The Splendour of Spain in the Reign of Charles V
Spain rose to European dominance during the reign of Charles V. With John Julius Norwich as our guide, whose much acclaimed Four Princes gives such a perceptive analysis of the Habsburg emperor, we will begin our tour in the province of Extremadura, where we will visit the simple Hieronymite monastery of Yuste, where Charles V, the most powerful ruler in Europe, retired after his abdication in 1555.
Nearby stands historic Caceres, noted for the storks' nests that embellish the city's towers, and Trujillo, birthplace of the famous conquistador Francisco Pizarro, whose dramatic conquest of the Incas in the 1530s brought untold wealth to the King of Spain. We will visit the venerable university town of Salamanca, whose splendid array of buildings, constructed in a golden sandstone, rivals that of Oxford and Cambridge.
We will then move to the city of Madrid. During a private tour of the Prado we will admire Titian's magnificent Equestrian Portrait of Charles V, alongside paintings of the great Spanish masters, notably Velazquez, who was Court Painter to Charles' great-grandson Philip IV. We will also enjoy artistic masterpieces in the Thyssen Museum, and make a private visit to the Palacio de Liria, whose superb treasures include Goya's ravishing Portrait of the Duchess of Alba, his close friend and probable lover.
Hotel: We will spend the first 3 nights in a former 15th century monastery, now a Parador, in the charming walled city of Plasencia. We then move to the luxurious 5 star Palace Hotel, Madrid which is close to the Prado and is famous for its Art Nouveau interior.
Lecturers: John Julius Norwich and Charles FitzRoy
Tour Leaders: Charles FitzRoy and Jane Rae