EUROPEAN TOUR PROGRAM The Costa Daurada Cup June 22nd - July 2nd, 2018 Spain Madrid - Zaragoza - Salou - Barcelona www.yptusa.com
The Costa Daurada Cup The Costa Daurada Cup is a UEFA sanctioned tournament and cultural experience that takes place on Spain s Gold Coast which is on the Mediterranean and about an hour-and-a-half south of Barcelona. Matches will be played on both natural and synthetic pitches with four games guaranteed against international competition. Barcelona Barcelona is the capital and largest city in Catalonia. Catalonia is an autonomous community in Spain and is one of Spain's eight communities which are designated as a nationality. With a population of 1.6 million within city limits, Barcelona's urban area extends to numerous neighboring municipalities and is home to around 4.7 million people. It is the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea, located on the coast between the mouths of the rivers Llobregat and Besos. Founded as a Roman city in the Middle Ages Barcelona has a rich cultural heritage and is today an important cultural centre and a major tourist destination. Particularly renowned are the architectural works of Antoni Gaudi and Lluis Domenech I Montaner, which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city is known for hosting the 1992 Summer Olympics, several matches during the 1982 FIFA World Cup as well as many international sports tournaments. The ruins of an early settlement have been found, including different tombs and dwellings dating to earlier than 5000 BC. The founding of Barcelona is the subject of two different legends. The first attributes the founding of the city to the mythological Hercules. The second legend attributes the foundation of the city directly to the historical Carthaginian general,hamilcar Barca, father of Hannibal, who supposedly named the city Barcino after his family in the 3rd century BC, but there is no historical or linguistic evidence that this is true. Barcelona is home to FC Barcelona, the second richest club in the world. It has 70 national and 17 continental trophies, including five UEFA Champions League trophies and three FIFA Club World Cups. Also, it is the only men's club in the world to accomplish a sextuple: during the 09-10 season they won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, Champions League and European Super Cup, and the Club World Cup. FC Barcelona's Camp Nou, is the largest stadium in Europe with a capacity of 100,000. The club's museum is the second most visited in Catalonia. Madrid Madrid is the capital of Spain and the largest municipality in Spain as a whole. The city has almost 3.2 million inhabitants with a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.5 million. It is the third-largest city in the European Union after London and Berlin. Madrid lies on the River Manzanares. Due to its economic output, high standard of living, and market size, Madrid is considered the major financial centre of Southern Europe. The site of modern-day Madrid has been occupied since prehistoric times and there are archaeological remains of Carpetani settlements, Roman villas, a Visigoth basilica and three Visigoth necropoleis (ancient cemeteries). Madrid hosts the largest plaza de toros (bullring) in Spain, Las Ventas, established in 1929. Las Ventas is considered by many to be the world centre of bullfighting and has a seating capacity of almost 25,000. Madrid is home to La Liga fooll club giant Real Madrid, who play their home games at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Their supporters are referred to as Madridistas or Merengues. Real Madrid was selected as the best club of the 20th century, FIFA Club of the Century, being the current leader of the European teams ranking and the most valuable sports team in the world. Real are the current holders of the European Cup having won the competition a record 12 times. They are also the current holders of La Liga with their 2017 title being their 33rd. The final matches for the UEFA Euro 1964 and the 1982 FIFA World Cup, were held at the Bernabéu, thus making Madrid the first city in Europe to host both a UEFA European Championship and a FIFA World Cup final. Some of Spain's top foollers are Madrilenians (born in Madrid), including Real Madrid former captains Emilio Butragueño, Raúl or Iker Casillas and Atlético Madrid player Fernando Torres.
Their successful hometown rivals, Atlético Madrid, are also well-supported in the city and play their home games at the Wanda Metropolitano. Their supporters are referred to as Atléticos or Colchoneros, in reference to the team's red and white jersey colors. Atlético is considered a European elite team, having reached in the last five seasons, two UEFA Champions League finals. Historically, Atletico has won 10 national league titles and 10 national cup titles. Salou Salou is a municipality in Catalonia, Spain. The city is on the Costa Daurada ('The Gold Coast') and 112 km from Barcelona. The Gold Coast was given it's name because of the color of the sand. Aside from Salou's string of beaches interrupted by rocky coves, and its landscaped promenade, one of its main attractions is the PortAventura World resort. The Dutch movie Costa! and the television series with the same title were both filmed in Salou. Used as a port by Greeks (who named it Salauris) and Romans, it appeared again in an important historic event, when in 1229 the fleet of James I of Aragon departed from the port of Salou to conquer the Balearic Islands, thus creating the Kingdom of Majorca. In 1286 Alfons III of Aragon also departed from this port to conquer Menorca, the last Moorish territory of the Balearic Islands. Later, Salou became a nest for pirates. After that it was considered an unsafe place, so in 1530 Archbishop of Tarragona decided to erect a new defense tower, now called Torre Vella. In 1865 the railway station began to operate, opening a new development age that led one hundred years later to a tourist boom that has brought prosperity to the town. Salou is also home to PortAventura World, a major theme park resort on the Costa Daurada. The resort includes luxury four-star accommodations, a major theme park (PortAventura Park), PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park and a convention centre. The theme park's main attractions are the Dragon Khan, a massive B&M (famed roller coaster design company) mega-looper; Furius Baco, which is one of the fastest roller coasters in Europe; and Hurakan Condor, a tall falling-tower ride which is 100 meters tall. Ferrari Land, with the highest and fastest vertical accelerator in Europe, is opening in 2017, and will also include the world's first Ferrari hotel. Salou is used as the base for Rally Catalunya, part of the World Rally Championship. Salou has also held volleyball championships, fooll tournaments, a triathlon and many other competitive sports. Salou is the sub-site for the 2018 Mediterranean Games for sports such as sailing. Main Sights in Salou include: Church of Santa Maria del Ma, Torre Vella, Harbour-master's Office, Monument to Jaume I, Fountains of the Font lluminosa, Monument to Fishermen, and the Old Carrilet Railway Station. Zaragoza Zaragoza is the capital city of the Zaragoza province and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It lies by the Ebro river. Zaragoza is one of the great monumental towns in Spain. It was founded some 2000 years ago, and Old- Iberians, Romans, Goths and Arabians equally left their heritage. Zaragoza as well includes important buildings of Spanish baroque. The city is famous for its folklore, local gastronomy, and landmarks such as the Basílica del Pilar, La Seo Cathedral and the Aljafería Palace. Together with La Seo and the Aljafería, several other buildings form part of the Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Zaragoza's main fooll team, Real Zaragoza, plays in the Segunda División. Founded on March 18th 1932, its home games are played at La Romareda, which seats 34,596 spectators. The club has spent the majority of its history in La Liga. One of the most remarkable events in the team's recent history is the winning of the former UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1995. The team has also won the Spanish National Cup "Copa del Rey" six times: 1965, 1966, 1986, 1994, 2001 and 2004 and an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (1964).
THE COSTA DAURADA CUP TENTATIVE TOUR ITINERARY DAY DATE TIME EVENT Day 1 F, Jun 22 depart NY Airport (Newark or JFK, ) Day 2 S, Jun 23 arrive Madrid Barajas Airport visit Madrid city center arrive/check-in hotel training session Day 3 Su, Jun 24 visit The Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid s stadium) friendly match Day 4 M, Jun 25 depart for Zaragoza visit Zaragoza depart for Salou on the Gold Coast training session Day 5 Tu, Jun 26 training Costa Daurada Cup Opening Ceremonies Day 6 W, Jun 27 Costa Daurada Cup game #1 Day 7 Th, Jun 28 Costa Daurada Cup game #2 Day 8 F, Jun 29 Costa Daurada Cup game #3 Day 9 S, Jun 30 Costa Daurada Cup quarter-finals and semi-finals Day 10 Su, Jul 1 Costa DauradaCup finals visit Barcelona visit The Nou Camp (Barcelona s stadium) Day 11 M, Jul 2 depart Barcelona El Prat Interntational Airport arrive US
Tour information YPT European Tour Program inclusions: -round trip airfare to/from Europe -hotel accommodations (3 Star Superior / 4 Star or higher, see next page for classifications) -half board accommodation ( breakfast and dinner daily) -breakfast: continental -dinner: 2 main courses, bread, salad and desert -YPT Nike uniform -ground transportation in Europe: full-time, private coach bus incl: all parking costs, tolls, and related taxes -full-time driver -full-time bilingual tour assistant -some sightseeing fees: -guided tours of Madrid, Barcelona -The Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid) stadium tour -The Nou Camp (FC Barcelona) stadium tour -all tournament fees -tournament entrance fee -four games guaranteed -referees fees Not included: -lunches (as the group will typically out and about training / playing / sightseeing, etc) -drinks at dinner -travel insurance -gratuity for tour assistant / bus driver
The YPT European Tour Program always use 3 Star Superior* hotels or higher. If you are not familiar with European Hotelstars Union, which is the standard for hotels in Europe. Here are the classifications from Three Star Superior and up: Three Star Superior ( S) (Superior Comfort) -Reception opened 14 hours, accessible by phone 24 hours from inside and outside, bilingual staff -Three piece suite at the reception, luggage service -Beverage offer in the room -Telephone in the room -Internet access in the room or in the public area -Heating facility in the bathroom, hair-dryer, cleansing tissue -Dressing mirror, place to put the luggage/suitcase -Sewing kit, shoe polish utensils, laundry and ironing service -Additional pillow and additional blanket on demand -Systematic complaint management system Four Star ( ) (First Class) In addition to the comfort star (***) hotels: -Reception opened 18 hours, accessible by phone 24 hours from inside and outside -Lobby with seats and beverage service -Breakfast buffet or breakfast menu card via room service -Minibar or 24 hours beverages via room service -Upholstered chair/couch with side table -Bath robe and slippers on demand -Cosmetic products (e.g. shower cap, nail file, cotton swabs), vanity mirror, tray of a large scale in the bathroom -Internet access and internet terminal -"À la carte"-restaurant Four Star Superior* ( S) (First Class Superior) Five Star ( ) (Luxury) In addition to the first class (****) hotels: -Reception opened 24 hours, multilingual staff -Doorman-service or valet parking -Concierge, page boy -Spacious reception hall with several seats and beverage service -Personalized greeting for each guest with fresh flowers or a present in the room -Minibar and food and beverage offer via room service during 24 hours -Personal care products in flacons -Internet-PC in the room -Safe in the room -Ironing service (return within 1 hour), shoe polish service -Turndown service in the evening -Mystery guesting *The Superior flag is provided when the additional service and accommodation provisions are not sufficient for the next Hotelstar. The accommodation facilities for a superior hotel need to be on a modern level and fully renovated which is checked regularly.