Madrid Advantures-Exursions

Toledo

The ancient Visigoth capital still demands a visit. We take you through its medieval walls and a tour through the labyrinth of winding Castilian streets that inspired Greco to produce some of his most celebrated works. A private tour that will take in some of the great sites of the city including the Cathedral ( home to the primate of Spain) and one of the most impressive buildings of its kind in Europe - to the Alcazar - scene of the bloody siege of the Spanish civil war and cause celebre of the Nationalist cause (now home to the newly reopened Military Museum)as well as a host of Churches, Towers, and the Mosques and Sinagogues that reflected a time of religious tolerance. After a delicious Castilian lunch with local wines in a 15th century monastery.

Segovia

Fewer towns have more impressive entrances being a still intact 100 metre high and 2000 year old Roman Aqueduct. From this extraordinary start we take you inside its walls where you will be able to visit the Cathedral and Alcazar before stopping for a lunch of local delicacies in one of the oldest squares in Spain.

Chinchon

This beautifully preserved medieval village is a gastronomic delight of roast meats, garlic and locally produced cheeses and wines. The Plaza Mayor is one of the finest examples in the Iberian Peninsular and provides a stunning backdrop for a truly delicious meal - that is finished off with another of its local specialities - the licor Chinchon - a devilish concocssion that leaves you strangely wanting more!

Can be combined with visits and tasting to nearby wineries and vineyards.

Valle de los Caidos and El Escorial

The haunting Valley of the Fallen - the final resting place of General Franco and of thousands of dead from Spain´s bloody civil war of 1936 - 1939. Built by Republican prisoners who were used as slave labour where many died in the 15 years it took to complete the structure and which remains a source of division still.

The nearby Palace Monastery of El Escorial is one of the most impressive buildings and certainly one of the biggest in Spain. Built by Philip II with gold pillaged from the Americas to celebrate victories of the French - it is an extraordinary site reflecting Spain´s golden age of Empire.