mercy, and Faith
o The Passion facade is dedicated to the death of Christ and is designed to be
plain and simple
o The Glory facade, after construction, will be the tallest and principal facade of
Sagrada Familia. It offers access to the nave and will be decorated with idols,
false gods and demons
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 The interior pillars resemble trees, and when you look up at them their shapes
constantly change, as real trees appear to do
 The church, which is funded by private donations, is still under construction today
and is said to be completed by 2026
 The two people buried in the crypt are Gaudi and Josep Maria Bocabella – the
bookseller whose idea it was to build the Sagrada Familia, having been inspired by
the churches he saw in the Vatican during his visit there in 1872

PARK GÜELL
 Colorful, cheerful, and full of whimsy, this splendid surrealistic park is another
UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Antoni Gaudí.
 Antoni Gaudi & Eusebi Güell intended it to be a ‘visionary housing complex’,
unfortunately they received no interest from the investors and had to abandon the
original idea, hence they built the park
 Created between 1900 and 1914, the Park Güell is beautifully landscaped and
features architectural elements in Gaudí's signature style.
 Viaducts, grottoes, a colonnaded hall, winding staircases & semi-closed conversation
seats are scattered throughout the space.
 These creative structures are decorated in multicolored ceramic fragments.
 A spectacular terrace offers panoramic views of the city and the sea
 Instead of numerous benches spread throughout, here visitors will be greeted with
one long, wavy stone bench adorned with vibrant mosaics & equipped with views of
the ocean
 Gaudí himself loved this area of the city, and his home was located here.
 Surrounded by a pleasant garden, the Casa Museu Gaudí occupies the house where
Gaudi lived; the collection displays works of art, mostly decorative objects and
furniture, designed by Gaudí

CAMP NOU
 Just as Modernista buildings are must-see attractions for architecture fans, Camp
Nou is a must-see for football (soccer) fans.
 Home of the FC Barcelona, the 99,354-seat stadium is the largest in Europe and
second largest in the world.
 Attend a game here or take the lively tour and visit the museum. Camp Nou was one
of the venues for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona

BARCELONETA BEACH
 When most people think of beaches in Barcelona, Barceloneta is probably the first
that comes to mind.
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 From drummers to sand-artists to singing donut salesmen, it may just be Barcelona's

most crowded, and most touristy stretch of sand. However, that just means it's also
the most entertaining.
 There's always something going on at Barcelona's most famous beach
 Plus, it's got some great seafood eateries along the shore in the eponymous
Barceloneta neighborhood, a onetime fishermen's quarter that retains its old-world
charm
 Until 1992, the seaside of Barcelona was full of local industries up until the city
decided to host the Olympic Games & created 7 Artificial Beaches, barceloneta is one
of them

DAY 10: DEPARTURE TRANSFER

~~ Tour Ends ~~

Thanks & Regards

Mayur Lad
Head - Sales & Operations

Wisdom Travel & Tours

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