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'Heart
of
Spain' |
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Gardens of
Segovia, Toleda, & Avila
1st
- 6th June, 2008
Hotels:
San Juan de los Reyes, Toledo and Parador de Segovia
Tour Leader:
Sophie Piebenga
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The
heart of Spain is the Meseta high plateau with Madrid at its
core at 787m above sea level. The climate can be harsh, with
long cold winters, short hot summers and a low rainfall. In
June Spanish roses are still fresh from spring rains, a good
time to discover some of the most beautiful of gardens. The
tour is based around the small, ancient cities of Avila, Toledo
& Segovia, encompassing a wonderful palette of gardens
that reflect a great variety of influence, including that
of ancient Rome, of Moorish culture, and of contemporary garden
design. We will meet garden owners who work against the backdrop
of a powerfully moving landscape. Dr. Sophie Piebenga, garden
historian and well-regarded garden tour guide, will lead the
tour with the help of local guides to introduce this rich
& varied region. We stay for two nights at the Hotel San
Juan de los Reyes 4* the converted neomudejar style ‘San
Jose’ Flour Factory set within the ancient walls of
Toledo. All the rooms are modern and comfortable and within
an easy walk of the heart of the old town. For the remaining
3 nights we stay in the elegant, modern Parador de Segovia
4* with spacious, comfortable bedrooms, good regional cuisine
and featuring ‘the best panoramic views of Segovia’. |
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ITINERARY
Day 1: Sunday 1st June
Check in at Heathrow airport for the 10.55 AM Iberia Airlines
flight IB3163, arriving in Madrid at 14.15 PM. We then drive to
Aranjuez and the gardens of the 18th century Palacio Real. The
elegant, shady grounds are a favourite weekend destination for
Madrilenos escaping the heat and dust of the city. Created by
the Bourbon monarchs as a Spanish Versailles, the Jardin de la
Isla & the Jardin del Parterre combine to form a sea of box
hedging and fountains under the shade of mature trees. Continue
to the ancient walled city of Toledo and the Hotel San Juan de
los Reyes. An evening meal at a local restaurant with local wine
is included.
Day 2: Monday 2nd June
Start the day with a walking tour of Toledo followed by free time
for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the private gardens of Palacio
de Galiana on the banks of the River Tagus. The house is built
on the site of an early Moorish Palace. The gardens have been
created in the last 40 years by Carmen Maranon in the Christian
& Arab Mudejar styles. Tightly clipped cypress is used throughout
the garden as a strong sculptural element. We then visit the small
private garden of El Cigarral de Menores, with beds edged in box
and myrtle, a pool, and a fountain surrounded by olive groves
and orchards. Return to Hotel San Juan de los Reyes with a free
evening to explore Toledo and to eat at one of the many small
restaurants in the old city.
Day 3: Tuesday 3rd June
Leave Toledo and journey north to La Adrada, the private botanical
garden owned by Axel Mahlau, then to the small ancient town of
Avila, where the Marquis de Pozoblanco will show us San Segundo,
his fascinating garden. Designed in the 1920’s by J M Winthuysen,
it is a garden of stone and roses nestling in the shadows of the
11th century walls. We travel to the Parador de Segovia, your
base for the next 3 nights: a beautiful, modern Parador of great
comfort and style with some of the very best views of the ancient
city. Lunch
with local wine is included.
Day 4: Wednesday 4th June
A morning visit to the Royal gardens of La Granja de San Ildefonso,
a garden on a grand scale with an abundance of fountains &
statues commissioned by Felipe V. Following free time for lunch,
we visit the small garden of El Romeral created by the late Leandro
Silva with fine views of Segovia. Evening meal at the hotel with
local wine is included.
Day 5: Thursday 5th June
A morning visit to the monumental 16th century monastery of El
Escorial to include a special tour of the interior, the surrounding
terrace gardens and the garden of the 18th century Casita del
Principe. After free time for lunch at El Escorial, we return
to Segovia in time to explore the wonderful hill town and Roman
aqueduct before returning to the Parador for the evening meal.
Day
6: Friday 6th June
Drive into Madrid to see the Real Jardin Botanico, including the
Bonsai terrace designed by Fernando Caruncho. This wonderful,
compact garden is an excellent way to summarize the garden flora
of the region. Free time either to visit The Prado, Madrid’s
world renowned art gallery or to stroll in the Retiro Park, originally
designed in 1636 for King Felipe IV. Return to the airport for
16.30 PM flight IB3166 to London, Heathrow arriving 17.50 PM.
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The
tour price is £1450.00 per person and includes half
board accommodation, 3 evening meals with local wine, &
1 lunch.
There
is a combined single supplement of £150.00 per person
levied by the hotels. Please note that all the rooms have
en suite bathrooms, some with showers rather than baths.
Please
indicate on your booking form if you require a bath which
will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
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your own flights, please notify us under ‘Special Requirements’
in the booking form, deduct £142.00 from the tour price. Please
check your joining arrangements with the Boxwood Office before confirming
your flight
This tour is operated by Albatross Travel Group Ltd., ATOL
number 5116, by whom your payments are secured (see ‘Booking
Conditions’ on reverse of Booking Form).
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