AAAS Travels SigmaXi & ACS Expeditions BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 ANDALUCIA FIRST CLASS Discover the Roman, Moorish & Spanish Heritage & National Parks of Southern • October 13-25, 2006

Dear Friends: Andalucia: The very word conjures up layers of civilization, wondrous Moorish architecture, a mystique with a whiff of the exotic. This 13-day expedition will take us through the highlights of Andalucia, a region with a rich, varied history and some of ’s best wildlife sites. The Romans, the Moors, and various Spanish dynasties have all left their mark on the region. We will visit one of the Discover the delights of Southern Spain! first colonies founded by the Romans in Spain at Italica at Explore Andalucia with Mark Walters the beginning of their 600-year October 13-25, 2006 occupation in 206 BC and see an example of their civil engineering at Cordoba, the Roman bridge over the Expedition Fee Does Not Include: Cancellations & Refunds: The initial . We will also Costs & Conditions International air fare (quoted separately); deposit is refundable up to 60 days focus on the Moorish period (CONTINUED) train Madrid to ; 6 lunches and before departure, less a handling fee of from 711 AD to the end of the 4 dinners (estimated cost $150 per $100 per person. There is no refund 15th century when What to Expect: This expedition is person); gratuities to expedition leader; for any cancellation after the 60 day fell to the Royal couple, planned for the travel enthusiast who personal items such as alcoholic period unless your space can be resold; would enjoy exploring and learning beverages, laundry, phone calls, then a $100 per person handling fee Fernando II of Aragon and about the cultural and natural heritage bottled water, snacks, passport, applies. No refunds are made for Isabel of Castilla. The lasting of Andalucia. Travel is by motorcoach, personal insurance. unused services. legacy and profound influence with daily outings on foot of 1 to Reservations, Deposits & Pay- of the Moorish occupation on 2 miles at a leisurely pace suitable for Responsibility: Betchart Expeditions Inc., the ments: Please mail a deposit of $500 per Andalucia cannot be overstated. exploring historic sites, museums, American Association for the Advancement of Science person to Andalucia Expedition, (AAAS), Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, and the villages, medieval cities, and nature American Chemical Society (ACS) act only as agents for We will explore the full gamut Betchart Expeditions Inc., 17050 preserves. Exploration requires the passenger with respect to transportation and hotels, Our itinerary will include the easy access to the surrounding Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA and exercise every care possible. However, we can of historical sites, often set some walking uphill and sites may Donana ~ National Park 95014-5435. All reservations will be assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, acci- against remarkably scenic , home countryside and have minimal be extensive. Please be prepared to dent or irregularity in connection with the services of any acknowledged in the order received airplane, ship, motorcoach, or any other conveyance to the elusive Iberian Lynx and visual and ecological impact on actively explore on foot. Binoculars backdrops. Three days will until the maximum enrollment of 24 used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. We the Spanish Imperial Eagle. the environment. are recommended. Temperatures cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional be given over to exploring sites is reached. Final payment is due on expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, will be in the 70’s -80’s. in the major cities of Seville, Further east we spend time Leading this tour will be August 13, 2006. sickness, weather, strike, war, terrorism quarantine, exploring the villages and This expedition is a tremendous acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. All Cordoba and Granada. Mark Walters. A classicist and Questions: Please call Marisa Eide, such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the landscapes of the Sierra de experience for travelers with an passenger, as tour rates provide for arrangements only While Seville and Cordoba naturalist, Mark leads expeditions Betchart Expeditions Inc., for the time stated. We reserve the right to substitute appetite for adventure and discovery Grazalema. Several of the Telephone (800) 252-4910 another leader of similar expertise or to cancel any tour were originally Roman towns, for us in several Mediterranean who would like to explore Southern prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will archaeological sites we visit or (408) 252-4910 be refunded with no further obligation on our part. The Granada was originally founded countries. Spain led by a Mediterranean classicist Fax: (408) 252-1444. Email: right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any by a Berber tribe known as the are set in rolling countryside and naturalist. (No smoking in vehicles, person as a member of the tour. No refund will be made Join us for a spectacular [email protected] amidst cork oak woods and during lectures, or meals, please.) for the unused portion of any tour unless arrangements Zirids in the 11th century. introduction to the natural are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price We will also visit the Cueva olive groves, and are excellent Expedition Fee Includes: Land of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and wonders and cultural heritage is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel de la Pilata, which has cave art places for attracting birds, transport; airport transfers; accom- increases will be passed on to participants. Baggage is of Southern Spain. carried at the owner’s risk entirely. It is understood that dating as far back as the Upper especially raptors. modations in first class and country- the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole con- Best Regards, style hotels which reflect the cultural tract between the passenger and the airline concerned. Palaeolithic 25,000 years ago. In the cities we have carefully The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for heritage of Andalucia; most meals; tips any act, omission, or event during the time passengers During the tour we will also be chosen centrally-located hotels to drivers and guides; group entrance are not on board their plane or conveyance. staying in smaller centers to to ensure easy access for personal fees; baggage handling; leadership, ©2006 Betchart Expeditions Inc. better appreciate village life and exploration. In rural sites we pre- Margaret M. Betchart, President, administration. All rights reserved. the wilder side of Andalucia. fer smallish hotels that provide Betchart Expeditions Inc. Illustrations by April Milne. CST#2036304-40 far back as the Upper Palaeolithic decorated with Arabic inscriptions, Neolithic dolmens. En Itinerary 25,000 years ago. The guided tour is symbols and patterns, the pinnacle of route, we will look for atmospheric. Following sputtering Nasrid architecture, made one Moorish woodland bird species Days 1/2 New York to Madrid Davey lamps we will walk for about poet comment that Granada in those like Great-spotted Depart New York.for Madrid and one hour, viewing cave art and finds days was “as a silver vase filled with Woodpeckers and then take Spain’s modern, high speed from various periods. Continuing on emeralds and jacinths.” We will tour wintering Hoopoes. train southward to Seville. Transfer our way to Ronda we first visit Ronda the palace, its courtyards and extensive The site—occupying a whole hillside— from the station to our hotel in the La Vieja—the ancient Roman site of gardens. Our tour will include a visit to witnessed continuous settlements for city center. Welcome dinner. Hotel Acinipo in rolling countryside 10 miles the pleasure gardens of the sultans, the thousands of years until the Middle Adriano (3 nights). D to the north of the new town. On arrival , an inspired pattern of walk- Ages. Afternoon free for further Day 3 Seville: Alcazar in Ronda we will break for lunch, and ways, terraced pools, fountains and exploration of Granada and personal & Cathedral take a tour of the old quarter afterwards. patios. Afternoon at leisure for personal interests. Farewell Pe~nas dinner. B,D This morning, we’ll enjoy a tour of the One of the oldest and most picturesque exploration. B Day 13 Departure Moorish Alcazar Palace and Gardens, towns in Spain, Ronda is built on a Day 12 Las Pe~nas de los Gitanos & return home and . The original hilltop surrounded by the rugged This extensive archaeological site lies Transfer to Granada airport for the Alcazar Palace was built at the end of the Serrania de Ronda mountains. The close to the town of Montefrio, 30 miles domestic flight to Madrid and onward 12th century and was one of the last town is split into two sections by the west of Granada. We will walk through flights. B major buildings from the Moorish deep El Tajo gorge, spanned by a delightful oak woodland to discover period. Today it is a blend of Moorish superb historic bridge. B,D Day 9 Grazalema and Renaissance styles dating mainly #950 from the 14th century, with richly Grazalema is a sleepy pueblo blanco Reservations planted garden rooms, formal pools set at over 2500 feet against a backdrop & and fountains creating the atmosphere of fir-clad mountains. We will tour the Yes! I/We want to join Andalucia Expedition, October 13-25, 2006 of a grand private garden. The highlight village on foot, learning about the Arab offered by AAASTravels, Sigma Xi & ACS Expeditions. Please reserve influence in local IM I&ACS XI SIGMA of the Cathedral tour will be a climb up ____ space(s). As a deposit, I/we have enclosed a check for $______THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY and viewing a few vestiges of the gently-inclining ramps of the Giralda ($500 per person), payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. Tower, a former minaret offering Grazalema’s extensive past stretching a commanding view over the city. back to Roman times. We will shop at a local store in town for provisions for a We will break for a tapas lunch nearby, Name(s) ______Age ______Sex _____ close to the Guadalquivir River. After- picnic at a nearby mirador overlooking noon free for further exploration. B,L the valley westward to Arcos de la ______Age ______Sex _____ Day 4 Cordoba Frontera. After lunch we will take the Today we will go by train to the Camino de Los Charcones, an ancient enchanting city of Cordoba. At the path through montane forest and Address ______heart of the city is the remarkable the Do~nana National Park. Here we will Day 7 Sierra de Grazalema Mediterranean maquis, used by mosque known as the Mezquita, with look for bird species like the Iberian We will leave El Rocio and head charcoal-burners since time City ______State______Zip ______a renaissance cathedral incongruously endemic, the Azure-winged Magpie, eastward past Jerez de la Frontera to immemorial. We will look for stands of the rare endemic Spanish fir, Abies constructed at its core. After taking a and the rare Purple Swamp-hen. Hotel Grazalema. We will stop for an early Phone: Home (_____)______Work (_____) ______guided tour, we will then head down to Toruno~ (2 nights). B,L,D lunch in the village of El Bosque near Pinsapo, and identify other woodland the river to view the Puente Romano, the edge of the Parque Natural de species as we walk back down to Day 6 Do~nana National Park Grazalema. B,L,D Membership (please circle): AAAS Sigma Xi ACS Other: ______the somewhat altered Roman bridge Today we will explore the Do~nana la Sierra de Grazalema, a UNESCO spanning the Guadalquivir. Below the National Park, one of Europe’s last Biosphere Reserve since 1984. The Day 10 El Torcal de Accommodations Preference: bridge are extensive reedbeds road then winds up to the village of Today we will depart for Granada, the wildernesses, west of the mouth of ___ Twin ___ Single ___ Twin Share with a friend or ___ assign a roommate attracting various heron and egret the River Guadalquivir. In a four- Grazalema, one of the more renowned— last leg of our tour of Andalucia. On our species, providing an inner-city haven wheel drive vehicle led by a park and relatively unspoilt—pueblos blancos way we will drive through the country- ___ Nonsmoker ___ Smoker for migratory birds. After a lunch break ranger we will take an exhilarating (white villages) in the Sierras. After side dotted with small farmsteads and there will be time to visit other sites in morning’s ride across a variety of settling in at our hotel we will take a villages and arrive mid-morning at the Cordoba such as the old Jewish quarter, ecosystems—virgin beaches and short excursion to a nearby mirador El Torcal Nature Reserve in the moun- Signature: ______Date: ______or to take the plunge at the Moorish- pine-covered dunes, marshland and on the road to Zahara, an excellent tains south of Antequera. The small style bathhouses of Medina Califal, vantage point for soaring Griffon reserve has some of the most impressive riverine forests. Along the way we Signature: ______Date: ______close to the Mezquita. B will look for mammals such as the red Vultures, with maquis vegetation and unusual limestone landscapes in providing cover for various warbler the whole of Europe, with rocks Please Mail To: Andalucia Expedition Day 5 Italica and El Rocio deer and the wild boar, and wintering Expeditions Our first destination today is the raptors like the Osprey, Short-toed species. Evening lecture. Hotel Fuerte sculpted into contorted columns and Betchart Expeditions Inc. ancient Roman site of Italica, founded in Eagle and Spanish Imperial Eagle. Grazalema (3 nights). B,D obelisks. With the autumn rains bringing 17050 Montebello Road an end to the long summer drought, 206 BC. Home to three Roman emperors, Along the beach we should see a Day 8 Cueva de la Pilata Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 including and , Italica Mediterranean rarity, the Audouin’s & Ronda many of the reserve’s 700 plant species boasts an impressive amphitheater and Gull. After lunch in the coastal resort The limestone caves around should be flowering. After a picnic and the ruins of villas, temples and baths, of Matalasca~na, we will round off the Grazalema are home to some of the short walk in the reserve we will move testifying to the city’s ancient splendor. day with a walk through the coastal finest caves in southern Spain. This on to our next base, Granada. Hotel Cost & Conditions We aim to reach our next pine forest of the newly-created morning we will visit the Cueva de la Reina Cristina (3 nights). B,L base in El Rocio at lunch- Parque Dunar. B,D. Pilata, which has parietal art dating as Day 11 The Expedition Fee: $3,450 per person Air Fare: Air fare quoted is based on time. El Rocio is like a This morning we will twin share for 13 days, plus air fare of a group fare from New York to Madrid, Wild West town, with explore the fabled city approximately $750 including tax per with return from Granada as of January its wide sand-strewn Leadership of Granada. We will person from New York to Madrid, with 2006. All group bookings and ticketing streets and low-rise start with a visit to the return from Granada to Madrid and will be handled by Betchart Expeditions Spanish colonial Alhambra, which has the USA. Inc. AIR FARES ARE SUBJECT TO houses. Our hotel is Leading this expedition will be Mark Walters. A classicist and naturalist, expanded considerably Singles: We encourage singles to CHANGE. right on the edge of Mark is a popular leader of several AAAS and Sigma Xi trips in Italy, Greece, since its original fortress- register on a “twin share” basis. Should Accommodations: Are in first class the Marisma del Rocio, France, and Spain. He has an M.A. from Cambridge University in the Classics, type walls and defences you desire single accommodations, the and country-style hotels which reflect a marshy lake which Archaeology, and Anthropology and a Master’s Degree in Environmental were built in the additional cost is $495 and is subject to the charm and heritage of Southern attracts raptors and Management. Mark also leads expeditions to Greece, Tuscany, and Sicily 11th century. The availability. Spain and are well situated for visits shorebirds throughout to wonderful reviews. opulence of the to historic sites, natural areas, and the year. In the afternoon 14th century Royal museums. we’ll head for the nearby Mark is looking forward to sharing the cultural and natural delights of Nasrid Palace with marshes of La Rocina within Andalucia with you. its stuccoed walls,