Spain – October 11-20, 2019
Saint Joseph’s new partnership with the Arch Diocese of Granada and Immaculata University will enrich your experience as we travel together to Spain.
What is included?
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine Travel packages include: a custom-made itinerary with all activities, on-ground transportation, meals, lodging in four-star accommodations, and entrance fees to all tours and activities.
- 8 nights bed and breakfast
- 3 dinners/ 1 oil, wine tasting with lunch / 1 sherry tasting with nibbles / 1 tapas tour / 1 cooking class* with dinner or lunch. *No experience necessary.
- Private luxury tour bus for transfers, city tours and throughout trip
- Entrances/fees to all monuments, excursions, sites, events and activities mentioned in itinerary
- Local guides/experts: Alhambra Granada/Cordoba Mezquita/Cordoba tapas tour/Seville city tour/ Real Maestranza bullring/Alcazar Palace
- Porterage, 1 suitcase per person included
- Use of Vox audio systems throughout
Tour leader as well as Saint Joseph’s College staff, will accompany the group throughout trip, greeting at Malaga airport and dropping off at Malaga airport at tour’s end. They will ensure the tour’s smooth running while offering lively and illuminating commentaries as relevant to each day’s activities.
Cost
$3,600, does NOT include airfare or travel insurance.
Tipping
Gratuities at included meals are included. Gratuities for tour leader and bus driver at group’s discretion.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Friday 11th October. Fly from USA to Spain.
Day 2 –Saturday 12th October
Touchdown in Spain at Malaga airport where your experienced tour leader is waiting to meet you. Transfer by private luxury motor coach to the city of Granada. After checking in to your centrally located hotel there is a gentle orientation stroll with your tour leader before an included welcome dinner of local fare. Hotel in Granada
Day 3 –Sunday 13th October
This morning there is time for those who wish to attend mass. Afterwards a session will focus on Saint Joseph’s connections to Andalucia with local partners. Granada was the final Moorish stronghold in Spain until the ‘Catholic Monarchs’ Isabelle and Ferdinand wrested their control in 1492. A local specialist leads a visit to the extraordinary Alhambra palace, seat of the Sultans and later the citadel from which Columbus was given the royal license to ‘sail the ocean blue.’ This evening is yours to go exploring. Hotel in Granada
Day 4 – Monday 14th October
A gentle journey takes you by country roads through an area of rugged beauty to Cordoba. Along the way visit a smaller hillside town, Bayena that perches above fertile valleys of olive trees. You will have a chance to sample the high quality oil and local Montilla wine at an included tasting with lunch. After settling in to the hotel in Cordoba there will be an atmospheric walk with your tour leader through some of the cities most historic areas where Christians, Jews and Muslims dwelled in close quarters. This evening is free. Hotel in Cordoba
Day 5 – Tuesday 15th October
An expert local guide who will introduce Cordoba and give specialist insight into the brilliant Mezquita Cathedral joins you this morning. Considered one of the finest Moorish architectural accomplishments in Spain, it was constructed as a mosque in the 8th century before conversion to a catholic church in the 13th. It is truly a place at which to wonder. After some free time this afternoon there is an evening epicurean event. Andalucia’s culinary heritage is explained by a local ‘foodie’ who takes you on an included tapas dinner tour. Hotel in Cordoba
Day 6 – Wednesday 16th October
The road to Seville winds its way south of the Sierra Morena mountains to the picturesque town of Carmona, noted for an ancient Roman necropolis and its very tasty wine. Your tour leader will provide suggestions for a place to supper. After checking in to your hotel in Seville, a local guide will join and introduce you to the city. The exuberant and independent spirit of Andalucia is embodied in its traditional dance, Flamenco. This evening you will enjoy an included dinner and show. Hotel in Seville
Day 7 – Thursday 17th October
The Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla is an organization that grew from a brotherhood of Christian knights and nobles and is responsible for one of the most impressive bullrings in Spain as well as a cavalry museum. A historian will explain its roots and discuss the place of bullfighting in Andalucian life. This afternoon a professional chef will accompany you to market and explain how the locals go about their grocery shopping before inviting you to join in an included cooking class to create traditional dishes that you will then enjoy for your dinner. Hotel in Seville
Day 8 – Friday 18th October
The day starts with a specialist visit to the Alcazar of Seville, the royal palace that is still used by the current King Felipe VI as his seat in the south. In the afternoon there is a trip out to Jerez de la Frontera, the town whose name gave the world sherry. A visit to one of its most renowned wineries affords you the opportunity to taste the product as harvest season closes. There will be time to have a good look around Jerez itself, which is known as a stronghold of Andalucian culture. You are free for the evening on returning to Seville. Hotel in Seville
Day 9 – Saturday 19th October
Leaving Seville behind, your peregrination reaches the dramatically situated town of Ronda that sits atop an isolated ridge, split by a deep gorge, spanned the most spectacular Puente Nuevo bridge. Your tour leader takes you for a stroll to admire the views. Then carry on to Malaga. This is the birthplace of Picasso and there will be time to pop in to the museum of his works then soak up the boardwalk atmosphere on the seafront paseo. Tonight there is a farewell dinner included. Hotel in Malaga
Day 10 –Sunday 20th October
Your tour leader who has been with you throughout the trip escorts you to the airport and waves goodbye after you have safely checked in.
Proposed Hotel List
NH Granada Centro OR similar
Parador de Cordoba OR similar
Melia Seville OR similar
NH Malaga OR similar
Deposit and Trip Registration
The 2019 Spain trip registration is now open. All participants must fill out the participant agreement form and mail it to Office of Institutional Advancement, Saint Joseph’s College, 278 Whites Bridge Road, Standish, Maine 04084.
To save your space with a credit card, you can pay the $500 deposit by going to the College’s travel deposit page.
If paying by check,
- please fill out this participant booking form;
- make the $500 check out to “Saint Joseph’s College” and;
- mail it to arrive by June 1st to: Office of Institutional Advancement, Saint Joseph’s College, 278 Whites Bridge Road, Standish, Maine 04084.
Required Forms
Contact
For more information, contact Ann Rosenfield at arosenfield@sjcme.edu or 207-893-7895.