Trip to Spain/Portugal!
The Joyous Journeys trip to Spain and Portugal was a fascinating, wonderfully planned trip to those two countries. Here's a synopsis of our journey:
Our 19-member group, under the direction of Susi and Paul Sipos, joined with others from around the country to provide a bus load of energetic tourists with Grand Circle Tour Company, flying to Madrid to begin our journey. Each day was filled with interesting and often exciting events!
In Madrid we visited the Madrid Palace, which has become a beautiful museum of baroque and rococo art on the walls and ceilings, followed by a city tour and a trip to the El Prado Museum the next day. From there we visited the cities of Toledo, Cordoba, and Granada, with an optional bull fight along the way, as well as fortresses, palaces, and a stud horse farm. We also enjoyed a home-hosted lunch at various homes in Malaga, which was special, of course.
From Torremolinos, many of our group traveled by boat across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangier, Morocco, for a fascinating look at Moorish life in that Muslim city. The following evening we were privileged to attend a flamenco show in Seville, with its lovely dancers performing beautifully for us, accompanied by very talented singers and guitarists.
Reaching Portugal the next day, we visited the capital city, Lisbon (the home of our tour guide), where we visited the main sites during our city tour and walk. The large cathedral was especially beautiful, and we were also able to do a bit of shopping along the way.
Last but certainly not least was the city of Oporto, where we visited a winery that specialized in making Port wine (of course). Time for a trial sip, of course! On our final evening there, we enjoyed our farewell banquet together.
It was difficult to say adios to our excellent bus driver and our very favorite tour guide of all time, Philipa, who spoke four languages and was extremely knowledgeable, pleasant, and accommodating to all of us. We shall never forget her or the trip itself, as it was a terrific experience for all.
Stay tuned for new trips in the planning and suggestion stage that will be posted here, and don't forget to let Shirley know your travel interests!
