The Golden Age of Spain - An Explosion of Art

Open Group

Don Quijote Statue

Royal Palace Madrid

El Escorial Palace

Segovia

Madrid

Royal Palace at Aranjurez

Chinchón

Spain's Golden Age - An Explosion of Art

Madrid and the ancient city of Toledo are filled with art, architecture and culture. Their rich histories, over two centuries, are a joy to uncover. Toledo, the original capital of Spain, is also known as the City of Three Faiths as in medieval times the city was home to three main religious communities, Muslims, Christians and Jews, each of whom have left impressions on the city's architecture.

Price is per person sharing a double or twin room. Single supplement of £295 applies

Itinerary/Excursions

Day 01

Arrive into Madrid airport and take transfer to your Alcala de Henares, where we will be staying for four nights. Your tour manager will take you on an introductory walk in the center of Alcalá de Henares. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 02

Full day excursion to Madrid with a guided tour of the city on foot with your tour manager, including Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, Plaza Santa Aa, Teatro Real and the Royal Palace. Free time for lunch and time to discover the city at your leisure before returning to the hotel in Alcalá.

Day 03

Today's excursion takes us to El Escorial and Segovia beginning with an official guided tour of El Escorial Palace, a vast building complex and one of the most important architectural monuments of the Spanish Renaissance. After lunch we continue to Segovia and visit the famous Roman Aqueduct and for a tour on foot of the historic centre fininshing at the Alcazar fortresss.

Day 04

Half a day in Madrid for a panoramic tour, Paseo de la Castellano, Atocha Station, Plaza de Colón, Las Ventas Bullring. After free time for lunch you will visit the El Prado Museum, one of the most famous museums in the world. Time at leisure before returning to the hotel independently by train.

Day 05

Today it is Hasta la Vista to Acalá de Henares as we travel to Toledo, stopping on the way at the medieval city of Avila which is famous for its Roman walls and where we'll enjoy a tour on foot with our tour manager. After free time to enjoy the local culinary delicacies of Avila, we continure to Toledo where we will stay for the next three nights.

Day 06

An official guided tour on foot of the historic centre gives us a great insight into what is known as the 'City of Three Faiths', in medieval times when Christians, Jews and Muslims lived side by side making Toledo very prosperous indeed. Free time in the afternoon to discover the city yourself.

Day 07

A full day exploring Aranjurez and Chinchón. We visit to the stunning Royal Palace at Aranjurez together with its gardens by the River Tagus. We then continue to the quaint village of Chinchón with its famous medieval square for some free time for lunch. Tonight we have a farewell dinner in a local restaurant in Toledo.