Spanish Architecture Tour - From Gaudi to Gehry

Modern architecture has a name in Spain: Antonio Gaudí. The Catalan-born architect filled Barcelona and Catalonia with his brilliant creations, such as the Sagrada Familia, Parque Güell and “La Pedrera”. Also the Guggenheim has given Bilbao a present and a future in terms of architecture. You will be able to see famous examples of Gaudi´s legacy as well as the impressive Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

SPANISH ARCHITECTURAL TOUR A

Day ONE

Arrive in Barcelona. Accommodation of your choice in the city.

Day TWO, THREE and FOUR

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, and home of the Olympic Games in 1992. Visit the city starting in the Old town, that is traversed by Barcelona’s most famous avenue, the Ramblas, where you can find many people and places of interest. From here stroll to the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter), where the 13th century Gothic Cathedral is situated. The Parc de la Cuitadella is also located in the area. Next make your way to Montjuic which not only provides a great panoramic of the city and the harbour, but also mixes the modernity of the modern sports halls built nearby for the Olympic games, and a 17th Century Castle. Also in Monjuict you find the Palau Nacional, home of the Museu Nacional d’Art Catalan, hosting a great collection of medieval art (especially Romanesque frescoes).

If Gaudí is your thing then there are three constructions that should not be missed. The Guell Park, full of his work replete with brightly coloured tiles. Next visit Casa Milá or La Pedrera (the stone quarry), as it was nicknamed, on the Paseo de Gracia in the Eixample district. Afterwards see the Sagrada Familia, a Christian temple and the most famous and spectacular of Gaudí´s works. Unfortunately he died before finishing the work, which continues to this day, and he is buried in the crypt. Other marvellous visits in Barcelona include the Palau de la Musica, Museu Picasso and the Olympic Harbour. Accommodation of your choice in Barcelona.

Day FIVE

Travel to Bilbao and overnight in the city in the accommodation of your choice. Flying to Bilbao from Barcelona is recommended but should you decide to drive allow a one night stopover en route.

Day SIX

Bilbao, the largest Basque city, has in recent times enjoyed a well planned revitalisation bringing a new lease of life to this very charming old port. Sights include the famous Guggenheim Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, a splendid Old Quarter, a lovely riverside walkway, a funicular ride that affords terrific views of the city and not forgetting the Puente Colgante; a remarkable Hanging Transporter Bridge built in 1893 and still in use today.

The Guggenheim Museum has been acknowledged as one of the greatest buildings of the century but a walk around the city will also lea you to the white “Zubi Zuri” bridge designed by Calatrava, and Norman Foster’s acclaimed metro (underground).

Accommodation of your choice in Bilbao

Day SEVEN

Return to your point of departure.

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SPANISH ARCHITECTURAL TOUR B

Day ONE

Arrive in Barcelona.

Day TWO to FIVE

Exploring Barcelona ( see Itinerary One above for details). Also include a day trip north of Barcelona to Figures, known internationally as the birthplace of Salvador Dalí and home to his incredible museum hosting most of his unique work. Accommodation of your choice in Barcelona.

Day SIX

Travel to Bilbao and overnight in the city in the accommodation of your choice. Flying to Bilbao from barcelona is recommended but should you decide to drive allow a one night stopover en route.

Day SEVEN

Today travel west along the Cantabrian coast to Comillas. This noble and aristocratic town is set on soft hills that protect its beautiful beach and sheltered port. As a popular retreat for Spanish royalty during the 19th century Comillas village gained much by these visits including the installation of the first street lighting in Spain, the neo-gothic palace designed by Martorell and Domenech i Muntaner and the modernist palace by brilliant Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi called "El capricho"(The Caprice). The cemetery (situated on the ruins of a 15th century church) dominated by the outstanding modernist sculpture by Llimona, 'El Angel' is also worth seeing as is the Old Square, the parish church and several houses in the centre of the village that form an excellent collection of popular 18th century architecture. Accommodation of your choice in Bilbao.

Day EIGHT

Continue to León stopping en route in Vitoria to see the splendid new Museum of Modern Art “The Artium”. Proceed to León and the accommodation of your choice.

Day NINE

León, as capital of the kingdom in the Middle Ages, played an important role during the Reconquest of Spain from the Moors. Here Gaudí has left his mark on the city with the Casta de los Botines, now a bank. Other important buildings include the Gothic Cathedral with stained glass windows considered by many the finest in all of Spain.

This afternoon visit the nearby city of Astorga, about 30 miles west from Leon. Here see the Bishop’s Palace, the second work by Gaudí in the province of León. Also visit the 15th century Cathedral (mixing Baroque and Gothic styles). Accommodation of your choice in Leon.

Day TEN

Return to your point of departure.

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Accommodation

If you like the look of the above Suggested Tour we will gladly prepare a quote for you. The itinerary is not rigid and can be modified to suit your needs.

Below is a selection of the accommodation we would recommend for this tour. Click on the Hotel Code or symbol for photographs and detailed information about each property. If you have registered to use our Spain Travel & Holiday Planner, you need only click on to insert it into your itinerary.

Spanish Architecture Tour - From Gaudi to Gehry	Hotel Code	Classification	Information
4 nights in Barcelona	BAR02	Central Hotel
	BAR04	Central Hotel w/ pool
	BAR06	Central Hotel

2 nights in Bilbao

TBC19

Central Hotel

Architecture: Gaudi-Barcelona and Gehry-Bilbao (10 days)	Hotel Code	Classification	Information
5 nights in Barcelona	BAR02	Central Hotel
	BAR04	Central Hotel w/ pool
	BAR06	Central Hotel

2 nights in Bilbao

TBC19

Central Hotel

2 nights in LEON	CYL11	Central Hotel
	CYL12	Central Hotel

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