8 day tour of central Spain
Madrid – Salamanca – Toledo
Your journey at a glance
- The stops on your journey:
- Madrid (3 nights)
- Salamanca (2 nights)
- Toledo (2 nights)
- Further highlights:
- El Escorial
- Chinchón
- Segovia
- Ávila
- Aranjuez
Geotoura – Hotel concept
When we include a hotel in our programme, it is not only a high standard of quality that is important to us. We prefer typical local accommodation, often boutique hotels with a special ambience. They emphasise the character of an individual trip: Panoramic views, particularly lovely furnishings, a location in historic centres, no mass tourism and, of course, exceptionally friendly hosts – these are important criteria for us.
We divide our hotels into four separate Geotoura categories. Of course, you have the choice and can also combine the categories on one trip.
Boutique Hotels – Four categories
Encantador (“Charming”): Our most affordable option. Lovingly furnished rooms that offer everything the discerning traveller expects.
Especial (“Special”): Hotels with a special ambience – historic palaces, monasteries, haciendas or beach hotels with exceptional charm. Perfect for the classic cultural tour.
Extraordinario (“Extraordinary”): Luxurious hotels in excellent locations and with the highest level of comfort, often in centuries-old aristocratic palaces, old oil mills or haciendas.
Luna de Miel (“honeymoon”): For the honeymoon – span. Luna de miel – or if you want to treat yourself to something out of the ordinary …
Character of this travel idea
Experience culture
The royal palaces and their marvellous gardens are one of the great highlights of Madrid. Here, splendour and grandeur impress. In contrast, the Barrio Malasaña is almost a village in the city and tiny. This neighbourhood is a colourful mix of cultural mile, hipster district and lively nightlife.
Here you can smell the aroma of freshly baked bread, fine cheese specialities and delicious snacks, which you can get at Bodegas La Ardosa, one of the oldest taverns in Madrid. The Mercado de San Miguel market hall invites you to go shopping. The shopping spree is not only worthwhile because of the countless shops and stalls, but also because of the pretty market hall itself, which has been standing here since 1916.
If you want to immerse yourself in a piece of the Middle Ages, then you should take a hire car on your 8-day city break from Madrid to Chinchón. The landscape here could have inspired the famous game Assassin’s Creed. In this small town, you can leave the present day behind and stroll through a Spanish Middle Ages that seems to have fallen out of time.
Experience nature
The first thing you might associate with the Spanish capital is the vibrant metropolis. However, once you leave Madrid on this 8-day city break, your hire car will take you to a picturesque mountain landscape. Not far from the city are the vineyards of Vinos de Madrid, whose grapes are used to make white, red and rosé wines.
In the centre of the city itself, you will come across the “Landscape of Light” on your exploration tour. This is made up of the Paseo del Prado, El Retiro Park and the Jerónimos neighbourhood and is now even considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its unique synthesis of city and cultural landscape.
Central Spain - hearty delicious
The cuisine of central Spain is hearty, meaty and extremely tasty. Stews such as cocido madrileño or pisto manchego and soups such as sopa de ajo are typical dishes and can be found on many menus. If you like garlic, you shouldn’t miss out on champiñones al ajillo – a classic of Castilian cuisine, as the bulb is produced here in large quantities, not only in white, but also in purple and, in the province of Cuenca itself, in black.
Not only is the world-famous Manchego cheese of high quality, but also the olive oil and the saffron grown here. The region’s wines are also better than their reputation, as a great deal has been invested in modernising the cellars and vineyards – with success. Other delicacies include the famous Serrano ham and, of course, the skilfully grilled and braised meat dishes. Meatless dishes, such as parillada de verdura or el asadillo, are also on the menu and with wild mushrooms and asparagus, the menu becomes a definitive culinary experience.
No sea in sight and you still have an appetite for fish? Then you should order bacalao al ajo arriero or tiznao manchego. For a sweet finish, you should look out for a tipsy sponge cake, bizcochos borrachos, honey cake from Cuenca, alajú, or bizcocho or torta de Alcázar.
If your round trip through central Spain takes you through Toledo, marzipan is a must, as this is where the country’s most famous producers are to be found. Is your round trip taking you to or through Extremadura? Then you have landed in a paradise of culinary specialities while passing through. Here you will not only find the Ibérico Bellota of the acorn-fed and grass-fed Pata Negra, but also a large number of dishes with river fish and flavoursome cheeses such as the Torta del Casar. Together with a good wine, they are perfect for a picnic in the countryside. The lamb, kid and game dishes, subtly flavoured with pimentón de la vera, will also make your mouth water.
The authentic Madrid
Why can't I find any prices on geotoura.com?
We do not offer standardised packages. Your Geotoura trip is customised according to your wishes.
We make this possible thanks to our high level of expertise and in-depth knowledge of the country as well as our excellent network of partners. You can look forward to extraordinary experiences, charming boutique hotels and very special insider tips on site.
Geotoura stands for the perfect planning of your personalised dream trip. Your individual price will therefore only include what really enriches your holiday.
Compared to standard holidays, this price is competitive. You will usually receive the comprehensive holiday design within 24 hours on working days.
Highly personalised trips are our speciality and the pleasure you deserve.
