Itinerary

Itinerary 2000	Thursday, May 11 - Those of us flying from Evansville depart at 5:30 p.m., flying via Atlanta and Paris to Marseilles, France arriving about 2:30 p.m. on May 12. (France is seven hours ahead of Evansville.) Those flying from other cities are encouraged to contact Kathy Moore at Haynie Travel, 812/477-8833, to arrange for a coordinating schedule. We are booked on Delta and Air France.
	Friday-Saturday, May 12-13 - Transfer by motor coach to Avignon where a welcoming reception awaits at our hotel. While in Avignon, we'll visit the Palace of the Popes, the studio of Paul Cezanne, and the Pont St-Benezet. You will have time on your own to explore museums and gardens and, of course, to enjoy the food and wine for which Provence is famous. On Saturday evening we'll transfer to Nimes where we'll stay in the heart of the old city near Roman ruins and gardens.
	Sunday-Monday, May 14-15 - From Nimes we'll travel the short distance to the Pont du Gard, a remarkably well-preserved Roman bridge-aqueduct. We'll then continue to Montpellier, where medieval and 18th century structures stand side by side, for a lunch and shopping interval. Back on the bus, it's on to Carcassone, a walled city offering insights into 15 centuries of history. During our stay in Carcassone, we'll pay a visit to Toulouse and the St. Sernin Basilica.
	Tuesday-Wednesday, May 16-17 - Travel through the Pyranees via Norbonne and Perpiganan, crossing the Spanish border and on to Barcelona. This fabulous Catalan city offers the museums, shopping, and night life of a modern metropolis, the quiet walks of a medieval city in the Barri Gotic, a beach on the Spanish Rivera, and some of the most astounding architecture anywhere. We'll enjoy free afternoons and evenings, punctuated by a half-day guided tour to the Pueblo Espanol, the cathedral, and the Sagrada Familia, the breathtaking modern church designed by Gaudi.
	Thursday, May 18 - A morning's drive takes us through the Aragon region to Zaragoza, an ancient city with wonders including La Seo (the cathedral), the Casa de Goya, the Alfajeria, a Moorish palace, and the Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar. Zaragoza has the largest number of examples of Mudejar architecture--a blend of the Christian and Islamic styles--in Spain. We spend the night in Zaragoza.
	Friday, May 19 - On Friday, we'll travel via Guadalajara from Zaragoza to Madrid, which will be our base for the final four nights of the tour.
	Saturday, May 20 - will find us driving to Toledo (about an hour southwest of Madrid). Over the centuries, Toledo's heritage has been influenced by the Visigoths, Christians, Muslims, and Jews. In the morning we'll enjoy guided tours of the cathedral and Alcazar; in the afternoon you are free to explore on your own, visiting museums, El Greco's house, various churches--whatever you choose!
	Sunday, May 21 - is a free day for exploring Madrid, including the Prado Museum, home of some of the world's greatest art treasures. Madrid boasts several other fine museums, palaces, an urban park on the scale of New York's Central Park, shopping, night life, and much more.
	Monday, May 22 - we'll travel to Segovia (about an hour northwest of Madrid), one of Spain's most spectacular cities, for visits to the Alcazar and the gothic cathedral. Segovia is often compared to a ship, with the towering Alcazar the mast as the city rises above river and plain. The city also boasts a Roman aqueduct and several fine churches. Monday will end with a farewell dinner in Madrid.
	Tuesday, May 23- Our tour concludes with a flight from Madrid to New York, then on via Cincinnati to Evansville. We'll leave Madrid early afternoon, arriving in Evansville around 8:00 p.m. Back home again!