Art Nouveau in Alicante Tour

The latest brainchild of Art Nouveau and Modernist expert, Prof Anne Anderson is to her beloved Spain and the much underrated , Mediterranean city of Alicante.  On this five day tour, we’ll get to admire the Art Nouveau architecture in the heart of the city’s historic centre, as well as day trips to the town of Alcoy on the European Modernist Route, and nearby Novelda with its unique Sanctuary of St Mary Magdalene, and its Catalan Modernist interior.  Anne will be on hand throughout to provide her enlightened commentary as well as two inspirational lectures.

ITINERARY 

Day 1: Fly from London Gatwick to Alicante
Fly from Gatwick to Alicante and transfer by coach on arrival to Hotel Serawa in the city centre for a four night stay.

Day 2: Alicante and MUBAG Museum
This morning, Anne will lead us on a walking tour of Alicante, focussing on its myriad of fine Art Nouveau buildings, including the Modernist-inspired Central Market building. We’ll also visit the superb, but little known, MUBAG Museum of Fine Arts, which houses an excellent collection of art and sculpture from the Alicante region in the historic 18^th century Palacio del Conde de Lumiares. Time for lunch (own expense) and an afternoon free to further explore independently, perhaps to visit the Castle of Santa Barbara which looms over the city, or the atmospheric port area,  An early evening lecture from Anne Anderson: ‘Modernisita architecture: an introduction’, followed by dinner with wine at a local restaurant within walking distance of the hotel.

Day 3: Novelda and Sanctuary of Mary Magdalene
Our first venture out of the city is inland to the town of Novelda, which is home to  the Modernist House Museum, built and designed by acclaimed Modernist architect, Pedro Martinez, between 1900 and 1905. It preserves perfectly, the decoration and functionality of the Modernist style from the early 20^th century. Lunch at a local restaurant, then to the hilltop, Gaudi inspired Sanctuary of Mary Magdalene, reminiscent of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, which offers magnificent views over the surrounding landscape.  Return to Alicante for an evening talk by Anne Anderson: ‘Modernisme: from Fortuny to Picasso’ followed by a dinner with wine.

Day 4: Alcoy
Our second foray out of Alicante takes us an hour north to the town of Alcoy, which was flourishing in the early 20^th century thanks to the Industrial Revolution and embraced the new Art Nouveau or Modernist style of architecture with gusto.  Our guided walk will take in some of the most important Modernist and Industrial buildings that date from this period, including the Casa del Pavo (exterior only) built between 1908 and 1909 by architect Vicente Pascual Pastor (1906-1908) with the help of Fernando Cabrera Cantó (1866-1937), one of Alcoy’s greatest 19th-century painters, who used the house as his studio. Return to Alicante for the evening at leisure.

Day 5: Return flight to London Gatwick. 
Free time this morning then transfer by coach to Alicante Airport for the return flight to London Gatwick. 

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 25 passengers.

INCLUDED

• Return flights from London Gatwick to Alicante
• Four nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Serawa Alicante, based on shared occupancy of a twin room
• Two dinners 
• One lunch
• Two lectures at the hotel in Alicante
• Transfers, tours and all entrance fees as detailed in the itinerary
• Professor Anne Anderson throughout
• Tour manager throughout

NOT INCLUDED

• Double for sole use supplement - £340
• Holiday insurance 
• Meals other than those stated 
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTEL

Hotel Serawa, Alicante

Stylish, modern four-star hotel, located in the heart of the city offering a bar, cafe, restaurant and terrace. The bright comfortable bedrooms are modern and feature en-suite bathroom with toiletries, air-conditioning/heating, hairdryer, TV, safe, and telephone.

Hotel Website