GUEST PROGRAM

Sunday, June 6
5:00 pm – 11:00 pm: Tour and Welcome Reception – Toledo
Once the capital city of Spain, Toledo - - a World Heritage City - - is a magic place; probably one of the most spectacular cities in the world. The buildings and winding streets contained within the old city walls hold hundreds of years of history and the River Tajo which runs alongside the city walls adds to its charm and beauty. During the 13th century Toledo became one of the few places where Christianity, Islam and Judaism coexisted peacefully and the singular combination of these styles and cultures is one of the city's unique characteristics. Winding the narrow streets on foot, guests will have the opportunity to visit the most significant sites including the gothic Cathedral of Toledo, Saint Tomé Church and Santa María la Blanca Synagogue, followed by a welcome reception at Cigarral de las Mercedes, overlooking the beautiful city of Toledo.

Monday, June 7
9:30 am – 4:00 pm: Segovia Tour – A Roman Walled City
Segovia is known for its wealth of historical monuments and artistic richness including one of the best Roman-era monuments on the Iberian Peninsula, Segovia's incredible aqueduct. Built in the time of Augustus, the aqueduct has 118 arches and is 16kms long, although just a fraction of its length remains visible today. The Catedral de Santa Maria, located in the city’s Plaza Mayor, looms over Segovia's historic centre and was the last gothic style cathedral to be built in Spain. Begun in the 16th century but not completed until 1768, the Cathedral contains numerous treasures and stands where Isabella I was proclaimed Queen of Castile. Segovia is also famous for Alcazar, a medieval fortress which is believed to have Roman or Celtic origins, with recent excavations finding similar stones to those used in the construction of the aqueduct. Lunch will be enjoyed at Mesón de Cándido, set in a privileged location just next to the aqueduct. Mesón de Cándido, renowned for local specialties, became famous during the Franco dictatorship and has hosted numerous political leaders and international artists since it opened its doors in 1884.

7:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Awards Ceremony Reception
Enjoy a memorable evening at the IIS Awards Ceremony Reception, a cocktail reception sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers featuring cultural entertainment as the IIS honors distinguished insurance leaders for their contributions to the industry. Included in the awards ceremony is the Insurance Hall of Fame award, the insurance industry’s preeminent award for excellence.

Tuesday, June 8
Optional Tours – Choose to partake in the following tours for an additional fee:
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Living La Vida Local
Experience the culture of Spain with this hands-on tour at a cooking school located in the northern quarter of Madrid. Begin by learning about the legend and preparation of tapas, a Spanish style of cuisine which embodies the very heart of the lifestyle and culture of Spain. Tapas is designed to encourage conversation because the focus is not on eating an entire meal, rather sharing many small plates. All over Spain there are lively bars serving small plates of superb flavors and local delicacies. Along with Tapas you will prepare an authentic Sangria recipe, not easily found in Spain! Guests will also enjoy the opportunity to learn the history behind flamenco, a powerful and passionate dance, as well some simple dance essentials of the flamenco dance.

Click here to register for the Tuesday optional tours

10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Discover the Legend – Santiago Bernabeu
Considered the “royal palace” of Spain’s football’s kings, visit Santiago Bernabeu – home to Real Madrid, arguably the best club of the 20th century. Bernabeu is one of the worlds most famous and prestigious football venues and has housed some of the best players in the world, forming one of the most spectacular teams in history. A tour of this iconic stadium will include a visit to the trophy room, the dressing room, the player’s tunnel, the benches, the pitch, the presidential balcony…and much more. Guests will enjoy lunch at the Real Café Bernabeu, an avant-garde style restaurant with an impressive view of the inside of the stadium Santiago Bernabeu- - an idyllic pilgrimage for international football fans and lovers of sport.

Wednesday, June 9
9:30 am – 4:00 pm: Chinchón - Tastes of Spain
The village of Chinchón, dating back to the time of the Carpathians, is comprised of a medieval main square lined with 235 brightly painted, wooden balconies which surround the 15th century Plaza de Mayor de Chinchón, a castle in ruins and narrow streets lined with old mansions and local restaurants. Built in 1796, the Meson Cuevas Del Vino produces wine and olive oil and maintains its original charms with roaring fireplaces, a giant olive press, a rustic wine cave and immense antique wine and olive oil amphorae - - signed by all the illustrious guests who have visited during its long history. Guests will tour the rambling farmhouse and learn the process of producing wine and olive oil, two of Spain’s famed exports. An expert will guide a wine and olive oil tasting class, complemented by Spanish cheese, ham and garlic, the essential tastes of Spanish flavors.

8:30 pm – 11:00 pm: Tour and Closing Reception: Prado Museum & Ritz Gardens
Enjoy and evening at the Prado Museum and Ritz Gardens. Located in an 18th century neo-classical building, the Prado is considered the home of the most important collection of paintings in the world. The Prado houses the world’s best collection of Spanish paintings, with works by universal geniuses of art such as El Greco, Velazquez and Goya, as well as by the most significant figures of Spain’s Golden Age: Ribera, Zurbarán and Murillo. The walls of the Prado Museum are dressed with samples of the works of artists from the Flemish and Italian schools plus many, many more, exhibited alongside a splendid collection of classical sculpture, brought mainly from Italy between the 16th and 19th centuries. Enjoy a private tour of the Prado followed by an evening of entertainment, mingling and fine Spanish cuisine in the Ritz Gardens, a serene oasis in Madrid’s city center.

Tipping: Tips are included on the IIS tours and therefore not expected.

Spanish Hours: While the Spanish culture is moving towards adopting more internationally ‘typical’ hours, visitors should note the basics of the Spanish schedule, which many individuals and businesses follow. Generally, Spain operates on a much later schedule with lunch beginning at 2 pm and some businesses, for example shops, closing their doors during lunch hours, reopening after lunch at approximately 3:30 pm and closing for the day at approximately 8:30 pm. Dinner is typically at 9 pm or later and bars and cafes remain open until 2 am or later, but do not begin to get busy until 11 pm On Sundays many businesses are closed, but most museums are open.