Letter from Rob Heuay

Hello travelers:

It's a pleasure to let you know about the great Carpenter trip that we have arranged for October 2014; exciting Spain! Our stay will be split between spectacular Barcelona and the capital, Madrid, and we'll have a terrific schedule of sightseeing, dining, exploring, and plenty of socializing in both cities. Plus, there's an optional 3-day extension to one of the most beautiful places in the world -- Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, -- which really is, no exaggeration, the "Land of Eternal Spring".

The hotels where we'll be staying are luxurious and offer plenty of amenities. In Barcelona, the legendary Majestic Hotel & Spa, with its glamorous pre-WW2 façade and beautiful amenity-packed suites is right in the heart of "Traveler's Barcelona", close to its greatest attractions, including famous works of the amazing Art Nouveau architect Antoni Gaudi. In Madrid, our hotel is another turn-of-the-century legend, the Westin Palace, which is luxurious in the real European manner. And for those going on to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, home base for the 3 days of breathtaking scenery, touring and relaxation will be the Gran Hotel Bahia del Duque, a 5-star spa resort surrounded by botanical gardens and overlooking the blue bay.

The days we spend under Spanish skies are guaranteed to be fascinating. The fantasy architecture of Gaudi, for which Barcelona is famous, all sweeping natural shapes and rainbow colors, is sort of a key to the flow and color of Spanish life. We'll see great plazas, tour museums filled with masterpieces, like the Prado and the Picasso Museum, see fabulous royal palaces … and there will be dinners at famous eateries that have won the approval of the best judges, the people of Madrid and Barcelona themselves. You'll have plenty of time for optional tours (including the unique, self-directed GoCar tour in Barcelona), and also for on-your-own strolling, shopping, and getting a personal feeling for these great destinations.

Don't pass this one up. It will be unforgettable, beautiful, and a lot of fun! Explore the website for more details on the hotels, the places, and the activities we have planned. To sign on for the trip, please contact your Carpenter representative or contact our travel experts for specific travel inquiries.

Rob Heuay
Senior Vice President