Dance Adventure in Spain!
2011 Itinerary: September 8 - 19
Thursday, September 8 - Departure
Friday, September 9 - Arrive in Barcelona
We check into our classic early 1900s hotel well-centered amidst a fine selection of restaurants with excellent Catalan cuisine, shops, and easy access to many historic attractions, including the Parc de Montjuïc with its panoramic view of Barcelona and the harbor below, its gardens, the Palau Nacional (home of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya), Magic Fountain, the historic 18th century fortress, Castell de Montjuïc, the site of the 1992 Olympics and the Poble Espanyol (Spanish village) created for the 1929 International Exhibition. A perfect spot to sip Cava, the sparkling wine of this region. After dinner, we dance, yes? There are clubs, discos, live music! Pour the wine: we’re in beautiful Barcelona!
Saturday, September 10 - Barcelona / Tarragona
After breakfast, Aisha has invited us to visit Tarragona where the Bellydance community welcomes us with open arms. We’ll take a train there and arrive to see the finals of their first annual Bellydance Competition! Tarragona is lovely and we’ll be able to meet and dance with other bellydancers in the area. We return to our hotel at night.
Sunday, September 11 - Barcelona
Enjoy a buffet breakfast in our hotel, then explore Las Ramblas, a historic district reflecting centuries of activity that begins at the port and fills the area with wonderful architecture, fascinating shops, art, and mmmmm, food!
Additional options abound, including the famous Sagrada Familia cathedral designed by Gaudí, and the Picasso Museum, including all of the artist’s periods with emphasis on his early works. It’s situated in 5 interconnected medieval palaces in the Barri Gothic, the old city center.
Monday, September 12 - Barcelona / Sevilla
Breakfast, checkout, then on to Seville by plane where we’ll check into a former Duke’s residence, the beautiful Las Casas de la Juderia. Here, we can soak in the Arabic baths, sun by the pool, or opt to get a massage or treatment at their spa.
Tuesday, September 13 - Sevilla
We’ll enjoy a breakfast buffet in our luxurious hotel and then see the sights of Seville. Included is a class with a Flamenco teacher. Here we have the privilege of seeing the world's best flamenco dancers and musicians. Our hotel is 5 minutes from the famous Cathedral of Seville. The Royal Alcazar Gardens are also a short walk. Nearby in the Historic center of Seville are two pedestrian streets, Tetuán and Sierpes, filled with shops featuring ceramics, guitars, flamenco costumes, fans, embroidery, as well as modern shops of fashion, music, etc.
Wednesday, September 14 - Sevilla
After our buffet breakfast, we have another day to see all that Seville has to offer. We’ll be in Seville for just the right time of the annual Fiesta de la Vendimia blessing the first grape juice of the season in La Palma de Condado. At night, the Café de la Memoria has a flamenco show not to be missed!
Thursday, September 15 - Sevilla / Córdoba / Granada
After breakfast and farewell to Casas de la Juderia, we board a private, air-conditioned bus, headed for Córdoba. 
Our private guided tour reveals flower-filled patios, architecture and gardens shaped by many different civilizations over the centuries. Now we head South to Granada. Hotel check in, then early evening workshop with Mesmera before dinner. 
While Spain is well-known for their tapas, Granada holds the prize for best and most abundant “little plates.” Wander the streets around Plaza Nueva (a short walk from our hotel) and find a tapas bar. Locals know that you need only order a drink to be served delicious plates of food selected by the house. Whether a soda, bottled water, beer, wine or sangria, you’re served a portion per drink ordered.
Friday, September 16 – Granada
After breakfast, there’s an optional walk to the Alhambra, shopping from the gypsies along the way. After descending from the Alhambra, the tiny streets of the Albaicín are a must, as Gypsies abound on the streets, as well as shops with jewelry, fabrics, fans, dresses & souvenirs.
At night, we’re free to find tapas and/or dinner before an excursion to visit the famous Caves of Sacromonte. Gypsy families carved their homes into the soft stone and then opened their homes for Flamenco performances. These caves have provided a rich pool of artists, many of whom then migrated to big International cities, yet in Sacromonte you can see authentic performances which still retain their original, indigenous color and character. This experience is not to be missed and is included.
Saturday, September 17 - Granada – Madrid
After breakfast, we’ll see the countryside of Southern Spain from our private bus to Madrid. We check into our hotel and head straight for a lovely dinner and some nightlife! Dancing is top priority, of course, with numerous other options.
For example a walk to the Plaza Mayor is a good way to see the Palacio Real fully illuminated and perhaps stop into one of those busy bars along the way back.
Sunday, September 18 - Madrid
Wake with festive spirits and after breakfast at the hotel, take advantage of a Sunday morning tradition in Madrid: the famous Rastro flea market from 9am to 2pm, where antiques, clothing, crafts, food, collector’s items and flowers are set up in the streets. On Sundays, entrance to the Prado Museum is free! The Prado is one of the world’s most famous art museums, contains masterpieces from the 12th to the 19th century, and is one of Madrid’s most visited tourist attractions. A stroll through the surrounding gardens will be sweet to savor on our last day in Spain before class with Mesmera. We’ll pick the perfect place for our farewell dinner, stay up late to enjoy the nightlife … or maybe just repack and rest?
Monday, September 19 - Depart Madrid
Breakfast together at our hotel, perhaps time for last minute gifts or one more excursion (depends on flight schedule) before heading to Madrid’s International airport to fly home loaded with shopping treasures, photos, video and a stream of wonderful memories and stories to share.