Madrid Highlights

Day 01 Madrid, Spain

Welcome to Spain!

Arrival at the Madrid airport. Meet, assist and transfer by private car to your hotel. Check in and installation in your room.
Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 Madrid, Spain

Breakfast at the hotel.
09.30hrs meet your guide at Puerta del Sol (by the equestrian statue of Carlos III in the center of the square) and discover the most important highlights of Madrid in a short amount of time and admire the imposing squares and facades, completely contrasting cityscapes, extroverted lifestyles on the streets, and lots of Spanish history on a guided walking tour through the city center.

All the main tourist attractions are in close proximity to each other. You will be guided through the most important monuments in Madrid’s “Habsburg district” including Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, and Almudena Cathedral, and learn more about the important events of the city’s history.
Explore the architecture of the old and historical Madrid as well as the modern buildings and parks in the city. Discover the history behind all the sights and listen to great stories and interesting facts. (entrance fees are not included in the program)
Your tour ends at the meeting point. Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 Madrid, Spain

Breakfast at the hotel.
08.15hrs meet your guide at Calle Ferraz, 3 (bus terminal) and begin your full-day tour with a morning visit to the Monastery of El Escorial, built under the reign of powerful King Philip II as a residence for Spanish kings. See the Monastery and Pantheon of the Royal Family at this site that was declared a monument of Artistic and Historic Interest, and Mankind Heritage.
Your tour includes the Monastery, the Cloister of the 4 Evangelists, the Palace of Philip II, the Pantheon of the Royal Family, the Chapterhouses, and the Basilica.

The Valley of the Fallen is a memorial to those who died during the Spanish Civil War. Situated in a beautiful valley in the mountains of Guadarrama, this impressive work features a colossal cross standing over 150 meters high, and Basilica and Crypt excavated in the rock under the mountain. This tour includes admission to the Valley and a visit inside the Basilica.

On arrival in Toledo you’ll take a panoramic walking tour of the city, entering the old quarter to visit the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and admire the façade of the impressive Primate Cathedral, the old Palace of Justice, and the City Hall.
Continue your walk through the narrow streets of the old Jewish quarter to the Church of St. Tomé, home to the famous El Greco painting, The Burial of Count Orgaz. You’ll also visit the old Synagogue of Ste. Maria la Blanca, which remains as a symbol of the coexistence of the 3 Cultures.
See the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, Cristo de la Luz Mosque, and the Museum Victorio Macho, overlooking the Tagus River and offering outstanding views. At the museum you’ll admire works by the noted sculptor and see a short audiovisual presentation about the city.
Afterwards you’ll visit a typical damasquino factory to see this well-known handicraft art form of Toledo.
Your tour ends at the meeting point in Madrid.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 Madrid, Spain

Breakfast at the hotel.
08.30hrs meet your guide at Julia Travel office at C/ San Nicolás 15 (next to Plaza de Ramales) and discover the history of Spain on a full-day excursion leaving from Madrid. Visit Avila and Segovia, learning about the rich cultural heritage of the country and its people.
Begin with transport via an air-conditioned bus to Avila, where you will learn about Santa Teresa de Jesus, a great mystic woman of the Roman Catholic Church. You will also see some of the city; Avila has the most ancient and completely fortified complex in Spain.
Its 8,200-foot-long wall (about 2,500 meters) and its 90 fortified towers surround the old city, which houses a great part of its monumental treasures, including a large number of Romanesque-style churches, gothic palaces, and a fortified cathedral of the 12th century.
Next, continue on to visit the remains of the Roman Empire as seen at the Aqueduct of Segovia. Discover how this residence of some of the kings of Castilia is one of the most important medieval groups of buildings in Spain.
Finally, admire the "Lady of the Cathedrals" and view the most spectacular castle in Spain, Alcázar, which was built as a fortress but has also been used as a royal palace, state prison, college, and military academy. (Lunch is not included in the program.)
Your tour ends at the meeting point in Madrid.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 Madrid, Spain

Breakfast at the hotel.
This day is free at leisure to explore the city on your own.
18.30hrs meet your guide in front of the Tourist Information at Plaza Mayor and enjoy a specially 3-hour tour in Madrid.
The focal point of Spanish cuisine has always been its fresh and local produce, resulting in each region of the country having its own assortment of toothsome specialties. To sample the nation’s vast array of flavors, you need to do what the locals call tapear - going for tapas.
On this 3-hour tapas tour of Madrid, tapeando is precisely what you'll do – in the company of an expert guide. The experience begins with your guide telling you everything about the origin and history of tapas in the various regions of Spain. They will take you back in time and explain how King Alfonso had the brilliant idea of forcing bars to give away small portions of food with every drink. Learn the traditional art of pouring cider, the secrets behind the most popular cocktails of “La feria de Abril” in Seville, and much more!

Tapas include classic homemade paella, marinated fish, patatas bravas, jamón Ibérico, cheese, and pan con tomate. While you taste these dishes, sip on beer, Rebujito cocktails, and/or Asturian cider. One round of tapas tasting at each bar is free, but you can pay for anything else you would like to enjoy separately. The guides will gladly recommend further tapas places to try while you are in Madrid.
You will learn the secrets of tapas and Spanish culture, and by the end of the night, you will have met some new foodie friends, learned how to explore and order tapas for yourself. Your tour ends at the meeting point.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 Madrid, Spain

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Transfer by private car to the Madrid airport for the final departure.

The package rates include:

• accommodation for 5 nights at 3 or 4-star hotel on bed and breakfast basis in Madrid
• roundtrip airport transfers on private basis
• guided walking and tapas tour in Madrid as per the itinerary
• full-day tour to Toledo and the Valley area on SIC basis
• full-day tour to Avila and Segovia on SIC basis
• English speaking guide while touring

The package rates do not include:

• international flight ticket
• meals and drinks, which are NOT mentioned in the itinerary
• tips / gratuities
• personal expenses (laundry, telephone, etc.)
• any other services, which are NOT mentioned in the above program