7 Days in Madrid: Echoes of Empire: Madrid, Ávila & Segovia

After breakfast, walk to the nearby meeting point for your group tour. It’s just a short distance from your hotel. The meeting point is at 15 Calle de San Nicolás, 28013, Madrid Start time : 08:45am (Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the tour begins.) Duration : 8h Live guide: English, Spanish Max group size : 25 ­ Included in Tours Entrance to Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca Visit to a winery with a tasting of 3 wines and an aperitif of cured meats Bilingual tour (English-Spanish) Transportation via air-conditioned coach Not included Lunch, beberages or other services not specified above Hotel pickup and drop-off ­ Tour Description You'd better arrive thirsty for this tour of the city of three cultures. Toledo is about to get tasty. ­After an hour-long bus ride, you'll take a panoramic tour of Toledo, walking up to the Mirador del Valle, for stunning views of the city from an elevated area. ­Back down in the old town of Toledo, your guide will lead you on a fascinating tour, taking in the most important areas of the city. ­At the end of the guided tour, you'll have free time to rest and enjoy lunch, before your visit to the most important wineries in Castilla La Mancha. Of course, you can't leave without tasting some of its best wines, accompanied by an aperitif. ­Once you've tasted the best that the winery has to offer, you'll return to Madrid, where your tour will end.

After breakfast, make your way to the meeting point for your group tour, located just a short walk from your hotel. The meeting point is Plaza de Isabel II, 28013, Madrid Start time : 14:30 Duration: 3h Opening hours: 10:15 - 19:00 Live guide: English, Spanish ­ Included in Tours Guided tour in English or Spanish Skip-the-line entrance to the Royal Palace Skip-the-line entrance to the Cathedral of La Almudena Not included Tips (optional) Not included Tips (optional) ­ Tour Description Step back in time with a guided tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid, and the Almudena Cathedral – the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid! You'll be enlightened, inspired and enchanted by history-laden stories, legends and anecdotes from your experienced expert, who'll leave no ancient stone unturned. ­The tour of two of the most emblematic icons in Madrid begins at the Ópera metro stop, and heads on to the Cathedral. Then you'll cross the Plaza de la Armería to see the Royal Palace. Inside, treat your eyes to the most emblematic areas in the building: the Gasparini Chamber, the Throne Room, the Hall of Mirrors, and more. ­An essential tour of the capital of Spain!

After breakfast, make your way to the meeting point for your group tour, located just a short walk from your hotel. The meeting point is 15 Calle de San Nicolás, 28013, Madrid Start time : 09:00 Duration : 9h Live guide :English, Spanish Max group size :30 Included in Tours Air-conditioned motor coach Bilingual tour guide Admission to the Walls of Ávila Admission to Santa Teresa Church Free time to visit Segovia Not included Food and drinks Hotel pickup and drop-off ­ Tour Description Venture into the heart of Madrid for an adventure that unfolds in the city's bustling hub. Be sure to arrive a snappy 15 minutes ahead at the lively office, tucked away amidst the city's quaint, charismatic streets. From there, bid adieu to the cityscape and hop on a cool, air-conditioned coach, destined for the city of Ávila. Follow an insightful guide through the Old Town where history comes alive around each bend. Gawk at an array of architectural masterpieces, from Romanesque churches to Gothic palaces, and an imposing cathedral that harks back to the Middle Ages. Then, behold the grandeur of the Walls of Ávila. Gaze up at this mighty fortress and its steadfast towers that have withstood ages, earning the city its UNESCO World Heritage crown. The journey carries on to the bewitching city of Segovia, where you'll have free time to explore yourself.

After breakfast, make your way to the meeting point for your group tour, located just a short walk from your hotel. The meeting point is 15 Calle de San Nicolás, 28013, Madrid Start time : 08:45 please be present 15 min before departure time Duration : 5h Live guide : English, Spanish ­ Included in Tours Air-conditioned motorcoach Bilingual tour guide Entrance to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial Entrance to the Valley of the Fallen and the Basilica (if selected) Not included Food and beverages ­ Tour Description This half-day tour will take you out of Madrid and deep into Spanish history. You’ll visit the imposing El Escorial (a UNESCO World Heritage site) built by Phillip II in the 1500s and also visit The Valley of The Fallen (if selected). There you’ll see a profound and expansive memorial to those who died during the Spanish Civil War and magnificent views of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range. El Escorial sits at the foot of Mt. Abantos and it’s a rugged site for a vast, imposing monument. On the inside, though, you’ll first be surprised by the human feel of Phillip’s living quarters. He was famously pious and you’ll find low ceilings (for a palace!), bare-bones chandeliers, and plain-white walls. You’ll even see his modest bed (not even queen-size!). After that, things grow in exuberance. The Royal Pantheon is the gilded resting place of 400 years of Spanish monarchs. There are 26 marble-and-bronze sarcophagi but only 23 of them contain a dead king – the other three are waiting for current and future monarchs to pass! The basilica is the architectural heart of the building and reflects Phillip’s soaring faith in God - the dome peaks almost 100 meters above the floor. The library houses over 50,000 ancient books but is as famous for the color and art bursting from the tapestries on the walls and the paintings by El Greco, Velázquez and Rubens. Five miles away is the Basilica of The Valley of The Fallen. It’s 262 meters long and cut into the Guadarrama mountain range itself. Inside you’ll find the monument to those who died in Spain’s civil war, and outside you’ll find splendid panoramas of the surrounding nature.

Today is yours to enjoy Madrid exactly as you wish. Whether you choose to revisit your favorite spots, discover hidden corners of the city, or simply relax at a café with a café con leche, this free day offers the perfect opportunity to soak in Madrid’s unique rhythm. Consider visiting the renowned Prado Museum, taking a stroll through Retiro Park, shopping along Gran Vía, or savoring some final Spanish delicacies. With no scheduled activities, you have the freedom to tailor your last day to your interests, making it a perfect and personal finale to your Spanish adventure. ­ ­

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet our driver in the lobby for your exclusive transfer to the airport. We recommend departing from the hotel 4 hours before your flight departure time. Please note that hotel check-out is at 12:00.