- 11 Days , 5 Cities
Spain Castile and Leon – History, Art, Landscape
Castile and León are one of the most extensive regions in Europe, a land rich…
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Customizable Itinerary This sample itinerary was created by our destination specialist to inspire you. It can be customized to your exact preferences and budget.
The most relevant backdrops of the history, art, and literature of Castile will guide our path down the Route of the Castilian Language: from the origins of our language in the monasteries to its consolidation in the universities as well as its ultimate expression in Cervantes, the Golden Age, and several modern authors.
Countries Visited Spain
Places Visited San Millán de la Cogolla, Santo Domingo de Silos, Valladolid, Salamanca, Alcala de Henares
Suggested Duration 10 days
Travel Styles Christian Tours
- DAY 1
Madrid - San Millán dela Cogolla
Arrival in Madrid and transfer to San Millán de la Cogolla for overnight.View on mapWhat's included?
Accommodation
Transfer
- DAY 2
Berceo - Logrono - Laguardia
In the morning we will visit Yuso, the Renaissance and Baroque convent, the cradle of both Castilian Spanish and the written Basque language, with its priceless Romanesque ivory, the library and church. Afterward, we will head up to Suso were 7th and 11th-century art fuse together in the tombs of the Seven Princes of Lara, the main protagonists from the medieval ballad of the same name.
Passing through Berceo, Gonzalo will guide us into the world of the Riojan wine, as we walk through the historical district of Logroño, the con-Cathedral and church of Santiago.
Possibility of visiting one of the renown wine museums or one of its quality wineries with tasting.
The journey ends with a walk through the medieval town of Laguardia with its spectacular views of the Riojan vineyards.
Return to San Millán for overnight.View on mapWhat's included?
Breakfast- Accommodation
Tour
- DAY 3
San Millan - Santa Domingo de Silos
The day will take us down the Path of Saint James to the important Jacobean landmark of Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a site that was created for those making the pilgrimage: its walls, Cathedral, and hospital remain intact.
As we ascend the mountains we find, in the midst of nature, the late Romanesque church of San Juan de Ortega, another landmark created for and by the pilgrim. In the afternoon, as we follow the roads where El Cid wandered in exile, we will arrive at Covarrubias, the source of what would become the region of Castile, where we can admire the traditional architecture and the collegiate church while appreciating the beauty of the local speech. Santo Domingo de Silos and its Romanesque cloister formed by large, historical relieves, meticulous capitals, and the cypress famously sung by poet Gerardo Diego. Possibility of listening to the famous Gregorian chants in the Abbey of Silos. Overnight in Santo Domingo de Silos.View on mapWhat's included?
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Tour
- Transfer
- DAY 4
Santa Domingo De Silos - Burgos - Valladolid
Burgos welcomes us with its tale of the origins of Castile at the Renaissance gate of Santa María, with special reference to the historical figure named El Cid. We will visit the cathedral, an outstanding example of Gothic architecture and World Heritage Site. A walk through the city will take us to the Casa del Cordón, the Main Square, the Paseo del Espolón promenade, and the Consulate. On the outskirts, we will discover two great monuments: the Cistercian monastery of Las Huelgas, a royal pantheon from the 13th century; and the Cartuja de Miraflores, church and burial place for the parents of Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Castile. Continue to Valladolid for overnight.View on mapWhat's included?
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Tour
- Transfer
- DAY 5
Valladolid - Salamanca
Valladolid, home to writers such as Zorrilla, Jorge Guillén, Rosa Chacel and Miguel Delibes, whose work “The Heretic” captures the urban lifestyle of the 16th century. Of that era, we will visit San Gregorio, home of the National Sculpture Museum, the Palace of Los Pimentel, the unfinished cathedral, the royal convent of San Benito and the Main Square.
We will have our first encounter with Cervantes in his Home-Museum, where he lived for some time, and we will visit the university’s Santa Cruz College.
Overnight in Salamanca.View on mapWhat's included?
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Tour
- Transfer
- DAY 6
Salamanca
This lovely city centers on the university which preserves its historical building and many colleges, not to mention the frequent references to such professors and writers as Fray Luis de León and Miguel de Unamuno. Here is where Antonio de Nebrija wrote the first grammar of the Spanish language. A visit to the Roman Bridge and the statue of the Celtic boar will evoke memories of the adventures of Lazarillo de Tormes, while the Garden of Calixto and Melibea will turn our thoughts to La Celestina. The homogenous mix between students and visitors beckons us to walk along the lively streets and indulge in the festive nightlife. Among the more significant monuments are the Plaza Mayor, the two cathedrals, the House of Shells, the Convent of St. Steven, and the very interesting Casa Lis, home of the Art Déco and Art Nouveau Museum.
Possibility of organizing an Ibérico-ham and sausage tasting. Overnight in Salamanca.View on mapWhat's included?
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Tour
- DAY 7
Salamanca - Avila - Alcala De Henares
At the end of our journey will get to know two magnificent cities, both designated as World Heritage Sites. Ávila, the birthplace of notable Spanish mystics and authors such as St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross, welcomes us with its impressive city walls, its cathedral, the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation, St. Vincent’s Basilica, palaces and large noble homes such as Velada, Valderrábanos, Núñez Vela or the Torreón de Los Guzmanes as well as the house where St.Teresa was born. Continue to Alcalá de Henares for overnight.View on mapWhat's included?
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Tour
- Transfer
- DAY 8
Alcalá De Henares - 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.View on mapWhat's included?
- Breakfast
Lunch- Accommodation
- Tour
- Transfer
- DAY 9
Madrid - The 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.View on mapWhat's included?
- Breakfast
Dinner- Accommodation
- Tour
- Transfer
- DAY 10
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!View on mapWhat's included?
- Breakfast
- Transfer
Starting from $ per person
Price per person in double occupancy
The rate is based on 4-star accommodation
Price excluding international flights
This trip is customizable for your private travel.
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What’s Included?
- 9-night hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
- 01-Lunch – 01-Dinner
- Airport assistance
- Private transfers from/to airport on arrival and departure
- Sightseeing in a modern air-conditioned vehicle
- The English-speaking guide throughout the trip
- Entrance fees to places of interest while touring
- 24/7 guest support during the trip
Sightseeing Highlights Included
- Discover Yuso, the Renaissance and Baroque convent, the cradle of both Castilian Spanish and the written Basque language, with its priceless Romanesque ivory, the library, and church.
- Visit the con-Cathedral and church of Santiago, and renown wine museum and the cellar for wine tasting in Logrono.
- Explore the Path of Saint James to the important Jacobean landmark of Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
- Visit the late Romanesque church of San Juan de Ortega in the midst of nature.
- Admire the small town of Covarrubias, the source of what would become the region of Castile, where you visit the Santo Domingo de Silos Monastery.
- In Valladolid, visit San Gregorio, home of the National Sculpture Museum, the Palace of Los Pimentel, the unfinished cathedral, the royal convent of San Benito, and the Main Square.
- Discover the city of Burgos with its tale of the origins of Castile at the Renaissance gate of Santa María and visit the cathedral, an outstanding example of Gothic architecture and World Heritage Site.
- On the outskirts, we will discover two great monuments: the Cistercian monastery of Las Huelgas, and the church of Cartuja de Miraflores.
- Admire the lovely city center of Salamanca, the Plaza Major, the two cathedrals the House of Shells, the Convent of St. Steven, and the very interesting Casa Lis, home of the Art Déco and Art Nouveau Museum.
- Visit the World Heritage Sites, Ávila ed Alcala de Henares.
- Scenic tour in Madrid and visiting Mile of Art, Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and Cathedral La Almudena.