Siragusa Tours Ltd

Description

Bilbao, the financial capital of the Basque region, and a major port situated on the river Nervion is Spain’s seventh largest city. Granted its charter in 1300 it was famous in the medieval period for its swords.  Though having a politically troubled 19^th century and mid 20^th century, Bilbao remained a major industrial centre.  The Casco Viejo (old town) is a reminder of the old Spain with buildings from the 14^th century, and also has many churches, the Catedral de Santiago, the Museo Vasco (Basque Museum), the Museum of Sacred Arts and the largest covered market in Europe (Mercardo de la Ribera). The ‘new city’, known as the Ensanche, whilst housing impressive late 19^th century and early 20^th century buildings, also has the ultra modern Guggenheim Museum and the Museo de Bellas Artes, is second in importance to Madrid’s Prado. For a bird’s eye view of the city there is a funicular, whilst a  lift to a footbridge high across the river gives a panoramic view.  The small town of Gernika, now remembered via Picasso’s painting, houses some of the original sketches and has a full scale public tiled reproduction.

 

Other Details

Accommodation

Centrally located Hotel Petit Palace Arana***

 

Course Cost

£944 single room accommodation, inclusive of tuition, airport transfers (airport transfers are only available for the Siragusa Tours Ltd nominated flight), travel to Gernika and breakfast.

Note that the cost is subject to availability at time of booking

 

Travel Insurance

Once tour is viable and flights are booked please make sure you book your travel insurance. If we have booked flights on your behalf through Travelpack then you can call Lina on 0208 5854010 ext 1008,  Mon – Fri 9 – 4 ,  for an immediate quote  (up to the age of 84).

Once tour is viable and if we have booked a flight for you through Travelpack, you can call Lina on 08444 930465 for an immediate quote (unless you already have insurance)

 

Flight Deatils

Scheduled flight from London Gatwick to Bilbao with British Airways, ca. £195

1 . BA 2686   18MAY LGWBIO   1405   1720  O
2 . BA 2685   22MAY BIOLGW   1520   1640  O

 

Local Transport

Airport transfers by taxi or minibus, travel to Gernika by bus or train.

 

Group Size

Ca. 10

 

Tutor

Jackie Parry MA, is an experienced lecturer and art historian who has led many gallery visits and study tours. She teaches art history at the University of Sussex and the Open University.  She has also lectured for NADFAS, the U3A and the National Trust.  Her interests are mostly based around 18th century art and culture and the development of modernism from 19th century to the present.  Her MA research included issues of gender and critical theory.

 

 

Related OU Courses

General Interest/A226/AA315/AA318

 

 Itinerary / Study Programme

 

Day 1, Monday 17 May 2021

Arrival and orientation and the Casco Viejo (old town)

 

Day 2, Tuesday 18 May 2021

am and pm :The Guggenheim Museum

 

Day 3, Wednesday 19 May 2021

am and pm: Museo de Bellas Artes :there are 3 main collections ( Classical European art up to the (17^th); Contemporary art including Gaugin and Cassatt; and Basque art.

 

Day 4, Thursday 20 May 2021

Gernika (21 miles east of Bilbao)

 

Day 5, Friday 21 May 2021

am: The Museum of Sacred Arts

pm: Free time until departure

 

This itinerary and study programme is provisional and may be subject to change in response to local conditions