Self Drive - Heart of Spain

Trujillo Casa de las Conchas palace Campo del Moro gardens Moorish castle Cigüeñas Palace

Description

Program

Day 1:
ARRIVAL MADRID
Arrive at Madrid airport, meet with a rent-a-car representative to assist you in picking up the rental car, and drive towards Spain's capital. Madrid is one of Europe’s liveliest and most elegant cities, boasting beautiful boulevards, vast parks, bustling plazas and numerous historic churches and palaces. It 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 – TOLEDO (75 Km – 1 hr)
Depart after breakfast at the hotel, heading to Toledo. Explore the historic core of this town. 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, whose interior is one of the best-preserved examples of Mudejar architecture in Castile.
Overnight in Toledo.

Day 4:
TOLEDO – TRUJILLO – CACERES (265 Km – 3 hrs)
Bid farewell to Toledo after a delicious breakfast at the hotel, heading for Trujillo, in the region of Extremadura. Trujillo was the hometown of Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of the Inca Empire, and many of the town’s attractions owe their existence to the wealth plundered by him and his fellow conquistadors. Enjoy a walk through the old town with its narrow cobbled alleys within the walls, see the Moorish castle as well as a number of historic palaces. Outside the walls, explore the vast open space of the elegant Plaza Mayor, which is dominated by the church of St Martin of Tours and where three of the town’s most important Renaissance ducal palaces can be found, including the Palace of the Conquest, which was built by the Pizarro family. Continue to Caceres for check-in at the hotel.
Overnight in Caceres.

Day 5:
CACERES – MERIDA – CACERES (150 Km – 2 hrs)
Explore the historic core of Caceres after a delightful breakfast at the hotel. Not to be outdone by its provincial neighbor, the medieval walled old town of Caceres is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with fortified homes, Renaissance palaces and historic churches. The walled area is compact and there are two main clusters of monuments. In the Santa Maria-Golfines area can be found the Renaissance Toledo-Moctezuma Palace as well as the Co-cathedral of St Mary while the area around the Plaza de las Veletas-Plaza San Mateo is dominated by the 15th century Cigüeñas Palace. Take to the road along the southern stretch of the ancient Silver Way to Merida, which, as Emerita Augusta, was one of the Roman capitals of Spain. The classical heritage of Merida is breathtaking with a Roman bridge and a theatre that are both still in use. See the ruins of the adjacent amphitheatre and the columns of the Temple of Diana in the former Forum. Return to Caceres for a relaxing evening at the hotel.
Overnight in Caceres.

Day 6:
CACERES – PLASENCIA – YUSTE – SALAMANCA (300 Km – 4,5 hrs)
Depart Caceres after a delectable breakfast at the hotel, heading north along the Silver Way to Plasencia on the north bank of the River Jerte. Enjoy a walk of the magnificent medieval old town, which was founded as a fortified Castilian city following its conquest from the Moors in the late 12th century – the walls built back then still surround virtually all of the old town. Explore the area to the west of the bustling Plaza Mayor, admiring historic structures such as the Mirabel Palace. See also the New Cathedral, with its plateresque façade, and the Romanesque Old Cathedral as well as the aqueduct. Continue to the rebuilt Yuste Monastery, which is where Emperor Charles V spent his final years and died. Head to beautiful Salamanca, checking in on arrival.
Overnight in Salamanca.

Day 7:
SALAMANCA
Discover Spain’s most venerable seat of learning, after indulging in a tasty breakfast. Salamanca University is the third-oldest in the world and the college gives the city a lively buzz. 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 atmosphere. Every corner of Salamanca exudes history such as the Irish College, the Casa de las Conchas palace, the Monterrey Palace, the Art Noveau and Art Deco Museum at the Casa Lis, the Clavero Tower, the convents of Las Dueñas and St Stephen and the Clergy Church.
Overnight in Salamanca.

Day 8:
SALAMANCA – AVILA – SEGOVIA (200 Km – 2,5 hrs)
Depart after breakfast at the hotel, heading for Avila, whose old town is 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. Stroll through its ancient streets, with Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and baroque styles evident, and take in the splendour of the Plaza de Santa Teresa. Continue to sensational Segovia with its Gothic cathedral and the 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. Check in and spend a relaxing night in Segovia.
Overnight in Segovia.

Day 9:
SEGOVIA – SAN LORENZO DE EL ESCORIAL – MADRID (110 Km – 1,5 hrs)
Head to San Lorenzo de El Escorial after enjoying breakfast at the hotel. 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. After exploring San Lorenzo de El Escorial, continue to bustling Madrid for check-in at the hotel.
Overnight in Madrid.

Day 10:
DEPART MADRID
Begin your last day in Madrid with a tasty breakfast. Then, at the appropriate time, head towards the rental company to return the vehicle. The rent-a-car shuttle service will transfer you to the terminal for you to catch your departure flight back home.
Breakfast included.

Price includes

ACCOMMODATION:
- 9 nights' accommodation.
MEALS:
- 9 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