andalusia

Christian & Islamic Andalucia

andalusia2

Introduction

Andalucia is one of the most fascinating and diverse parts of Spian both culturally and scenically. Evidence of the great Islamic civilisation of Al-Andalus can still be found in the palaces and mosques of Seville, Cordoba and Granada, some of which we will visit on our journey, creating a unique blend of west and east in the architectural style and culture of this region. This area also had the privilege of receiving the great Carmelite saint and mystic, John of the Cross who served as prior in Granada and who died in Ubeda, and we too will be able to visit places associated with him.

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE - MONDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER

London - Seville

Daytime flight from London to Seville or Malaga. Transfer by coach to our hotel in Seville for a two-night stay. Dinner will be in our hotel.

DAY TWO - TUESDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER

Seville

Seville, the capital of Andalucia, is known as Spain's eternal city. Conquered by the Moors in 712 A.D. it became a great example of Islamic culture and civilisation before being retaken by Christian forces in 1258. The influence of the former civilisation on Christian and secular Seville can still be seen here, as in Cordoba and Granada. This morning we join our guide for a walking tour of the part of the City that includes the magnificent Cathedral, the biggest gothic Cathedral in the world. We also visit the Alcazar. Lunch will be at choice today, with the afternoon at leisure, and dinner will be at the hotel.

DAY THREE - WEDNESDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER

Seville - Cordoba

After breakfast, we leave Sevilla and drive to Cordoba. Cordoba was the capital of Moorish Spain and in its time, the largest City in Europe. In the afternoon we will have a guided walking tour to include the fascinating old quarter. Here we will visit La Mezquita, a Moorish shrine with a Christian Cathedral contained inside it (after the conversion of the city to Christianity in the 16th century). Afterwards we check-in to our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

DAY FOUR - THURSDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER

Cordoba - Ubeda - Granada

Today sees one of the central parts of our pilgrimage, since we travel as it were, in the footsteps of St John of the Cross, to the beautiful town where he died in 1591. Our walking tour of the town will take us to the museum in which we discover the small monastic cell where the great saint died. St John had known persecution and suffering in his lifetime, but is now one of Spian's best-known mystics and poets. Afterwards, we drive to the great Moorish city of Granada where we check-in to our hotrel for dinner and a two-night stay.

DAY FIVE - FRIDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER

Granada

This morning we have a walking tour of the old city, which will show us the magnificent Alhambra Palace, as well as the Royal chapel of Queen isabella, and the Cathedral, the facade of which is more impressive than the interior. This afternoon is at leisure. Dinner is at the hotel or in a local restaurant.

DAY SIX - SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER

Granada - London

We drive to Granada or Malaga Airport for our return flight to London or local airports.

Travel Dates and Cost:

21st September 2009 - 26th September 2009
Six days
£689

Book now

Terms of Payment:

Deposit of £120 on booking (+ insurance if required). Balance payable two months before departure date.

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

Scheduled flights on Ryanair or Monarch airlines: London – Seville or Malaga / Malaga or Granada – London or Liverpool. Five nights accommodation on a shared basis in twinbedded rooms with private facilities in three & four star hotels as follows: Seville, Cordoba, Granada. Five breakfasts and five lunches or dinners. Touring and transfers by air-conditioned touring coach, as per the itinerary. Guided tours of Seville, Cordoba and Granada. Entrance to all churches and cathedrals and to the Alhambra. Services of a Pax Travel Tour Escort. There will be the opportunity to attend Catholic Mass and Anglican Eucharist in each city visited.

EXTRAS:

Supplements for flights: Return flights supplement from Glasgow or Belfast Airport to London at £60 per person. Travel insurance currently at £27 unless insured elsewhere. Single room supplement at £95 for the five nights (Limited number of single rooms available). Lunches; drinks; souvenirs. Entrance fees in Seville, Cordoba and Granada (except for the Alhambra and all churches). Gratuities to driver and guide.
Available for private groups (minimum of 16 participants) throughout the year.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:

Ecumenical