Castles of Andalusia: A Journey Through Southern Spain Dear Traveler, Please join Museum Travel Alliance from May 28 - June 7, 2018 on Castles of Andalusia: A Journey Through Southern Spain. Stay in historic paradores and savor Andalusian cuisine as you discover impressive castles and religious architecture. Spend a day at the breathtaking Alhambra Palace in Granada; explore the Roman, Jewish, and Moorish heritage of Córdoba; and in Seville visit the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. We are delighted that this trip will be accompanied by Inés Powell as our lecturer from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This trip is sponsored by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. We expect this program to fill quickly. Please call the Museum Travel Alliance at (855) 533-0033 or (212) 302-3251 or email [email protected] to reserve a place on this trip. We hope you will join us. Sincerely, Jim Friedlander President MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE 1040 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10018 | 212-302-3251 or 855-533-0033 | Fax 212-344-7493 [email protected] | www.museumtravelalliance.com BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB Travel with May 28–June 7, 2018 The Met BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB Castles of Andalusia: A Journey Through Southern Spain with Inés Powell BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB Castles of Andalusia: A Journey Through Southern Spain Dear Members and Friends of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, One of my favorite places at The Met is the exquisite patio from the Castle at Vélez Blanco, originally part of a 16th-century Spanish fortress that stands in the mountains of Almería. I visit the patio when I feel homesick for Spain. Even better than a visit to the patio at the Museum, however, is a visit to the actual castle itself. Please join me in southern Spain next May to explore Vélez Blanco and other castles of Andalusia. From the whitewashed hill town of Mojácar to the iconic cities of Granada, Córdoba, and Seville, we will explore the rich art, architecture, and history of this region, celebrated for its unique blend of Islamic, Jewish, and Christian cultures. From Mojácar, one of the picturesque pueblos blancos of the region, head to Vélez Blanco for a view of the hilltop castle and a private tour of the quarries in nearby Macael. The BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB white marble of Macael was used in the construction of the patio of Vélez Blanco, as well as the Alhambra Palace. Continue to Granada for a three-night stay, highlighted by a Traveling with You day at the breathtaking Alhambra and a tour of the Palace of the Forgotten, a museum Inés Powell dedicated to the Sephardic Jews who inhabited the area for 2,000 years. Inés Powell was still in graduate school at In Córdoba, marvel at the Great Mosque, one of the grandest examples of Moorish architecture the Institute of Fine Arts in 1981 when she in Spain; explore the UNESCO-listed Jewish Quarter; and spend an afternoon amid the conducted her first Gallery Talk at The city’s Roman monuments. Conclude in Seville, with visits to the largest Gothic cathedral Metropolitan Museum of Art. Since then, in the world; the Museum of Fine Arts; and the Alcázar, still used as a residence of the she has developed a particular passion for Spanish royal family. All along the way, stay in historic paradores and enjoy sumptuous teaching art history. A native of Spain, Inés Andalusian cuisine. has lectured for The Met for over 30 years. I look forward to greeting you in Andalusia next spring for this unforgettable journey. She frequently speaks about different areas of The Met’s collection as well as special Sincerely, exhibitions, and her entertaining talks have Inés Powell gained a large following of regular attendees. Lecturer Inés has led eleven Travel with The Met The Metropolitan Museum of Art programs, including trips to her Spanish homeland and to Cuba. BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB Trip Highlights — Take a private tour of Macael’s marble quarries, whose stone was used in the construction of the Alhambra and the Vélez Blanco patio — Spend a day at Granada’s stunning Alhambra Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Discover Andalusia’s Jewish history at the Barrio Realejo and the Palace of the Forgotten in Granada, and the Jewish Quarter in Córdoba — See the vast Mezquita of Córdoba, regarded as one of the most accomplished monuments of Moorish architecture — Stay at charming paradores, luxury hotels often located in historic buildings, and savor traditional Andalusian cuisine Patio from the Castle at Vélez Blanco at The Met Bay of Biscay BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB Madrid SPAIN Seville Córdoba Vélez Blanco Granada Mojácar Almería Alboran Sea Photos clockwise from top right: map of the region; Seville, photo courtesy of Turismo de Córdoba; detail of tilework, Alhambra Palace; hilltop village of Mojácar; entrance of Yafar’s House, Medina Azahara, Córdoba; Gardens of the Real Alcazar, Seville. Front cover: Alhambra Palace, Granada. Back cover: Great Mosque of Córdoba (top); Castillo de Almodóvar, Almodóvar del Río, photo courtesy of Turismo de Córdoba (bottom). BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB Castles of Andalusia: A Journey Through Southern Spain May 28–June 7, 2018 who wished to establish his residence Córdoba near the Alhambra. See the Museum of the Sunday, June 3 Alhambra and conclude at the Alcazaba, This morning visit the ruins at Medina or fortress, the oldest part of the palace Azahara, a vast, fortified Arab palace complex and the last Moorish stronghold complex built in the early 10th century by against the Christian crusaders. The Abd-ar-Rahman III al-Nasir. The complex evening is at leisure. B, L includes mosques, government offices, workshops, residences, and bath houses. Granada Return to Córdoba to visit Nuestra Señora Friday, June 1 del Carmen Church and the splendid San Explore the center of Granada and visit the Agustín Church. After lunch at a local cathedral and adjacent Royal Chapel. Step into restaurant, learn about Córdoba’s Roman Granada’s Jewish history during visits to the history and see the Roman bridge and temple. Barrio Realejo, an important Jewish quarter, and The present bridge dates from the Moorish the Palacio de los Olvidados (Palace of the reconstruction in the 8th century; the temple Forgotten), a museum dedicated to Sephardic La Calahorra castle was only rediscovered in the 1950s during Jews who were forced to leave the country the expansion of the City Hall. B, L, D during the Spanish Inquisition. Then visit the Departure Cartuja de Granada, a Carthusian monastery Córdoba/Seville Monday, May 28 and one of the finest examples of Spanish Monday, June 4 Depart for Almería, Spain on an overnight flight. Baroque architecture. Dinner tonight is at Casa En route to Seville, stop at Carmona, a surprise Mojácar, Spain Carmen, in Granada’s Albaicín Quarter. B, L, D highlight of western Andalusia. A walking tour of this picturesque town is followed Tuesday, May 29 Granada/Córdoba by lunch at the Parador of Carmona, known Arrive this afternoon in Almería and transfer Saturday, June 2 for its traditional Andalusian cooking and to our hotel in the hilltop village of Mojácar. Depart on a morning drive to Córdoba. On magnificent views. Arrive in Seville and enjoy The late afternoon is at leisure before a arrival, visit the Palacio de la Merced, the a panoramic tour of the town, passing by the lecture by Inés Powell, followed by our former convent of the order of la Merced Plaza de Toros, Torre del Oro, Guadalquivir welcome dinner at the hotel. D and a prime example of Baroque style. River, and Plaza España. Check in at the Mojácar/Granada Then enter the spectacular Mezquita, also landmark Hotel Alfonso XIII. B, L Wednesday, May 30 known as the Great Mosque of Córdoba, Drive to Vélez Blanco to visit its majestic regarded as one of the finest achievements Seville castle, whose patio of Macael marble is in of Moorish architecture. Following lunch at a Tuesday, June 5 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Following local restaurant, explore the Jewish quarter, Walk to Santa Cruz, the former Jewish our visit, the president of the Macael in Cordoba’s UNESCO-registered historic quarter of the medieval city. Visit the Real marble quarry will lead a private tour of the center. Wander along its medieval streets, Alcázar, a royal palace originally developed