PRE CONFERENCE - ANDALUSIAN HIGHLIGHTS
29 APRIL - 7 MAY 2024
Monday 29 April
We commence our tour in Seville which is one of Spain’s most exciting cities, known for its vibrant flamenco scene, ornate Moorish architecture, picturesque plazas and some of the country’s best and most innovative tapas bars. Architectural wonders include The Cathedral with its famous Moorish minaret “La Giralda”, the enigmatic Alcazar, la Maestranza Bullring, Maria Luisa Park, La Macarena and the quarters of Santa Cruz with its narrow streets, flower-covered balconies and richly decorated facades, are all very unique sights to Seville.
On arrival in Seville you will make your own way to the Hotel Colon Gran Melia. The pre-conference program commences with a welcome reception this evening.
Welcome Reception
Meet your fellow delegates for pre-dinner drinks in the hotel this evening.
Overnight Hotel Colon Gran Melia
Meals: Welcome drinks
Plaza Espana
Seville Cathedral
Tuesday 30 April
Morning conference sessions commence today from 9.00am - 11.00am.
This afternoon's inclusive tour of Seville will include visits to two of the architectural gems in this city. First stop is the Alcazar, a magnificent marriage of Christian and Mudéjar architecture, Seville’s royal palace complex is a breathtaking spectacle. The site, which was originally developed as a fort in 913, has been revamped many times over the 11 centuries of its existence, most spectacularly in the 14th century when King Pedro added the sumptuous Palacio de Don Pedro, still today the Alcázar’s crowning glory.
Next stop is Seville’s showpiece cathedral which is awe-inspiring in its scale and majesty. The world’s largest Gothic cathedral, it was built between 1434 and 1517 over the remains of what had previously been the city’s main mosque. Highlights include the Giralda, the mighty bell tower, which incorporates the mosque’s original minaret, the monumental tomb of Christopher Columbus, and the Capilla Mayor with an astonishing gold altarpiece.
Enjoy dinner this evening at the Casa Manolo Leon, a quaint and typical restaurant serving traditional Andalusian cuisine set in a stately home from the late 19th century.
Overnight Hotel Colon Gran Melia
Meals: Breakfast, dinner & drinks
Wednesday 1 May
Morning conference sessions continue from 9.00am - 11.00am.
The afternoon is at leisure. Seville is built around the Casco Antiguo or Old Town and spreads out on either side of the River Guadalquivir. The human scale of the city makes it an easy city to explore on your own, especially the old city with its jumble of narrow streets and charming courtyards, cosy cafes and restaurants.
This evening is at leisure to explore the many bars and restaurants in Seville, enjoy a few “tapas” and a glass of Sherry.
Overnight Hotel Colon Gran Melia
Meals: Breakfast
Torre del Oro and Guadalquivir River
Alcazar Courtyard
Thursday 2 May - Seville to Granada
After breakfast we transfer by coach to Granada (approximately a 3 hour drive by coach).
Granada was first settled by native tribes in the prehistoric period and was known as "Ilbyr". When the Romans colonised southern Spain, they built their own city here and called it "Illibris”.
The Arabs, invading the peninsula in the 8th century, gave it its current name of Granada. It was the last Muslim city to fall to the Christians in 1492, at the hands of Queen Isabel of Castile and her husband Ferdinand of Aragon. One of the most brilliant jewels of universal architecture is the Alhambra, a series of palaces and gardens built under the Nazari Dynasty in the 14th Century.
Afternoon tour of the Alhambra Palace
Built on a hill overlooking Granada and set against a backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, the Alhambra (Alhambra de Granada) is a sprawling complex of intricately decorated palaces, pristine gardens, and a once-mighty fortress. We will tour this UNESCO World Heritage site which was constructed during the Nasrid Dynasty and later partially destroyed and rebuilt by King Charles V. With its mix of Renaissance and Moorish architecture, the Alhambra Palace is one of the most sought-after attractions in Spain.
Group Dinner (included)
Set in the heart of the ancient gypsy district of Sacramonte, our dinner venue tonight is truly steeped in history. Dine on an outdoor terrace with breath taking panoramic views of the Alhambra and immerse yourself in Granada’s Andalusian Flamenco culture with a private Flamenco performance.
Overnight Hotel Barcelo Carmen Granada
Meals: Breakfast, dinner & drinks
Friday 3 May
Morning conference session continue from 9.00am - 11.00am.
Afternoon Walking Tour of the Albaicin
The Albaicin quarter is one of the most impressive neighbourhoods in Andalusia located on the opposite hill to the Alhambra. Its narrow streets and its beautiful squares still have the details of the mixture between the Muslim heritage and the Spanish historical dwelling.Afterwards there is free time to explore Granada on foot, a compact city with stunning examples of Spanish and Moorish heritage.
This evening is at leisure (dinner at own expenses)
Overnight Hotel Barcelo Carmen Granada
Meals: Breakfast, dinner & drinks
Saturday 4 May
Morning conference sessions from 9.00am - 11.00am.
The afternoon is free to explore on your own.
This evening is at leisure (dinner at your own expense).
Overnight Hotel Barcelo Carmen Granada
Meals: Breakfast
Sunday 5 May
After breakfast we transfer by coach to Cordoba (approximately a 2 hour drive by coach).
Cordoba, a city founded by the Romans due to its strategic importance. Its greatest glory days are when it became the capital of the Moorish Kingdom of El-Andalus and this was when work began on the Great Mosque, or “Mezquita”, which after several centuries of enlargements became the largest in all of Islam.
When the city was reconquered by the Christians in 1236, the new rulers of the city were so awed by its beauty that they left it standing, building their cathedral in the midst of its rows of arches and columns, and creating the extraordinary church-mosque we see today.
Afternoon Tour to The Great Mosque of Cordoba
Córdoba is famous around the world for its Great Mosque, one of the world's greatest works of Islamic architecture, testimony to a refined age when Muslims, Jews and Christians lived side by side and enriched their city with a heady interaction of diverse, vibrant cultures.
This evening is at leisure (dinner at own expense).
Overnight H10 Palacio Colomera
Meals: Breakfast
Monday 6 May
This morning we head off on a fascinating tour through Cordoba's historic old town, a cherished UNESCO World Heritage site full of little streets to be explored, courtyards full of flowers, inviting squares and lively taverns where you can enjoy a good flamenco performance or try the local cuisine. Our guide will show you the highlights after which you will have free time to explore on your own.
The afternoon is free to explore on your own.
Group Dinner (included)
Dinner this evening will be at a charming restaurant in the Old Town, just metres from the hotel and the Great Mosque.
Overnight H10 Palacio Colomera
Meals: Breakfast, dinner & drinks
Tuesday 7 May
Transfer to the station this morning for the high speed train transfer from Cordoba to Madrid.
Arrive Madrid early afternoon and transfer to the Westin Palace to join the main conference program.
Meals: Breakfast
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