Sights and Sounds of May 4-14, 2019

DAYS 1-2—UNITED STATES/HOLA Our overnight flight will arrive at the Madrid Airport where we’ll meet our English-speaking guide. Spain’s capital is a populated modern city, flush with internationally famous art galleries, a royal , grand public squares and many museums. Inhabited since the Stone Age, Madrid’s historic treasures are everywhere you turn. After a look around to get oriented, we’ll check into our hotel, Mercure Plaza de Espana, and dine as a group. D

DAY 3—SIGUENZA AND JOSE LUIS ROMANILLOS MUSEUM Today is full of the sights and stories of Siguenza, a city in Guadalajara just two hours northeast of Madrid. Siguenza is home to the Castle of the Bishops of Sigüenza, a looming fortress overlooking the city, whose foundation dates all the way back to the 5th century. We’ll take a guided walking tour of the town and visit Jose Luis Romanillos Museum. Romanillos, the internationally acclaimed Spanish guitar maker and teacher, resides in Guijosa, the rural district of Sigüenza. After lunch at leisure, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Jose Luis Romanillos workshop. This evening, we call upon Cristina Ramírez of the famed Ramírez workshop. José Enrique and Cristina Ramírez, the 5th generation of Ramírez makers, will show us how the guitars are built. We’ll enjoy dinner together before returning to our hotel. B, D

DAY 4—FUNDACION VICTORIA Y JOAQUÍN RODRIGO/GARDENS/FLAMENCO SHOW

We’ll start the day at the Fundacion Victoria y Joaquín Rodrigo, where we will be welcomed by Cecilia Rodrigo, Marquesa de los Jardines de and President of the Foundation. We’ll be inspired by Rodrigo’s story: a blind child who went from dreaming of being a musician to becoming a great composer. It is the 20th anniversary year of the death of Joaquín Rodrigo. We’ll then have a guided tour of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. This former residence was founded by King Philip II and completed by Charles III of Spain. The palace represents the period in history that inspired Joaquín Rodrigo to compose the famous . We’ll also capture the beauty of the Prince’s gardens. The architecture features include fountains, cascades, bridges and sculptures. After dinner, we relax at a traditional Spanish folk dance flamenco show. B, D

DAY 5—LINARES/ANDRÉS MUSEUM After breakfast we’ll make our way to Linares, the birthplace of classical guitarist Andrés Segovia. Once there, we’ll explore the Andrés Segovia Museum, an homage to the life and works of the maestro, including furniture, guitars, clothing and photographs. We’ll also view his crypt, where his remains have rested since 2002, fulfilling his dying wish to stay in Linares, the town of his birth. After a break for lunch, we’ll journey on to , located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This southern city, known as the land of a thousand castles, is rich in Moorish and Christian history. We settle tonight into Hotel Leonardo Granada. B, D

DAY 6— TOUR AND ÁNGEL BARRIOS HOUSE We tour the Alhambra first today, a Spanish castle and fortress that dates back to the year 889. Alhambra, which means “the red one”, was named for the color of the red clay which makes up the castle’s walls. Under ’s rule, this entire stronghold was nearly blown up, but visitors today can tour the decorated and charming gardens. Later, we’re off to visit Ángel Barrios House to explore the drawings, paintings, musical scores and letters dedicated to this Granadan composer and son of Flamenco guitarist Antonio ‘El Polinario’ Barrios. After attending a guitar makers’ workshop in Granada, we cap off the day with a live music concert at one of the local venues. B, L

DAY 7—BREAKFAST AT AN OLIVE OIL FARM AND FEDERICO GARCÍA LORCA BIRTHPLACE As Spain is the world’s largest producer of olive oil, we’re in for a special treat as we enjoy breakfast out in the country at an olive farm. The day continues with a visit to the birthplace of Spanish poet Federico García Lorca in Fuente Vaqueros. We’ll soak up the atmosphere of a Granadan farmhouse circa the end of the 19th century and get to know what life was like for the García Lorca family, as well as viewing works written by the poet. An unlikely death for a wordsmith, Lorca was executed by firing squad—we’ll learn why during the tour. We then gather for lunch before an afternoon left open for exploring the town, shopping for souvenirs and dining at leisure. B, L

DAY 8—GUITAR MUSEUM & ALICANTE We depart for Alicante, a coastal city and capital of the province by the same name. On the way there, we’ll stop off in Almeria at the Guitar Museum, dedicated to famous Spanish guitarist Antonio de Torres Jurado. Also a luthier, Torres is remembered as one of the most important guitar makers in the world. The son of a tax collector, Torres learned the carpentry trade and served in the army before discovering his passion around 25 years of age. In Alicante, we check into the Meliá Alicante, before assembling for dinner. The medieval Castle of Santa Barbara on Mount Benacantil is perched like a guardian over the city–dusk is the perfect opportunity to get a photograph of one of Spain’s largest medieval fortresses. Ignacio Rodes will perform the Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo in the evening. B, D

DAY 9—EXPLORE ALICANTE/FLAMENCO GUITAR CONCERT Today is ours to relax and explore Alicante at our leisure. Alicante’s beaches are some of the most beautiful you’ll find in the Mediterranean, and regularly receive Blue Flag awards from the European Union. Or you might stroll along the Esplanada de Espana, lined with tricolor marble tiles or browse the Central Market and its open stalls in the city centre. Some may hire a boat to Tabarca Island for snorkeling, visit Canelobre Caves or hike Guadalest Valley. There’s also the Gravina Museum of Fine Arts, Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art or MARQ Provincial Archaeological Museum. Lunch is wherever you choose, but Pesca al Peso is a local favorite for fresh-from-the-sea dishes. This evening we enjoy a concert courtesy of Flamenco guitarist Juan Manuel Cañizares, with a meet and greet to follow. B, D

DAY 10—IGNACIO RODES LECTURE/RETURN TO MADRID BY RAIL Our last full day in Spain will start with breakfast at our hotel and a lecture by Ignacio Rodes, who serenaded us a few days back. Classically trained, Rodes first picked up a guitar to play alongside his mother at the tender age of eight. The lecture, which takes place at Lab15, has on display historic guitars from the Jose Romanillos Collection. Lunch will be on our own, but you would be remiss not to sample a cold cocktail on the figtree-decorated Plaza Portal de Elche or a glass of the local red wine, Monastrell. Many are unaware that Alicante is a wine-producing hotspot. After lunch we’ll board a transfer to the train station where we’ll return to Madrid aboard Spain’s high speed railroad. The Mercure Plaza de Espana will once again welcome us and we’ll relax with a farewell dinner. B, D

DAY 11—ADIÓS ESPAÑA The day breaks with breakfast before heading to the Madrid Airport for our journey home. We’ll be left with unforgettable memories, beautiful photos and the lingering melody of delightful Spanish music. B