100% customisable travel idea
Madrid and Castile by Train Beautiful accommodation and Iberian heritage
Spain - Madrid - Castile
100% customisable travel idea
Spain - Madrid - Castile
100% customisable for you
Private transfer and accommodation for three nights in the heart of the capital, opposite the Royal Palace and the Sabatini Gardens. The hotel is housed in a modern building; the facilities are the epitome of classic hotel style, brought to life in your room by a tasteful combination of muted colours and well-chosen geometric shapes. In the common areas, large floral patterns follow on. The visual presentation is meticulous. Guests particularly appreciate the hotel’s exceptional central location, the welcoming rooftop terrace, and the generous breakfast.
Already arranged - Your pass for Madrid’s highlight museums: Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen. Valid for the entire duration of your stay, it gives you priority access for self-guided visits to these museums. For you Velasquez’s Las Meninas (1657), Caravaggio’s David and Goliath (1605), Goya’s Third of May (1814). The Prado is not a museum like any other - it is one of the most illustrious in the world. Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza are not to be outdone, with their modest masterpieces by Picasso and Dalí, and their finest works of European painting from the Middle Ages to the late 20th century, including El Greco’s The Annunciation, Monet’s Charing Cross Bridge, and Lichtenstein’s Woman in Bath. A feast for the eyes and the soul.
On your itinerary - Madrid Like a Local
. What is this all about? A stroll in the company of a local who knows all the ins and outs of life in the capital - a perfect way to step into the shoes of the people of Madrid. Nothing is set in advance, but a brief discussion where your wishes and their expertise meet to briefly outline the programme for the encounter. Are you into culture, food, nature, or a fashion addict, into interior design, a Real Madrid supporter, a runner... or parts of all of these? Madrid has everything to fuel your interest - and spark new ones. So, onward in your guide’s footsteps.
Optional - Almodóvar’s Madrid.
On your itinerary - Toledo, the highlights. Toledo is only 30 minutes by train from Madrid - an easy day trip. Here, the three Abrahamic religions have lived side by side. Their unique cultures have left lasting traces of greatness in stone. UNESCO honoured their recognition by inscribing the city on the World Heritage List. With a private guide, you visit some of Toledo’s gems, such as the Cathedral of Saint Mary, dating from the 13th to the 15th centuries, which blends French Gothic with Spanish ornamentation; the Church of Santo Tomé, from the 14th century, with a Mudéjar-style bell tower (influenced by Islamic art) and home to the famous painting The Burial of the Count of Orgaz by El Greco;and also in the Mudéjar style, the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, built in the 12th century, whose name reflects its conversion to a church in the 15th century and which today is a museum. On your own, you can still see the Alcázar, where legendary battles of the civil war took place in 1936. And you can also savour marzipan!
We let the train carry us to Salamanca, then settle in for two nights just a stone’s throw away from the cathedral. The hotel makes the most of the walls of a former monastery. The spaces are well-defined, spacious and awe-inspiring. The rooms - which play on the contrast between white and chocolate tones - have everything you need. Their small tiles give the bathrooms a cheerful touch. On the floor, you’ll find weathered tiles or polished floorboards. Beautiful stone vaults support the dining room ceiling. And a hearty breakfast buffet is offered. Which, as a matter of fact, isn’t exactly small. For relaxation of body and mind, enjoy massages and an outdoor pool.
On the itinerary - Salamanca by bicycle. Accompanied by a private guide, you hop on your bike and the ride begins through the suburbs and along the Tormes River. After enjoying the sights from outside, you then enter old Salamanca and the Plaza Mayor. This is where the heart of the city beats. The two cathedrals together represent both Catholic continuity and cultural evolution: in the 16th century, riding a wave of intellectual and economic power, Salamanca felt the need to break free from the austere forms of the Romanesque church and set out to build the New Cathedral. Construction was only completed in 1733 - but what a result! And then there is the Dominican monastery, San Esteban, with its noble Plateresque-style facade. And the famous Casa de las Conchas, adorned with as many shells as there are days in the year. Salamanca is endlessly fascinating.
New train route for Segovia. Accommodation for two nights in the historic centre. Your accommodation venue, brimming with character, is a former monastery dating from 1637. The exterior has been preserved in its historical appearance, while the interior has been transformed in a refined, contemporary style. The room offers generous spaces, neutral tones, fine materials, understated decor and, of course, modern comfort. The atmosphere is both warm and refined, creating the perfect setting for relaxation. Monastic austerity has become understated luxury. From the gardens and terraces, you can enjoy stunning views of Segovia and the Eresma Valley. Dining at the restaurant, delicious traditional Castilian flavours are subtly enhanced with a sauce with a modern twist; at the spa, a hydrotherapy circuit and especially relaxing treatments await.
With the Guadarrama mountains, the confluence of the Eresma and Clamores Rivers, and the promontory where the Alcazar juts out like a ship’s prow - Segovia is, above all, an exceptional site. Castilian barrenness lends it an austere grandeur. The Roman aqueduct is a major part of the town’s heritage, and also a national treasure. The regular alignment of its pale grey stone arches produces an almost kinetic effect. Among the medieval buildings, it’s hard to pick which should be mentioned. The Church of The Vera Cruz, built in the 13th century, stands out for its unexpected circular layout. The Alcazar, of course, is in a class of its own. Gothic architecture continued in a beautiful flamboyant style when the Segovia Cathedral was built in the mid-16th century. And each of the following eras brought its share of remarkable achievements. The last city on the itinerary, Segovia is by no means the least.
Optional - Segovia’s highlights in private.
Late in the morning, return to Madrid and (re)check in for your final night at your small hotel in the city centre. You can complement your stay with additional museum visits, wander at your own pace through the streets in Madrid’s gentle air, or head to El Escorial, just outside of the capital.
On your agenda - flamenco show at Corral de la Moreria. You cannot leave Spain without taking the time to enjoy a quality flamenco performance. Located very close to the Royal Palace - and therefore very close to your accommodation, this tablao was founded by Manuel del Rey in 1956, which makes it one of the oldest flamenco venues in the country. The historical spirit of the place is enhanced by decorative and architectural elements from the 18th and 19th centuries, which beautifully recreate the typical atmosphere of the old tablaos. Although this is not its traditional homeland, the flamenco duende is still expressed here with just as much passion.
Private transfer to the airport and direct flight home.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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