Self Drive - Soul of Spain

Santo Tome Church Aranjuez Avila Clavero Tower Segovia

Description

Program

Day 1:

ARRIVAL MADRID
Arrive at Madrid airport, meet with the rent-a-car representative to pick up your rental car and head towards the beautiful city of Madrid to check in and explore the city. The Spanish capital is one of Europe’s liveliest and most elegant cities, boasting beautiful boulevards, vast parks, bustling plazas, and numerous historic churches and palaces. Madrid is also home to the legendary ‘golden triangle’ of art galleries, which house some of the world’s most treasured masterpieces.
Overnight in Madrid.

Day 2:

MADRID
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Discover all the main sights and attractions driving through famous locations like the Paseo de la Castellana, the Plaza de Los Cibeles, and the Gran Via. Visit the Royal Palace - Europe’s largest - and the Reina Sofia Museum of modern and contemporary art. The Royal Palace has more than 3,000 rooms and the appearance of those seen during the guided tour is an eclectic mix, ranging from cluttered Victorian to exotic oriental décors. Works of art by great masters such as Caravaggio, Velazquez and Goya adorn the walls while period furniture graces every room. The lavishness and opulence of the interiors stand in contrast to the sober baroque and neo-classical exterior, which faces the Almudena Cathedral and overlooks the Campo del Moro gardens. The Reina Sofia Museum boasts one of the greatest collections of modern art in the world. Admire works by Spanish masters such as Joan Miro, Salvador Dali, Juan Gris, and Pablo Picasso, whose vast and haunting Guernica is complemented by an exhibition of other works and resources, which help put the iconic painting in context.
Overnight in Madrid.

Day 3:

MADRID – ARANJUEZ – TOLEDO (100 Km – 1,5 hrs)
Depart after breakfast at the hotel, heading to charming Aranjuez. Visit the Royal Palace and gardens. Find the inspiration to Joaquin Rodrigo’s famous ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’ classical Spanish guitar piece, based on his experiences at the palace gardens. Continue to Toledo and check in to your hotel on arrival.
Overnight in Toledo.

Day 4:

TOLEDO – SALAMANCA (240 Km – 3,5 hrs)
Explore the historic core of Toledo after a tasty breakfast at the hotel. Discover this living museum, which evokes the mix of Jewish, Muslim and Christian cultures of medieval Castile. Wander through ancient streets dominated by the stunning cathedral and the legendary Alcazar overlooking the River Tagus. The old town boasts buildings from almost all periods of Spanish history. Visit Santo Tome Church – where El Greco’s epic canvas ‘The Burial of the Count of Orgaz’ is displayed – and the former synagogue, with an interior that presents one of the best-preserved examples of Mudejar architecture in Castile. Then bid farewell to Toledo and drive to Salamanca.
Overnight in Salamanca.

Day 5:

SALAMANCA
Discover Spain’s most venerable seat of learning after having breakfast at the hotel. Salamanca University is the third-oldest in the world and the college gives the city a lively buzz unlike the rest of Castile. At the time of the university’s founding, in 1134, Salamanca was in the Kingdom of Leon. Head to the heart of the action, at the magnificent Plaza Mayor and savour the inspiring atmosphere. Every corner of Salamanca exudes history! Visit the Irish College, the Casa de las Conchas palace, the Monterrey Palace, the Art Noveau and Art Deco Museum at the Casa Lis. If time permits, also catch a glimpse of the Clavero Tower, the convents of Las Dueñas and St Stephen and the baroque Clergy Church.
Overnight in Salamanca.

Day 6:

SALAMANCA – AVILA – SEGOVIA (200 Km – 2,5 hrs)
Depart after breakfast at the hotel, heading to Avila. Stroll the streets of the city´s old town, a place still surrounded by uninterrupted medieval walls. The perimeter of more than 2.5 kilometres is dotted with 88 towers and nine gates. Behind the ramparts is a city of immense beauty and heritage. Visit the fortified Gothic cathedral and the Romanesque Basilica of St Vincent. Stroll through its ancient streets, with Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles, and take in the splendour of the Plaza de Santa Teresa. Continue to sensational Segovia with its Alcazar, which was one of the inspirations for Disney’s Cinderella castle. See also the awe-inspiring Roman aqueduct, which dates from the reign of Emperor Domitian in the first century and cuts through the city centre.
Overnight in Segovia.

Day 7:

SEGOVIA – SAN LORENZO DE EL ESCORIAL – MADRID (110 Km – 1,5 hrs)
Begin your day with a tasty breakfast at the hotel. Then, head to San Lorenzo de El Escorial. This pretty and prosperous town is the location of one of Spain’s most important Renaissance monuments, the magnificent monastery of El Escorial, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex also served as the royal palace of Philip II, who was among the two dozen monarchs whose final resting place is the Pantheon of Kings. Other attractions of El Escorial include the Hall of Battles, where large frescoes depict important Spanish military triumphs, the lavish library with frescoed ceilings, and the breathtakingly beautiful basilica. After admiring this lovely city, continue to Madrid and check in at the hotel.
Overnight in Madrid.

Day 8:

DEPART MADRID
Bid farewell to Madrid after breakfast at the hotel, driving towards the airport. Drop off the car at the rental office. The rent-a-car shuttle service will transfer you to the terminal to catch your departure flight back home.
Breakfast included.

Price includes

ACCOMMODATION:
- 7 nights' accommodation
MEALS:
- 7 breakfasts
TRANSPORTATION:
- Transportation for the departure transfer on a shared basis, from the car rental company offices to Madrid Airport.
CAR HIRE:
- Applicable local taxes (VAT)
- Unlimited mileage
- Emergency Contact service
- Replacement car in case of accident
- Full-Full petrol rate
- All-inclusive insurance: Wheel and windscreen (CGT), Road assistance 24 hour telephone service, Vehicle theft (TP); Personal accident insurance (P.A.I).

Price does not include

- Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, laundry, drinks and meals not stated explicitly in the program
- Any others expenses which are not mentioned in the included section
- National or International flights
- All types of insurance (except mentioned rent-a-car insurance)
- Entry visas to Spain and Gibraltar (if applicable)
- Entrance tickets to any venue, museum or activity.

NOT INCLUDED IN CAR HIRE:
- Damage to a third party or to the hire vehicle due to negligence or inappropriate driving
- Loss or damage to aerials, jack, safety triangles and vests, windscreen wipers, petrol cap, luggage covers, or any other fixed or mobile component of the vehicle
- Damage to the engine through negligence
- Theft of the vehicle with keys left in the ignition
- Damage caused to the vehicle or to persons through driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Fines due to breaking traffic laws and regulations during the hire period are the responsibility of the driver of the vehicle. In the event of a fine being received there will be an administration charge
- If the car is left outside of rent a car designated area on drop off, customers will be responsible for any costs generated and for any damage to the vehicle due to it being parked outside of the Rent a Car installations
- Each additional driver fee
- Any extra equipment (GPS, baby seat etc)
- No insurance cover in Gibraltar.

Itinerary

Accommodations provided in each place