Spain was under direct Islamic rule for over 700 years. This has
left a lasting influence most noticeably in Andalucia where the
longest surviving Islamic Kingdoms were. We will explore the
treasures of Islamic heritage in Seville, Cordoba which was the
capital of Islamic Spain for 500 years (including the 10th
Century capital Madinat Al-Zahra), and finally Granada the
last Muslim kingdon to fall in 1492.
left a lasting influence most noticeably in Andalucia where the
longest surviving Islamic Kingdoms were. We will explore the
treasures of Islamic heritage in Seville, Cordoba which was the
capital of Islamic Spain for 500 years (including the 10th
Century capital Madinat Al-Zahra), and finally Granada the
last Muslim kingdon to fall in 1492.
This tour is not offered from June to August due to extremes in temperatures
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brought to you by ImagineHolidays.ca
We are pleased to offer an exciting 7 day tour of Al-Andalus :
Islamic Spain - Seville, Cordoba, Madinat Al-Zahra and Granada
Islamic Spain - Seville, Cordoba, Madinat Al-Zahra and Granada
Our tour consists of a small intimate group of 6-12 people maximum leaving from Toronto with
mix of relaxed backpack style and guided tours with daily walking and local buses.
You will be led by an experienced leader with local knowledge for each day of your trip starting
from and returning to Canada.
mix of relaxed backpack style and guided tours with daily walking and local buses.
You will be led by an experienced leader with local knowledge for each day of your trip starting
from and returning to Canada.
We will have time to explore all of the relevant historical and cultural landmarks as well as having
ample free time to wonder on your own and explore your own interests.
Accommodation will be in Superior Budget hotels in central prime locations
with a choice of shared or private rooms.
Meals included as indicated (B, L, D).
ample free time to wonder on your own and explore your own interests.
Accommodation will be in Superior Budget hotels in central prime locations
with a choice of shared or private rooms.
Meals included as indicated (B, L, D).
These tours involve daily walking and are not intended for children or seniors.
Steep hill and stair climbing will be in Granada and Madinat Al-Zahra
This is not a religious pilgrimage but a cultural historical tour open to everyone
Steep hill and stair climbing will be in Granada and Madinat Al-Zahra
This is not a religious pilgrimage but a cultural historical tour open to everyone
Day 1
Evening departure Toronto
Evening departure Toronto
Day 2
Midday arrival Seville. The height of Seville was
after the discovery of the new world when it was
the gateway for all the gold and riches flowing back
to the old world. Many grand buildings were
constructed during this time. It was also an
important city in Islamic Spain with its Mujedar
style architecture evident all over town which was
preserved and continued after the end of Islamic
rule. We spend the afternoon exploring the Reales
Alcazares the most grandest Islamic Palace in
Spain second to the Alhambra of Granada.
Midday arrival Seville. The height of Seville was
after the discovery of the new world when it was
the gateway for all the gold and riches flowing back
to the old world. Many grand buildings were
constructed during this time. It was also an
important city in Islamic Spain with its Mujedar
style architecture evident all over town which was
preserved and continued after the end of Islamic
rule. We spend the afternoon exploring the Reales
Alcazares the most grandest Islamic Palace in
Spain second to the Alhambra of Granada.
Day 3
Today we spend a full day in Seville. We begin with a
guided tour of the Bullfighting Museum, then the
Torre Del Oro a muslim watchtower now a maritime
museum. Next the Cathedral Giralda formerly the
towns central Mosque. The Islamic heritage is evident
in the belltower, a former minaret. After lunch we see
the Alfonso XI Hotel and Archive of the Indies to
see Spain's Colonial Past. We then walk to Parque
Marie Luisa to see Plaza Espana and the
Archeological Museum to see Seville's Roman and
Islamic past.
Today we spend a full day in Seville. We begin with a
guided tour of the Bullfighting Museum, then the
Torre Del Oro a muslim watchtower now a maritime
museum. Next the Cathedral Giralda formerly the
towns central Mosque. The Islamic heritage is evident
in the belltower, a former minaret. After lunch we see
the Alfonso XI Hotel and Archive of the Indies to
see Spain's Colonial Past. We then walk to Parque
Marie Luisa to see Plaza Espana and the
Archeological Museum to see Seville's Roman and
Islamic past.
Day 4
This morning we travel 90 mins by local bus to
Cordoba which was both the capital of Roman and
Islamic Spain and as such has been declared 'Capital
of Culture' in 2016. We begin at the Mezquita the
centrepiece of Cordoba, the third largest mosque of
the Muslim world which became a Cathedral after the
reconquest. We explore the double layered arches
which seem to go for infinity and visit the Mihrab with
intact Quranic inscriptions. Next we cross the Roman
Bridge and observe the medieval waterwheel before
visiting the Calahorra Tower a museum of Islamic
Life. Finally we visit the Roman Temple and
Archeological Museum to discover Cordoba's Roman
past.
This morning we travel 90 mins by local bus to
Cordoba which was both the capital of Roman and
Islamic Spain and as such has been declared 'Capital
of Culture' in 2016. We begin at the Mezquita the
centrepiece of Cordoba, the third largest mosque of
the Muslim world which became a Cathedral after the
reconquest. We explore the double layered arches
which seem to go for infinity and visit the Mihrab with
intact Quranic inscriptions. Next we cross the Roman
Bridge and observe the medieval waterwheel before
visiting the Calahorra Tower a museum of Islamic
Life. Finally we visit the Roman Temple and
Archeological Museum to discover Cordoba's Roman
past.
Day 5
Today we begin with a short bus ride to the Madinat
Al-Zahra archeological site just outside Cordoba. This was
built as a new administrative centre for Islamic Spain in the
10th century but sadly only lasted 70 years due to internal
feuding. We see the Royal Apartments, main entrance,
mosque and Throne Room. We return by bus to
Cordoba to see the Castle of the Christian Monarchs a
former muslim palace built in medieval christian style but
preserving the arab baths and arab gardens. Later we
visit Andalusi House restored with period furnishings to
see typical arab life. Also we see the neighbouring
Synagogue and Sefardi House depicting Jewish life in
Muslim Cordoba. There is ample free time to explore the
rest of Cordoba and stock up souvenirs and presents.
Today we begin with a short bus ride to the Madinat
Al-Zahra archeological site just outside Cordoba. This was
built as a new administrative centre for Islamic Spain in the
10th century but sadly only lasted 70 years due to internal
feuding. We see the Royal Apartments, main entrance,
mosque and Throne Room. We return by bus to
Cordoba to see the Castle of the Christian Monarchs a
former muslim palace built in medieval christian style but
preserving the arab baths and arab gardens. Later we
visit Andalusi House restored with period furnishings to
see typical arab life. Also we see the neighbouring
Synagogue and Sefardi House depicting Jewish life in
Muslim Cordoba. There is ample free time to explore the
rest of Cordoba and stock up souvenirs and presents.
Day 6
Today we travel 2 hours by local bus to Granada the
last of the Muslim Kingdoms to hold out for another
200 years after the fall of Cordoba. The crowning glory
of Granada is the hilltop Alhambra fortress and
palace. We explore the patio of lions, Nasrid
Palace, Alcazaba, and Generalife Gardens said to
be paradise on earth. Later we visit the Banuelo Arab
Baths as we ascend the Albacin arab district to see
the Alhambra by night.
Today we travel 2 hours by local bus to Granada the
last of the Muslim Kingdoms to hold out for another
200 years after the fall of Cordoba. The crowning glory
of Granada is the hilltop Alhambra fortress and
palace. We explore the patio of lions, Nasrid
Palace, Alcazaba, and Generalife Gardens said to
be paradise on earth. Later we visit the Banuelo Arab
Baths as we ascend the Albacin arab district to see
the Alhambra by night.
- Sept/Oct 2010
Day 7
Return Toronto.
Return Toronto.