PRE-CONGRESS Nb 1 Ø "Treasures of Andalusia: Granada and Cordoba"
3 days/2 nights > From Sunday, October 25 to Tuesday 27, 2009
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 – SEVILLE/CORDOBA:
Departure from Seville early in the morning by bus for Cordoba (about 2 hours by road).
Arrival in Cordoba, leave your luggage at your hotel, located within the walled city, not far from the Mosque/Cathedral.
Departure walking with your escort on an initial exploratory visit of the city.
You will get the impression that time stopped here about a thousand years ago, when Cordoba was one of the greatest cities of the West, with narrow paved streets, inaccessible to vehicles, secret corners, wrought iron railings and miniscule goldsmith workshops.
Tapas lunch in a local restaurant
In the early afternoon, visit the incredible Mosque/Cathedral.
The Great Mosque of Cordoba is the most striking symbol of Muslim domination in Spain.
Abdar Rahman I built the original mosque between 785 and 787, followed by several additions and enlargements over the centuries.
In the 15th century, a Gothic nave was built. Deemed too small, it was turned into a major chapel and a choir in the 16th century.
That is how visitors can now explore the extraordinary mix of architectures, cultures and religions in the Mezquita-Cathedral.
On the way back to the hotel, located in the "Juderia" (Jewry), at the end of the afternoon, you will visit the tiny Synagogue, one of the only three that have survived in Spain from that period (the other two are in Toledo).
Time to settle down in your rooms and free time before dinner.
In the early evening, you will walk to the Almudaina restaurant located very close to the hotel for a typically Andalusian dinner.
Accommodation in a 4* hotel in Cordoba.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 – CORDOBA / GRANADA:
Departure for Granada by bus early in the morning (about 2.30 hours by road).
Magic and legend blend together in the last of the Al-Andalus capitals of Granada: places and monuments full of history testify to its rich past, marked by eight centuries of Islamic presence.
Arrival in Granada, luggage to be left at your 4* hotel in the city-centre.
Departure for a visit to the Cathedral and Royal Chapel, in which you will see the recumbent effigies of the Catholic Sovereigns, Ferdinand and Isabelle.
You will then leave for the Alhambra site by bus for lunch at the Parador.
In the early afternoon, departure for a visit of the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens.
The Alhambra is a castle built on top of a rocky hill looking down on the city of Granada. The residence of the 13th century Moorish kings of the Granada court, it grew into an enormous citadel over the following centuries.
The marvellous gardens of the Generalife spread out to the East.
Return to the hotel, settle down in your rooms, free time.
In the early evening, transfer for dinner in a restaurant offering a unique panorama of the Alhambra.
Accommodation in a 4* hotel in Granada
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 – GRANADA/SEVILLE:
After breakfast, departure for a tour of Granada's Law Courts or free time.
Return to Seville, arrival at around 3.00 p.m.
PACKAGE PRICE PER PERSON Minimum nb of participants: 25 | Double Room | Single Room | THE TREASURES OF ANDALUSIA October 25-27, 2009 | € 610 | € 700 | These prices include: Transport Seville/Cordoba/Granada/Seville in an air-conditioned coach, accommodation in 4* hotels with breakfast (2 nights), the meals (including beverages) mentioned in the programme, the tours and entrance fees to monuments given in the programme, an English-speaking guide from Seville onwards, and taxes. These prices do not include: Initial transportation to Seville or any accommodation in Seville for the night of 24/10/09, accommodation during the congress, personal expenses, extraordinary expenditure due to elements for which the agency cannot be held responsible, such as: strikes, aircraft/train delays, bad weather conditions, etc., cancellation/baggage insurance or assistance/repatriation. |
The above prices have been established on the basis of a minimum of 25 participants. DESTINATION PLUS reserves the right to increase the rates in case the minimum number is not reached. Should this number not be reached by September 8, 2009, DESTINATION PLUS reserves the right to cancel the tour. DESTINATION PLUS would therefore reimburse the pre-congress amount (except for expenses linked to changes in international flights booked on your own).
Consequently, we recommend that you to book air tickets that can be modified.
PRE-CONGRESS Nb 2 Ø "Golf & Spa in Marbella"
(3 days/2 nights) From Saturday, October 24 to Monday, October 26, 2009
For this pre-congress tour, we advise participants to reserve a direct flight to Malaga in order to avoid transfers.
The famous Costa del Sol, South-East of the Iberian Peninsula, is a truly select tourist destination.
Marbella, in particular, has long been a highly-popular location, thanks to its mild climate, the many days of sunlight it enjoys, its numerous shops and its lively night life.
Your hotel
Located at the heart of Marbella's golf valley, The Westin La Quinta Golf Resort & Spa complex enjoys a privileged location and gives the impression of an oasis with its superb tropical gardens, its crystal-clear water and its wonderful swimming pools. It's an ideal place to recharge one's batteries!
The rooms
Reflecting the rich Andalusian style, the resort's 172 elegant rooms fitted with the exclusive Westin Heavenly Bed® open on to private balconies from which you can admire the panoramic view of the superb golf course and the spectacular Mediterranean Coast, a large bathroom with separate showers and bath, offering you unparalleled comfort.
Activities (to be paid for on the spot)
Golf: 27 holes
Designed by Manuel Piñero, the 1985 Ryder Cup winner, La Quinta Golf is considered to be one of the Costa del Sol's most impressive golf courses.
Spa
Influenced by the region's rich Arab and Andalusian heritage, the spa, recently built at the heart of the Costa del Sol, offers its clients a marvellous escape far from the stress of modern life.
Meals
You can try out totally fresh, local, seasonal products here, with a superb, panoramic view of Marbella's golf valley. Whether it's a candlelight dinner on the terrace over Mediterranean delicacies or a tepanyaki style Japanese cuisine prepared in front of you, each meal will be as authentic as it will be unique.
PRICE PER PERSON Minimum nb of participants: 6 | Double Room | Single Room | THE WESTIN LA QUINTA GOLF RESORT & SPA (October 24-26) | € 320 | € 450 | Half-board supplement (for the entire stay) | + € 85 | 
These prices include: Malaga/airport or Malaga railway station/Hotel and Hotel/Seville transfer by minibus, accommodation with breakfast (2 nights), and taxes.
These prices do not include: Initial transportation to Malaga or Seville, meals (except if half-board supplement paid) and beverages, green fees and Spa, any accommodation in Seville for the night of 26/10/09, accommodation during the congress, personal expenses, extraordinary expenditure due to elements for which the agency cannot be held responsible, such as: strikes, aircraft/train delays, bad weather conditions, etc., cancellation/baggage insurance or assistance/repatriation. |
The above prices have been established on the basis of a minimum of 25 participants. DESTINATION PLUS reserves the right to increase the rates in case the minimum number is not reached. Should this number not be reached by September 8, 2009, DESTINATION PLUS reserves the right to cancel the tour. DESTINATION PLUS would therefore reimburse the pre-congress amount (except for expenses linked to changes in international flights booked on your own).
Consequently, we recommend that you to book air tickets that can be modified.
PRE-CONGRESS Nb 3 Ø "Madrid"
Most flights to Seville transit through Madrid, and as the AVEs (high-speed train) also leave from this city, we propose that you stop over in the Spanish capital and stay at one of the following hotels, ideally located hotels in the city.
ACCOMMODATION IN MADRID | PRIX PER NIGHT IN EUROS | Double Room | Single Room | HOTEL MELIA PRINCESA 5* | € 210 | € 195 | HOTEL VILLA REAL 5* | € 210 | € 195 | These prices include: Accommodation in a double or single room with breakfast in the hotel of your choice, and taxes. These prices do not include: Initial transportation to Madrid, transfers to the hotel of your choice, personal expenses, meals, cancellation/baggage insurance or assistance/repatriation, accommodation in Seville during the congress. |
IMPORTANT NOTE: In Spain, hotels systematically ask for identity papers on your arrival as well as a print of your bank card (no charges are debited on your card – it is just a guarantee to cover any extras).
TRAIN TICKETS (AVE): MADRID/SEVILLE/MADRID | Price per trip | € 80 to 150 depending on the class reserved + € 25 for DESTINATION PLUS' management costs | The exact price will be communicated when you send in your reservation request. IMPORTANT NOTE: Train frequency: Every hour – Duration of trip: About 2.30 hours |
MELIA PRINCESA 5*
Located in the capital's "royal" heart, in the midst of the shopping area and just a few metres from the Plaza de España, the royal palace and the Plaza Mayor, and close to the business district.
VILLA REAL 5*
Located in the centre of the "Paseo del Arte", close to the Prado Museum, the National Museum and Reina Sofía Art Centre, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
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