STOC - escorted

8 days from £749 May & September
Salamanca, Madrid, Avila & Segovia
This fascinating holiday in western Spain is topped and tailed by a stay in Spain’s vibrant capital – Madrid. In between
you stay in one of the most beautiful cities in Spain - Salamanca whose magnificent 18th century Plaza Mayor takes the
breath away. From here you visit Ciudad Rodrigo, a fortified city whose old walls still bear the scars of Wellington’s siege
in 1812. Over the border in Portugal, you will find Almeida – a walled garrison town in a time warp from the Peninsular
War. But city walls do not come any bigger or better than the 11th century ramparts of Avila – 1½ miles in circumference,
90 towers and nearly 2500 battlements! All this and a trip to the World Heritage City of Segovia too!
• 3 nights bb in Madrid • 4 nights bb in Salamanca • Visits to Avila and Segovia • Visit to Almeida in
Portugal • Walking tours of Ciudad Rodrigo and Salamanca
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Madrid and transfer to your hotel for two nights bed
and breakfast accommodation.
Day Two: Free in Madrid with its Puerta del Sol, Royal Palace, Cibeles
Fountain and Plaza Mayor. Your Tour Director will take those who wish
for an orientation walk in the old town. Others may wish to visit one of
Madrid’s major art galleries, such as the Prado.
Day Three: Depart for Salamanca stopping en route in Avila. The city
walls of Avila are 40 ft high and 10 ft thick and are made to look all the
more dramatic by the high sierras in the background. At over 3,500 ft,
Avila is Spain’s highest provincial capital. The largest round turret in the
wall forms part of its cathedral. Inside the walls you will find a mixture
of medieval squares and fine 18th century buildings and plenty of cafes
and restaurants. Arrival in Salamanca will be in the afternoon and today’s
mileage is 128. Four nights bed and breakfast are spent in Salamanca.
Days Four to Six: In Salamanca. The focal point of this ancient University
City and its thousands of students is the magnificent Plaza Mayor whose
splendid arcades are decorated with medallions of the Kings of Spain
and other dignitaries, including Wellington. Other places to look out for
are the old cathedral dating from 1140 and the ‘new’ cathedral begun in
1513! Also the Casa de las Conchas – a 16th century palace adorned with
stone carvings of scallop shells. All the fine old buildings are intricately
decorated – your task is to find the frog and the astronaut – all will be
explained during a guided walking tour!
One day is devoted to an excursion to Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida. Ciudad
Rodrigo is packed with impressive Renaissance churches, convents and
palaces as well as older architecture built to defend the city against the
Moors. In the Peninsular Wars it was sieged first by the French in 1810
and then again by Wellington in 1812. Seemingly, little has changed since
then and Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe would recognize the little streets of its
centre. Wellington was made Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo despite his soldiers’
sacking of the city. Our walking tour will normally include the Palacio de
los Aguila where all the top brass including Ney, Massena and Wellington
stayed there at one time or other. Almeida is an incredible place – a
preserved garrison in the shape of a 12-pointed star with bastions, a huge
moat and false doors to trick attackers. As well as the intact barracks and
billets there are huge underground casemates which are being restored.
The French were only able to capture it in 1810 when a lucky shell ignited
the magazine killing 500 soldiers. A year later the British could only take
it by a month-long blockade, and then only after the French soldiers had
already slipped away in the night. Today’s mileage is 163.
There will also be an optional excursion to the historic city of Zamora, just
40 miles north of Salamanca on the banks of the River Douro.
Day Seven: Today you return to Madrid via Segovia – UNESCO listed along
with its magnificent Roman aqueduct. An enormous Gothic Cathedral,
Romanesque Alcazar and enthralling Jewish quarter await you! After free
time in Segovia it is time to return to Madrid for your last night on a bed
and breakfast basis. 156 miles today.
Day Eight: Free time until your transfer to the airport and your return
flight home.
YOUR HOTELS
HOTEL EUROSTARS CENTRAL HHHH, Madrid (first two and last nights)
This modern hotel is situated in a trendy district with shops, markets,
restaurants and tapas bars. The Madrid History Museum and National
Museum of Romanticism are just around the corner. It is a 15 minute
walk the Gran Via, 25 minutes to the Plaza Mayor and the Prado or there
are 3 metro stations less than 5 minutes walk away if you want to go
further afield. Bedrooms have LCD satellite TV, desk, wifi connection,
minibar, bath/shower, and hairdryer. The hotel offers a buffet breakfast but
does not have a bar or restaurant as it is surrounded by several of both!
(www.eurostarscentral.com)
HOTEL CATALONIA PLAZA MAYOR HHHH, Salamanca (four nights)
Just 150 yards from the Plaza Mayor, the bedrooms in this refurbished hotel
have bathroom, flat screen satellite tv, free internet access (WiFi), hairdryer,
direct dial telephone with direct line. The hotel has a restaurant, bar and
fitness centre. (www.hoteles-catalonia.com)
12 | www.preferredts.com
Please refer to the enclosed ‘Dates and Flight Information’ for details of departure dates, prices and flights.