Magnificent Madrid, Toledo and Segovia – NEW TOUR
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Outdoor cafés with Casa de la Panadería in the background, Plaza Mayor ©Paolo Giocoso, Madrid Destino
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Equestrian statue of Philip III with Casa de la Panadería in the background at night ©César Lucas Abreu, Madrid Destino
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The Sabatini Gardens with the Royal Palace in the background ©Paolo Giocoso, Madrid Destino
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Alcala Street and Gran Via Avenue and the Metropolis Building ©Francisco Pinton©Madrid Destino
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Segovia Aqueduct, Spain
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Alcázar, Segovia, Spain
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Equestrian statue of Philip III with Casa de la Panadería in the background, Plaza Mayor ©Paolo Giocoso, Madrid Destino
Madrid, Spain’s glamorous capital is a vibrant city with beautiful squares and parks as well as a lively street life. Stroll along the mighty Gran Vía Boulevard; gaze at the imposing Royal Palace or nearby stunning Cathedral. Additionally, enjoy a glass of Sangria in one of the many fine squares the city has to offer. Madrid is also a great base to explore the surrounding area which is full of cultural gems.
With medieval mansions, royal palaces and un-imagined angles of Spanish contemporary architecture, Madrid is a truly beautiful city. What’s more, with its 75 museums, Madrid is an Aladdin’s Cave for those interested in art. It boasts three internationally important art museums: El Prado, Reina Sofiá and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. Masterpieces by home-grown talents such as Goya and Velázquez, as well as other Spanish painters such as Picasso, Dalí and Miró, now adorn the walls of the city’s world-class galleries. Madrid has also evolved into one of the richest culinary capitals with traditional markets showcasing some of the finest food in the land.
The Buen Retiro Park or the beautiful Botanical Gardens provide welcome shade and relaxation after a day sightseeing, or why not head to one of the many rooftop bars the city is famous for to watch the sun go down. And for the more sporty, no visit is complete without a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium of Real Madrid!
Also, equally accessible by air from a number of UK airports, Madrid also boasts an excellent public transport system making it easy to discover. Visit Madrid and discover what this charming and captivating city has to offer!
Dates
On request
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Depart the UK (departures Sunday or Wednesday)
Drive to Plymouth and embark on the overnight cruise ferry to Spain. Once on board, check-in to your ensuite cabin and explore the ship and its many on-board facilities. A buffet dinner is included.
Day 2
Arrival Spain
The following day, enjoy breakfast on board before arriving into Santander early afternoon to continue the journey by coach to Burgos for an overnight stay. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Day 3
At Leisure Burgos / Travel to Madrid
This morning, there will be some free time to explore Burgos, a fascinating medieval city. Stories of medieval knights, Spanish Royalty and countless pilgrims reverberate across the city which is a crucial stopping point on the Camino pilgrimmage route to Santiago de Compostela. Burgos was the capital city of the unified kingdom of Castile and Leon for five centuries, and boasts one of the masterpieces of Spanish Gothic, its Cathedral which is a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Drive to Madrid and check-in at the hotel for the next 5 nights. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Day 4
Explore Madrid by Hop-on/Hop-off Bus with optional Royal Palace
A day to explore the city at your own pace on a hop-on/hop-off double-decker city sightseeing bus. There are two panoramic routes to enjoy using the same ticket – so you can switch between the two. Discover Madrid’s history through a headphone audio-system.
Some of the major sights and attractions you may see include the Plaza de Puerta del Sol with its famous clock located in the heart of the city, the Plaza Mayor, a stunning square, the **Palacio Real, home of the Spanish monarchy and Palacio de Communicaciones, Madrid’s impressive main post office. See the remarkable architecture of the Gran Vía and the home of one of the most revered football teams in the world, Real Madrid, at the Santiago Bernabeau stadium.
**An optional suggested visit is to the Royal palace – twice the size of Buckingham Palace! Built in Baroque style it was the former residence of the Spanish Monarchy from 1766 – 1931.
Another suggested visit to include (for the foodies) is a trip to the Mercado de San Miguel, a renovated old cast iron and glass market hall, a feast for the senses! Showcasing the heights of Spanish cuisine, Madrid’s market halls offer a mix of day to day shopping, local culinary specialities and excellent dining options. And no trip is complete without visiting the Museo del Jamón.
Return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 5
Medieval Segovia and Ávila
Venture north of Madrid towards the beautiful town of Segovia where an impressive Roman aquaduct with 167 arches marks the entrance to this fairy-tale Castilian city, with the Sierra de Guadarrama in the background. Meet up with a local guide for a walking tour which includes a visit of the the spectacular Alcázar, a castle with hidden passageways that seems straight out of a novel. Together with the old quarter and the castle, the town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
After some free time for further exploration or lunch, drive to Ávila and admire the impressive city walls visible from far away and are among the best-preserved and most complete in Europe. Meet up with a local guide for a walking tour to discover more of this medieval World Heritage City of cobbled streets, interesting churches and delicious local cuisine. See the cathedral which is attached to the city walls and the Convent of Santa Teresa, the symbol of the city. Ávila’s most famous sweet – yemas de Santa Teresa – is named after her.
Return to the hotel for dinner and evening at leisure.
Day 6
Toledo and Wine Tasting
Toledo, one of the most spectacular multi-cultural cities in Spain and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the number of historic sights packed into the city. It is built on a natural granite outcrop, overlooked by a fortress and encircled by a steep water-filled ravine, namely the River Tagus. Meet up with a local guide and discover why the city is known as ‘The City of Three Cultures’. Walking through the old town and along the maze of narrow, winding lanes you pass churches, old houses and palaces. Important sights include the magnificent cathedral with its paintings by El Greco, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Town Hall, the Law Courts and the 13th century Alcazar de Toledo fortress.
On the return to Madrid, we will visit a premium winery just outside Toledo, for a tasting of the local wines. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Day 7
Madrid Walking Tour and Optional Prado Museum
The best way to discover a city is to see it on foot. During this 3 hour guided walking tour discover the oldest part of the city and learn about its fascinating history.
After the tour the rest of the day is at leisure for further sightseeing, shopping and relaxing. Or, why not make a visit to one of the world’s best art galleries – Prado Museum? On a recommended guided tour, marvel at the collection of works such as The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hiëronymus Bosch.
Return to the hotel for dinner and evening at leisure in Madrid
OPTIONAL: Why not visit a traditional Flamenco Show (with or without dinner)? Details on request
Day 8
Royal Monastery and The Valley of the Fallen
Depart Madrid and head to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, a UNESCO World Heritage, in San Lorenzo. Commissioned by King Philip II, El Escorial is a mixture of monastery, palace, basilica and royal pantheon all in one location. See the Hapsburg’s Palace, the King’s Mausoleum and the Basilica and much more. Wander cloisters and courtyards and admire the famed library.
From here, make the short drive to The Valley of the Fallen (Valle de Cuelgamuros), a monumental Spanish memorial built by Francisco Franco to commemorate the Spanish Civil War, featuring the world’s tallest Christian Cross at 152 metre high that dominates the landscape of the Madrid mountains, and a vast underground basilica housing tens of thousands of war victims.
Continue towards Valladoid or Palencia for an overnight stop. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Day 9
Overnight ferry from Santander
Make the journey to Santander port and embark on the overnight cruise ferry to the UK. Once again, you will have chance to enjoy the on-board facilities together with a buffet dinner before retiring to your en-suite cabin.
Day 10
Return to the UK
Enjoy a breakfast on board while the ship continues her cruise to the UK, docking at Plymouth. Disembark and continue the journey home by coach.
Suggested hotels
Hotel Alcalá Plaza***
Perfectly located to explore the surrounding area, this hotel is just off the A-2 highway, a 13-minute walk from Alcalá de Henares Universidad metro station and 3 km from the Palace of Laredo. Rooms feature Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and desks. Amenities include a restaurant and a bar/cafe and parking is also available.
Parador de Alcalá de Henares****
Housed in a 17th-century monastery school, this hotel is on the outskirts of Madrid, an 11-minute walk from Palacio Arzobispal and 1 km from Alcala de Henares train station. Amenities include a sophisticated restaurant, an outdoor pool and a spa. There’s also a theatre and banquet hall. Coach parking is available for a small fee.
Exe Moncloa****
Located just 2 minutes walk from Moncloa Metro Station and just a 5-minute drive from Casa de Campo Park and the central Plaza España Square. This 4 star hotel has its own gym, sauna, steam bath, outdoor swimming pool and an impressive roof-top terrace with panoramic vistas over the Castilian plain and the Guadarrama mountain range. Each stylish room is bright with modern décor and features a flat-screen satellite TV, a minibar and a bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries. Coach parking available for a fee at Plaze de Oriente in central Madrid.
Eurostars Central***
Located in Madrid city centre, 250 yards from Tribunal Metro Station, Eurostars Central is a modern 4 star hotel with an on-site fitness centre and bar. It offers stylish air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, flat-screen satellite TV and minibar. There is a private bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries. You can find a wide variety of fashionable restaurants, bars and shops within a 5-minute walk of the property. The Retiro Park and Puerta del Sol Square are both a 15-minute walk from the hotel, while the Prado Art Museum is 20 minutes away on foot. Coach parking available for a fee at Plaze de Oriente in central Madrid.
Sailings are operated by Brittany Ferries from Plymouth/Santander. Current (2026) sailing schedules are:
| Outbound: Sunday Depart Plymouth 16.15 hours/arrive Santander Monday 15.00 hours
Inbound: Monday Depart Santander 18.00 hours/arrive Plymouth Tuesday 15.30 hours |
| or |
| Outbound: Wednesday Depart Plymouth 12.15 hours/arrive Santander Thursday 10.30 hours
Inbound: Thursday Depart Santander 13.30 hours/arrive Plymouth Friday 10.00 hours |
Please note it is extremely difficult to get space for groups in July and August due to high demand for individual travellers. Therefore we recommend that you travel outside of these dates to have more chance of securing crossings. Brittany Ferries reserve the right to alter sailing schedules without prior warning.
