Spain
7 nights 3 Departures Available
View All Dates & BookStaying in three UNESCO World Heritage towns, Alcalá de Henares, medieval Ávila and Toledo, and visiting magnificent Madrid, Roman and Romanesque Segovia, and Renaissance Salamanca, this is a tour of the Middle Ages, art and architecture, plazas and palaces
This glorious journey through Spain’s golden age begins in Alcalá de Henares, ‘the city of Cervantes’, with a statue of the writer in his namesake square, and a life-size sculpture of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza sitting on a bench in the Calle Mayor. With Baroque plazas, avant-garde avenues and striking architecture, Madrid is a stroll-around gallery and convivial, cosmopolitan capital. In San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the palace counts 88 fountains, hundreds of paintings and thousands of medieval documents among its treasures; while Segovia, set between two rivers, covers a hill shaped like a ship, with a fairy-tale castle high on the prow, the majestic cathedral as the mainsail, and the Roman aqueduct at the stern; and Ávila’s nine gates, 80 towers, and intact city walls encircle the medieval town, where a monastery, cathedral and basilica reflect its religious heritage. Toledo’s World Heritage status celebrates its trio of cultures and kaleidoscope of architectural styles whilst Salamanca is well known for one of the oldest universities in Europe, boasts two cathedrals and ornate sandstone architecture at every turn.
Fly from London to Madrid, and transfer to Alcalá de Henares, for a three-night stay at the 4-star PCM Forum Alcalá. Just 30km from the capital, this charming place is known for its centuries-old university in the 16th-century old town, and for its feast of tapas bars, we sample a Unique Experience this evening by dining like locals.
(D)
A walking tour in Madrid begins with a visit to the Royal Palace. Continue to the historic centre of the city to see the popular Plaza de Santa Ana, a lively hub of eateries; the nearby Puerta del Sol, a semi-circular centre-point, where all is overseen by its famous clock; Teatro Real and the stylised symmetry of the Plaza Mayor, the city’s ceremonial grand square.
(B)
A panoramic Madrid tour passes the Paseo de Castellana, from the modern business area to the iconic Plaza de Colón and Las Ventas Bullring, the largest in Spain; culminating with entrance to the Prado Museum, renowned worldwide for its Flemish and Italian art, and for its unrivalled collection of Spanish paintings. Remain in Madrid to explore at leisure, returning to Alcalá independently by train.
(B)
Travel to El Escorial to visit the palace/monastery complex, built in the 16th century by King Felipe II, liberally adorned with fountains and sculptures. Continue to UNESCO Segovia, its history on view in medieval walls, Romanesque churches, a Gothic cathedral, the hilltop Alcázar fortress and, the symbol of the city, the stunning Roman Aqueduct. Travel to Ávila for three nights at the 4-star Palacio de Valderrabanos Hotel.
(B)
Enjoy a walking tour of Ávila; it’s 1,700m city walls are strolling grounds with stunning views, surrounding cobbled streets, intriguing churches, and an air of tranquillity. Afternoon at leisure.
(B)
Travel to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Salamanca for a guided tour of the medieval old town including entrance to the oldest university in Spain, and passing by the 15th-century Casa de las Conchas (‘house of shells’) and the 16th-17th century Gothic ‘New Cathedral’, with free time to explore the area around the majestic Plaza Mayor and to perhaps explore the Casa Lis Art Deco Museum. Return to Ávila.
(B)
Travel to UNESCO Toledo, the birthplace of El Greco, crammed onto a hill above a gorge, and semi-moated by the Rio Tajo; for overnight at the 4-star Hotel San Juan de los Reyes. Enjoy a walking tour of Toledo, known as ‘the city of three cultures’. In the Middle Ages, Toledo became an icon of religious tolerance, where followers of the three main religions coexisted peacefully and, within the walled Roman, Arab, Spanish-imperial town, mosques, synagogues, and churches jostled for space with palaces and fortresses.
(B, D)
Transfer to Madrid airport for the return flight to London or extend your stay in Toledo for two nights.
(B)
On occasion, the Royal Palaces may be visited on alternative days.
El Escorial palace on Day 4 includes some steps and Toledo has uneven surfaces.
The tapas dinner will be moving to Day 2 in 2025.
Dine like a Madrileño and enjoy a tour on foot in Alcalá de Henares, sampling tapas in the local eateries. The serving of tapas dishes (hot or cold) is designed to encourage conversation, which is the perfect introduction and start to a tour!
Here is a list of the accommodation you can stay in for this tour. Occasionally we use alternative hotels, or have a choice of hotels to choose from which will be detailed when booking.
A 4-star hotel 10 minutes walk from the historic centre and 20 minutes walk from the train station. Restaurant, bar, spa and WiFi (free). 132 rooms with hairdryer, safe and satellite TV.
A 4-star hotel centrally located next to the Cathedral with bar and WiFi (free). 80 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer and satellite TV.
A 4-star hotel centrally located in the Jewish quarter of Toledo. Restaurant, bar, terrace, WiFi (free). 38 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV.
Customize your tour by adding optional excursions or extend your journey with our curated add-on extensions.
Extend your stay at the 4-star San Juan de los Reyes Hotel in the fabulous walled city of Toledo, set on a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha and best known for its amalgamation of medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian influences. Note: For 2025 departures please contact our Personal Travel Experts for more details.
You can find out more about the county on the travel guide.
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incl FlightWe need to check availability for this departure date. Please proceed with the reservation, and we will get in touch within 72 hours to confirm and take payment.
The below departures are available - please click into the booking process for a quote and to book.
Air travel and taxes, 7 nights' accommodation, breakfast daily, 2 dinners, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Travel insurance, visa procurement, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
The following extensions are available to book with this tour. Please click through to the booking process to check your preferred departure date and to make a reservation.
Extend your stay at the 4-star San Juan de los Reyes Hotel in the fabulous walled city of Toledo, set on a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha and best known for its amalgamation of medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian influences.
Note: For 2025 departures please contact our Personal Travel Experts for more details.
Spain
2 nights
Extend your stay for a further two nights. Day at leisure.
(B)
At leisure.
(B)
Return flight.
(B)
Extra nights are priced per person, per night.
Please contact us to check availability and book alongside your tour.