Description
Travel with Crusader, including a mini-cruise direct to Spain (Bilbao). We then travel through the area known as “Green Spain” to the heart of the country, Madrid, visiting Toledo & Salamanca
Itinerary
Days 1-2 Departure & travel on the ferry
A morning departure to Portsmouth, where we board our ferry for the two night mini-cruise crossing to Spain with time to relax and enjoy all the facilities on board.
Day 3 Travel to Madrid
We arrive in Bilbao and drive south to Madrid for our 3 night stay.
Day 4 At leisure
Included Excursion
Half Day Tour of Madrid We start the day today with an included morning guided tour of Madrid, capital of Spain and Europe’s highest capital city, located high on the Central Meseta of Spain. City highlights include the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum, the lively Puerto del Sol, Spain’s largest bull ring – Las Ventas, and the Retiro Park, an oasis of greenery right in the city centre. The Plaza Mayor, which is packed with restaurants and bars is a good place to stop for lunch and is a must for those wishing to simply relax and watch the world go by.
Day 5 At leisure
Included Excursion
Full Day Toledo A full day excursion to Toledo, built on a natural granite outcrop and encircled by a steep water-filled ravine. There is something to see and enjoy at every step.
Day 6 Travel to Salamanca via El Escorial
We travel today to Salamanca for our 2 night stay. On the way we visit El Escorial, the palace commissioned by King Phillip II of Spain. Close by is the Valley of the Fallen, a striking monument to the dead of the Spanish Civil War. The basilica is hollowed out of the rock face and is dominated by a monumental cross. We then continue to Avila, the highest city in Spain and a World Heritage Site. More than1.5 miles of ancient brown granite walls, built in the 11th Century with 88 round towers and 9 gateways, are all still standing today.
Day 7 At leisure
Included Excursion
Half Day Tour of Salamanca This morning we take an included guided tour of Salamanca, home to the oldest university in Spain. Wander through this attractive town, constructed out of golden stone and see the Plaza Mayor, one of the finest in Spain, the palaces of Monterrey and Fonesca, the ‘Shell House’, the Clavero Tower and the convents of San Esteban and Duenas. This afternoon is at leisure in the city.
Day 8 Travel to Burgos
Today we travel north to Burgos for our 1 night stay in the ancient capital of Castille which lies in the heart of the Rioja wine region. You can visit the Cathedral, the third largest in Spain, which houses the tomb of El Cid, the legendary nobleman who helped rescue Spain from conquest by the Moors, the Royal Convent of Las Huelgas and the Cartuja de Miraflores.
Day 9 Travel to Bilbao for overnight ferry crossing
We travel back to Bilbao to catch our overnight ferry crossing back to the UK.
Last day Travel home
We arrive in Portsmouth and depart for home, arriving during the evening.
Venue Information
During this tour we stay at the following hotels. All hotels are of similar standard and have en suite bedrooms.
Hotel Coloso, Madrid (3 nights)
Regio Hotel, Salamanca (2 nights)
Corona de Castilla Hotel, Burgos (1 night)