Arrival in Madrid and transfer to Segovia for overnight
A morning visit to
the walled precincts of Segovia will keep us busy as we wander from the Roman
aqueduct, passing by the Gothic Cathedral, to the medieval citadel El Alcazar.
We will finish with a walk through the Jewish Quarters. The evening will find
us in the outer city convents: the sanctuary of Fuencisla, the Convent of the
Carmelite order with the tomb of St. John of the Cross, creator of the Discalced
Carmelites, the church of Vera Cruz and the Hieronymites monastery of El Parral.
Overnight in Segovia Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass
The road from Segovia to Burgos is marked
by important sites of Castile: the ravines of the Duraton River with the Romanesque
Hermitage of St. Frutos, and the caves of other Visigoth hermits from the area,
the chivalric Sepulveda and Caleruega -home of the founder of the Dominican Order,
St. Domingo de Guzman-. Another saint of the same name will bid us to become familiar
with a major work of Romanesque sculpture, the cloister of the Benedictine Convent
of Santo Domingo de Silos. Overnight in Burgos
Standing at
the Renaissance gate of Santa Maria, Burgos welcomes us with its tale of the origins
of Castile, with special reference to the historical figure named El Cid. We will
visit the Cathedral, an outstanding example of Gothic architecture, and a World
Heritage site. A walk through the city will take us to the Casa del Cordon, the
Plaza Mayor, the Paseo del Espolon promenade, and the Consulate. Possibility of
celebrating or attending Holy Mass In the outskirts of Burgos we will visit two
of its greatest monuments: the Cistercian monastery of Las Huelgas, a royal pantheon
from the 13th century; and the Cartuja de Miraflores, church and burial place
for the parents of Isabel the Catholic, queen of Castile. Continue to Valladolid
for overnight
In Valladolid, we will visit San Gregorio, home of
the National Sculpture Museum, the Palace of Los Pimentel, the unfinished cathedral,
the royal convent of San Benito -main office of the Castilian Benedictines- and
the Plaza Mayor. We will also visit the University's Santa Cruz College. Tordesillas
is known for the Royal Convent of Santa Clara, most interesting for the Mudejar
images it evokes. The old shopping district of Medina del Campo stands out for
its castle, the enormous Plaza de las Ferias, and its aristocratic homes. Following
a brief walk through Fontiveros to visit the home of St. John of the Cross, we
arrive in Alba de Tormes, where Teresa of Avila died and was buried, her memory
preserved by the Discalced Carmelites. Travel to Salamanca for overnight
The lovely city of Salamanca centers on the University
which preserves its historical building and many colleges, notwithstanding the
various religious orders, notably the Dominican order with their Convent of St.
Steven, and the monumental college run by the Jesuits. The homogenous mix between
students and visitors beckons us to walk along the lively streets and indulge
in the festive evening atmosphere. Among the more significant monuments are the
Plaza Mayor, the two Cathedrals, the House of Shells and the very interesting
Casa Lis, home of the Art Deco and Art Nouveau Museum. Overnight in Salamanca
Avila welcomes
us with its impressive city wall, its Cathedral, St. Vincent's Basilica, medieval
palaces and large homes belonging to Velada, Valderrabanos, Nunez Vela and Guzmanes.
But no road can ignore the life and work of the great mystic St. Teresa of Avila,
evidenced in both the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation and the home of her
birth. The Isabelline Convent of St. Thomas introduces us to part of the Dominican
ideology, the Inquisition. Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass Possibility
of organizing a special farewell dinner Overnight in Avila
Drive to Madrid, where we will enjoy a panoramic
tour before the transfer to the Airport |
