The Cosmopolitan Club, Philadelphia
Treasures of Madrid 2024
November 7 - 13, 2024
Madrid, the Spanish capital, has accumulated centuries of treasures from palaces to backstreets – the city is equally enriched by its great royal collections of Western Art as by the castizo cuisine of traditional taverns, and the custom craftwork of long-serving ateliers.
Please join us for a women's only tour of Madrid and its environs as we explore the treasures of the Spanish capital with expert guides and leading artisans. This 7 day/6-night excursion will take you behind the scenes of the city to eat, drink, and talk shop with the winemakers, artists, and crafts people whose businesses form the very fabric of Madrileño culture. We’ll also take you out of town on a day-trip to ancient Toledo, with its hilltop fortress, bewitching spires, and heady multicultural history. We will have a private tour of masterpieces by the likes of Titian and Goya at the Palacio de Liria, and view the dreamlike visions of modernists like Dali, Miro, and Picasso at Madrid’s renowned museum of 20th century art, the Reina Sofia. Our program ends with a private performance of flamenco, as a local dancer and guitarist explain the deep roots of this most dynamic and dramatic Spanish artform.
Hotels
URSO Hotel & Spa: a smart 5* boutique property in the elegant Salesas area of Madrid, walking distance to restaurants, galleries and boutique shops.
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 / Thursday 7 november - Arrival and intro walk
AM: Arrive Madrid Airport (flight details - under own arrangement)
Meet your driver on arrival and depart by private transfer to the hotel
Note. We will try to request early check in, but to guarantee this, you will need to book the night before at supplementary cost
PM: Welcome meeting in the hotel with refreshments. This will be a lovely opportunity to reconnect with past travel companions and meet new ones who will be joining our group. Teresa Vega, an art historian and our guide, will be on hand to introduce herself, as will contemporary art expert and independent curator, Cristina Anglada.
This afternoon we will stretch our legs and explore Habsburg Madrid, the historic quarter of the city. Included are the Plaza de la Villa and the Plaza Mayor where buildings from the 15th and 17th centuries will allow us to trace the evolution of architectural styles in the city. We will have time to stop for a casual drink in the Market of San Miguel.
EVE: Dinner together at the hotel
Day 2 / Friday 8 November - Reina Sofia & Wine Evening
AM: Visit to the Royal Tapestry Factory: When Spain lost its Belgian territories under Philip V, it no longer had access to the Belgian tapestry factories or its skilled Flemish weavers. As a result, the Royal Tapestry Factory was set up in 1720 to make the rugs and carpets for the court. It continues the tradition of hand-made weaving today. It is here, where Goya started designing the patterns known as cartoons for the tapestries, before his appointment as Court painter. Our visit will be led by a factory guide.
Visit to the Reina Sofia Museum: Spain’s modern art museum with works by Dali, Miro, Juan Gris, alongside the museum’s masterpiece Picasso’s Guernica painting in memory of the suffering experienced during the bombing of Guernica on the 27 April 1937 in the Spanish Civil War.
PM: Lunch together at Restaurant NuBel in the Reina Sofia Museum.
EVE: Tonight we will have dinner together at one of Madrid’s landmark restaurants and enjoy a guided tasting through Spain’s wine regions with leading wine expert, Raul Orantes. Raul grew up in hospitality, working in the family restaurant while developing his deep knowledge of Spanish wines. Raul will help us to expand our own knowledge of the Spanish wine scene, whether an absolute beginner or wine connoisseur.
Day 3 / Saturday 9 November - Special Prado & Private Liria (Bank Holiday)
AM: Special early visit to the Museo del Prado: We will tour the highlights of the Prado focusing on Velasquez, Titian and Goya. We will have access to the museum one hour before it opens to the public, with just a select number of groups inside.
Visit small private art galleries in Dr. Forquet, where examples of some of the best contemporary art can be found.
PM: Independent lunch on your own
Time on your own-at leisure or perhaps some shopping, before evening activities.
EVE: Private evening visit to the Palacio de Liria: the official residence of the House of Alba, a family with an important and ancient lineage that is closely entwined with Spanish history. The exquisite palace contains the Duke of Alba’s remarkable private collection of European Masters. We will view works by Titian, Goya, and El Greco among others.
Dinner together locally
Day 4 / Sunday 10 November - Toledo Day Trip
AM: Visit to historic Toledo: The Romans built a fortress here, Visigoths made it their capital and in the Middle Ages the city was a melting pot of Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures. We begin with a panoramic tour of the city with splendid views, then we leave our coach behind and continue on foot. Highlights will include the Cathedral & museum, Santo Tome church with its El Greco masterpiece, the Burial of the Lord of Orgaz and La Orza.
PM: Lunch together
After lunch, we continue to the Tránsito synagogue, Santa Maria La Blanca, a synagogue built in Moorish style that was converted to a church for its survival; and if time allows, to San Juan de los Reyes, a mausoleum built for the Catholic Monarchs.
EVE: Independent dinner on your own
Day 5/ Monday 11 November - Contemporary Art & Interior Design
AM: Depart the hotel by private coach to the Carabanchel neighborhood on the outskirts of Madrid: once a working-class area, this district has become the centre of a large creative, bohemian movement that now boasts more than 130 artists spread around 40 studios, workshops and other creative spaces. We will find up-and-coming artists that work with illustration, crafts, sculpture, photography, music, video-art or graphic art, as well as well-known creators such as José Luis Serzo, Miki Leal, Patricia Mateo and Laura Lío. Two standout galleries in the area are Veta Gallery and Sabrina Amrani Gallery.
PM: Visit the private home of Lorenzo Castillo, an internationally known interior designer and antiques dealer. Lorenzo has a Degree in Art History from the Complutense University of Madrid, Art and Antiques by the Antique School of Madrid, Silverware and Jewellery from Museum Fine Arts in Boston and History of American Art at Columbia University in New York. He is known to layer his designs, drawing from different centuries and cultures. Lorenzo is in-demand with projects commissioned around the world from Shanghai to the Dominican Republic to New York City. Lorenzo will open his Madrid home to us and has invited us to join him for lunch.
Return to the hotel and rest of day and evening at leisure
EVE: Independent dinner on your own
Day 6 / Tuesday 12 November - Thyssen & Private Flamenco Uncovered
AM: Visit the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza: the most important collection of paintings in Spain after the Prado and was assembled by the Thyssen-Bornemisza family and installed in the Villahermosa Palace. The collection is made up of almost 1000 paintings, spanning the history of art from the 13th right up until the 20th century. Numerous highlights include works by Titian, Goya, Zubaran, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Hopper, as well as an important collection of Impressionist paintings.
PM: Independent lunch and afternoon at leisure
EVE: Private Flamenco: This evening we will gather in the intimate setting of a flamenco club with a professional dancer and guitarist. They share their world with us and explain the roots, history and the intuition of Spain’s best-known art form. We will enjoy a private Flamenco performance: a highly emotive experience and a wonderful finale for the trip!
Farewell dinner
Day 7 / Wednesday 13 November - Departure
Depart by private transfer for Madrid Airport or train station
[This itinerary is subject to amendment and all private visits are subject to confirmation]
ABOUT THE TOUR ORGANIZERS
LESLIE CARROLL DESIGNS IN TRAVEL
Leslie Kramer and Carol Gerst have been travel colleagues and close friends since the 1980s, when they each owned their own travel agencies. In the intervening 40+ years, their passion for travel has brought them to destinations as far-flung as Bali, Bhutan, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, and Zimbabwe and dozens of other locales – from cosmopolitan hubs to remote outposts. In 2007, they merged their agencies (and their names) to create Leslie Carroll Designs in Travel located in Newtown Square,PA. They have organized and led groups on unique, curated travel experiences throughout the world, as well as organizing and hosting groups visiting the United States.
Insider’s Travel
Insider’s Travel Ltd is a leading specialist in cultural travel design for museums, art collectors and friends and family. They create unique itineraries sourcing the finest experts, providing exceptional experiences and offering new and thrilling perspectives. Insider’s Travel expert, Carly Wells is based in London. Carly began her career in travel as a guide, leading group tours throughout Europe. After 10 years in the industry, she delights in using her wealth of local European knowledge to produce bespoke and once-in-a-lifetime itineraries, bringing history, art, and culture to life. Carly and her team look after a select group of clients worldwide.
BOOKING AND REGISTRATION
Eligibility: Covid Vaccinated. Women only.
Price:
$6,955.00 per person*
Single Room Supplement: $1,895.00
Upgrades and additional nights at the hotel are on request and at an additional cost
*Based on two guests sharing a room
*Price per night for a pre-stay: $600.00 USD per room, per night,(or $300/pp double occupancy) including breakfast and taxes
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Price Includes:
Accommodation for 6 nights in twin deluxe palace view rooms including breakfast and taxes at the URSO hotel, Madrid.
Guiding as per itinerary
Return airport transfers via Madrid-based airport, included for each participant
Private transport as per the itinerary
All admission fees as per the itinerary
Special early visit to the Museo del Prado
Private evening visit to the Palacio de Liria
Wine-focused dinner with our wine expert, all food and drink included
Private visit and lunch at the home of Lorenzo Castello, all food and drink included
Private Flamenco evening with a private Flamenco performance
3 dinners (three courses with wine, water, and coffee)
2 lunches (two courses with wine, water, and coffee)
All tips and taxes
Audio headphones for group listening
Full Support from Leslie Carroll Designs in Travel and/or Insider’s Travel office, including personalized itinerary booklets, sightseeing notes, restaurant bookings, and an emergency contact number.
Price Excludes:
International flights
Visas - under own arrangement as required
Any personal expenditure
All meals not specifically included
Mobility:
The itinerary requires participants to have a reasonable amount of mobility. Garden visits will involve walking and standing for long periods (around 1-1.5 hours), and you will need to be comfortable getting on and off a coach. Should you require a rest while in the garden there will be opportunities to do so, but we will continue our garden tour and meet with you at a later point or at the visit’s end.
Tour Numbers:
This tour is based on eighteen(18) participants. If this tour cannot be executed due to insufficient numbers or to other factors beyond our control, your deposit will be returned.
Passport and Insurance:
You must have a valid passport and take out full travel insurance to cover all aspects of your tour and it is part of our terms and conditions that you do so. This insurance should be activated from the point of tour confirmation and should cover all emergency and medical care, cancellation and repatriation costs and ideally your luggage and personal possessions. Passports must be valid for at least six months after your return date of travel.
Changes and/or Tour Extensions:
Leslie Carroll Designs in Travel and/or Insider’s Travel Ltd. will be delighted to book and/or advise on alternative travel arrangements before, during or after the tour and will help with upgrades or extensions to your itinerary. Please note that the cost of alternative arrangements must be met by you in full and could be subject to a service fee. If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change any part of your Tour, please contact us immediately and we will do all we can to help you, but it may not always be possible. If it is possible to make the change, you may be asked to pay an administrative charge and any further cost we incur in making this alteration. You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that such changes are made.
Traveling as part of a group:
Please remember that this is a group tour and you will be expected to be punctual at meeting times and remain with the group during the fixed part of the program or advise the tour manager in advance if you do not plan to attend to take part in any aspect of the itinerary. Please keep an eye at all times on your lecturer and tour manager while walking through the city. If you need to leave the group for any reason, please inform them. It is important that we stick as close as possible to our schedule. If you need assistance getting to destinations by taxi while the group is on foot, you will need to meet these costs yourself.
Accommodations and alterations to the itinerary:
Leslie Carroll Designs in Travel, LLC and/or Insider’s Travel reserve the right to modify program itineraries, including arranged sightseeing and featured experts, and substitute accommodations, at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond their control. Reasonable efforts will be made to operate itineraries as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. All scheduled sightseeing has been confirmed in advance, but venues including gardens, museums, and other points of interest can change their hours of operations at short notice. If this occurs, your guide will offer alternative arrangements.
Responsibility:
Leslie Carroll Designs in Travel, LLC (Newtown Square, PA), and/or Insider’s Travel LTD,( London) are not responsible for any personal injury, property damage or loss a passenger incurs on this tour arising from such acts or omissions by the air carrier, public transport company, hotel, subcontractor, or other person or organization whether or not such company is rendering any services supplied on the tour. All tickets and vouchers are issued and supplied subject to any and all conditions under which transportation and services are provided. Leslie Carroll Designs in Travel, LLC and/ or Insider’s Travel, LTD accepts no responsibility for losses or expenses due to delay or changes in schedules or flight cancellations due to mechanical problems, weather, sickness, strikes, war, quarantine or other causes. Passengers must bear all such losses and expenses. Leslie Carroll Designs in Travel, LLC., and/ or Insider’s Travel,LTD reserves the right to decline any person as a member of the tour or to cancel or alter the tour at any time.
health and safety:
The priority of Leslie Carroll Designs in Travel, LLC and Insider’s Travel, LTD, is the health and safety of our travelers, team members and the communities we visit. We will continue to monitor each destination alongside our local partners. As we get closer to departure, we will communicate specific guidelines based on our destination and venues with consideration of CDC, WHO and the ECDC best practices.
REGISTRATION FOR TREASURES OF MADRID
Each person must register separately
PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND INFORMATION
Space is limited. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis
Space will not be reserved until the deposit has been received.
Payment schedule:
Deposit on or before MARCH 6,2024 (non-refundable): $2,500.00
JUNE 30, 2024 (non-refundable): $2,500.00
AUGUST 15, 2024 (non-refundable): $1,955.00
June 30, 2024, Single Supplement Due of $1,895
And/or pre night $300.00 double occupancy at the Urso Hotel (non-refundable)
And/or pre night $600.00 single occupancy at the Urso Hotel (non-refundable)
Payment may be made by personal check or wire transfer
Additional 3% credit card processing fee
DEPOSIT AMOUNT $2,500.00
BY CHECK:
Payable to Leslie Carroll Designs in Travel
Send to:
Leslie Carroll Designs in Travel
℅ Leslie Kramer
1530 Locust Street Apt. 6E
Philadelphia, PA. 19102
ANY QUESTIONS?
PLEASE CONTACT: Leslie Kramer at lkbali@comcast.net (609) 440-6149 or Carol Gerst at cg@lesliecarrolldesigns.com (610) 420-2601
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