Tour Leaders: Roma Randles, Lingua Musica Founder & Cultural Advisor Deborah Tresise, Tour Leader & Manager ________________________________________
Spectacular Spain - Come join us on a journey of discovery and indulge in the unique rhythms of Spain. - Explore three of the most internationally acclaimed art galleries, astound at immense plazas and wander through tiny meandering streets, - Discover the rich and diverse cultural heritages of Madrid and Catalonia, immerse yourself in the wonderful Mudéjar heritage embodied in the rich Islamic culture of Andalusia ... Seville, Cordoba, Cadiz, Granada. - Embrace diverse cultural celebration and enjoy superb music performance from the vibrant flamenco to the world-class classical. - Marvel at Antoni Gaudí's fantastical Sagrada Família church in its stark contrast with both the classical and the ancient Roman archaeological sites. ________________________________________
Enquiries: info@linguamusicatours.com
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Pricing:
Per person, twin-share: AUD$10,475 Single Supplement: AUD$1,100 Deposit: AUD$1,000 15 May 2018 Deposits to be sent with your completed booking form. Balance due: 30th August 2018 ________________________________________
Inclusions:
- 18 nights accommodation in first class hotels including all breakfasts. - All transportations (private a/c buses, 2 high speed rail journeys & 1 domestic flight). - Fourteen lunches or dinners. - All guided excursions mentioned in Itinerary. - Classical music performances. - Flamenco dance spectacular. - Qualified and experienced local guides in all locations. - Services of Lingua Musica throughout tour. - Comprehensive Tour Handbook containing all daily schedules, full information regarding all locations, venues, performance notes and much more of interest. ________________________________________
ROMA RANDLES TOUR DIRECTOR Dip.Mus.; B. Mus.; Dip. Ed. (University of Melbourne) Music and travel have been the keystone of Roma's life, both professionally and personally. After graduating from Melbourne University, Roma and her husband took their young family to live in London. Roma continued her music studies and also found time to embark on many journeys of discovery throughout Europe. It was during these early years that the seeds of a lifelong love of Europe and passion for new discoveries was sown. On returning to Australia, Roma embarked fully on a successful professional career in music, ranging from performance and involvement in chamber music, to HSC music tuition and master classes, to presenting a series of educational lectures with music recitals by guest artists in her own home. In 1988 UTA French Airlines invited her to bring a group of friends to Europe, and Lingua Musica was born. Every year since then, Roma has accompanied small groups wishing to experience more out of travel than simply visiting each different city. On tour, music performances include orchestral and chamber concerts in the European music houses and recitals by distinguished guest artists. Roma herself also gives piano recitals and chamber music performances with talented string trios. ABC Radio personality, Clive Stark, recalls one particular instance when Roma performed with RUTH NYE, MBE, FRCM, distinguished musician and teacher, in the hall of Grieg's house in Bergen, Norway. With the fjord seen through the glass wall behind the performers, it was a special highlight for him. Clive says: "The fact that Roma not only creates and leads these tours but is also able to perform on occasion for us, is surely very special indeed. I cannot imagine it happening on any other tour." Roma's continued success for more some thirty years has been due to her combined passions of travel and music, and her commitment to providing quality European performances in diverse and interesting venues discovered many years ago, many still slightly off the beaten track. |
Proposed Itinerary Sunday 30th September Madrid, Segovia, El Escorial Sophisticated Madrid, situated 2,150 ft above sea level, with its grand plazas and extensive gardens .... its wealth of monuments and the magnificent royal palace, as well as no less than three internationally acclaimed art galleries, is the ideal place to commence our journey. Following your international flight arriving Madrid, join us mid-to-late afternoon for our tour meeting over cocktails & canapes followed by our welcome dinner. Your accommodation is the wonderfully located Hotel Radisson Blu Prado, Madrid, situated right opposite the superb Prado Museum and close to the other major Madrid galleries that you will visit during your five night stay in this wonderful city. During your time in Madrid enjoy walk/ drive tour of the city's spectacular highlights, visit the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofia museums as well as indulging in spectacular flamenco at the magnificent Flamenco Theatre. There will be free time for shopping and for exploring the myriad of lively bars and restaurants. We have also arranged excursions with our guide to the amazing San Lorenzo de El Escorial, home to the historical residence of the King of Spain built by Philip II of Spain in collaboration with renowned Spanish architect, Juan Bautista de Toledo, and to the wonderful Segovia, with its incredible architecture, ancient walls and aqueduct. We will enjoy a guided tour of the interesting sights and history of this magical place and spend some time in its restful gardens. Friday 5th October Seville, Cordoba, Alcazar, Cadiz Departing after breakfast we take the first class AVE train from the wonderful Madrid rail station to Seville. Our journey of only about 2½ hours takes us from the sophisticated city of Madrid situated high on the central plains to the coastal plains of exotic Andalusia. Here we stay in the exquisite family-owned Hotel Amadeus. Time to settle in and relax beside the pool with its gorgeous views over the city. Our local guide for the duration of our stay will introduce you to the highlights of gorgeous Seville ... the magnificent cathedral as well as the incredible moorish La Giralda and the equally amazing and atmospheric Real Alcazar. Real Alcazar is a tiny city within a city, an amazing labyrinth of tiny streets and home to the extraordinary Palacio Pedro with its Moorish gardens, terraces, fountains and pavilions. Marvel at the workmanship of craftsmen from Granada and Toledo who applied their unique Moorish design. We will also visit the Basilica de la Macarena, home to Seville's most revered religious treasure, the Virgen de la Esperanza Macarena (Macarena Virgin of Hope), popularly known as the Macarena. Macarena is an ancient region of Seville, boasting both baroque and Mudéjar buildings side by side. The region is home to a wonderful heritage of the Mudéjar, those Moors or Muslims of Al-Andalus who remained in Iberia after the Christian Reconquista but were not converted to Christianity, as well as the ancient co-existence of these two all-encompassing religions. During your time in Seville also enjoy full day excursions to both the extraordinary and beautiful Cordoba, with its famous Mezquita Mosque and Jewish Quarter, as well as the ancient trading port of Cadiz. Learn about the incredible history of these regions from our highly knowlegeable and delightful Andalusian specialist guides. Wednesday 10th October Granada, Alhambra, Cadiz We visit another extraordinary Andalusian city ... Granada, where we will stay in the sumptuous Alhambra Palace Hotel, situated on the top of the hill and a short walk to the ancient Alhambra Palace and breathtakingly beautiful Generaliffe Gardens. From the hotel terrace you can enjoy a cocktail while taking in the expansive views out over the ancient Moorish city below. Again, enjoy guided tours of the Alhambra and the exotic beauty and hidden jewels of Granada, in the company of our excellent specialist guides and take in the local music and dance performances. Saturday 13th October Barcelona This morning we transfer to Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport for the short flight to Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain's Catalonia region. As always, we commence our time in Barcelona with a guided drive/ walk of this most vibrant and interesting city. Discover the bohemian Barcelona of the Picasso during the late 19th - early 20th centuries, such as the Quatre Gats, Carrer Montsió and the friezes on the façade of the Col·legi d'Arquitectes with its array of Picasso friezes, as well as the Llotja de Mar, the art school where Picasso studied. We will also explore the rich cultural tapestry of the Catalan Mediterranean coast on a day excursion to beautiful Sitges and the nearby ancient Roman city, Tarragona, with its incredible amphitheater and ambient Old Quarter. Performance will include traditional flamenco accompanied by fine spanish guitar and if possible a performance at the spectacular Gran Teatre del Liceu, located on the famous Rambla promenade in Barcelona’s old city center. Thursday 18th October Barcelona Our wonderful tour concludes after breakfast. Transfer to Barcelona El-Prat International Airport. A full daily schedule including details of performances will be provided closer to departure. |