Five days in Madrid — the Prado Museum, Habsburg and Bourbon Madrid, a full-day trip to Toledo, the city of three cultures, and optionally medieval Segovia.
Highlights
- The Prado Museum — El Greco, Velázquez, Goya
- Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor & the San Miguel market
- Toledo: the cathedral and El Greco's "Burial of the Count of Orgaz"
- Optional: Segovia's Roman aqueduct and Alcázar
Itinerary
First encounter with the city
Flight from Athens to Madrid. On arrival, a panoramic drive with photo stops at Plaza Castilla and its leaning twin towers (Puerta de Europa) and at Las Ventas, the country's largest bullring. A walk through Retiro park and around its boating lake. Hotel check-in, then a stroll through the historic centre: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel.
Guided tour: the Prado & the two Madrids
After breakfast we walk to the Prado, passing Plaza Colón, the Paseo de Recoletos and Plaza de Cibeles. The Prado is one of the world's great picture galleries; the guided visit focuses on the Spanish School — El Greco, Velázquez, Goya — as well as works by Tintoretto and Rubens. Afterwards we walk from Bourbon Madrid into Habsburg Madrid and the Barrio de las Letras.
Full-day excursion to Toledo, city of three cultures
Departure for Toledo, Spain's former capital. A panoramic drive around the city and a stop at a viewpoint for photographs. We visit the damascene and sword workshop, then cross the old town on foot. We see El Greco's "Burial of the Count of Orgaz" in the church of Santo Tomé and tour Toledo's cathedral. Free time, then return to Madrid.
Free day – optional excursion to Segovia
A free day in Madrid, or an optional excursion to medieval Segovia: the 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct, the Plaza Mayor and the Alcázar castle-palace. A chance to try local specialities such as cochinillo (suckling pig) or the Ponche Segoviano pastry. Return to Madrid in the afternoon.
Return
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Madrid airport and return flight to Athens.
Included
- Economy-class flights Athens – Madrid – Athens
- Accommodation in a selected 4-star hotel
- Daily buffet breakfast
- Transfers to/from Madrid airport and hotel
- Guided tours per the programme
- Information leaflets / maps
- Tour leader from our agency
- Travel (civil liability) insurance & special COVID-19 cover
- VAT
Not included
- Entrance fees to museums, monuments, archaeological sites and theme parks
- Audio guides (whispers), public transport or leisure tickets
- Extra excursions, additional guide fees, entertainment programmes
- The optional excursion to Segovia (€50 per person)
- Tips, porterage, additional meals and drinks
- Anything not expressly stated in the programme or marked as optional
Notes
- The optional excursion to Segovia requires a minimum of 15 participants and costs €50 per person.
- The guided visit to the Prado lasts 1 hour 35 minutes with an official guide, followed by an hour of free time.