Madrid and World Heritage Cities - Self Drive

Madrid and World Heritage Cities - Self Drive

Journey deep into the heart of Spain enjoying the privilege to visit some of the world’s most beautiful World Heritage Cities. Take a tour into the past and discover ancient Roman ruins, timeless medieval towns, and idyllic historic cities. Visit fascinating temples, churches, cathedrals, basilicas, and monasteries. See the cradle of Cervantes and wander around mesmerising places where Arabs, Christians, and Jews coexisted peacefully. Spain will conquer your heart at every turn during this memorable seven-day self-drive tour.

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL MADRID

Pass By: Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport, Av de la Hispanidad, s/n, 28042 Madrid, Spain
Arrive at Madrid airport, meet with the rent-a-car representative to pick up your rental car and head towards the beautiful city of Madrid to check in and explore the city. The Spanish capital is one of Europe’s liveliest and most elegant cities, boasting beautiful boulevards, vast parks, bustling plazas, and numerous historic churches and palaces. Madrid is also home to the legendary ‘golden triangle’ of art galleries, which house some of the world’s most treasured masterpieces.

Overnight in Madrid.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = NH Ventas or similar 4*

Day 2: MADRID – SEGOVIA – AVILA (170 Km – 2 hrs)

Pass By: Hotel Palacio de Los Velada, Plaza de la Catedral, 10, 05001 Ávila, Spain
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, head towards sensational Segovia. Visit the Gothic cathedral and the Alcazar, which was one of the inspirations for Disney’s Cinderella castle. See also the awe-inspiring Roman aqueduct, which dates from the reign of Emperor Domitian in the first century and cuts through the city centre. Continue to Avila and stroll the beautiful streets of its old town, surrounded by uninterrupted medieval walls. The perimeter of more than 2.5 kilometres is dotted with 88 towers and nine gates. Behind the ramparts is a city of immense beauty and heritage. Visit the fortified Gothic cathedral and the Romanesque Basilica of St Vincent. Stroll through its ancient streets, with Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and baroque styles evident, and take in the splendour of the Plaza de Santa Teresa.

Overnight in Avila.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Palacio de los Velada or similar 4*

Day 3: AVILA – SALAMANCA (110 Km – 1.5 hrs)

Pass By: Hotel Sercotel Artheus Carmelitas, Paseo de Carmelitas, 67, 37002 Salamanca, Spain
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, discover Spain’s most venerable seat of learning, visiting the University of Salamanca, as well as the old and new cathedrals. Salamanca University is the third-oldest in the world and the college gives the city a lively buzz, unlike the rest of Castile. At the time of the university’s founding in 1134, Salamanca was in the Kingdom of Leon. Head to the heart of the action at the magnificent Plaza Mayor and savour the inspiring atmosphere. Every corner of Salamanca exudes history! Visit the Irish College, the Casa de las Conchas palace, the Monterrey Palace, the Art Noveau and Art Deco Museum at the Casa Lis. If time permits, catch a glimpse of the Clavero Tower, the convents of Las Dueñas and St Stephen, as well as the baroque Clergy Church.

Overnight in Salamanca.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Altheus Carmelita or similar 4*

Day 4: SALAMANCA – CACERES (200 Km – 2hrs)

Pass By: Parador de Cáceres, Calle Ancha, 6, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Indulge in a delicious breakfast at the hotel and head towards Caceres to explore its magnificent historic centre. Not to be outdone by its provincial neighbour, the medieval walled old town of Caceres is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with fortified homes, Renaissance palaces, and historic churches. The walled area is compact and there are two main clusters of monuments. In the Santa Maria-Golfines area, you can find the Renaissance Toledo-Moctezuma Palace, as well as the Co-cathedral of St Mary while the area around the Plaza de las Veletas-Plaza San Mateo is dominated by the 15th century Cigüeñas Palace.

Overnight in Caceres.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Parador Caceres or similar 4*

Day 5: CACERES – TOLEDO (260 km – 2.5 hrs)

Pass By: Sercotel Alfonso VI, Cuesta de los Capuchinos, 2, 45001 Toledo, Spain
Begin your day with a delectable breakfast at the hotel. Then, drive to Toledo and wander through ancient streets dominated by the stunning cathedral and the legendary Alcazar overlooking the River Tagus. The old town boasts buildings from almost all periods of the Spanish history. Visit the cathedral and admire the Gothic vaulting and the elaborate altarpiece. Admire the numerous works of art such as frescoes, stained glass, altarpieces, and paintings signed by artists like El Greco, Caravaggio, Van Dyck, Rubens, and Goya. Continue to Santo Tome Church where El Greco’s epic canvas ‘The Burial of the Count of Orgaz’ is displayed or just stroll the beautiful streets of Toledo.

Overnight in Toledo.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Alfonso VI or similar 4*

Day 6: TOLEDO – ARANJUEZ – MADRID (100 km – 1.5 hr)

Pass By: Hotel NH Madrid Ventas, Calle Biarritz, 2, 28028 Madrid, Spain
Have breakfast at the hotel and prepare for a new adventure heading towards Aranjuez. Upon arrival, enjoy the city and visit the Royal Palace and gardens. In the gardens, find the inspiration to Joaquin Rodrigo’s famous ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’ classical Spanish guitar piece, based on his experiences at the palace gardens. Then, drive to Madrid for check-in at your hotel. Enjoy your last night in Spain´s paradisiacal capital.

Overnight in Madrid.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = NH Ventas or similar 4*

Day 7: DEPARTURE MADRID

Pass By: Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport, Av de la Hispanidad, s/n, 28042 Madrid, Spain
Begin your last day in Madrid with a tasty breakfast. Then, at the appropriate time, head towards the rental company to return the vehicle. The rent-a-car shuttle service will transfer you to the terminal for you to catch your departure flight back home.

Breakfast included

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.