Spain Trip 2006
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Overview and Highlights of the Trip:
Sunday June 11: Met at the school at 3:00am, Flew to Philly, Had a nine hour lay-over (played cards, dice, and twister to pass some time), Flew over night to Madrid
Monday, June 12: Arrived in Madrid, Met our tour guide, Checked in to the hotel, Toured the Picasso exhibit at the Reina Sofia Museum (click on the green dots on the floor plan to take a virtual tour) , Met the other groups on our tour, took the metro to Puerta del Sol, took a walking tour of the city, Ate dinner in the Plaza Mayor.  
Tuesday, June 13: Visited the Prado Museum, Ate lunch at the Puerta del sol, Took a bus tour of Madrid, Toured the Palacio Real, Had tapas for dinner.
Wednesday, June 14: Bus transfer to Seville, Along the way: Stopped at La Mancha and the Venta de Don Quixote, Ate lunch in Cordoba and toured  the Mesquita; Arrived in Seville, took walking tour of the city, Watched a live Flamenco performance.
Thursday, June 15: Bus tour of Seville, Stopped at the Parque de Maria Luisa and the Plaza de Espaņa,  Toured the Alcazar, We attempted to tour the largest gothic cathedral in Europe which houses Christopher Columbus's tomb, but instead (to our enjoyment) we saw part of the Corpus Christ procession/parade, part of a mass in the cathedral, the Cardinal of Spain, and heard the bells ringing (which apparently they seldom do).  We were able to get into the cathedral but were unable to tour it. Had lunch at an outdoor cafe, Then took the bus to the Costa del Sol. Checked in to the hotel and went to swim in the Mediterranean Sea. 
Friday, June 16: Took a ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar, drove through Ceuta to Morocco and into the city of Tetouan. Rode camels, walked through the market, toured the old Jewish quarters and the medina, visited a bazaar, bought real Berber rugs, had lunch in a restaurant - saw a man dance with fire, and shopped in a pharmacy of natural medicines. We traveled back to the Costa del Sol and headed for the beach again.
Saturday, June 17: Took the bus to Granada. We spent the day touring the Alhambra. We also saw how to make bone and wood  inlayed products. In the evening, it was out to dinner for some. Then a drum jam session outside the hotel.
Sunday, June 18: A long bus ride to Toledo, seeing the Spanish country side (when we were awake). We met up with a tour guide in the city. We took a bus tour and stopped for pictures overlooking Toledo. We visited a Damascene workshop to see swords being made and gold interlacing being done. Then bought swords and jewelry. Continued our tour of the city on foot. Saw decorated streets for Corpus Christi, visited the Cathedral and the Tomb of St. Tome,  and viewed many works of art by El Greco. Back on the bus to Madrid.
Monday, June 19: For our group - Free day in Madrid! We slept in, took the metro down to the plaza del sol, Shopped in the plaza Mayor, Came back to the hotel then shopped a little more at some stands and in the hotel gift shop. Rested and packed, then went out to dinner with the group.
Tuesday, June 20: Head for Home - arrived at the airport 10:00ish - but had some delays and left Madrid late in the afternoon. Rushed to catch our plane in Philly, finally arrived at 11:00pm STL time.