Passport to Spain

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A music and arts journey to Andalucia, Spain
with Alyssa Wang and Joe Marchio

Accommodation

Hosts

Cost

March 4 - March 15, 2027

Trip Status: OPEN

Tour Cost: $6,000

Single Supplement: $675

Activity Level: excursions require 2 hours of walking at a slow pace. If you'd like, dance the night away and strut your stuff!

Join CSO conductor Alyssa and CSO Assistant Conductor Joe Marchio in Southern Spain, the center of dance and clicky music in Spain. We'll stay in Cordoba and travel by train for day trips to Seville and Granada.

Because both Alyssa and Joe have tight schedules, to say the least, this trip might be a bit shorter than most AJ trips, but we'll try to bring you the cultural essence of Andalusia and then more.

Flamenco, (the word is derived from the Arab meaning fugitve peasant), emerged in southern Spain as a cultural expression of marginalized communities, especially the Roma (Gitanos). Its roots trace back to the migration of Roma from northwest India (Rajasthan) to Spain between the 9th and 14th centuries, who brought musical instruments and dance traditions These influences merged with Moorish music, including the nubah traditions and melismatic melodies, and Sephardic Jewish musical traits, as well as local Andalusian folk music, creating a unique hybrid art form. Guitar, song and dance are the key elements of flamenco.

A view from the Alhambra

Andalusia has many important historical edifices, and we'll t visit a few of them: in Cordoba, the Mezquita (a huge mosque turned Catholic church), Alcazar, the Synagogue, and the Roman temple and bridge. In Seville, the Cathedral and La Giralda, another Alcazar (or royal palace), and many Moorish-inspired buildings to amaze you during a leisurely walk around town; and in Granada, of course, the Alhambra.

A side-trip from Cordoba will take us to Medina Azahara or Alcazar. Muslims settled this part of Spain between the 8th and 15th centuries and brought with them their language, which has been romanized. Alcazar means palace or fortress and doesn't refer to just one palace but applies to the many throughout Andalusia.

Besides the music, dance and architecture, we'll learn lots of history!!

Medina Azahara archaeological site

ACCOMMODATIONS

Please note: This trip is a fundraiser for the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra. Reservations for the trip are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Images of the hotel and some of the available rooms are shown. You can see more information on the website, which is listed.

Accommodations

Las Casas de la Juderia de Cordoba

Hosts

YOUR HOSTS

Alyssa Wang

"I believe that music holds a unique power to make the world more compassionate, curious, and connected. For me, music has always been about the shared experience of making something with others and for others, a reminder that our greatest strength lies in collaboration and empathy. As an artist, I strive to create spaces where integrity and compassion guide not only the music itself but the way we work and connect with one another. I promise to lead with respect, courage, and authenticity—to listen deeply, to act with purpose, and to uplift those around me through both my words and my work. I believe in the strength of hard work, in pairing words with action, and in fostering environments where every voice feels valued. As a leader, it is my responsibility to lead with openness and care, and to model the kind of leadership I wish to see in the world. Through my work, I hope to show that music can both reflect the challenges of our time and remind us of our highest ideals, of who we are, and who we have the potential to become."

Joe Marchio
Instructor

Joe Marchio is a graduate of the College of Wooster, where he earned both a Bachelor’s degree in organ performance and a Bachelor of Arts in religious studies. He earned a Master of Divinity degree at the Yale University Institute of Sacred Music, and a Master of Music degree in choral conducting at the Boston Conservatory. Joe became Music Director of the Chatham Chorale in 2010. He is also the Pastor and Director of Music of the First Congregational Church of Chatham.

Joan Hill
Owner, Host, & Director

In 2008, the seed of Artful Journeys was planted in her brain, when Joan brought together all of her life's passions, her love of music, an affinity for the beautiful things in life, and an ability to organize events to give birth to Artful Journeys, a program of art education trips for the soul.

Joan was born and raised in the apple country of the Hudson River Valley in New York; her father was a gentle, very tolerant, educated land surveyor, and her mother was the efficient business administrator and home engineer. The youngest of four children, Joan was encouraged to pursue anything she wanted, but also to do her best. Sometimes that was very difficult, especially succeeding three very accomplished siblings.

Cost

JOURNEY COST

Cost: $6,000 per person double occupancy including a $500 tax-deductible donation to the CSO

$6,000, double occupancy
$675 single supplement
NOTE: A deposit of $500 per person is required upon registration.
Included in the price are accommodations, most meals, ground transportation in Spain, entry to museums, scheduled events, performances, instructor and administration fees and a $500 tax deductible contribution to the Cape Cod Symphony.
Airfare is not included to enable travelers to use their “travel points,” upgrade flight arrangements, or to extend their trip.
Not included are personal purchases and cocktails.
Travel insurance is strongly encouraged
Covid vaccinations and booster are strongly suggested.