Penitents, Processions, Saints & Sinners
ANDALUCIA IN EASTER WEEK
April 1-8, 2012
An important region during the Roman Empire, Andalucía (Southern Spain) was conquered in the 8th C. by Islamic armies from North Africa—the “Moors.” Throughout the Middle Ages, El Andaluz was dominated by Muslim rulers, and while most of Europe was struggling in the Dark Ages, Andalucía had a period of great learning, with advances in mathematics, sciences, architecture and music.
The Crusades in the Holy Land in the 11th-12th C. spurred a move to re-conquer El Andaluz, an effort that lasted 250 years. It was not until 1492 that the “reconquista” was complete and the last Moorish ruler was expelled from Spain. Left behind were many Moorish monuments and cultural influences still seen today—most prominently in Granada’s magnificent Alhambra Palace and Albaicin District; the great Cathedral of Cordoba (formerly a mosque); and in Seville’s Old Quarter.
On our tour, we see the major Moorish monuments along with some fascinating cultural events that come only once a year—during Holy Week—a time for penance and processions as locals—saints and sinners alike—garbed in red, black or white robes, parade enraptured through the streets carrying heavy palanquins topped with favored saints. The result is a spectacular, colorful, dramatic, medieval pageantry you’ll not soon forget!
Itinerary
Sun, April 1: GRANADA. Arrive Granada, the last kingdom re-conquered from Islam. The city has an incredible artistic and historic heritage, and a truly Moorish flavor in streets, crafts and cuisine. Transfer to our deluxe hotel in the Old Town, Remainder of day free.
Mon, Apr 2: GRANADA. Morning guided tour of the amazing Alhambra Palace and lovely Generalife Gardens. The well-preserved Alhambra displays the refinement, wealth and delicacy of Islamic art and function in one unique complex--a fortress, residence and royal city all in one. The Generalife gardens display lavish Muslim decoration. Lunch, then continue through the charming Old Quarter and Albaicín to see treasures like the Corral del Carbón (an old Arab grain exchange), the Plaza de Bib-Rambla (flower mart), and Alcaicería (silk exchange), an ancient souk offering regional crafts. See Granada’s great Renaissance Cathedral and the Royal Chapel that contains the tombs of Ferdinand, Isabella and other monarchs. (B,L)
Tue, Apr 3: GRANADA – CORDOBA. Leave Granada for guided tours of Ubeda and Baeza where carved stone contrasts with whitewashed houses. They are gastronomic centers as well, and during the tour, taste the wonderful olive oils for which the region is known, and take a lunch of tapas (small portions of different dishes served family style). After, continue to Cordoba, a city in the 10th C. whose medina had 1,000 mosques, 800 public baths and a very advanced street lighting; it rivaled Constantinople, Damascus and Baghdad. Check in at our very special hotel, a restored palace in Cordoba’s historical heart. Evening free. (B,L)
Wed, Apr 4: CORDOBA. Morning guided walking tour of the historic quarter that still preserves traces of the Caliphate that made this city one of the most cultured and refined in medieval Europe. The old Jewish Quarter is now a complex network of small streets with a distinct Andalucian flavor. The Cathedral-mosque is one of the most beautiful examples of Muslim art in Europe, and the Real Alcazar was home to the Catholic Kings. Lunch before visiting the Medina Azahara designed to be the capital of a new province of the Caliphate of Cordoba. Evening free. (B,L)
Thu, Apr 5
(Holy Thursday): CORDOBA – SEVILLE Drive to the ducal town of Osuna to see its magnificent 16th C. monumental center and typical whitewashed houses. Stop for lunch in Carmona at a lovely parador (formerly an Arab fortress) with wonderful panoramic views, landscaped areas, a Mudejar fountain and terrace. Continue to Seville, a beautiful city founded by the Romans, later ruled by the Muslims who left many indelible marks on the city. The height of Seville's splendor came with the discovery and exploration of the Americas in the 16th-17th centuries when its port had a monopoly on trade with the overseas colonies. Check in at our hotel in the heart of Seville’s Old Quarter near many of its major sites. Evening free. (B,L)
Fri, Apr 6
(Holy Friday): SEVILLE. Good Friday! Begin with a walking tour that focuses on the ubiquitous Holy Week processions as our guide explains the nature, purpose and symbolism involved in each, and tells us about how to get the most from Holy Week here. The processions are moving and dramatic experiences; and in Seville, some 57 confradías (botherhoods) with 60,000 members parade from their home chapel to the Cathedral and back, clad in long red, black or white robes and high pointed hoods, bearing heavy palanquins of the confradías’ patron saint. The afternoon and evening are free to explore and observe on your own. (B)
Sat, Apr 7: SEVILLE. Our morning tour visits the old quarter of Seville taking in the Santa Cruz Quarter (the old Jewish quarter), the Cathedral (with Christopher Columbus’ tomb), the Giralda and the Alcazar (Royal Fortresses). After the tour, drive to Jerez for lunch and wine tasting at a local winery in a town from which sherry wine takes its name. Is it also known for its horses and flamenco, and preserves a wonderful historic center. Here, we learn how sherry is produced and aged at the Gonzales Byass-Tio Pepe Winery, and sample tapas while tasting some of the wines produced here. Return to Seville. This evening, those who wish may attend an Easter Vigil at the Cathedral. (B,L)
Sun, Apr 8 (Easter): SEVILLE – DEPARTURE. Check out of our hotel, and transfer* to the airport for flights home, or continue by motor coach to the optional extension to Portugal. (B)
CONDITIONS
TOUR COSTS:
Prices based on the minimum numbers of passengers noted for each tour, and on tariffs in effect at time of printing. Tour costs are subject to change at any time, whether due to currency fluctuations, failure to achieve minimum group size, or other factors not within Frosch’s control. Airport-hotel-airport transfers in Toulouse and Nice are included only for those passengers whose trans-Atlantic tickets were issued by Frosch Travel and who arrive/depart at times noted in the brochure for each tour; transfers for Granada are included only for those arriving from Nice on designated group flight. Transfers can be arranged at additional cost for those making their own travel arrangements. No transfers are provided in Seville.
REGISTRATION & PAYMENTS:
A non-refundable deposit of $1,500 per person required at booking for the Nice Worlds 2012 package. Additional deposits of $750 each are required for each optional pre- and post-tour package requested. Payment Schedule:
1st Deposit of $1,500: At Time of Booking, plus $750 per tour for each pre-/post-tour.
2nd Deposit of $750 pp: by October 1, 2011, plus $500 per tour for each pre/post-tour.
Final payment (balance) due by January 6, 2012.
CANCELLATION FEES:
All cancellations must be in writing, and take effect when they are received in our office. Cancellations received between the following dates are subject to following per person penalties:
From deposit to through September 30, 2011: $1,250, plus $250 for each pre- or post-tour cancelled.
From October 1, 2010, until January 5, 2012: $2,000, plus $500 for each pre- or post-tour cancelled.
From January 6, 2012 until or after departure: 100% of all tour costs.
The amount that you have paid to us as deposits will be refunded to you less the above cancellation penalties. To protect against cancellation charges, we strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance, available through Frosch TRAVEL. No refund made on any unused services once the trip begins.
NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR COSTS:
International or domestic U.S. airfare, airfare from Nice to Granada, rail fare from Toulouse to Nice; items of a personal nature (e.g., laundry, liquor, mineral water, etc.); excess baggage; travel insurance; expenses incurred due to flight delays caused by strikes, bad weather, or uncontrollable irregularities; gratuities for tour guides or motor coach drivers.
