Page 143 - 2022 & 2023 Adventures by Land & Sea

EUROPE

DAY 9 • Explore Ronda • Controversial Topic: DAY 11 • Explore Córdoba • Journey to Úbeda DAY 14 • Toledo • Explore Madrid • Flamenco
The future of bullfighting in Spain After breakfast, we’ll journey to Úbeda. En route, we’ll demonstration
Today, we’ll journey from Carmona to Ronda, visit Córdoba, which reached its peak as an Islamic We’ll embark on a day-long excursion to Madrid
admiring views of the region’s “white villages” along capital in the tenth century, rising to become western today, including a visit to the renowned Prado
the way. Andalusia’s Pueblos Blancos are a series of Eruope’s largest city. Today, Córdoba is known for Museum for a glimpse into Spain’s varied artistic
whitewashed hill towns and quaint villages. Along the Mezquita, its eighth-century mosque and one of history. After an included lunch and flamenco
the way to Ronda, we’ll visit La Cobatilla, a bull ranch the world’s greatest Islamic buildings, which we will demonstration, your afternoon is on your own
owned by the prestigious Murube family. We’ll tour get to explore. Then we continue on to Úbeda. Upon in Toledo.
the grounds with its owner, Jose, and enjoy lunch on arrival, we’ll enjoy dinner at our parador. B,L — Sercotel Alfonso VI or similar
the property. Then, we’ll join Jose for a conversation B,D — Parador de Úbeda or similar

about a Controversial Topic: the waning popularity DAY 15 • Explore Toledo or Madrid

of bullfighting in Spain. Bullfighting is a cherished DAY 12 • A Day in the Life of a family-run Enjoy a free day to explore on your own, either in
tradition, but much of the country’s younger olive oil mill Toledo or in adjacent Madrid, where you can discover
generation view it as an act of animal cruelty. After Today, we’ll leave the city’s environs to visit a family- why the Spanish say, “De Madrid al cielo” (Madrid is
our conversation, we’ll continue to Ronda, arriving in owned olive oil mill and learn about their way of life the next best thing to heaven), in one of the city’s
the afternoon. The rest of your day is free. during our A Day in the Life experience. We’ll begin museums or lovely parks. This evening, we’ll gather
B,L — Parador de Ronda or similar by joining a local family for coffee and a conversation for a Farewell Dinner and toast to our discoveries on
on the importance of olives in the local economy. this adventure.

DAY 10 • Explore Ronda’s Old Town • Afterwards, we’ll meet with the owners of the olive oil B,D — Sercotel Alfonso VI or similar
Controversial Topic: Royal corruption and mill and get a tour of the olive fields. We’ll learn about

the fate of the monarchy olive-oil production during a visit to the family’s mill, DAY 16 • Return to U.S.
Today, our walking tour will focus on Ronda’s walled where we’ll sample some of the extra virgin olive After breakfast, we depart for the airport for our
Old Town, with its labyrinth of medieval streets oil. Then, we’ll sit down and enjoy a traditional meal return flights home, or continue your Spain travel
flanked by Moorish homes. We’ll also enjoy views together with the family. We’ll return to our hotel and and fly to Bilbao to begin our post-trip extension
from atop the Puente Nuevo Bridge. Later, we’ll you have the afternoon free to explore Úbeda. to Northern Spain: Bilbao, San Sebastian & Medieval
discuss a Controversial Topic: the uncertain fate B,L — Parador de Úbeda or similar Villages or New! The Volcanic Canary Islands: Tenerife &
of the Spanish monarchy. After the fascist Franco Gran Canaria.

regime, the monarchy was restored, and king Juan DAY 13 • Overland to Toledo • Explore Toledo B
Carlos I took the throne, but soon became embroiled Today, we depart Úbeda for Toledo, stopping en route
in scandals that resulted in him abdicating the to Casa Pepe and Puerto Lapice. Lunch is on your own
throne in 2014. We’ll learn whether the monarchy after our hotel check-in, followed by a guided tour of
has any role in modern-day Spanish politics during a Toledo. Dinner is on your own in Toledo.
conversation with two locals—Armando Gil Ecay, who B — Sercotel Alfonso VI or similar
believes it should be abolished, and Jaime Coronel,
who thinks it is only in need of reform.
B,L — Parador de Ronda or similar

Unique Accommodations

Pousada de Évora
Évora
The Pousada de Évora, a former monastery
founded in 1487 over the ruins of an ancient
castle, is situated in Évora’s historic center,
between the Gothic Cathedral and Temple of
Diana. Along with a small swimming pool, there
is a restaurant located in the old cloisters.
On Day 12, we’ll share A Day in the Life experience on a family-run olive oil mill.

Back Roads of Iberia: Spanish Paradores & Portuguese Pousadas Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www.oattravel.com/wps2022 143

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