Spain Castile and Leon – History, Art, Landscape

ITINERARY

• DAY 1
  Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain

  Welcome to Madrid

  Welcome to the capital of Spain. Upon arrival, meet with your English-speaking driver and transfer to your accommodating hotel. Spend the day at leisure day to relax and rest after your overseas flight.

  What's included?

  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 2
  Burgos Cathedral is UNESCO World Heritage Center located in Spain

  Arrive Madrid - Aranda de Duero - Burgos

  After breakfast, departure towards Aranda de Duero, located in the wine-growing region Ribera del Duero, where we will have the opportunity to taste its high-quality wines.
  Possibility of visiting a cellar for wine tasting. We will spend time in the picturesque historic district of Aranda de Duero, where we will be able to gaze upon its churches -Santa María and San Juan-, palaces and estates -the Verdugo and the Colmenares Palaces- as well as the Romanesque bridge. Continue to Burgos for overnight.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 3
  Semana Santa in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

  Burgos - Atapuerca

  In the morning we will visit the archeological area of Sierra de Atapuerca, located in the province of Burgos and declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2000 as it is the only place in Europe where the evolution of the lifestyle of primitive man to settle in our continent can be studied.
  In the afternoon we will devote our time to Burgos, capital of the medieval Kingdom of Castile and León. There we will be able to admire its magnificent Gothic cathedral, a World Heritage site, as well as nearby estates -including the Casa del Cordón- and the Royal Monastery of the Huelgas Reales with its prominent Gothic cloister and Santiago Chapel. Overnight in Burgos.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 4
  The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is an iconic symbol of the city of Santiago, Spain

  Burgos - Fromista - Carrion - Leon

  Today we continue in the footsteps of the pilgrimages along the Route of Santiago between Burgos and León.
  
  Frómista has the beautiful church of San Martín where we will find an intrinsically pure Romanesque style. Next to San Martín, we find the churches of San Pedro and Santa María.
  
  Carrión de Los Condes is a site of great importance along the Ruta Jacobean and presents the Church of Santiago with its splendid Pantocrator. Other worthy sites in the area are the Santa María del Camino church, the Santa Clara Convent, and the San Zoilo Monastery. Continue to León for overnight.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 5
  A pedestrian street in the historic center of Salamanca, Castilla y Leon, Spain

  Leon

  León, the former Roman Legio VII Gemina Pia Felix has an ample legacy of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles which we will appreciate during our visit.
  
  We will pass through the historical district with the charming Plaza Mayor, the Gothic cathedral with its incomparable stained glass windows, and the San Isidoro Basilica known as the “Sistine Chapel” of the Spanish Romanesque style where the Royal Pantheon and magnificent 12th-century frescoes are housed. During our visit, we will discover palaces -the Conde Luna, the Guzmanes-, churches such as San Salvador de Palat del Rey, and the modernist Casa de Los Botines by architect Antonio Gaudí. Overnight in León.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 6
  Plaza Mayor, Salamanca (Plaza Mayor de Salamanca), Spain

  Leon - Astorga - Zamora - Salamanca

  Departure to Astorga, capital of the Maragatería Region. A point of intersection between such notable routes as the Path to Santiago de Compostela and the Silver Route, the old Roman city of Asturia Augusta offers the visitor interesting Roman ruins, an enchanting Plaza Mayor with the notable Town Hall building, Cathedral, and a Modernist structure of particular interest: the Episcopal Palace by architect Antonio Gaudí, that holds the Museum of the Pilgrimages. Today’s route takes us to Zamora.
  Possibility of visiting a local producer for a cheese tasting. The Romanesque City awaits us on the banks of the Duero River: Zamora and its characteristic Romanesque cathedral with the Byzantine style cupola. During our visit, we will enjoy an impressive assembly of Romanesque churches: San Ildefonso, La Magdalena, or San Cipriano, as well as the Plaza Mayor. Continue to Salamanca for overnight.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 7
  A pedestrian street in the historic center of Salamanca, Castilla y Leon, Spain

  Salamanca

  Salamanca, this beautiful university city invites us to discover its rich historical past, wander through its lively streets, and experience the festive atmosphere. Among its notable monuments are the Baroque style Plaza Mayor, the House of Shells, the two cathedrals, the University, the San Esteban Convent, and the Casa Lis that houses the interesting Art Nouveau and Art Déco Museum. Overnight in Salamanca.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 8
  The Alcazar of Segovia ("Segovia Castle") is one of the most incredible castles in Spain

  Salamanca - Avila - Segovia

  At the end of our journey will get to know two monumental cities, both declared World Heritage sites. Ávila, birthplace to the famous Spanish mystics Santa Teresa de Jesús and Saint John of the Cross, welcomes us with its impressive walls, its cathedral, the San Vincent Basilica, palaces and family estates -the Veladas, Valderrábanos, Núñez Velas and Torreón de Los Guzmanes-, as well as the Monastery of the Incarnation.
  
  In the afternoon we will visit Segovia with its spectacular Roman Aqueduct, a jewel of Roman engineering built in the 1st century. As we walk through the Jewish Quarter, we will have the opportunity to behold the Casa de Los Picos, the Alhóndiga, and the Torreón de Los Lozoya fortress.
  
  We will visit the Gothic cathedral known as the “Lady of Cathedrals” as well as the defensive Alcázar fortress. Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner. Overnight in Segovia.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 9
  Calle Gran Via, Madrid, Spain

  Segovia - Madrid

  After breakfast, continue to admire Spain Capital, Madrid.
  The first glimpse of Madrid provided by a scenic tour will allow us to appreciate the dimension and beauty of this city as well as its vital points such as Paseo de la Castellana, Gran Vía, Alcalá Street and Plaza de España. Nearby we find one of the best examples of the Bourbon urban layout: the Paseo del Prado with its fountains, gardens, and museums.
  
  Of special interest is the Mile of Art, Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. We will also visit its Cathedral La Almudena as well as the historical center with the Main Square and the Puerta del Sol. Lunch a tapas restaurant. Overnight in Madrid.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 10
  The Prado Museum (Museo del Prado), Madrid, Spain

  Madrid; Prado Museum

  Today we will complete our visit along the famed Mile of Art in Madrid. The Prado Museum recently expanded, houses the former royal collections in an early 18th-century building. The focus is on the great masters of Spanish art: El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya,
  and displays the fine taste that the royal family had for Italian -primarily Tiziano and Tintoretto- and Flemish art from El Bosco to Rubens. The collection at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum somehow complements that of the Prado: masters of Italian art from Trecento and Cuatrocento, and avant-garde paintings from the 19th century. The three great art museums of Madrid are situated in an area known as the Madrid of the Bourbons which also includes the Botanical Gardens, the Paseo del Prado avenue, and its fountains, and the Retiro Park.
  
  Tonight farewell dinner or attending a flamenco show. Overnight in Madrid.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 11

  Madrid Airport

  After breakfast free and relax on your tour until to be picked up by the driver then transferred you to the airport for departure flight back your home.
  
  It's time to say goodbye, we would like to thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come in the future!

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Transfer