Educational Travel Experience Designed Especially for Your Group Soccer in Madrid ITINERARY OVERVIEW DAY 1 DEPARTURE FROM NORTH AMERICA DAY 2 ARRIVE MADRID AREA (7 NIGHTS) DAY 3 PROFESSIONAL COACHING CLINIC & MADRID DAY 4 TOLEDO & FIRST INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY DAY 5 MADRID & SECOND INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY DAY 6 PROFESSIONAL COACHING CLINIC & SEGOVIA DAY 7 MADRID & THIRD INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY DAY 8 FOURTH INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY & PROFESSIONAL SOCCER MATCH DAY 9 DEPARTURE FROM MADRID
ITINERARY The most successful side of the past decade, the Spanish National Team (La Roja), has won two European Championships and a World Cup. Spain also boasts the most dominant club teams in Europe headed by FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. The two sides form the most famous rivalry in the world. The derby is referred to as El Clasico and is underlined with decades of political and cultural tensions. The Spanish way of soccer is renowned for its total football approach. Educational Tour/Visit Cultural Experience Festival/Performance/Workshop Tour Services Recreational Activity LEAP Enrichment Match/Training Session DAY 1 Relax and enjoy our scheduled flight from North America. DAY 2 Our 24-hour Tour Director will meet us at the airport and remain with us until our final airport departure. We will be met at the airport by our private bus and driver and we will transfer to our hotel. We will have use of a private coach and driver, while touring for the next seven days. Spain's capital city of Madrid lies at the heart of the country. Despite its modern and cosmopolitan culture, the city has preserved its traditional architecture and charm. This is a city of great monuments and great art, all against the backdrop of a rich culture and an exciting nightlife. Our base for the next seven nights will be the greater Madrid area, where breakfast and dinner will be provided at the hotel. We begin with a welcome meeting and orientation. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore the area around the hotel. TRAINING SESSION We will participate in a Training Session at a local field. The training session will be led by your own coaching staff and is designed to prepare the team for upcoming friendly matches. (Training sessions may be in the morning, afternoon or evening and will be determined by the final hotel location, field availability, and the schedule of activities for the day). DAY 3 Today we will travel to our clinic and then into central Madrid. PROFESSIONAL COACHING CLINIC We will participate in a special Coaching clinic with a guest coach, player or instructor. The clinic will be designed exclusively for the team and to enhance skills in areas identified by the coaching staff. (Excel Sports has contacts at every level and can provide your team with some of the finest instructors in the industry. Specific clinics and coaches will be selected after time of booking). In Madrid, the cost of public transport is included for all group sightseeing. Escorted by our Tour Director, we will be able to experience the city in the same manner as the local people. 1
DAY 3 MADRID CITY TOUR Take an introductory City Tour of Madrid to learn about and view some of Madrid's top landmarks and attractions using our private bus and on foot. Highlights will include The Prado, the Plaza de Cibeles, the Puerta de Alcala, the Gran Via, Plaza de Espana, Palacio Real,and the Puerto del Sol. PALACIO REAL Visit the Palacio Real, a huge palace begun in 1738 on the site of the Madrid Alcázar, which burned to the ground in 1734. Our tour will take us through some of the palace s 2,000 rooms that the enlightened despot Charles III called home. Although the palace is no longer home to the royal family, it is still full of art treasures and antiques, including Tiepolo ceilings and paintings by Goya. Highlights of our visit include the Reception Room and State Apartments; the Throne Room; the Banquet Room, where receptions for heads of state are still held; and the Royal Chapel. Take some time to explore or shop at your leisure in Madrid. DAY 4 Today we will travel to nearby Toledo. The historic city of Toledo, capital of La Mancha, is a cultural fusion of Christian, Arab, and Jewish traditions from the Middle Ages. With numerous churches, museums, mosques, synagogues, and artistic treasures, the city has definitely earned its World Heritage Site designation. TOLEDO WALKING TOUR Enjoy a Walking Tour of central Toledo, with streets barely wide enough for a man and his donkey. During our walk, there will be the opportunity to visit spectacular shops that produce and sell Damascene gold jewelry, as well as medieval swords. There will also be some time to relax in the Plaza de Zocodover, a bustling triangular square in the heart of Toledo. TOLEDO CATHEDRAL Walk to Toledo Cathedral, considered one of the greatest Gothic structures in Spain. The cathedral actually reflects several architectural styles, and features many art treasures, including: the Transparente, a Last Supper in alabaster, El Greco s Twelve Apostles and Spoliation of Christ, Goya s Arrest of Christ on the Mount of Olives, and works by Juan de Borgona. The Treasure Room features a 500-pound, 15th-century gilded monstrance, allegedly made with gold brought back from the New World by Columbus, which is still carried through the streets of Toledo during the feast of Corpus Christi. FLY TOLEDO ZIP-LINING We will enjoy Fly Toledo, the longest urban zip-line in Europe, which is located in the heart of Toledo?s Old Town, near San Martin Bridge. We will be fitted with our own harness, helmet and pulley. We will be using state-of-the-art security technology, including a self-regulating Magnetic Braking System. Zip-lining over Toledo is certain to make any visit truly unforgettable, and is the ideal complement to Toledo?s unique history and culture. FIRST FRIENDLY MATCH We will play a Friendly Match against a local club or academy team. The team will meet and compete against athletes of similar ages and skill levels, and have the opportunity to make friends for life. (The teams you will play will be selected after time of booking and will be based on the specific skill level and requirements of your team. We have contacts at every level and take great pride in finding the perfect fit for each friendly match). DAY 5 Today we will transfer back into central Madrid. REAL MADRID TOUR Tour of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of the Real Madrid football club. Our tour will include a visit to the Trophy Room, a walk on the field, a visit to the Presidential Balcony, the Player s Benches, Coaching Area and Dressing Room, as well as the Press Room. (The tour may be modified in the event of a match day). 2
DAY 5 Take some time to explore or shop at your leisure in Madrid. SECOND FRIENDLY MATCH We will play a Friendly Match against a local club or academy team. The team will meet and compete against athletes of similar ages and skill levels, and have the opportunity to make friends for life. (The teams you will play will be selected after time of booking and will be based on the specific skill level and requirements of your team. We have contacts at every level and take great pride in finding the perfect fit for each friendly match). DAY 6 Today we will travel to our clinic an then to Segovia. PROFESSIONAL COACHING CLINIC We will participate in a special Coaching clinic with a guest coach, player or instructor. The clinic will be designed exclusively for the team and to enhance skills in areas identified by the coaching staff. (Excel Sports has contacts at every level and can provide your team with some of the finest instructors in the industry. Specific clinics and coaches will be selected after time of booking). Segovia is a beautiful and romantic city that has inspired the work of artists and architects over the centuries. Roman, medieval, and Renaissance influences can be seen throughout the city, and its relaxed way of life makes it difficult to leave. SEGOVIA WALKING TOUR Enjoy a Walking Tour through Segovia' s beautiful city center. The highlight of our walk is the impressive Roman Aqueduct, an architectural marvel built by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago. SEGOVIA ALCAZAR Discover the fairytale Alcázar de Segovia, a castle dating from the 12th century. Royal romance is associated with the Alcázar; it was here that Isabella first met Ferdinand, and Philip II married his fourth wife, Anne of Austria. Our visit is highlighted by the replicas of Isabella s and Ferdinand s thrones, the battlements of the once-impregnable castle, and the tower, originally built by Isabella's father as a prison. Those who choose may ascend the tower for breathtaking views over the city and surrounding countryside. DAY 7 Today we will transfer again into central Madrid. PLAZA DE TOROS Explore the massive Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, Madrid s spectacular bullring built in 1931 to accommodate 25,000 spectators. MUSEO TAURINO Visit the Museo Taurino, which will serve as an introduction to the controversial sport of bullfighting. During our visit we will view the death costume of Manolete, the traje de luces (suit of lights) that he wore when he was gored to death at age 30 in Linares's bullring. Other memorabilia evokes the heyday of Juan Belmonte, the Andalusian who revolutionized bullfighting in 1914 by performing close to the horns. Other exhibits include a Goya painting of a matador, as well as photographs and relics that trace the history of bullfighting in Spain from its ancient origins to the present day. Take some time to explore or shop at your leisure in Madrid. THIRD FRIENDLY MATCH We will play a Friendly Match against a local club or academy team. The team will meet and compete against athletes of similar ages and skill levels, and have the opportunity to make friends for life. (The teams you will play will be selected after time of booking and will be based on the specific skill level and requirements of your team. We have contacts at every level and take great pride in finding the perfect fit for each friendly match). 3
DAY 8 Today we will travel to our final match and to a professional match. FOURTH FRIENDLY MATCH We will play a Friendly Match against a local club or academy team. The team will meet and compete against athletes of similar ages and skill levels, and have the opportunity to make friends for life. (The teams you will play will be selected after time of booking and will be based on the specific skill level and requirements of your team. We have contacts at every level and take great pride in finding the perfect fit for each friendly match). ATTEND A PROFESSIONAL MATCH We will attend a professional soccer match featuring teams from the top leagues. Seeing the top talent in the world in person would itself be an unforgettable experience, but add the passionate crowds signing, cheering and chanting and you will enter an atmosphere that can only be understood through personal experience. (Excel Programs will secure tickets for the group after time of booking and upon release of the official schedule. Due to scheduling your final itinerary may need to adjusted to accommodate attending a match). DAY 9 Our rewarding and enjoyable tour comes to an end as our Tour Director accompanies us to the airport on our final day. 4
What is Included: Round trip airfare with a major carrier on scheduled flights and guaranteed dates All airport taxes and fuel surcharges (which will not change after time of enrollment for any participant) Accommodation in three star hotels in twin or triple rooms with private facilities guaranteed throughout Full breakfast daily in the hotel Lunch or dinner daily (determined by the final sporting arrangements) A full-time WorldStrides Excel Sports Tour Director to accompany your group 24 hours a day from arrival to departure The expertise and perspective of local guides during your tour (where required) Transportation by private coach for airport transfers and touring Public Transport pass for group sightseeing (cost included) for the days in central Madrid All excursions, cultural activities and (several pre-booked) admissions as per your itinerary All sporting arrangements, including matches, training sessions or clinics (as per the itinerary) One pro soccer match ticket Three free college credits for all high school students (This is optional for each participant and post trip course work is required) Basic health insurance while on tour (including medical treatment on tour up to $7,500) and $50,000 of coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation USTOA Extensive Consumer Protection up to $1,000,000 in coverage for advance deposits through our USTOA membership Manchester United Raffle fundraiser One free place in a single room throughout the tour Industry leading Professional Liability Insurance of $50,000,000 in coverage, which extends to certain individuals acting on behalf of Excel Sports as Coaches and Chaperones This Does Not Include: Any items not mentioned above or in the detailed itinerary Third daily meal or personal beverages with meals Single rooms for adults (will be available at a supplement of $50 per night) Laundry services on tour Visas (if required) Tips and gratuities for the guide and driver Any fees that might be imposed by the airlines at the airport for checked baggage Any costs for the hire of, or transport of, equipment or gear Travel insurance - We offer and always recommend our Trip Mate travel insurance policy to all participants. This comprehensive policy includes health, property and cancellation coverage at a cost of $149 5
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