Spain: Madrid & Toledo, Seville & Andalusia

MADRID &
TOLEDO
Program Description: 

Toledo is literally "Holy Toledo," the medieval religious secular
capital of Spain. In the day time, tour buses from nearby Madrid crowd the
town, so it's worthwhile to stay overnight in Toledo just to feel the ambiance
of El Greco's home town.  Viewers will get a sense of how European
cities start and grow-- here is layer upon layer of Spanish history, from
the Visigoths to the Moorish conquerors, to the Sephardic artisans. 
The historic, bustling big city of Madrid boasts one of the world's great
museums, the Prado.  Packed with paintings from many nations, the Prado
is famous for Spanish art, especially the works of Diego Velazquez and Francisco
Goya.  In this half-hour, we also study Pablo Picasso's powerful painting
Guernica at a neighboring modern gallery, attend a bullfight and make a
delicious meal of tapas at the local tapa bars.

TIPS
on train travel and traditional food.



SEVILLE &
ANDULUSIA
Program Description:

Instead of the sunburnt traffic jams of Costa del Sol, we head for Andalusia's
interior where many white-washed villages welcome visitors as guests. 
In this half-hour, we explore the tiny villages of Zahara and Grazalema
and settle into an ancient, small hotel in Arcos de la Frontera.  This
region was key in Spain's reconquest of the Moors in the south of the Iberian
Peninsula.  In lively Seville, we discover more of Spain's Moorish
past and clap with Flamenco dancers.  Viewers will see the fine proud,
riding horses of Jerez and join us to sample Sherry in its birthplace.

TIPS on
car rental and driving, and planning an itinerary of small towns.