Madrid & Toledo Cultural Escape

On arrival at Madrid airport, we meet you in the Arrivals hall – look for a driver holding a sign with your name – and transfer you to your hotel to settle in. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace: you might start discovering the city’s museums or enjoy a drink with tapas in one of its countless bars, or simply relax and make the most of the hotel’s facilities. In the evening, you can ask reception for restaurant recommendations to sample Madrid’s renowned gastronomy before your first night in the city.

After breakfast, we begin our city tour at 09:00 from Calle San Nicolás, 15, next to Plaza Los Ramales. We first visit Plaza de Oriente and the Debod Temple, pausing for a stroll and photos, then continue to Plaza Mayor for a second stop to see Plaza de Villa and the iconic Puerta del Sol. We then drive by Carrera de San Jerónimo Street, Las Cortes (the national parliament), Neptuno’s Square, the Paseo Del Prado, the Atocha Railway Station, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Cibeles Square, Alcalá Street, Alcalá’s Gate, the Las Ventas Bullring, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – home of Real Madrid CF – Paseo de la Castellana Street, Columbus Square, the National Library, Gran Vía, Plaza de España and, lastly, Plaza de Oriente to end the tour. Weather permitting, and always with your guide, we make three stops during the route – the Debod Temple, Plaza Mayor and the Las Ventas Bullring. After the tour, you have the rest of the day at leisure and you may return to the hotel whenever you wish.

After breakfast, we meet at 08:45 at Calle San Nicolás, 15, next to Plaza Los Ramales – please arrive 15 minutes early – and depart by air–conditioned coach for a half–day tour of Toledo. We delve into its rich past and the blend of Arab, Jewish and Christian heritages as we wander its Old Town, declared a World Heritage City in 1986. With more than two millennia of history, the city has long held great importance – it even served as the capital for a time. Following your guide through cobbled streets, we reach the Cathedral, begun in the 13th century on the site of a former mosque. We admire the magnificent façade and soaring bell tower before stepping inside to the Sacristy, home to masterpieces from its time as an art museum, including fifteen paintings by El Greco. At the end of the guided visit, you have a short period of free time to explore at your own pace before we return to Madrid.

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you can spend your final hours shopping or simply strolling through history–steeped streets. At the confirmed time, we transfer you to the airport or train station for your onward journey. Breakfast included.