Cadiz & Flamenco
3.5 HoursModerateSightseeing | Walking | Wine | Culture | Essentials Collection
This tour will depart from the port of Cádiz for a visit to the historical center of town and its bay. Your guide will point out the important monuments and landmarks along the way. Watch for the Mudejar-style tobacco factory (1741) which now serves as the Congress building, Santo Domingo Church, the old Royal Prison in Andalusian neo-classical style and the Roman Theatre which overlooks the city’s main cathedral. Before reaching the city center, you will also pass the ancient Phoenician port of La Caleta, the Botanical Gardens and the castle walls that once protected the town. Leave the motorcoach at Plaza de España and start your walking tour through the most typical streets of the city. You will see the Plaza de la Mina, once a monk’s vegetable patch, and the outside of the Cádiz Museum. On Calle Ancha, there are beautiful 19th century palaces and the Cathedral where you can step inside to view an eclectic transition from 13th century Baroque style to 19th century neo-classical style. Flamenco, a vibrant mixture of dance, song and guitar is the heart and soul of Andalucía. Like the province, flamenco has evolved alongside the contrasting historic influences of Arabic, Jewish, and Gypsy cultures. The Gypsies arrived from India in 1450 and have continued to be pivotal to the development of flamenco. Today, throughout the world there is a demand for a modern, youthful, "flamenco fusion" a blend of flamenco and world music. Obviously, there are differences of opinion between the traditional (cante jondo) purists and the performers of modern flamenco. End up the tour enjoying the most typical Spanish dance together with a drink.
Please note: Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as there are uneven surfaces, cobblestones and steps. Conservative dress (no shorts or bare shoulders), is required inside the Cathedral.