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New Zealand Freephone: 0800 132 385
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Iberian Discovery
Featuring the icons and highlights of Spain and
Portugal
The Iberian Peninsula faces both the Atlantic and the
Mediterranean and is where the continents of Africa and Europe
meet. It is where for centuries, two of the world's great religions
have
 come into close contact and sometimes into conflict.
Originally settled by the Iberians, Celts and Phoenicians, followed
by the Romans and the Visigoths, Spain and Portugal saw a great
flowering of Islamic culture in the occupation by the Moors. The
germ of both countries’ independence lay in their fight against the
Muslim occupier.
Our Iberian Discovery explores the historic links, cultures and
religions of these two civilisations as well as the great geographical
and cultural diversity of Spain and Portugal with their ancient and
fascinating cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Seville,
Lisbon and Oporto as well as their regions away from the
traditional tourist beaches.
The countries boast a huge variety of landscapes from the Valley
of the Douro, the elevated Plateau of Castile and the time forgotten
towns of Extremadura to the African temperatures and
whitewashed landscapes of Andalusia. Spain is arguably the most
physically and culturally diverse country in Europe. Isolated from its
neighbors by mountain chains and possessing a unique history,
Portugal is a country of rugged landscapes, sophisticated cities
and contrasting traditions.
Itinerary at a Glance
Site / Number of Nights
Spain: Barcelona - 3, Rioja – 3,
Valladolid – 1, Madrid – 3,
Salamanca – 2,
Portugal: Braga – 2, Lisbon – 3,
Spain: Merida – 1, Seville – 3,
Granada- 2, Barcelona – 1.
Program ends in Barcelona
24 Nights in Spain & Portugal
Commences Barcelona 13 September 2014 and ends Barcelona 07
October 2014
Participants have the option of joining our Moroccan Ed-Venture with included transfer from Granada to Tangiers.
The price of our Moroccan Discovery is reduced to reflect the cost of the unused flight from Granada to Barcelona
with overnight included in the price of our Iberian Discovery.
On arrival in Spain we learn about the history and people of Spain and Portugal whilst being briefed on our Iberian
Odyssey
Queluz National Palace
Oporto
Catalonia, Barcelona
Once part of the Aragonese Empire, Catalonia is now an autonomous Spanish province, proud of its distinctive
language and culture. Stretching from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees, it was here that the Romans first
landed on the Iberian peninsula and founded a new 'colonnia' on the site of a previous Carthaginian settlement;
the area now forming Barcelona's 'Barri Gotic'. Catalonian heritage is a mixture of old and new as ancient
churches and monuments vie for attention with the Modernist school of Gaudi and Dali. The Catalonian capital
reflects this contrast with architecture ranging from its Gothic cathedral to Gaudi's modernist Sagrada Familia.
Accommodation
We stay in a conveniently located 3 star city hotel offering en-suite share twin, double and single rooms. Typical
local breakfasts and welcome dinner are provided.
What We Will Experience
We learn about Catalonia's history to understand its varied culture and heritage. We explore Barcelona to inspect
its many icons such as the 17th century fort on the Montjuic Hill with panoramic views over the city, the
mediaeval Gothic quarter and the city's art nouveau / modernist buildings culminating in the buildings of Antoni
Gaudi.
Included are lectures and field trips to:
 Learn about Barcelona's and Catalonia's history and culture.
 Explore Barcelona with its Gothic Cathedral and Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia.
 Experience the mediaeval city of Girona with the famous Dali museum in Figueres.
En route to Rioja we pause to explore the ancient Aragonese capital city of Zaragosa, founded by the Romans in
25BC, where we experience some of Spain’s best examples of Mudejar architecture.
Castillo Olite
Guggenheim
Rioja and The Basque Country
Rioja was an important stopping point on the pilgrimage route to Santiago but is best known as perhaps Spain’s
best wine producing area. It is also an ideal base to visit the city of Pamplona in neighbouring Navarra and the
Basque port of Bilbao
Accommodation
We stay in a conveniently located Parador with en-suite share twin, double and single rooms. Typical local
breakfasts and dinners are provided.
What we will experience
We experience the wine producing region of La Rioja, the mountain kingdom of Navarra with its capital,
Pamplona, as well as the neighbouring Basque Country and the maritime city of Bilbao, now dominated by the
awesome Guggenheim Museum.
Included are field trips to:
 Explore the fortress city of Pamplona, capital of Navarra, famed for its bull run, featured in Hemingway's
"The Sun Also Rises"
 Visit the Mediaeval Castle of Olite
 Learn about the viticulture of Rioja
 Visit the Guggenheim Museum in the Basque port of Bilbao
En route to Castilla we explore Burgos, with its famous cathedral and birthplace of the legendary El Cid.
Castilla
For eons, the geographical and spiritual heart of Spain, Old Castile, is where much Spanish history has been
determined. As the seat of power the region’s dialect, Castillano, became the nation’s language and from here
Ferdinand and Isabella orchestrated the unification of ancient Iberian kingdoms, the Reconquista and the
exploration and conquest of the “New World”. The raised plateau of Castilla provided the ideal vantage point
from which to rule Spain. Here we will marvel at the capital city Madrid and at the architectural splendours of
Salamanca and Avila.
What We Will Experience
To best experience Castilla we stay one night in the historic city of Valladolid in a centrally located hotel with ensuite share twin, double and single rooms where typical local breakfast and dinner are provided. Here we learn
about the history of this important region and explore Valladolid, former capital, an important academic and
industrial centre, where Ferdinand and Isabella were married and Columbus died. We then spend 3 nights in
Madrid and 2 nights in Salamanca
Spain, Madrid
Madrid is the capital of Spain and Europe's highest capital city, located close to the country's geographical centre
on the Castilian Plateau. With a population of over 3 million, it offers a rich treasure chest of Spain's art and
ancient monuments. According to tradition, the Moors founded the city. It was just a small fortress town when
captured by Alfonso VI of Castile in the 11th century. Felipe II chose Madrid as his capital in 1561 and it soon
became the centre of a great Empire. Since then it has become the capital of a modern European democracy but
continues to house the great heritage of Spain. Amongst Madrid's many interesting features are the Palacio Real
(Spain's Bourbon Palace), the impressive 17th century Plaza Mayor and the great art collection of the Prado.
Madrid is also an ideal base to explore Toledo, the Visigoth capital of Spain in the 6th century.
Accommodation
We stay at a comfortable 3 star central city hotel offering share twin, double or single rooms for 3 nights. Typical
local breakfasts and 2 dinners are provided.
What We Will Experience
We explore the Spanish capital and learn about the Golden Age of Spanish History. We also explore Toledo, the
melting pot of Muslim, Jewish and Christian cultures in the Middle Ages and a microcosm of Spanish history.
There is also some free time in the city to pursue personal interests.
Included are field trips to:
 The monuments and icons of Madrid.
 The historic city and icons of Toledo
En route to Salamanca we visit the massive monastery palace of El Escorial as well as Avila with the finest
preserved mediaeval walls in Europe.
Columbus Statue
- Valladolid
Las Meninas
at the Prado
Flamenco Dancer
Spain, Salamanca
Salamanca is probably best known for having the oldest university in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe. This
university is still what gives ambiance to the town. You can see hundreds of students passing through the streets
and enjoying the numerous and beautifully decorated cafés until late at night. This charming town is unrivalled in
its architectural purity. In central areas all recent buildings are built in Salamanca's best tradition. The city has
been declared a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO.
Accommodation
We stay at a comfortable 3 star central city hotel offering share twin, double or single rooms for 2 nights. Typical
local breakfasts and dinners are provided.
What We Will Experience
We experience this great university city with its fine Renaissance honey coloured architecture evoking a past and
glorious era, known as Spain’s “Golden Age
Included field trips to
 Explore the city with a guided walking tour.
En route to Braga, we pass the historic city of Zamora before crossing the Portuguese border close to Braganca
Portugal, Braga
The verdant valleys and vine clad slopes of the Douro and Minho regions are considered to be the birthplace of
the Portuguese nation. From Braga, the seat of Portugal’s most spectacular religious sanctuary, we explore
Guimaraes where Alfonso Enriques proclaimed himself King of Portugal in 1139, and Oporto, the second largest
city which gave its name to the popular fortified wine, Port. In Braga we will learn about the birth of the
Portuguese nation, the significance of the Catholic Church in Portuguese life and enjoy sampling the famous port
wine produced in this region.
Accommodation
We stay at a comfortable 3 star hotel offering share twin, double or single rooms. Typical local breakfasts and
dinners are provided.
What We Will Experience
We explore Oporto where we inspect the old town quarter of Ribeira, the Gothic Cathedral, the illustrated Biblical
episodes and extravagant interior of the Church of Sao Francisco and visit a typical port lodge to sample the
local produce. We also experience Braga, this episcopal seat with its religious architecture. We also learn
something about the role of the Catholic Church in Portugal from mediaeval times to the present day. Our field
trip to Guimaraes teaches us about the role of the northern regions in the formation of Portugal and our visit to
Guimaraes, Alfonso Enriques’ capital, allows us to view its crenellated castle of Sao Miguel and experience the
Palace of the Dukes.
Included are field trips to:
 Oporto for a city tour and wine tasting
 The Episcopal seat of Braga
 The historical city of Guimaraes
En route to Lisbon we pause in the ancient University city of Coimbra.
Lisbon
The Portuguese capital, Lisbon, on the banks of the River Tagus, was rebuilt in the 18th century following a
devastating earthquake. World traders of renown, the Portuguese sailed the seas in search of new territories
and merchandise. Remnants of this Golden Age of Discovery still exist in and around the capital and remind us
of Portugal’s maritime heritage.
Accommodation
We stay at a comfortable 3 star hotel offering share twin, double or single rooms. Typical local breakfasts and 2
dinners are provided.
What We Will Experience
We experience the mediaeval Alfama district, the 18th century Baixa, the reconstructed centre of the city, and
Bellem where the wealth of the maritime Age of Discovery is evident. This great wealth is also reflected in the
great summer palaces of Sintra and Queluz.
Included are field trips to:
 Monuments and icons of Lisbon
 The Palace of Queluz
 An evening of Fado
En route to Extramadura we cross the Spanish border and the historic city of Badajoz.
Alcazar Gardens and
Giralda Tower
La Mezquita
Spain, Extremadura
Of all the Spanish regions, Extremadura is considered the most remote with an unforgiving landscape encircled
by wooded sierras. There is little industry with the most important economic activities being sheep and pig
farming together with olive, cork and fruit growing. Merida, the regional capital contains some of the best Roman
ruins in Spain as befits the former capital of the most Westerly Roman province, Lusitania, founded by Augustus
in 25 BC.
Accommodation
We stay in a hotel, conveniently located in Merida, offering en-suite shared twin, double or single rooms for 4
nights. Typical local breakfast and dinner are provided.
What We Will Experience
In Extremadura we step back in time to experience ancient Spain and learn about Roman history.
Included are field trips to:
 Merida, with a tour of some of Spain's finest Roman remains.
En route to Seville, the capital of the region of Andalusia, we pause at the typically white-washed ham producing
town of Aracena
Spain, Seville
After the discovery of the Americas, Seville was given the monopoly on trade with the new colonies, and in
subsequence, became one of Europe's most wealthy ports. Its wealth is reflected in the city's rich architectural
heritage and perhaps its love of fiestas. This is the city of the Flamenco and of Carmen. Western Andalusia is
also known for the production of sherry.
Accommodation
We stay in a pleasant hotel, conveniently located close to the centre of Seville offering en-suite share twin double
or single rooms. Typical local breakfasts and 2 dinners are provided.
What We Will Experience
In Seville we learn about the city’s history and rich tradition of Flamenco. We also learn about the tradition of
horse training and sherry production at Jerez.
Included are field trips to:
 The city of Seville with its magnificent cathedral and Alcazar.
 Jerez de la Frontera for a walking tour of the city plus a visit to one of the famous sherry bodegas. We
also view a training session of Spain's famous white horses.
 Evening of Flamenco
En route to Granada, we visit the city of Cordoba with a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter and a visit to the
Great Mosque (La Mezquita).
Spain, Granada
The provinces of Cordoba and Granada were at the heart of Moorish Spain. In the 10th century, Cordoba was
arguably Europe's greatest city when the court of Abd ar-Rahman III founded an independent caliphate and
created a city of dazzling mosques, patios, gardens and fountains. The city flourished and the frenetic trade and
peaceful interaction of Jewish, Christian and Muslim can still be felt in the city's labyrinthine Jewish and Muslim
quarters while the pre-eminence of the city can be seen in its great Mezquita, one of the outstanding creations of
Al Andalus. Granada became the Muslim capital after the fall of Cordoba and Seville in the 13th century and its
lavish Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens give testament to the creativity of the Nasrid dynasty.
Accommodation
We stay in a hotel conveniently located for Granada offering en-suite share twin, double or single rooms. Typical
local breakfasts and dinners are provided.
What We Will Experience
In Granada we discover the great heritage of Al Andalus, Moorish Spain: its architecture and culture. We learn
about the history of the Islamic invasion and its repulsion by Catholic Spain.
Included are field trips to:
 Granada with a walking tour of the city and a visit to the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens.
Program concludes with our included flight to Barcelona for an overnight stay on bed and breakfast basis prior to
airport transfers for homeward flights.
Program Includes
24 nights en-suite hotel accommodation.
Typical local breakfasts and 18 dinners.
Flight Granada to Barcelona.
Touring by comfortable and modern coach.
Lectures and field trips as indicated.
Applicable entry fees and services of local
guides.
 Services of a program leader.
 Gratuities and necessary tips.
 Detailed Program Information Booklet.
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Alhambra Palace
Price:
AUD 10,450 NZD 11,695
Book before 13/12/13 for our early bird
prices:
AUD 9,650 NZD 11,345
Activity Rating:
Moderate
Tour Code :
GCTID14
Prices per person twin share.
Single Supplement: AUD 1,430
Sagrada Familia
- Barcelona
NZD 1,590
Moroccan Extension
This tour can be combined with our Moroccan Discovery to further your experience with this diverse and
fascinating area of the world. Doing so will give you discounted prices on your extension. See our Moroccan
Discovery brochure for more details.
Itineraries may change if flight schedules, site availability and other inclusions have to be amended prior to
departure. Golden Compass will notify registrants if, and as soon as, such changes occur.
To book, or for a more information, please call 1800 132385(Aus) or 0800 132385(NZ)
or email [email protected]
© Golden Compass