Madrid and Valencia

Tuesday 1st November 2016 Madrid

10:35 a.m.: Departure for Madrid via Zurich (SWISS). On arrival: visit of El Escorial. This monastery-castle complex was built by order of King Philipp II of Spain according to the blueprint of Juan Bautista of Toledo, and is considered to be the world’s largest Renaissance monument. We continue our journey to Madrid where we will stay at Hotel ME Madrid Reina Victoria and have dinner in common.

Wednesday 2nd November 2016 Madrid-Visit of old town, market, museum and concert

After breakfast we will discover the highlights of Madrid’s OLD TOWN. We may have a snack at Mercado San Miguel before visiting the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. While the Museo del Prado is considered the stronghold of classic art , the Museo Centro de Arte boasts the most famous pieces of modern art from the middle of the 19th century to the 21st century with its paintings, sculptures and multi-media projects. After the visit we will have some time out before the highlight of the day: the concert given by the OPL, a coming together and dinner with various members of the orchestra.

Thursday 3rd November 2016 Valencia

Check out after breakfast at the hotel. Visit of the Museo Naval which houses a world map dating from the year 1500 including the first sketch of the American coast: its author was Juan de la Cosa, a companion of Columbus’. After lunch we will take the high speed train to Valencia where we will stay at a seaside hotel. We will then assist to the 2nd concert given by the OPL at the Palau de la Musica, followed by a common dinner with different members of the orchestra.

Friday 4th November 2016 Valencia

After breakfast we will take a city tour followed by a visit to the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, an architectural masterpiece planned by Santiago Colatrava, which houses a cinema, a planetarium, a scientific and oceanographic museum in a futuristic ambiente. After lunch we will get a glimpse of the Museo Nacional de Ceramica Gonzàlez Martì, a fantastic palace dating from the 15th century. The day’s activities will end with a common dinner.

Saturday 5th November 2016 Bye, bye Spain

After breakfast we will have a look at the cathedral of Valencia with its Capilla del Santo Caliz built in the 15th century: it is here where the Holy Chalice has been kept , with interruptions, since the year 1506. According to the legend this chalice has served at the last supper with Jesus Christ and his disciples. Following this visit, we will be taken to the airport of Valencia where we will board the SWISS aircraft for Luxembourg via Zurich.

The arrival in Luxembourg is scheduled for 6:25 p.m.