Madrid is the capital city of Spain, located right in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. Its geographical location grants good communications of the city with other Spanish regions. As capital of the country, it is the seat to the Spanish government institutions and the city of residence of Spanish Royal family. Madrid is also the largest Spanish city with more than 3 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area. You will find in the city a rich mixture of cultures, since besides the native “madrileños” people from other countries and especially from Latin America have made of Madrid their second hometown. Madrid is indeed a very active city with a bustling nightlife, busy business centres and lively streets either by day or night.

Day 1 Arrival and Sightseeing Tour

Arrival at Madrid airport, where you are met and transferred to the 4 star Catalonia La Cortes (or similar 4 star hotel) with accommodation in superior room including breakfast daily.

A hop-on hop-off Madrid sightseeing tour by open-top double-decker bus is the perfect introduction to this incredible city. Select a 1- or 2-day ticket that lets you board and disembark at any of the 37 stops along two interconnecting routes, so you can explore city sights at your own pace. Hear onboard audio commentary and check out Madrid’s many plazas, museums and theaters with the provided map and guidebook.

Day 2 El Escorial | Valley of the Fallen from Madrid

Enhance your experience of two top Madrid attractions on this 5-hour tour of El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caidos) from Madrid. Delve into the opulent beauty of El Escorial, a palatial and monastic complex home to a striking basilica and a marble pantheon, and then marvel at the Valley of the Fallen’s colossal cross, dedicated to lives lost in the Spanish Civil War. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Madrid are included on this small-group tour, limited to 15 people.

Your tour begins at your Madrid hotel, where you’ll board an air-conditioned vehicle between 8 and 9am. During the 1-hour drive to El Escorial, your guide details the 500-year-old history of the palatial and monastic complex, commissioned by King Felipe II.  On arrival at El Escorial, you’ll embark on a guided tour and visit architectural highlights including the marble Pantheon de los Reyes, the final resting place of many Spanish monarchs, and the elegant basilica. The next stop is the Valley of the Fallen, a tomb and basilica complex featuring a striking monument dedicated to the lost lives of the Spanish Civil War. The memorial is surrounded by controversy due to the nature of its creation: your guide reveals the fascinating story during a tour. After absorbing spectacular views of the valley from a mountaintop perch, return to your vehicle and relax during the drive back to your Madrid hotel.

Day 3 Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour

Discover Madrid’s vibrant culinary scene on a 3-hour tapas tour. Stroll through the evening-lit streets with a guide and sample up to 10 delicious tapas dishes at four popular restaurants while learning about the local ingredients. Treat your palette to delicious Spanish wines complemented by Iberian ham, salted cod, rich chickpea stew and more. To keep this experience intimate, group size is limited to 12 people. Greet your gastronomical guide in central Santa Ana Square and set out to explore the esteemed eateries of Madrid. As you stroll, listen to your guide’s culinary commentary of the capital, hearing about the origin of tapas and the inspiration for the delicate dishes.  Visit up to four bars during your tapas tour, all of which showcase the influence that Madrid’s immigrant population has had with their cosmopolitan cuisine. Taste wines designed to compliment each dish as you feast upon Spanish specialties such as delicate salted cod, flavorsome Iberian ham, rich chickpea stew and roasted eggplant with honey. Sip refreshing beers and soft drinks and conclude your tour in a centrally located bar that allows you to continue exploring independently.

Day 4 Departure

This trip includes:
3 nights at 4* Catalonia La Cortes (or similar) in superior room with Breakfast Daily
Tours Mentioned above
Roundtrip airport/rail station to hotel transportation

This trip doesn’t include:
Travel insurance
Meals and beverages not indicated in “The rate includes”
Local city tax (about € 3,5/5 per person per night)
Entry fees to sights and museums unless noted
Transportation to tour meeting points and from tour end point unless noted
Tips/Gratuity
Airfare