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Discover the Heart of Spain
8 DAYS FROM £575
The cities were superb. Our first exciting visit was to Toledo, the city famous for centuries for its metalwork, particularly sword-making, and for its damascening, a method of decorating metal with inlaid threads of gold or silver, which makes very striking jewellery.
We loved Segovia with its awesome roman aqueduct and fairytale alcazar, "borrowed" by Walt Disney for his Sleeping Beauty castle. In Avila, we were astounded by the hugely impressive and complete city walls.
Salamanca, the wonderful city of education with its old and new Cathedrals, the oldest University in Spain and a fabulous Plaza Mayor, was fascinating. Burgos, resounding with memories of its hero, El Cid and the pilgrims' route to Santiago de Compostela, had another spectacular Cathedral and pleasant riverside walk.
Madrid is perfect for the city lover with its famous Prado museum, huge Royal Palace and buzzing Puerta del Sol. Our own strongest memory of Madrid is the fact that we were there for David Beckham's last match with Real Madrid as the streets resounded with car horns and excited crowds when they won the match and the top position in the Spanish Premier League.
All this, and additional visits to Valladolid, with its Plaza Mayor filled with artistic sand sculptures, Palencia, a winery and an archeological site, gave us a really comprehensive tour. Our memories are filled with images of storks on chimneys everywhere and references to Don Quixote as we skirted the La Mancha region. Somehow we managed to fit in such detailed guided tours, together with time on our own to explore, relax in a few tapas bars or sit in a sunny square, watching the world go by.
The icing on the cake came from the knowledgeable guides and the comfortable hotels.
Over the years my husband and I have enjoyed many holidays with Cosmos/Archers and last week was no exception.
We always seem to set off in the same way, vaguely knowing where we are going but never having managed to do the intended research about the places we will visit. The result is that it is rather like being given a treasure chest, knowing that there is possibly something special inside but having no idea what. The thrill is that each holiday has revealed a collection of gems.
We booked our recent Heart of Spain tour so that we could visit the Prado and Reina Sofia art galleries, a long held ambition. Anything else on the tour would just be a bonus, we thought. Wow, what a bonus! We experienced delight after delight, beautiful Toledo, the magnificent, Roman aqueduct, cathedral and story-book castle at Segovia, the medieval, walled city of Avila, historic Salamanca brimming with sights and beauty from many periods in history, their stone walls glowing with golden warmth in the Spanish sunshine. Our last, new, overnight stopping-place was to be Burgos, just a name to us when we set off but what a joy and certainly the most breathtaking cathedral of the tour and possibly of any tour.
We left Burgos to head back to Madrid for our return home the next day thinking that we had had all our wonderful treats but there was still at least one more to come. As the coach slowly made its way up a narrow track leading across fields to a distant hillside, we were not alone in wondering why the organisers thought it necessary to add yet more to the many and varied things we had seen but Archers proved again that they usually know best.
The archaeological site at Atapuerca with its evidence and exhibition of the remains of Europe's earliest humans fascinated everybody and was such a contrast to the examples of man's skill and building that we had seen on the rest of the holiday.
Added to all this we had Ines, a warm, hardworking guide, good hotels and suitcases that disappeared and reappeared right on cue. What more could anybody ask!
A big thank you Archers from us both.
I am also writing to say how wonderful Helena our tour guide was. She was first class. You could not have wished for a better guide. Her knowledge was superb. She was caring, attentive and very very nice. She was always there if you needed her and we will never forget her. In fact I think it was down to her that we all enjoyed it so much. She was so interested in all of us, a true professional. She is credit to your company.
Thank you so much for a wonderful holiday.
Helena the representative was great, the local guides were delightful gentlemen who spoke with passion and the drivers were lovely. The Novotel in Malaga was a lovely hotel and it was easy to get a bus into Malaga and Torremolinos. The Hotel Hesperia in Toledo was luxurious and welcoming with a lovely restaurant next door.
This was the third holiday we had booked with Archers and we always enjoy ourselves. Keep up the good work with your lovely staff.
My own favourites have been Alhambra, Canada, the Mezquita at Cordoba and the awesome Neuschwanstein Castle while my wife simply loved Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore, the magical island of Capri, and the Tuscan countryside. What we can agree, however, is that every holiday has been terrific - we have seen wonderful things and been to great places. We also have had excellent tour directors and our fellow travelling companions have all been great company - every holiday has been a winner, only personal preference provokes discussion. As soon as the new Archers brochure comes out it is avidly studied - it is my favourite book! We are looking forward to more travels in 2007.
Thanks to all at Archers for some truly wonderful holidays.
Enjoy a grand procession through Madrid, Toledo and Castilla y Leon, a region rich in World Heritage sites and the Spanish zest for life.
Included Highlights
Madrid City sightseeing
Toledo City sightseeing
Segovia Visit
Avila Visit
Salamanca City sightseeing
Valladolid Visit
Wine Bodega Visit
Palencia Visit
Burgos City sightseeing
Atapuerca Archaeological site visit
Your Price Includes
Flights: UK - Madrid - UK
Accommodation on tour in twin room with private facilities
Meals on tour - 7 breakfasts (B) and 3 dinners (D)
Professional tour director on tour
Porterage at hotels during tour (one suitcase per person)
Transfers between overseas airport and hotels
All local and airport taxes/service charges
Single share option no supplement to pay
Holiday Itinerary
DAY 1: UK - Madrid.
Fly to Madrid, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay. (D)
DAY 2: Madrid - Toledo - Madrid.
Spain's regal capital bursts with energy, grand plazas, palaces and museums as well as an infectious zest for life. Welcoming and energetic, the city offers endless delights to the visitor and this morning, you'll get the chance to experience some of its most famous and impressive landmarks. Our guided sightseeing tour takes in its Royal Palace and other principal sights, then gives you time to visit the grandiose Prado Museum, one of the world's greatest art galleries, housing works by Goya, El Greco, Velazques and Rubens. This afternoon, your sightseeing continues with an excursion to Toledo, a key centre in European medieval history. Known as the 'City of Three Cultures' because Christians, Arabs and Jews lived here harmoniously for centuries, this majestic city offers a wealth of monuments, churches, palaces and mosques within its fortified walls. Gaze in awe at its mighty Gothic cathedral, medieval fortress, synagogues and squares - all testifying to its grand past as capital of Spain until 1560. (B)
DAY 3: Madrid - Segovia - Avila.
This morning, set out into the picturesque Castilla y Leon region towards Avila. En-route, you'll enjoy a visit to Segovia, a meeting point of the great Roman, Christian, Arabic and Jewish civilizations over the centuries. The undoubted highlight of this stunning, millennial World Heritage city is its incredible 163-arched Roman aqueduct, an architectural hymn to Roman engineering, yet in legend built by the devil in exchange for a young girl's soul. Wandering Segovia's narrow streets, you'll admire this walled city's great plaza, medieval churches, and fairytale Alcázar castle. Later, arrive in the glorious city of Avila, for an overnight stay. (B)
DAY 4: Avila - Salamanca.
One of the finest remnants of Europe's medieval era, Avila boasts a turbulent past of Arab, Christian and Roman occupation, as well as a rich history as a monastic centre. Enclosed by imposing 11th century walls with nine gateways, there's time this morning to experience this fascinating World Heritage city's bustling market, peaceful convent and ornate Cathedral. In the afternoon, drive to Salamanca for a two night stay. (B, D)
DAY 5: Salamanca.
Today the pleasure of waking up to another of Spain's superb cities. Home to one of Europe's oldest universities, buzzing Salamanca resonates with the life of today's and yesteryear's students and brims with Renaissance and Baroque splendour. On this morning's locally guided tour, revel in its two fine cathedrals, convents and elaborate Casa de Conchas or House of Shells, as well as its handsome Plaza Mayor. This afternoon is free for you to discover this vibrant city for yourself, perhaps climbing up its cathedrals' towers to glory in the skyline, people-watching from a pavement café or sampling its local delicacy of roast suckling pig in a traditional, charming azulejo-tiled restaurant. (B)
DAY 6: Salamanca - Valladolid - Burgos.
An early morning start as you weave through gentle wine-growing countryside to Valladolid. Another former capital of Spain, this historic city boasts a bustling economic life, together with graceful plazas, a cathedral and lovely central park, the Campo Grande. Its elegant Plaza Mayor is well worth admiring for its beautiful columnade dating back to the 16th century. After leaving Valladolid, you'll stop at a local wine bodega for an informative wine-tasting session, before continuing on to Palencia to admire its austere 14th century cathedral, dubbed the 'Unknown Beauty' and home to lavish artworks. Next on to Burgos, where you'll arrive in the early evening for an overnight stay. (B, D)
DAY 7: Burgos - Madrid.
This morning enjoy a sightseeing visit with a local guide to discover the many charms of Burgos, once a stop for pilgrims en-route to Santiago de Compostela. Founded in 884, this captivating city displays its historical treasures for all to see with an array of great monuments all swathed in its mellow Castillian atmosphere. Marvel at its all-dominating Gothic cathedral and richly decorated Miraflores monastery with its royal mausoleum. Before leaving for Madrid, enjoy an interesting visit to the nearby Atapuerca archaeological site, where ancient caves have revealed stone tools and bones from Europe's earliest humans, the Homo Antecessor, believed to have lived up to one million years ago. (B)
DAY 8: Madrid - UK.
After breakfast this morning, transfer to Madrid airport for your return flight back to the UK. (B)
Check prices and availability for this holiday
Accommodation on Tour
Madrid: Praga (4*); Avila: Cuatro Postes (3*) or similar; Salamanca: Monterey (4*); Burgos: Corona de Castilla (4*).
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NO HIDDEN EXTRAS: All
prices shown include ALL compulsory charges (Fuel Supplement,
Air Passenger Duty & Flight Supplement where applicable)
Book with confidence: We are members of ABTA and all our holidays are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme. |
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