Spain
Spanish Art: From the Golden Age to Gaudi and Beyond
Program No. 3328RJ
Revel in traditions of art as you enjoy lectures on the Spanish masters and Gaudi, visit iconic museums and set out on expert-led walks to the cathedrals and monuments of Spain today.
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17 days
16 nights
34 meals
15B 8L 11D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
12
Barcelona via La Rioja Region
Barcelona
17
Program Concludes
Barcelona
At a Glance
From creative giants such as Velázquez, El Greco and Goya in the “Golden Age” to the 20th-century masters Picasso, Miró, Dalí and, more recently, Tàpies and Barcelo -- the vitality and diversity of Spanish artists have influenced artistic expression the world over. Journey from the Prado in Madrid to the Guggenheim in Bilbao to experience the full spectrum and rich heritage of Spain’s master artists.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Participants should be able to walk approximately two to three miles a day and stand for at least 60-90 minutes at a time over the course of a 16 day program. Many cobblestones, steep slopes and other uneven ground.
Stairs without railings.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Connect the lives, works and schools of Velázquez, Goya and El Greco to modern masters Picasso, Miró and Dalí.
- Visit the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao designed by world-famous architect Frank Gehry.
- Enjoy a private performance with members of a Catalonian medieval folklore group in Barcelona.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Cecilia Ceriani
Cecilia Ceriani has been an art teacher and critic for nearly three decades. She holds degrees in art history and English philology from the Complutense University of Madrid. Cecilia spent four years in South America as an art critic and book reviewer for newspapers in Montevideo and Buenos Aires before returning to her native Spain in 1986. Since then she has been lecturing on Road Scholar programs and at the U.S. Cultural Center in Madrid and writing for respected Spanish publications.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Cecilia Ceriani
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Cecilia Ceriani has been an art teacher and critic for nearly three decades. She holds degrees in art history and English philology from the Complutense University of Madrid. Cecilia spent four years in South America as an art critic and book reviewer for newspapers in Montevideo and Buenos Aires before returning to her native Spain in 1986. Since then she has been lecturing on Road Scholar programs and at the U.S. Cultural Center in Madrid and writing for respected Spanish publications.
Silvia Riera
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Silvia Riera was born and raised in Barcelona, where she developed her passion for arts and the Catalan culture. In addition to Spanish and her native tongue, Catalan, Silvia is fluent in French, Italian, English and Portuguese. Silvia has lectured about modernism and Gaudi since 1988. Beyond arts, Silvia is — like most Barcelonians — a big fan of FC Barcelona, the world-renowned soccer team.
Ulises Diaz-Ropero
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Ulises Diaz-Ropero is originally from Toledo and is fluent in Spanish, English, and an intermediate level of French. He is an avid traveler and has visited many countries on four different continents. Ulises completed a Master’s degree in ethnomusicology at the School of Oriental Studies in London before becoming a world music artist in the thriving music scene in London. For the last five years, Ulises has been pursuing a career in education, leading educational travels as well as teaching Spanish to adults.
Fran Valle
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With a degree in archaeology from the University of Oxford, Fran combines his work as a research archaeologist with education on and off the university campus. Fran loves to share his passion for everything historical, his love of food and his enthusiasm for his native Spain, as well as his travels throughout Europe, and he is always ready to share some laughs and recipes. Fran considers the world his favorite classroom, one he is never tired of attending.
Suggested Reading List
(34 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Spanish Art: From the Golden Age to Gaudi and Beyond
Program Number: 3328
Catalan Cuisine: Europe's Last Great Culinary Secret
An introduction and a guide to the food, wine, and customs of Catalonia featuring recipes and cooking techniques
Food and Wines of Spain
A classic collection of 400 recipes, interwoven with cultural commentary and the culinary history of Spain
Goya
A biography of the great Spanish painter, by historian and art critic Robert Hughes (Barcelona).
The Ornament of the World, How Muslims, Jews, and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain
A lively, illuminating portrait of the Andalucian Kingdom, its cultural achievements and religious tolerance from the eighth century to 1492
Culture Smart! Spain
This concise, no-nonsense guide to local customs, etiquette and culture provides a short overview of the land and people along with practical travel advice.
A Traveller's History of Spain
This survey of Spanish history features a useful chronology, historical gazetteer and a long section on contemporary life. It covers early settlements through the Romans, Goths and Moors to the present.
Dali
A nice overview of Dali's life and important works, this Phaidon art book explains how Dali infused his work with the surreal. Includes plenty of color photographs.
Two Catalonias
A must see documentary on the divisions in Catalan Politics and the independence movement
An Englishman in Madrid
Anthony Whitelands, an English art historian, is invited to Madrid to value an aristocrat's collection. At a welcome lunch he encounters Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera, founder and leader of the Falange, a nationalist party whose antics are bringing the country ever closer to civil war.....
Antonio Gaudi, Master Architect
This pocket-sized collection of Gaudi's work captures the evolution, imagination and exuberance of one of the most influential architects of the 20th century.
The Hive
A daringly irreverent depiction of decadence and decay in Franco's Spain written by the 1989 winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Camilo José Cela.
Catalonia: A Cultural History
Michael Eaude traces the checkered history and unique monuments of Catalonia through the ages
Surrealism
The history of the Surrealist movement featuring Magritte, Ernst, Dali and others. Includes many color illustrations.
España - A Brief History of Spain
Bestselling author and journalist, Giles Tremlett delves into the rich and varied history of Spain, from prehistoric times to today, in a brief, accessible and enjoyable account.
Goya
A brief, illustrated introduction to the work of Francisco Goya that includes a lengthy essay as well as 48 full-page color plates and 30 black-and-white reproductions. Perfect for museum-goers.
Barcelona
This big, thoroughly enjoyable cultural history of the city touches on architecture, art, religion and literature from Roman outpost to today.
Made in Spain
Spanish Chef and philanthropist Jose Andres introduces the cuisine of Spain in this 13 episode series available on Prime.
The History of Spain - Land on a Crossroad
Professor Emerita Joyce E. Salisbury of the University of Wisconsin unfurls a broad and fascinating panorama of Spanish history, spanning the centuries from the first Neolithic settlement of the peninsula to Spain’s 20th century Civil War in this documentary series.
The Arts in Spain: From Prehistory to Postmodernism
A representative anthology of examples of painting, architecture and sculpture providing a critical overview of Spain. From Iberian and Roman beginnings, the book traces the development of the arts in Spain, examining the magnificent Islamic and Christian foundations at Cordoba and the Escorial, the idiosyncratic masterworks of El Greco, the Golden Age of Zurbaran and Velazquez, the art of Goya, and the innovative works of Picasso, Dali and Miro, and revealing that many of the most characteristic Spanish artistic currents had their origins at the dawn of history.
Gaudi: The Life of a Visionary
A chronological journey covering the life and works of Gaudi
A Life of Picasso
Richardson draws on his close friendship with Picasso, his own diaries, the collaboration of Picasso's widow Jacqueline, and unprecedented access to Picasso's studio and papers to arrive at a profound understanding of the artist and his work. (4 volumes)
Spain & Portugal Adventure Map
A double-sided full color map of Spain and Portugal at a scale of 1:1,000,000 with good shaded relief, topographic detail, roads and waterways.
The Basque History of the World
Kurlansky's engaging portrait of the seven provinces of Basque lands takes in everything from language to culinary heritage, role in the Spanish Civil War and seafaring traditions.
Eyewitness Guide Spain
This superb, colorful guide covering all of Spain features bright photography, dozens of maps and a region-by-region synopsis of the country's attractions.
The Illustrated biography of Antoni Gaudí
This book describes in detail the life of a man whose pursuit of perfection was his driving force.
Winter in Madrid
A vivid and haunting depiction of wartime Spain, Winter in Madrid offers an intimate and riveting tale that offers a remarkable sense of history unfolding
¡Guerra!
Jason Webster journeys across Spain, this time to explore the lasting effects of the Spanish Civil War. Could the divisions that led to the conflict still be simmering under the surface, and is it possible they could erupt again?
The World of El Cid: Chronicles of the Spanish Reconquest
Painting in Spain 1500-1700
Velazquez and El Greco are but a few of the Spanish artists discussed in this in-depth study of the art produced during Spain's Golden Age.
Homage to Catalonia
Orwell's portrait of the Barcelona uprising and the spirit of a city at war is a classic, an observant and heartfelt report from the streets.
Old Man Goya
Taking 1792--the year that Goya went deaf--as her starting point, Blackburn chronicles the painter's fruitful last 35 years in captivating, imaginative detail.
Basque, Delicious Recipes from Spain's Stunning Northern Coast
Designed to demystify the cuisine of northern Spain, this mouth-watering cookbook features 80 recipes from the Basque region (which has more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than any other area in the world). Dishes are accompanied by evocative full-color photos.
Ghosts of Spain
Tremlett captures the Spanish character, history and modern politics in this masterful portrait, interweaving the story of his love for the country (where he has lived for 20 years) with interviews, anecdotes and observation.
Spain, The Root and the Flower
An absorbing, well-written account of Spanish cultural history from prehistory to the Romans, Jews, Moors, Golden Age and on to Franco and his legacy in Spain.