FLY-RAIL
SPANISH ART AND ARCHITECTURE TOUR
8 nights / 9 days From £ 1,960 per person
Barcelona
MADRID • BILBAO • BARCELONA
This tour by air and rail is a delightful introduction to the artistic and architectural heritage of Spain, stopping in three cities which are home to iconic Spanish buildings and a number of outstanding art collections. Travel between the cities by rail, relaxing in comfort, and watching the Spanish scenery pass by.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY ONE Arrive in Madrid and travel to Bilbao by train Start your touring holiday by flying into Madrid before catching an afternoon train northwards to Bilbao, arriving in the late evening. Travel to your hotel, the five-star Hotel Carlton, which enjoys a privileged position a few steps from the Plaza de Don Federico Moyúa and a short distance from the iconic Guggenheim Museum. Spend two nights in Bilbao.
DAY TWO In Bilbao You have a whole day to feast on the artistic and architectural wonders of this vibrant city, perhaps starting off with a visit to the Guggenheim Museum. Designed by Frank Gehry, this futuristic building is home to a permanent collection of contemporary art and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions. Only a few minutes’ walk away from the hotel is the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, which houses an extensive collection ranging from 12th Century sculptures to 20th Century paintings. To witness some of Bilbao’ s more traditional architecture, we would recommend entering Bilbao’ s old quarter through the Plaza Circular, kicking back on the grand Plaza Nueva, with its pavement cafes and weekly market, and finding the beautiful Teatro Arriaga, with its curved façade, statuettes, and ornate stonework. The Church of Saint Anthony the
Great and the Basilica of Begoña offer an insight into the religious architecture of the city, and both have radiantly lit interior chambers, and very traditional layouts and towers. Around 20 miles east of Bilbao is the town of Guernica, the namesake of Picasso’ s famous painting which was inspired by the town’ s bombing during the Spanish Civil War, which makes for an excellent excursion by bus or train. As the sun sets, wander down the Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro to soak up the lively street entertainment, dip in and out of the shops, and enjoy the cosmopolitan side to Spain.
DAY THREE Bilbao to Barcelona by train Spend the morning in Bilbao before taking a midafternoon train to Barcelona, arriving in the Catalan capital just after 10pm. Here you will stay for three nights at Hotel Casa Fuster, itself a remarkable building which has been designed in the eclectic and vibrant‘ Modernista’ style that is typical of Barcelona.
DAYS FOUR AND FIVE In Barcelona Use the two full days in Barcelona to explore the many sights. The most famous landmark of this beautiful city is the Sagrada Familia, an unconventional church building which is filled with symbolism and fulfilled Gaudi’ s dream of combining religious reverence with a dramatically sculpted skyline. The other famous works of art that feature Gaudí’ s trademark curved lines, decorated chimneys, elaborate wrought iron, and mosaic decorations include Parc Guell in the Zona Alta, the more Gothic Palau Guell, and Casa Batlló and La Pedrera on the Passeig de Gràcia. There are also a number of outstanding art museums within the city, including the Picasso Museum in the La Ribera quarter, housed in a converted merchant’ s palace, which traces the life and works of Pablo Picasso, and the National Art Museum of Catalonia, which holds a vast collection of Catalan art from throughout the ages. The Gothic quarter, or Barri Gotic, is also home to outstanding architecture dating back to mediaeval times, including the cathedral, and Barcelona’ s best shops. An easy day trip by train from Barcelona is to Figueres, a small city around 90 miles to the north, which is known for being the birthplace of Salvador Dalí. Also essential to any visit to Barcelona is a walk down La Rambla, stopping off at La Boqueria Market to sample the famous oysters, a few hours spent on one of the 6 Blue Flag beaches, known also for the restaurants that serve the best seafood in the city, and a visit to Montjuïc Castle, the tallest monument in the city.
DAY SIX Barcelona to Madrid by train From Barcelona, catch one of the hourly high-speed trains to Madrid, arriving around three hours later. Stay at the Hotel Urban, a five-star hotel in the cultural centre of the city. You spend three nights in Madrid.
64 To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk