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SPANISH FIESTA
FEATURING VIP VIEWING BALCONIES FOR THE FAMED RUNNING OF THE BULLS
PLUS
BARCELONA, MADRID
AND
THE SCINTILLATING ISLAND OF IBIZA
JULY 9-19, 2010
And optional 3 day extension to Lisbon Portugal
Live the excitement this summer !
Travel with us to Spain where we will be treated as VIPs to view the finale of the famed Running of the Bulls. We will also enjoy two 1st class days of sights, sounds and Tapas in Barcelona, three 1st class days to savor the beaches and nightlife on the island of Ibiza and one final day & night of sites in Madrid.
ITINERARY
July 09, Friday: En route
Depart with your All Singles Travel representative from New York JFK on an overnight trans-Atlantic flight on Iberia Airlines. Your AST rep will be with you for the entire trip.
July 10, Saturday: BARCELONA
Arrival at Barcelona airport. After clearing simple immigration and customs formalities, meet our local bi-lingual Spanish tour manager who will be with us for the Barcelona and Pamplona segments of the tour.
We will be transferred to our First Class hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. It is suggested that you take advantage of the free time to enjoy one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan and lively cities. In the evening, choose from a wide variety of fabulous restaurants, featuring Spanish Tapas (local specialties served in appetizer portions) and other local cuisine. You may wish to dine at the Pueblo Español, featuring architectural replicas from all of Spain’s regions.
Our accommodations in Barcelona will be at the first class Hotel Catalonia Ramblas ****
This magnificent modernist-style hotel is situated in the historical centre of Barcelona, near Las Ramblas and a few meters from Plaza Cataluña. An emblematic building from the beginning of the 20th century, with its own personality and completely refurbished to modern-day standards. Its privileged location allows guests to enjoy the varied cultural and commercial options on offer in the city to the full. It also has a restaurant and swimming pool
Rooms have air cond., marble bathrooms, hairdryers, safe deposit box, minbar and free wifi
The hotel’s location is ideal, just a short walk from the famed las Ramblas, the tree lined boulevard where you may stroll past delightful mimes in the most unique and creative array of costumes and themes, plus open air cafes and shops.
The hotel is also a short walk from Cataluniya Plaza and the metro station, offering easy access to most anything in this fabulous city.
Also inside our first class hotel, After an intense day in Barcelona, reserve part of your free time to enjoy and relax in the hotel’s sauna, the Turkish bath or the soothing Jacuzzi. Or if you prefer, you can choose a full work over and make an appointment for the cyclonic and aromatherapy showers or massage cabins. You are in the hands of the best professionals.
July 11, Sunday: BARCELONA
Buffet breakfast included at our hotel. This morning enjoy an escorted tour of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. See the ancient Gothic Quarter with its magnificent cathedral. Stop to admire the exterior of Gaudi’s masterwork, the Basilica of the Sacred Family (Sagrada Familia). This afternoon enjoy an optional half day tour of Montjuich Hill (site of the Olympic Stadium), to enjoy a tour of the Olympic Museum and stadium while enjoying a spectacular view of Barcelona and its port area.
Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona
Gaudi initially designed 18 towers for this basilica, representing the Twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary and, tallest of all, Jesus Christ (at 170 meters- its, over 500 feet!). The tallest tower is one meter smaller than a nearby hill, since Gaudi thought that his work should not outdo God’s work.
OPTIONAL TOUR
This afternoon enjoy an optional half day tour of Montjuich Hill (site of the Olympic Stadium, from the 1992 Summer Olympics), to enjoy a tour of the fabulous Olympic Museum and stadium while enjoying a spectacular view of Barcelona
July 12, Monday: BARCELONA - PAMPLONA
Buffet breakfast included at our hotel. Today is a free day to do some sightseeing on your own or perhaps some last minute shopping.
OPTIONAL TOUR
Today enjoy an optional half day tour of Parque Guell, the famed park which was designed by Antoni Gaudi for the Count Guell in 1914 and later became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the late afternoon, we will have a pre-arranged group transfer to the Barcelona airport to check-in for our 6:30pm flight to Pamplona
After arrival at Pamplona airport. After clearing simple immigration and customs formalities, we will be transferred to our First Class hotel, the AC Ciudad De Pamplona.
Ideally situated, our hotel is within easy walking distance of the main festival area of the San Fermin Festival of which we will be enjoying many festive activities during our stay in Pamplona, while also being just far enough away from the festival’s heart, that when you have enjoyed a full day (and night’s) activity and are ready to relax, you can enjoy a pleasant and quiet night’s sleep.
Also, because of its ideal location just outside of the hub of the city center, the hotel is also walking distance from a few establishments favored by locals, including a couple of great restaurants/cafes and even an Irish pub just around the corner, that is popular amongst the locals.
ROOMS
When you enter your room, you will feel like you have entered into a place deigned to help you rest, like the four pillows on your bed. Exclusive details, such as the special reading lamps on the bed head, non-smoking rooms, room service and personal climate control. Designed to make you feel that your room is always how you want it.
Our hotel also has complimentary internet access, its own fitness center with complimentary access and a selection of complimentary mineral waters to enjoy before, in the middle of, or after a long day of fun and festivity.
Our guests will enjoy 24 hour room service, to sooth those late night munchies after a long day or night of fun.
Guests can also avail themselves of safety deposit boxes, hair dryers and mini bar service in their rooms. (the mini bar offers complimentary snacks and beverages provided by the hotel featuring waters, soft drinks and even local beers)
One online reviewer summed up the appeal of our hotel best as:
“Excellent hotel”
Hoboken Traveller 27 contributions
Hoboken
Jul 21, 2004
What a great find. We booked this only a month before we arrived for San Fermin
The beds were some of the most comfortable, the bathrooms were lovely, the gym was functional, the free mini bar was much appreciated and the restaurant in the hotel was very nice.
The hotel is located in the South of town in a residential area which has loads of local bars and restaurants.
For San Fermin, it is about a 10-15 minute walk to the bull run so definitely very easy and you don't need to drive or take a bus in.
On the most positive side, the whole of Pamplona parties all night during San Fermin but the hotel is far enough away from this that if you want an early night, you can go to bed and hear nothing of the revelers.
Very friendly, would definitely stay there again if we go back.
Click or paste the link below to read the write up in the popular expedi.com website
http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll/qscr=dspv/htid=912655/crti=2/hotel-information
July 13, Tuesday: PAMPLONA
Buffet breakfast included at our hotel. This morning, we will be taken to our reserved VIP balcony, right above the street where the Running of the Bulls takes place. From here we will have the best vantage point to witness the sights and sounds, the spectacle and the pageantry that make the Running of the Bulls such an amazing event to witness. We will enjoy watching the event from a safe distance above the course, where we can have an ideal opportunity to photograph all the action and excitement.
We will be served fresh pastries and juices from our VIP balcony while we enjoy all the action unfolding on the street below us.
In Spanish, the event is called The "Encierro.
Three rockets announce that the bulls are running and it takes them just minutes to travel the entire ½ mile course.
The Running of the Bulls is actually a daily part of the annual Festival of San Fermin, a 9 day festival, full of parties, music, dancing and much more.
Following the conclusion of today’s Running of the Bulls, we will enjoy a guided walking tour of Pamplona with our local bi-lingual tour manager, who will point out the highlights of this fabulous and historic old city. Our guide will also point out the best places to enjoy the many other activities that take place during the Festival of San Fermin, which continues all week and of which the Running of the Bulls is merely the most famous element.
The balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy the many other activities of the San Fermin Festival.
The festival features a range of concerts, street parties and dancing,
Music - During The San Fermin Festival you can enjoy a real abundance of all kinds of music in the streets of Pamplona
Local regional music, txistularis and gaiteros, the brass bands of the "Peñas", The municipal brass band - The Pamplonesa. Then there are buskers in the street of all kinds - Peruvians, Rockers or Jazz.
Then there are the official shows - open- air concerts with salsas and a wide variety of musical performances.
Then there are the open-air dances in several places around the town. And of course, in practically all the bars there is music from all sorts of contemporary music. You'll see and pick the music and the atmosphere that you enjoy to your tastes.
Nearly every day (Check the official program) at the same open-air venue, there is a performance of traditional Basque rural sports on show. There are "aizkolariak"(lumber-jacks), "harrijasotzaileak"(a contest of weight-lifting with heavy stone boulders), "Txingas" and other such local contests and events.
In the Media Luna Park there are performances in the afternoon, all related to the basque culture. Some of these feature traditional basque singing -"bertsolariak" - where songs are spontaneously invented and sung on contemporary social themes of the day.
Others will have "txistus" - where there is a concert with the characteristic traditional basque flute.
At that time in the Paseo Sarasate there will be "jotas" some days -popular traditional songs from the south of Navarra-.
Every evening at 8:30 other regions are represented in “El Bosquecillo” music and dances from Andalucía, Galicia, Extremadura, etc
EATING DURING THE FESTIVAL
The classic eating hours in Pamplona are from 2 until about 3.30 in the afternoon. Dinner is usually served between 9.00 and 11.00 at night. However, during the days of the Fiesta, you can sit down to eat at lunch as late as 5 in the afternoon and likewise, sit down for dinner any time, even as late as midnight and get served without problem.
July 14, Wednesday: PAMPLONA
Buffet breakfast included at our hotel.
After breakfast, we will again be taken to our reserved VIP balcony, from where we will again have the best view of the actual Running of the Bulls from a safe distance.
The event is different every morning, as it is always unpredictable what you will see the magnificent bulls do as they charge through the streets after a frenetic rush of both locals and visitors that have chosen to “Run with the Bulls”
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Note: Although participation in the actual Running is open to anyone, we strongly advise against any such participation, due to the inherent risks and dangers.
It is for this obvious reason that our passengers are provided with prime VIP viewing opportunities above the running course, from which to enjoy all the excitement in complete safety, providing the ideal vantage point for the best photo opportunities and viewing pleasure.
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This afternoon, enjoy all that the festival has to offer once again, with music, dance and more.
If you wish, there is the possibility of enjoying a famous bullfight, in the Pamplona Bull Ring. The bull fights are a local tradition and are cheered on by a frenzied crowd inside the open air bull fighting arena. (Tickets are prized, especially during the festival. Passengers wishing to purchase tickets should contact our office approx. 30 days prior to the event for current pricing )
July 15, Thursday: PAMPLONA - IBIZA
Buffet breakfast included at our hotel. This morning we will enjoy a Pre-arranged group transfer to the Pamplona airport to check-in for our flight to Ibiza.
Arrival at Ibiza airport at 11 this morning. After claiming bags, we will be met by a local rep. and transferred to our First Class hotel, the Hotel Garbi and Spa, along stunning Playa Den Bossa ( Den Bossa Beach)
Beautifully located on the front line of Ibiza’s Playa Den Bossa beach the Hotel Garbi offers every facility imaginable to make your stay at the resort unforgettable. This newly renovated, 4-star hotel is right along the superb Playa d’en Bossa beach, within walking distance of the island’s best bars and clubs.
The impressive facilities include a pool bar, a chill-out bar and restaurant in front of the beach, a disco, a tennis court, a Jacuzzi, a supermarket and a souvenir shop
All of the rooms are fully-equipped with modern facilities, Air Conditioned, Mini fridge, hair dryer, WI-FI (free), Lateral sea views and a balcony with a side sea view.
There are plenty of sporting and leisure facilities on offer in the area immediately surrounding the hotel. All kinds of water sports are available at the beach, including windsurfing, water skiing, catamarans, sailing, jet skiing and diving, with a dive school offering lessons for the beginner.
All of the island’s best bars and clubs are within easy reach of the hotel, with plenty of discos, music bars, cafes and bars just a short walk away. The legendary Space nightclub, the most popular of all night clubs in Europe and Bora Bora beach club are just 5 minutes walk from the hotel.
The resort itself has adapted well to this phenomena with the famous Bora Bora bar on the beach being the most well known of the many pre-club dance bars Playa den Bossa has to offer.
Take a walk down the main street at night and the atmosphere is as amazing as the choice is varied, encompassing Spanish cafes and restaurants, disco bars, Irish and English bars, cocktail bars and an international mix of clubbers and holiday makers.
Ibiza town is just 2 miles away and there is a regular bus service running from the hotel to and from the town every half an hour.
This afternoon and evening is free to enjoy this vacationer’s paradise.
July 16, Friday: IBIZA
Buffet breakfast included at our hotel. The next two days are free days to enjoy the beaches, water sports and amazing nightlife.
Ibiza is famous for both its beach life, as well as its nightlife. It has been termed” The Entertainment island of the world”
It's the undisputed dance Mecca of Europe. - Ibiza boasts some of the biggest and best night clubs in the world attracting the rich and famous, the young, trendy & the beautiful.
Nightlife in Ibiza is something that you have to experience to truly appreciate. Arguably nowhere else on the planet comes close to matching Ibiza’s great variety of bars, its implausible clubs, the flamboyant dress-sense and the overall mindset for the night oriented lifestyle. This is the party isle. Whether it be a relaxed drink on the famous sun-set strip in San Antonio, an extravagant cocktail in the trendy setting of Ibiza Town’s Sa Marina district or a rave in one of the island’s super-clubs, the island has it all…and much, much more. Las Vegas might have trademarked the phrase, ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’; but a similar idiom could be used for Ibiza.
The nightclub Space, located along Playa (Beach) d'en Bossa has twice received the International Dance Music Award as Club as best Night Club in the World.
OPTIONAL TOUR
Today enjoy an optional half day adventure tour while on the white isle of Ibiza.
In the evenings, enjoy dinner at one of Ibiza's many great restaurants. Those on the portside strips of Ibiza Town and San Antonio are particularly atmospheric, and are ideally located for the clubs and bars. Many of the island's restaurants specialize in traditional Ibicenco food - mainly fish - and are excellent value for money.
July 17, Saturday: IBIZA
Buffet breakfast included at our hotel.
Today is another Free day to enjoy at your leisure.
July 18, Sunday: IBIZA - MADRID
Buffet breakfast included at our hotel. This morning we will have a Pre-arranged group transfer to Ibiza airport to check-in for our flight at 1:30 this afternoon to Madrid.
Arrival at Madrid airport. After claiming bags, we will meet the local rep. outside the luggage claim area.
We will enjoy an escorted panoramic tour which will allow you to get a glimpse of some of Madrid's most outstanding attractions, like the Puerta del Sol, the magnificent fountains of Neptune and Cibeles, the stately Alcala Gate, the busy Gran Via, the Plaza de España and the Plaza de Oriente.
You will then be transferred to your First Class hotel, The Hotel Santo Domingo, centrally located close to the major attractions of the city, enabling easy access and transport.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy the culture of Madrid and the local cuisine.
July 19, Monday: MADRID TO JFK or Lisbon
Buffet breakfast is included at our hotel. Pre-arranged group transfer to the Madrid airport at the proper time to check-in for our 1:30pm trans-Atlantic flight to New York JFK with Arrival at 5pm.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO LISBON PORTUGAL
July 19, Monday: MADRID - LISBON
Buffet breakfast included at our hotel in Madrid. All passengers will take the same Pre-arranged group transfer to the Madrid airport. Passengers taking the optional extension will fly from Madrid nonstop to Lisbon, departing Madrid at 3:45 in the afternoon.
Arrival at Lisbon airport at 4pm local time (after a 1 hour time zone change).
After clearing simple immigration and customs formalities, you will be transferred to your First Class hotel. The rest of your day is free.
July 20, Tuesday: LISBON
Buffet breakfast included at our hotel. This morning we will enjoy a tour of this ancient and lovely city overlooking the Tagus River. Admire its splendid avenues and monuments like the Tower of Belem and the Jeronimos Monastery. The rest of your day is free to explore the city.
Tower of Belem, Lisbon Portugal
July 21, Wednesday: LISBON
Buffet breakfast included at our hotel. Today is free, with a strong recommendation to visit the charming villages of Sintra and Cascais or perhaps some last minute shopping.
July 22, Thursday: RETURN
Buffet breakfast included at our hotel. Pre-arranged transfer to Lisbon airport at the proper time to check-in for our trans-Atlantic flight to NY-JFK departing at 1pm.
OUR SPANISH FIESTA INCLUDES:
- ROUND TRIP AIR ON IBERIA AIRLINES FROM NY-JFK AIRPORT TO BARCELONA SPAIN RETURNING FROM MADRID SPAIN
- 2 NIGHTS 1ST CLASS ACCOMMODATIONS IN BARCELONA SPAIN
- 3 NTS. 1ST CLASS ACCOMMODATIONS IN PAMPLONA SPAIN
- 3 NTS. 1ST CLASS ACCOMMODATIONS ON THE ISLAND OF IBIZA SPAIN
- 1 NIGHT 1ST CLASS ACCOMMODATIONS IN MADRID SPAIN
- HALF DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF BARCELONA
- VIP BALCONY VIEWING FOR 2 DAYS AT THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN PAMPLONA SPAIN
- AFTERNOON CITY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR IN MADRID SPAIN
- BREAKFAST DAILY AT EACH HOTEL EVERY DAY OF THE TRIP
- ALL AIRPORT/HOTEL TRANSFERS
- ALLSINGLESTRAVEL.COM TRIP ESCORT FROM START TO FINISH
- LOCAL BI-LINGUAL TOUR MANAGER IN BARCELONA AND PAMPLONA
- FREE ROOMMATE MATCHING BASED ON AGE, SEX AND SMOKING OR NON SMOKING PREFERENCE
TRIP COST: $3489 + TAXES OF $189 (taxes subject to change)
Optional single supplement for passengers wishing the privacy of their own room: $969
Passengers wishing to provide their own air may deduct $900 and deduct the $189 taxes listed above, but must provide their own air on both the international as well as all domestic flights within Spain.
OPTIONAL 3 NIGHT EXTENSION IN LISBON PORTUGAL INCLUDES:
- 3 NIGHTS 1ST CLASS ACCOMMODATIONS
- BREAKFAST DAILY AT OUR HOTEL
- Round trip air on Iberia Airlines between Madrid Spain and Lisbon Portugal
- AIRPORT/HOTEL TRANSFERS ROUND TRIP
- CITY TOUR OF LISBON AND SURROUNDING SITES
- ALLSINGLESTRAVEL.COM TOUR ESCORT FROM START TO FINISH
COST: $599 + $24 tax
OPTIONAL SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $249
PAYMENT PROCEDURES FOR THIS TRIP:
A $200 DEPOSIT IS DUE WITHIN 7 DAYS OF MAKING YOUR RESERVATION
A 2ND DEPOSIT OF $400 IS DUE MARCH 2ND, 2010
BALANCE PAYMENTS ARE DUE APRIL 14TH.
ALL PAYMENTS ARE REFUNDABLE IF CANCELLED BY FEB. 1ST AND ARE NON REFUNDABLE THEREAFTER.
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