RESTON COMMUNITY CENTER'S TRAVEL CLUB ITINERARY ...

SRESTON COMMUNITY CENTER’STRAVEL CLUB ITINERARYPAINSEPTEMBER 22 - OCTOBER 1, 2010

Breakfast at hotel.CORDOBA - GRANADASeptember 26Private deluxe motorcoach for transfer fromCordoba to Granada (90 miles).Upon arrival in Granada: sightseeing with locallicensed guide; entrance fees to the Alhambra and tothe Cathedral are included.Lunch is on your own.The afternoon is free for further sightseeing,shopping etc.Dinner (with live Flamenco entertainment) isincluded.Overnight/GRANADABreakfast at hotel.GRANADASeptember 27A free day in Granada with many things to do andsee, options are: a visit of the Capilla Real (RoyalChapel), or the Generalife, the country estate of theKing of Granada. Sightseeing destinations are ashort walk away from the main residence, and arelocated just outside the northern fortifications of theAlhambra.Lunch and dinner are on your own.Overnight/GRANADABreakfast at hotel.GRANADA - MADRIDSeptember 28Private motor coach transfer from hotel to GranadaRailway Station (second class tickets and seatreservations are included).Lunch aboard train is on your own.Private motorcoach transfer from Madrid AtochaRailway Station to hotel.Check-in.Dinner at local restaurant is included.Overnight/MADRID

MADRIDBreakfast at hotel.September 29Sightseeing tour of Madrid with local guide andprivate coach.Lunch is on your own.The afternoon is free for further sightseeing orshopping, etc.Dinner is on your own.Overnight/MADRIDBreakfast at hotel.MADRID AND TOLEDOSeptember 30Private motorcoach for excursion to Toledo (drivingtime is approx. 1 hour)Meet with local guide for sightseeing in Toledo(entrance to the Cathedral, El Greco’s Museum andto the Alcazar is included)Lunch in Toledo is on your ownReturn to Madrid in late afternoonFarewell dinner at local restaurant is includedOvernight/MADRIDRETURN TO THE U.SBreakfast at hotelOctober 1Private motorcoach for transfer from hotel toMadrid Barajas AirportFlight departs Madrid MAD (inflight meals) for U.S.Layover location TBA.Arrival at Washington Dulles IAD

CORDOBASEVILLEGRANADATen centuries ago Córdoba was the capital ofMuslim Spain. With a population of 900,000, it wasEurope's largest city and a worldwide cultural andintellectual center. Later, greedy hordes sacked thecity, tearing down ancient buildings and carting offmany art treasures. Despite these assaults, Córdobastill retains traces of its former glory.Today this provincial capital is known chiefly for itsmosque, the world-famousMezquita, but it aboundswith other artistic andarchitectural riches: thenarrow, cobblestone streetsand flower-filled patios of theJudería, Queen Isabella'sgarden in Alcázar,Renaissance churches andpalaces, museums, and thenearby excavations ofMadinat Al-Zahra, a countrypalace and royal city built bya 10th-century caliph.Seville is home to flamenco and bullfighting, and itsheritage of art and architecture (Roman, Islamic,Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque) is without rival insouthern Spain. This fascinating city has the mostpassionate Semana Santa (Holy Week), the mostfestive and romantic annual feria (fair), the besttapas bars, and the bestnightlife. Known for its narrow,winding, medieval lanes andromantic, hidden plazas soakedin the scent of orange blossom,Seville’s most developed artform is that of enjoying oneself.To be out at night among thecity’s relaxed, fun-loving crowds– in the tapas bars, on thestreets, in the clubs and discos– is an experience you won’tforget.The city of Granada is placed at the foot of theSierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of threerivers: Beiro, Darro and Genil, yet it is only one hourfrom the Mediterranean coast. Granada has itsusual quotient of churches, museums etc. typical fora southern European city. However, Granada has theAlhambra which is considered by some to be one ofthe 10 Wonders of the World. The Alhambra is amassive castle constructed over many centuries,consisting of gardens, fortifications and sumptuouspalaces. For centuries it was the home of many ofthe Arabic Sultans who ruled the whole province, soit received the optimum in interior decoration andarchitecture. During peak travel season it receives8000 visitors per day and is Spain's most visitedmonument.Granada is alsowell-knownwithin Spain dueto theprestigiousUniversity ofGranada and,nowadays, itsvibrant night life.

MADRIDTOLEDOFounded as a Muslim garrison town in the 9thcentury and a squalid settlement for centuriesthereafter, Madrid suddenly took centre stage in1561 when it was unexpectedly chosen as Spain’scapital. As the centre of a global empire and seat ofthe Spanish royal court, Madrid was transformedinto the most important city in Spain. In thecenturies that followed, the city grew into its role ascapital, accumulating prestige, people from allacross Spain and beyond, and the trappings ofpower and wealth. Thecity has a temperateMediterranean climatewith mild winters andhot summers, and ishome to mountainpeaks and lush greenplains. Madrid is hometo a number ofexcellent artmuseums, such as theMuseo del Prado, theMuseo Thyssen-Bornemisza, and theCentro de Arte ReinaSophia.Toledo is one of the most important centers ofEuropean medieval history. Roman author TitusLivius described it as a "small fortificated town", andfortification has always been an importantparameter in its history, as evident from themonumental walls still standing today. From theGothic epoch until 1560, it was capital of Spain. Thecity has changed little since El Greco captured it oncanvas in 1597, with its golden spires and Gothicbuildings spreading across the Tagus River.Throughout its history, Muslim, Jewish and Christiancommunities have each left their mark on the city’srich architecturalheritage - from theMoorish gate (Puertade Bisagrai) to theGothic convent of SanJuan de los Reyes.The city’s treasure isEl Greco’s Burial ofthe Count of Orgazpainted on the wall ofthe Chapel of SantoTomé.

S E V I L L E • C O R D O B A • G R A N A D ASPANISH FIESTAA JOURNEY TO SPAINDESIGNED AND OPERATED BY CLUB EUROPAFOR RESTON COMMUNITY CENTERRESTON, VIRGINIAM A D R I D • T O L E D OReston Community Center2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston VA 20191www.restoncommunitycenter.comTo request reasonable ADA accommodations,call 703-476-4500 • 800-828-1120 (TTY)