| Around the soccer program
we will organize excursions, cultural and recreational activities
to make this experience something unforgettable, combining the improvement
and practice of the sport with the necessary leisure space to exchange
experiences and to enjoy the culture and customs of this spectacular
country.
On our tours we will explore the
roots of the Spanish culture and get a sense of what has allowed it to be known as one of the richest Europe's history.
We'll sample some of Spanish's world famous cuisine as well as visit some of its ancient villages from which innumerable voyagers launched off in search of discovery. We will not only stay in some of the most beautiful Castilian villages, we'll also enjoy the vibrant city and Capital of Spain, Madrid, with his museums, imperial gardens, palaces, monuments, etc.
MADRID
The capital of Spain since 1562 is located
on the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula. Because of its
central location and high altitude, the climate of Madrid is characterized
by warm dry summers and cool winters.
While Madrid possesses a modern infrastructure, it has preserved
the look and feel of many of its historic neighborhoods and streets.
Its landmarks include the huge Royal Palace of Madrid;
the Teatro Real (Royal theatre) with its
restored 1850 Opera House; the Buen Retiro Park,
founded in 1631; the imposing 19th-century National Library
building (founded in 1712) containing some of Spain's historical
archives; an Archaeological museum; and
three superb art museums: Prado Museum,
which hosts one of the finest art collections in the world, the
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina SofÌa, a museum of modern art,
and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, housed
in the renovated Villahermosa Palace.
But Madrid is not just a cultural destination. It is also a lively
metropolis with many pubs, cafes, discotheques and nightclubs open
late into the night. Don't be surprised if you get stuck in a traffic
jam at four in the morning, and the people you meet are not necessarily
going off to work....
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| Santiago Bernabeu |
Gastronomy |
Flamenco |
TOLEDO excursion
Toledo is one of the luxuries found in Spain. Its privileged location, and the natural turn of the of the Tagus River, together with its continuous population from ages ago, create a unique city in which beautiful and harmonious buildings of an array of architectural styles. In its medieval past, Toledo appears as one of the cradles of Western culture through its Toledan School of Translators, which in itself is an example of the tolerance and coexistence of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian cultures.
Toledo was capital of Spain from the Gothic epoch
until 1560, fact that explains its really impressive medieval architecture. Walking through its streets one feels like having stepped back into the Middle-Ages, but in the best sense of it, and perhaps you will search your pockets for a few gold-ducats to buy some of Toledo's fine artisan or just to enjoy of its highly recommendable cuisine. Being that close to Madrid, of course it is an ideal place to visit if you are in Spain's actual capital.
Historical Monuments in Toledo
Alcazar: This outstanding castle is one of Toledo's
most emblematic monuments and was used as a fortress by Romans,
Visigoths, Arabs and Christians. King Alfonso VI built his residence
here and some of Spain's most prestigious artists and architects
intervened in the construction of the royal palace.
Cathedral of Toledo: Founded in the 1st Century
by San Eugenio, the first Bishop of Toledo. It was changed into
a mosque by the Arabs during Moorish occupation of Spain, and then
converted back into a cathedral by Alfonso VI.
Monastery Cisterciense de Santo Domingo de Silos:
16th century monastery with paintings of El Greco who is buried
here. The Spanish artist painted the church. The monks who still
live in the monastery sell home-made sweets and pastries to visitors.
Puerta Bisagra: The main entrance to the old City
of Toledo. It is of Moorish origin and is formed by two independent sections with two high crenellated walls that join them and forma courtyard between them.
Museums in Toledo
Museum of El Greco: The famous Spanish painter
El Greco lived in this house which today has an impressive exhibition
of his paintings, as well as exhibits of other artists.
Museum parroquia de Santo Tome: This museum is
where El Grecoís most famous painting "El Entierro del Conde Orgaz"
is exhibited.
Museum of Contemporary Art: Set in la Casa de las Cadenas, an interesting
16th Century building, this art gallery has exhibitions of 20th
Century artists.
SEGOVIA Excursion
Segovia is Spain and Castile at its best - twisting alleyways, the highest concentration of Romanesque churches in all of Europe, pedestrian streets where no cars are allowed, the aroma of roast suckling pig around every corner - all surrounded by the city's medieval wall which itself is bordered by two rivers and an extensive green-belt park with miles of shaded walks. On the north-west extreme of the wall is the famous Alcázar castle, source of inspiration to Walt Disney, and where Queen Isabel promised Columbus the financial backing he needed to discover America. On the south-east extreme is the world renowned Roman Aqueduct, the largest and best preserved of its kind anywhere, which served as the mintmark on all coins struck in the city from 1455 to 1864. The tallest building in Segovia is still the 16th-century Cathedral, a prominent landmark as one approach from any direction. The old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is surrounded by walls built in the 8th century AD.
Historical monuments in Segovia
Aqueduct, without a doubt, this millennial prodigy of the roman ingenuity. Since its almost 2000 years, it still faithfully continues to perform its service. It maybe that because of its great importance of delivering potable water to Segovia and maintains is magnificent conservation having resisted the passing storms, earthquakes and hurricanes. These feats elevate its construction as a masterpiece of engineering from which 20,400 stone blocks are not united by mortar or concrete. Yes!!!, you read that correctly, the Monumental Aqueduct of Segovia maintains itself because of the prefect equilibrium of forces which make quite vulnerable to manís deliberate actions!!!.
The Alcázar of Segovia stands proudly at the junction of the Rivers Eresma and Clamores, surrounded by thick vegetation. A fusion of palace and military fortress, it sits over an elevated promontory that possibly housed other structures since the Prehistoric times of the Celtic culture. It has multiple underground levels and secret passages that even reach the rivers and connected with other palaces of the city, and that even today continue to yield new discoveries.
The Cathedral of St. Mary is known as the Lady, and it is a great stone temple constructed upon the highest point of the city (at 1,006 mts. above sea level) at the Main Plaza of Segovia.
Church of San Millan Found in the old suburb of
the MorerÌa, a suburb of artisans of Mozarab origin (Muslim Visigoths),
it was constructed around the 1120 during the reign of Alfonse I
of Aragon, therefore with marked references with Aragonís Romanic
style. It has beautiful capitols and a tower with horse shoe arches.
Visiting all these attractions in Segovia is particularly
easy due to the city's close proximity to Madrid and its international
airport. The 54 mile drive is done in less than an hour.
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