Madrid, Toledo & Salamanca

Your escape to Spain’s central region begins with a flight to the country’s capital, Madrid. You’ll meet your friendly tour manager before heading into the centre of the city to your first hotel, where you can enjoy an evening at leisure.Just a short walk away is Madrid’s bustling Gran Via, with its popular shopping areas and an assortment of restaurants.

After breakfast, travel through Madrid’s Centro district to the Plaza Mayor, a stately public square lined with cafés and bistros, where you’ll enjoy a taste of life in the Spanish capital. Continue to the nearby Puerta del Sol, another well-known public square. From the former headquarters of the Francoist regime’s Ministry of Interior and State Security to the plazas’ various statues, which showcase the city’s artistic flair, time spent in the two squares promises the perfect introduction.Next, you’ll head south to the Barrio de Las Latinas, with its picturesque narrow alleys and bustling streets. Here, you'll discover the Plaza de la Armería, an expansive courtyard bordered by the spectacular Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and the Almudena Cathedral. Your expert local guide will offer captivating insights into the histories of these two regal landmarks, and you can marvel at their baroque exteriors before moving on to the elegant Campo del Moro gardens.After a brief wander around the park’s scenic trails, you’ll drive to the Templo del Debod. Originally dedicated to the Egyptian deities Amun and Isis, this ancient Nubian temple was gifted toMadrid in recognition of Spain’s generous disaster relief in aid of Aswan’s flood victims throughout the 1960s.Complete today’s tour in the Plaza de Espana, taking in its statue of Miguel Cervantes, one of the country’s famous authors. You can then head back along Gran Via or revisit some of your favourite spots from today for a closer look.

Travel to historic Segovia after breakfast for a tour around its UNESCO-listed old city. During the hour-long drive from Madrid, you’ll enjoy panoramic views over the expansive vistas of Spain’s central region, with its rolling hills and conifer forests.On arrival in Segovia, you’ll be able to seek out the city’s major sights on your own time. You can start at the magnificent 2,000-year-old Roman Aqueduct, believed to be the best-preserved of its kind in the world, or head further into the city. The Plaza de Medina del Campo, which commemorates the comuneros rebel leader, Juan Bravo, is presided over by a spectacular 12th-century Catholic church and makes for an ideal place to kick off your Segovian sightseeing.From here, you can visit the Plaza Mayor, a pretty tree-studded public square fringed with cafés, boutiques and bars. Wander around the plaza, which was once the city’s commercial centre, and perhaps enjoy a drink against the backdrop of the neighbouring Segovia Cathedral.You should also make time for a visit to the city’s majestic Alcázar for an unmissable step back into Segovia’s medieval past. Towering above the rest of the city, this hilltop palace is one of the world’s most-visited medieval castles and was once a royal palace of the Castilian monarchs.After a morning taking in the medieval treasures of Castile, you’ll head back south towards Madrid, stopping at the palatial El Escorial Monastery en route. Immense in size and significance, this grand UNESCO-listed monastery was built by King Phillip II and remains a symbol of the Spanish Golden Age. You’ll have the chance to walk El Escorial’s historic halls, admiring its opulent architecture and frescoed chapels as you go.This evening, you’ll return to Madrid.

Head south after breakfast for a morning’s visit to the ‘Glass City’, Toledo. Nestled within the vineyard-laden stretches and mountain valleys of the Castilla La Mancha region, this was once the capital of Visigoth society and boasts a wealth of rich historical sites.After arriving in the city, meet your guide in the Plaza Zocodover, the colourful central hub of the city, before taking Toledo’s Christian, Muslim and Jewish quarters. Along the way, you’ll learn how the city’s three unique communities peacefully coexisted for centuries with visits to the El Transito Synagogue, home to stuccos, and the Moorish Mosque of Jesus the Light.Heading into Toledo’s bustling centre, you’ll have the chance to view its stately Alcázar and learn about its significance as a symbol of Franco’s Nationalist Rebellion. From here, you can admire the castle from below or, if you’d like, get a closer look with a walk up to the castle’s hilltop perch with panoramic views over Toledo. A final call at Saint Tomé’s Church, which features beautiful frescos, highlights the varied religious heritage that thrived throughout Toledo’s history.Later, travel back to Madrid for an afternoon at leisure, ticking off any last-minute sights off your wish-list.

Enjoy breakfast before boarding a coach for the journey to the university town of Salamanca. On the way, you can take in the views over the rolling hills and far-reaching plains, as well as stop in the medieval city, Avila, enclosed by towering walls.Known as the birthplace of St. Teresa, a 16th-century saint, Ávila offers a number of spectacular sights. Explore at your own pace throughout the early afternoon, perhaps stopping for lunch in the Plaza Mercado Del Chico with its arcades and cafés. You can also take in the city’s ornate 12th-century Cathedral and St. Teresa’s Convent with its chapels, chambers and relics that influenced her life.In the afternoon, continue to Salamanca, a city renowned for its golden-coloured sandstone buildings, and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Salamanca awaits today as you venture out on a tour of the city’s major highlights after breakfast. Join your fellow travellers in the Plaza Mayor, the city’s baroque focal point.After a brief pause in the square, enjoy the delightful Romanesque, Gothic and Moorish architecture on display throughout the winding streets with a walk to your next stop, the Casa de la Conchas. This unique building, adorned with over 300 carved seashells, was once a symbol of the nobility’s power but has since been repurposed as a public library.Next, you’ll continue to the majestic Anaya Palace, an impressive Neo-Classical building which now houses the University of Salamanca’s School of Philology. View the intricate facades and manicured grounds of this breath-taking landmark.Round your tour out at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is made up of old and new buildings. If you’ve worked up an appetite after the tour, consider stopping at one of the local eateries for a horzano, a traditional pastry filled with pork loin, chorizo and boiled eggs.Once you’re finished exploring the city, return to your hotel for a second overnight stay.

Your final full day in Spain’s stunning central region sees you leave Salamanca for a drive east to Alcalá de Henares, the UNESCO-listed hometown of renowned author Miguel de Cervantes. After checking into your hotel, the exquisite Parador de Alcalá de Henares, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore.You can then discover the town’s artistic history with a visit to the Cervantes Birthplace Museum, which chronicles the life of one of Spain’s most distinguished writers. Wander through the chambers that Cervantes called home, and marvel at the author’s expansive personal library.Continue to the city’s lively Calle Mayor (Main Street), or enjoy the enchanting Moorish exteriors of Laredo Palace, which boasts a majestic blend of Gothic and Islamic architectural styles.Later this evening, return to the parador for a special farewell dinner in the company of your fellow traveller.

At the end of a memorable week, have breakfast at the parador this morning before driving back to Madrid for your return flight to the UK.