This tour includes the most famous and prominent places to visit in Spain's capital city: the PRADO MUSEUM and THE ROYAL PALACE.
The Prado Museum building itself is a beautiful example of 18th century neoclassical architecture, and one of the most important and richest painting museums in the world. It holds an impressive collection of Spanish paintings (Velazquez, El Greco, Goya, Ribera, Murillo, Zurburan) and quite significant collections of Italian (Tiziano, Raffaello, Fra Angelico) and flemish paintings (Bosch, Rubens, Van Dyke) as well as German and English paintings and some classical sculptures.
The Royal Palace, former residence of Spanish Royalty, is an immense (a square with 400 foot sides) 18th century structure, forming one of the most beautiful palatial complexes in Europe. Inside you will visit some of the rooms (not all, since there are hundreds of them) where one can admire beautiful and elegant furniture, porcelain, tapestries, armors and paintings.
On this tour the object is to show you some of the varied facets of Madrid by taking you on the extensive panoramic tour of this rapidly expanding city whose population is now approximately 4 million and spreads over an area of 200 square miles.
There are several different styles of architecture to be seen in its buildings and monuments: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassic, Romantic and Modern, and different socio-economic districts, such as the Madrid of the artists, the students, the antiquarians, the wealthy, and impoverished gypsies.
We'll drive along famous streets like the Gran Via and see pretty plazas (squares) like Plaza de Espaņa, Puerta del Sol, Neptune and Cibeles. We'll see modern Madrid with it's wide avenues like the Castellana, and parks and gardens like the Retiro and Casa del Campo. Also included on our route are the "monumental" Bullring, the Bernabeu Soccer Stadium and the Madrid Campus.
We'll drive to the South, along the highway, which takes us to the imperial City of Toledo, such a beautiful and perfectly preserved medieval city that the whole town has been declared a national monument. It is superbly situated on a high hill and surrounded on three sides by the Tagus River. This ancient town remains much the same as it was centuries ago, with its narrow, winding streets, little squares and of all periods, mainly 15th and 16th centuries, and it has rightly been described as a "museum city." We'll visit the gothic Cathedral, the reconstructed home-museum of El Greco, the 13th century Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue and Santo Tome Church which houses El Greco's masterpiece painting "Burial of Count Orgaz". You'll have the chance to shop for two things that Toledo is well known for: marzipan cookies and Damasquinado jewelry (gold and silver inlaid in black steel). After visiting a factory (optional), where you can see this type of jewelry being hand made, we'll either return to Madrid or have lunch at the restaurant with beautiful panoramic vistas of the city.
On this tour to the northwest of Madrid we will first of all pay a visit to the Valley of the Fallen, a colossal monument dedicated to the unknown soldier of the Spanish Civil War, built by the order of General Franco and inaugurated by him in 1959. It is a subterranean basilica actually carved into the mountain-side, on top of which stands a huge granite cross, 500 feet high and 150 across, making it an unmistakable landmark in the Guadarrama Mountains.
The next part of the tour will take us to Escorial, an enormous building (710 x 530 feet) which was built in the 16th century by Philip II and is one of the most important architectural works in Spain, often referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World. This grandiose granite structure comprises a basilica, palace, monastery, Royal pantheon, library and patios. Lunch and return to Madrid.
We'll drive along the highway south of Madrid which takes us to the Imperial City of Toledo. We'll visit the Gothic Cathedral, Zocodover Square, the doors to the city, the restructured home-museum of the painter El Greco, the Alcazar (fortress), the 13th century Santa Maria de la Blanca Synagogue and Santo Tome Church which houses El Greco's masterpiece painting "Burial of Count Orgaz". Following the visit we continue on to the town of Aranjuez with its historic Royal Palace, rebuilt in the 17th century by Philip V after fire destroyed the original palace. The surrounding formal gardens, monumental fountains and placid pools are in a setting of rich and varied vegetation. We'll also visit the Casita del Labrador, a "mini-palace" built by Charles IV for the Prince of Asturias. Afterwards, we'll drive north on a small country road to Chinchon, a charming little town famous for its anisette distilleries. We'll spend some time walking around the typical, narrow streets and we'll visit one of the distilleries and have a chance to taste some of the locally produced anisette. Lunch is included.
First we will visit Avila, a unique town completely surrounded by intact medieval walls a thousand years old. It is a religious and mystical town known for its numerous convents and churches. The most characteristic monuments we'll visit are The Cathedral, Church of San Vicente and the Convent of la Encarnacion which was founded by Saint Therese and was her home for many years. Following this visit we continue on to the roman town of Segovia, famous for its 2000 year old Roman Aqueduct and considered one of the most majestic and preserved constructions of ancient times. First we'll have lunch at a typical restaurant. We'll visit the 16th century cathedral and the distinctive 14-15th century Alcazar, a fortress with towers and high gables with a particular resemblance to Cinderella's Castle! Finally, we'll drive a few miles away from Segovia to visit the Palace of la Granja, a neo-classical Royal Residence dating from Philip V and especially known for its wonderful gardens and monumental fountains.
We depart early morning heading southeast from Madrid and in about an hour and a half we reach Valdecabras, an enchanted town. It is a real monument to nature with huge rock formations where you can let your imagination wander. This is a photographer's paradise and shouldn't be missed. We will continue to the city of Cuenca, with it's unique construction, which makes a medieval masterpiece. We will visit the different streets of this city built on a mountain peak, and admire the original construction that makes it different and so unique from any other city in Spain. We will have lunch in the Meson of Hanging Houses, a 400 year old edifice on a cliff which makes a most breathtaking spot. Lunch will be a variety of local specialties which will make a wonderful gourmet experience. On our return to Madrid, we will see different castles and typical villages which will enlighten your knowledge of Spanish culture.
Salamanca, 220 kilometers from Madrid, has an entire collection of antique monuments from the Middle Age and Renaissance of great value, which was called at one time "Little Rome". The very famous University, called "Mother of the Virtues of Sciences and Arts," is world famous. Salamantica was conquered by Anibal in the year 217 BC, and after that it was a "roman station" being occupied by the Vandals in the 6th century and then by the Visigoths. In the 8th century, it was dominated by the Arabas until it was reconquered by Alfonso VI of Castile on 1085. The University was founded in the 13th century after others such as Paris, Bologna and Oxford. In 1250 it was already known as one of the most renowned universities in Europe. We will visit the Plaza Mayor built in 1729 and considered the nicest Spanish Baroque style square. We will also visit the Casa de las Conchas, the civil monuments most representative of the Catholic Kings architecture. Then we will see the Old Cathedral from the 12th century of different styles: Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. The University will also be visited. Sufficient time will be allowed for lunch at a typical restaurant and some time for shopping before we start for Madrid.
Flamenco Show!
La Scala, the newest and finest cabaret in Madrid! Departing form your hotel at approximately 8:00 p.m., upon arrival at la Scala, a delicious dinner will be served. A variety of menus are available. After dinner, there is time for dancing and then a truly fascinating international show begins. The abundance of special effects, beautiful costumes, choreography and showmanship in this evening's show will amaze you.
After a short panoramic visit of Madrid, admiring the illuminated fountains and plazas, we arrive at a typical restaurant to enjoy a delicious dinner. After dinner, we continue to the Tablao de Flamenco to sit back and enjoy a colorful and exciting flamenco show!
1-800-272-8674
