Madrid - Discover the capital of the Kingdom

After meeting at the airport we will drive to Madrid city center where Gran Via, the biggest street of Madrid being one of the most populated capitals of Europe with 3,5 million people, will say “Bienvenidos” to us. Passing through Paseo de la Castellana we will see Bernabéu Stadium, Sibeles Monument and Las Ventas, the bull fight arena. Then we will leave the bus and start walking through Madrid streets. During our walking tour we will see Egyptian Debod Temple transported to Spain, Plaza de España with statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, Royal Palace of Madrid, Plaza Mayor with its four gates and Sol Square, the heart of Madrid. After finishing our walking tour we will have a free time here so that you can enjoy this vibrant center. We will head to our hotel in Madrid for overnight after the free time.

Today we will have a day trip to Alcala de Henares where Cervantes, recognized as the father of Spanish literature, was born. We will stroll through the stone streets of this cute small town, also taking place in the UNESCO World Heritage List, seeing the archeology museum, ruins from Roman period, city walls from Arabic era, the house where Miguel de Cervantes was born, Cervantes Square, Corral de Comedias and Cathedral of Doctors. After this tour in the town we will have a coffee break and then head back to Madrid. This afternoon we will continue our tour in Madrid which will start in the stunning Madrid Archeology Museum, hosting the most important artifacts of Spain including the first human steps in Iberia Peninsula and also Phoenician, Ancient Roman and Andalusian findings. Then our next stop will be Prado Museum: one of the most prestigious museums of the world, with approximately 35,000 pieces of work of very significant Spanish artists among which Velazquez, Zurbaran, El Greco, Goya, Murillo and world famous artists like Raffaello Tiziano, Rubens, Van Dyck. Our day full of museums will continue with Reina Sofia Museum. Reina Sofia Museum has been a house for works of artists like Miró, Salvador Dali and Francisco Bores who have been pioneer personalities of modernism. But most importantly this museum is hosting the unique masterpiece of Picasso: La Guernica. After enjoying the privilege of seeing all this art we will have a short free time and then we will head to our hotel.

Today, we will spend all day in Toledo. Being like an open air museum itself, Toledo, has been the culture, trade and army center until Felipe II has replaced the capital with Madrid in 1560. We will start our trip in Toledo with a panoramic tour. El Greco’s beautiful Toledo Cathedral, the heart of the town Zocodover Squre, Alcantara Bridge over the Tajo River, Bisagra Gate which has been standing as a witness throughout the years and medieval streets will be the spots that we will see with our tour guide during our panoramic tour. Then we will visit a factory producing famous-world Toledo steel. Here we will have a chance to watch the masters giving shapes to steel. After this visit our next stop will be Alcazar de Toledo which still carries the traces of the Civil War of Spain. This building has been rebuilt after completely being demolished in 1936. Then we will continue walking towards gothic Toledo Cathedral which is the center of the Spanish Catholic Church. After our visit here we will head to the San Tome Church. Here we will see the immortal artwork of the baroque artist El Greco: The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. Then we will walk to the Jewish Quarter, ancient settlement of the Sephardic community before they have been exiled by the inquisitorial courts. Following Sephardic traces we will reach Sephardic Museum to witness the stories of Jewish community. Then we will head to the Museo Taller Del Moro, a 14th century building, where we will see peerless hand works of another ancient community which became the victim of inquisitorial courts: Muslims. After visiting this museum we will have some free time in Toledo. Make sure to try “marzipa” a famous Toledo desert made out of sweet almonds. Heading back to our hotel after our free time here.

This morning we are heading to another royal center and a medieval city, Segovia. On the way to Segovia, we will stop for a visit at El Escorial Monastery which is in the UNESCO World Heritage List. During our visit with our expert tour guide in this monastery which had been built as a palace-monastery complex by King Felipe II, we will see the library with priceless manuscripts and paintings with Renaissance effect. Upon arrival Segovia, the first thing will welcome us is the 2000 year-old, 28 meter-high aqueduct at the entrance of the town. Then we will see the Segovia Cathedral, the Alcazar Palace with its two towers which became an inspiration for the famous Disneyland logo, and the Jewish quarter surrounding the palace. After some free time here we will head to Pedraza which takes place approximately half an hour away from Segovia. This town is a beautiful example to show us the North Spain life style and culture. Passing through its streets full of flowers hanging from balconies we will see the old city castle, ruins of Santa Maria Church, famous Plaza Mayor. We will finish our tour here in Pedreza and start heading back to Madrid for overnight.

Depending on the flight time we will have some more free time in the morning. On the time set by the tour guide we will meet in the lobby and start heading to the Madrid Adolfo Suarez Airport. After ticket and customs steps saying goodbye until your next adventure with Vega Travel.