Spain Intensive Voyage

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its magnificent harbor made it a logical trading port as far back as the Phoenicians, as well as a departure point for 15th century voyages sponsored by Prince Henry the Navigator, patron of Portuguese explorers. The city is rich in architecture, from Romanesque and Gothic to Post Modern, and criss-crossed by monument-studded grand boulevards. Today it is seeking a place on the world stage by hosting, in addition to its own active cultural calendar, film festivals, art, fashion, and design shows, book fairs, marathons, and rock concerts.

Located along the Gulf of Cadiz coast in southwestern Spain, Huelva dates back to 3,000 BC. Since that time, everyone from the Phoenicians and the Greeks to the Romans and the Moors has inhabited it—and you can see the influence of these different civilizations in Huelva’s many churches, mosques, castles, forts and pretty white-walled villages. In the 15th century, the city grew in importance with the discovery of America, since Christopher Columbus set sail from Huelva in the Puerto de Palos de la Fronter on his epic voyage to the new continent. Be sure to visit some of Huelva’s historic sites like the Catedral de la Merced which dates back to 1605, the Iglesia de San Pedro, Casa Colon, and the Gran Teatro de Huelva, as well as Moret Park, which covers 70 hectares and is considered one of the best urban parks in Andalucía. And no visit to Huelva would be complete without trying Jamon de Jabugo—one of the most famous types of ham in all of Spain—as well as other popular local products like olive oils, marzipan, goat cheese, wines and fruit liquors, especially cherry liquor.

The charming old quarter in Cadiz makes it easy to see why the small town is frequented by Spaniards on holiday. Its intriguing ancient streets, delightful plazas and flower-filled balconies make exploring a must. Along the way, restore your energy at any of the mouth-watering tapas bars offering some of the countrys finest seafood and typical Andalucian cuisine.

The charming old quarter in Cadiz makes it easy to see why the small town is frequented by Spaniards on holiday. Its intriguing ancient streets, delightful plazas and flower-filled balconies make exploring a must. Along the way, restore your energy at any of the mouth-watering tapas bars offering some of the countrys finest seafood and typical Andalucian cuisine.

The charming old quarter in Cadiz makes it easy to see why the small town is frequented by Spaniards on holiday. Its intriguing ancient streets, delightful plazas and flower-filled balconies make exploring a must. Along the way, restore your energy at any of the mouth-watering tapas bars offering some of the countrys finest seafood and typical Andalucian cuisine.

The towering Rock of Gibraltar is a sight to behold. Overlooking the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea from a height of 1,400 ft, it is a natural fortress, in a strategic position to control all naval traffic between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Only three miles long and a mile wide, this peninsula attached to the Spanish mainland juts out into the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates continental Europe from North Africa, a distance of only 14 miles. One feature most unusual for Europe is the troupes of semi-wild and curiously tailless Barbary macaques that have taken up residence on The Rock’s upper reaches.

Málaga is the lively capital of the Costa del Sol, famed for its beaches and mild climate, and gateway to Andalusia, with its Moorish architectural heritage. The city’s Alcazaba is a fine example, an 11th century citadel sitting in majestic splendor overlooking the African coast. It contains three magnificent palaces and graceful gardens with ornate fountains. In addition to their rich cultural heritage, Malagueños are also very proud of their most famous citizens – Picasso, for whom there is a museum commemorating his birth here, and actor Antonio Banderas, so far without a monument.

One of the countrys biggest and bustling cities was defended against the Moors by the legendary Spaniard “El Cid.” Work up an appetite taking in la Calle de Los Caballeros and La Lonja, Valencias old stock-exchange building of 1483, and reward your curiosities with a Paella Valenciana, Spains most famous contribution to the worlds tables.

One of the countrys biggest and bustling cities was defended against the Moors by the legendary Spaniard “El Cid.” Work up an appetite taking in la Calle de Los Caballeros and La Lonja, Valencias old stock-exchange building of 1483, and reward your curiosities with a Paella Valenciana, Spains most famous contribution to the worlds tables.

Palma is a resort city and capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca (Majorca), in the western Mediterranean. The massive Santa María cathedral, a Gothic landmark begun in the 13th century, overlooks the Bay of Palma. The adjacent Almudaina is a Moorish-style Arab fortress converted to a royal residence. West of the city, hilltop Bellver Castle is a medieval fortress with a distinctive circular shape

Dynamic Barcelona is all about architecture, from the magnificent medieval buildings of the Gothic Quarter to the Modernist movement typified by the work of Antoni Gaudi. Though his materials were stone and metal, his forms were organic, awash in curves, swirls, and colors. His masterpiece is the amazing Church of the Sagrada Familia, colossal and as yet unfinished, though construction began in 1882. A contemporary contribution to the scene is Ricardo Bofills post modernist National Theater of Catalonia, an imaginative combination of classical and modern design, with a greenhouse-like lobby.

Dynamic Barcelona is all about architecture, from the magnificent medieval buildings of the Gothic Quarter to the Modernist movement typified by the work of Antoni Gaudi. Though his materials were stone and metal, his forms were organic, awash in curves, swirls, and colors. His masterpiece is the amazing Church of the Sagrada Familia, colossal and as yet unfinished, though construction began in 1882. A contemporary contribution to the scene is Ricardo Bofills post modernist National Theater of Catalonia, an imaginative combination of classical and modern design, with a greenhouse-like lobby.