Classical Guitar Course in Spain with Bridget Mermikides
Dates: 7 - 14 Aug 2026
Venue: Parador de Almagro, Castilla la Mancha, Spain
Course Leader: Bridget Mermikides
£1795 per person
Nestled in the heart of La Mancha, the Parador de Almagro is a beautiful and tranquil place to base this classical guitar course with renowned guitarist Bridget Mermikides. Formerly a 16th-century convent, this meticulously restored Parador seamlessly blends historical charm with modern comforts, and features spacious rooms, lush gardens, and a refreshing swimming pool. With an abundance of beautiful gardens and courtyards to enjoy, the Parador offers an oasis of peace and calm.
Just beyond the walls of the Parador is the historic centre of Almagro, a cultural hotspot with iconic theatres, palacios, museums and monasteries. It is home to the Corral de Comedias, one of Spain’s most important historic theatres and was the headquarters of the Knights’ Order of Calatrava in medieval times. The hotel is just a stone’s throw from the Plaza Mayor, one of the loveliest squares in Spain with picturesque arcades; the heart of the town with its friendly bars and restaurants.
A combination of the Parador’s idyllic setting and the delightful buzz of Almagro will provide us with the perfect backdrop for a creative holiday.
This course is aimed at classical guitarists (from the enthusiastic amateur to the professional) and offers immersive tuition in repertoire (solo and ensemble), guitar technique, theory, sight-reading and ensemble skills, culminating in a final performance in a local venue. The course will take the format of small group teaching, one-to-one sessions, masterclasses and ensemble coaching. Each student will receive a tailored programme to match their individual requirements and needs.
Under the guidance of eminent tutor Bridget Mermikides, the course will allow participants to refine their technique, learn new repertoire and gain confidence. At least 3 years’ minimum experience is recommended, but enthusiasm counts! If you are unsure about your level of experience, please get in touch.
Daily sessions will include:
Repertoire for the course will include baroque, classical, romantic and Latin styles.
Workshop sessions and individual lessons will take place in the mornings and early afternoons, leaving the rest of the day for planned excursions or time out.
Here are some ensemble pieces arranged by Bridget Mermikides which give a flavour of the type of repertoire studied during the course.
As well as providing a rewarding creative experience, we aim to give participants the opportunity to enjoy a truly memorable holiday. A typical day will include a morning workshop session followed by a buffet lunch, after which there will be small group or individual sessions. Afternoon excursions usually depart at around 3.30pm and return in time for dinner, with the exception of the excursion to Toledo which will depart at lunchtime and return late evening.
On the penultimate evening there is an al fresco paella dinner with informal group/solo performances (optional) by participants of the guitar and singing courses. Participants are welcome to bring along suitable repertoire.
La Mancha, central Spain’s timeless heartland, is a region of wide horizons, layered history and deeply rooted traditions. Immortalised in Don Quixote, it is a landscape of medieval towns, dramatic fortresses and long-established vineyards, where history, culture and daily life sit comfortably side by side. During the week there will be plenty of time to explore Almagro itself, with its exceptional theatres, monasteries, museums and elegant squares, all just moments from the Parador and easily discovered at a relaxed pace.
During the week, excursions are planned alongside the musical schedule; we have selected some highlights which we hope will give a taste of the history and culture of this great region.
All of the above excursions are included in the price of the course.
Originally built as the Convent of Santa Catalina, the Parador’s tranquil courtyards and spacious rooms offer plenty of opportunity to relax and unwind, providing a peaceful and luxurious atmosphere for our stay. The outdoor swimming pool is a lovely way to keep cool on warmer days.
Accommodation at the Parador is in comfortable twin and double bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. If you are coming with a friend, or wish to share a room with someone in particular, please let us know. Single occupancy rooms are available for a supplement of £450; if you wish to reserve one, please indicate this when you book. Please note that if you wish to share a room, their name roomshare must be provided at the time of booking; otherwise the single room supplement will be applied. Full details are set out in our Terms and Conditions.
A note about the weather: August in La Mancha is warm, but this is something we plan for very carefully. During the course we are in air-conditioned spaces for most of the day, including rehearsal rooms, accommodation, dining areas and transport. Activities and excursions are scheduled to avoid the hottest part of the day, and the Parador’s shaded courtyards and gardens provide welcome relief. From our experience of running these courses in Almagro, the heat has been very manageable and has not detracted from the enjoyment of the week.
This region is renowned for its traditional ‘Manchego’ cuisine and delicious local specialities which we will enjoy at the Parador de Almagro. Our meals will be prepared by the hotel’s acclaimed chefs and will comprise a varied breakfast, buffet lunch, and three-course evening meal.
We are able to cater for most special dietary requirements; please let us know of any on your booking form.
Participants are required to book their own travel to Madrid-Barajas airport, where a coach will collect the group. Please ensure that you arrive at the airport by 14.15pm on Friday 7 August and that your departure on Friday 14 August is no earlier than 13.25pm, to coincide with the coach transfer.
Recommended flights are as follows:
OUTBOUND: Friday 7 August
LHR-MAD: BA/Iberia flight BA7055/IB0714 dep 10:50 arr 14:15
LGW-MAD: Air Europa flight UX1014 dep 10:00 arr 13:30
LHR-MAD: BA/Iberia flight BA7053/IB0712 dep 09:15 arr 12:40
STN-MAD: Ryanair flight FR347 dep 08:40 arr 12:10
LTN-MAD: Wizzair flight W9 5355 dep 08:00 arr 11:40
The coach will leave the airport at approximately 15:30pm when passengers on the last flight have cleared.
RETURN: Friday 14 August
MAD-LHR: BA/Iberia flight BA7056/IB0717 dep 13:25 arr 14:55
MAD-STN: Ryanair flight FR5993 dep 13:35 arr 15:00
MAD-LHR: BA/Iberia flight BA7054/IB0719 dep 14:55 arr 16:20
MAD-LGW: Air Europa flight UX1015 dep 15:00 arr 16:25
MAD-LHR: BA/Iberia flight BA7068/IB0721 dep 15:45 arr 17:15
MAD-LGW: BA/Iberia flight IB1863/BA7198 dep 18:40 arr 20:00
The coach will arrive at Madrid-Barajas airport at approx. 10:30am.
Please inform us of any changes to your booked flight schedule.
If you wish to bring a car, parking is available on site. Please let us know in advance and we will supply directions.
The total cost of the course is £1795 and includes everything except your return flight to Spain.
What’s included?
To reserve your place, please complete the online booking form and send your deposit to us (£275 per person) within seven days. Your booking confirmation will follow. The balance is required eight weeks before the start of the course.
More information on the booking process, along with payment details, is available here.
Please refer to the Find out more section for booking details, terms and conditions and frequently-asked questions.
We’d love to hear from you, so do contact us or you can request a ringback and we’ll call you as soon as possible.
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“A very warm welcome – lots of help and understanding throughout the whole course”
"Top class tuition"
“An inspiring week in an idyllic location”
“Just one week – but a memory for a lifetime”
