Madrid and Salamanca two-centre fly-drive holiday with 3 nights in the city and 3 nights on a wine estate in the country
This 6-night fly-drive holiday combines Madrid and the area of Salamanca. Madrid offers a feast of attractions from world-class art museums such as the Prado, architectural splendours such as the Royal Palace and the Plaza Mayor but also flea markets and tapas bars. After three nights in the capital, collect your hire-car and drive north-west for about 2 hrs 30 mins to a wine and olive oil estate about 20 minutes from the World Heritage City of Salamanca, home to a historic university and two cathedrals. Hacienda Zorita is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves and offers many food and wine experiences.
Highlights
• Visit the Prado • Visit Plaza Mayor • Tapas • Visit historic Salamanca • Enjoy a vineyard visit and wine-tasting • Sample ham and olives on the estate
I enjoyed every minute of the tour. Cindy-Marie was simply fantastic and her knowledge, kindness and humour was all that I could have asked for. This was a first class experience. Thank you for making it all happen.Customer on Tuscan wine tour, June 2022
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room for 6 nights.
From about
£1,850
Holiday Code SNFH13
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Madrid and Salamanca two-centre fly-drive holiday with 3 nights in the city and 3 nights on a wine estate in the country
Fly to Madrid and settle into your city centre hotel.
Your two days in Madrid will be packed with prestigious art and architecture from throughout the centuries. The hotel is within walking distance of all three of the world-class art museums which make up Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art. The Prado Museum is one of the largest art galleries in the world and contains an impressive selection of Spanish paintings, including works by Goya and El Greco; the Reina Sofia Museum is Spain’s premier collection of modern 20th and 21st century art including Picasso’s ‘Guernica,’ films by Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí, and an abundance of striking sculpture; and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, one of the best private collections of 13th to 20th century art, illustrates the history of western art and includes pieces by Goya, Degas, Kandinsky and Renoir, but must be booked in advance. After visiting all three of these prestigious museums, enjoy the atmosphere of the capital. Take in the ambience of the Plaza Mayor, the grand arcaded square at the centre of the city. Then, visit the Palacio Real de Madrid, the official residence of the Royal family, which is often open for the public to explore. Inside, the highlights include the Spanish marble, stucco carvings, frescoes painted by Giaquinto, Tiepolo, and Bayeu, and the fully-equipped Royal Armoury. If you are not able to go inside, you can still enjoy the Plaza de Oriente beside the palace, which has statues of the Gothic Kings lining its central walkway, or the Campo del Moro Palace Gardens. The Basilica de San Francisco el Grande has atmospherically lit golden walls, and a blue and green painted dome that is recognised to be one of the best in Spain. Situated just outside the city, the historical residence of the King of Spain, El Escorial, is a vast palace complex with magnificent gardens that is also open to the public. However, you may need to arrange private transportation to reach it. Other, longer day trips include Toledo, the City of Three Cultures, and Segovia, home to the Alcázar that inspired Disney’s Cinderella Castle, and an long and well-preserved Roman aqueduct.
Today collect your hire-car from downtown Madrid and drive out of the city. The journey time in total is about three hours but we recommend working out a route in advance to make the most of this area of central Spain. The most direct route takes you past Avila, which is well worth a detour. Avila is situated in rolling hills but is best known for its medieval city walls which protect a World Heritage City of cobbled streets and churches. Avila is also host to a tapas competition in June and a medieval festival in September. Your destination today is the Hacienda Zorita about 20 minutes’ drive from Salamanca. A former 14th century monastery turned flour mill in the 19th century, Hacienda Zorita is now a luxury wine hotel and spa, and each of the 40 rooms, suites and villas enjoy vineyard or river views.
The Hacienda Zorita is your base for two full days. Spend your time relaxing on the estate or venture into nearby historic Salamanca, a UNESCO-listed city with museums, palaces and plazas. Within the Duero Valley region, the Hacienda Zorita’s estate holds a farm of about 300 hectares and was a pioneer of natural and organic farming in Spain, as well as of the Spanish Slow Food movement. The farm produces high quality raw milk ewe’s cheese, Iberico hams and charcuterie, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, vegetables, fruit and breads. Wine has been produced on the estate since the 14th century. The local estate produces the Crianza, 100% tempranillo, aged for 12 months in oak and idea with meats and pasta. It has an intense, fruity flavour. Its other locally produced award-winning wine is the Magister, 60% tempranillo, 30% syrah and 10% merlot. This wine is aged for 18 months in French oak and is an exceptional, complex and elegant wine, very suitable for cellar ageing. While away the days indulging in the flavours of Zorita’s Kitchen, where Michelin-starred Chef Victor Gutierrez crafts the menu around what is fresh on the estate’s organic farm. These meals often consist of Mediterranean flavours and hearty regional staples, all devoured in the rustic dining room setting, where large tables foster a communal dining experience. Meanwhile, the unique addition of a wine spa offers ultimate sensory indulgence. Wine-tasting, food experiences and spa treatments here can be booked in advance.
Today, drive yourself back to Madrid for your flight back to London.
I enjoyed every minute of the tour. Cindy-Marie was simply fantastic and her knowledge, kindness and humour was all that I could have asked for. This was a first class experience. Thank you for making it all happen.Customer on Tuscan wine tour, June 2022
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room for 6 nights.
From about
£1,850
Holiday Code SNFH13
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Our prices include
● Flights with British Airways London to Madrid return
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast at the Hospes Puerta Alcala, Madrid in a dreamer room
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast at the Hacienda Zorita in a classic room
● Hire of a Group C car for three days
● Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
Call us on 01392 441245
I enjoyed every minute of the tour. Cindy-Marie was simply fantastic and her knowledge, kindness and humour was all that I could have asked for. This was a first class experience. Thank you for making it all happen.Customer on Tuscan wine tour, June 2022
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room for 6 nights.
From about
£1,850
Holiday Code SNFH13
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Our prices include
• Flights with British Airways London to Madrid return
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast at the Hospes Puerta Alcala, Madrid in a dreamer room
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast at the Hacienda Zorita in a classic room
• Hire of a Group C car for three days
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
The journey and how you get there There are several flights from London to Madrid every day. A hire-car is included for the last three nights of the holiday.
Call us on 01392 441245
Madrid and Salamanca two-centre fly-drive holiday with 3 nights in the city and 3 nights on a wine estate in the country
Hospes Puerta de Alcalá is a luxury 5-star boutique hotel in an excellent central location. Gastronomic delights and excellent spa facilities make this an ideal spot to recuperate after enjoying the cultural and historical sites of Madrid.
Double dreamer room
Hacienda Zorita is a 5-star luxury hotel in a converted 14th century monastery in a beautiful rural location. Award winning cuisine and pampering Wine and Olive spa afford guests a tranquil retreat.
Double room
I enjoyed every minute of the tour. Cindy-Marie was simply fantastic and her knowledge, kindness and humour was all that I could have asked for. This was a first class experience. Thank you for making it all happen.Customer on Tuscan wine tour, June 2022
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room for 6 nights.
From about
£1,850
Holiday Code SNFH13
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Our prices include
• Flights with British Airways London to Madrid return
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast at the Hospes Puerta Alcala, Madrid in a dreamer room
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast at the Hacienda Zorita in a classic room
• Hire of a Group C car for three days
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
The journey and how you get there There are several flights from London to Madrid every day. A hire-car is included for the last three nights of the holiday.
Call us on 01392 441245
Madrid and Salamanca two-centre fly-drive holiday with 3 nights in the city and 3 nights on a wine estate in the country
About Heart of Spain
An Expressions tailor-made holiday to the Heart of Spain feature some of the best four and five star hotels in central Spain, featuring vineyard hotels, rural estates and city properties. Located at the geographical heart of Spain is its vibrant capital, Madrid, where days can be filled with art galleries and atmospheric outdoor cafes, and evenings promise an energetic nightlife. Surrounding the city are the dry plains of the country's central plateau which are divided by spectacular mountain ranges and dotted with numerous castles, magnificent cathedrals and ancient Roman ruins. The regions which make up Spain's central plateau have all played a hugely important role in the history of modern Spain, which is evident in the numerous castles which were built to protect towns and villages as the Moors fought the Christians in the 10th and 11th centuries. These are some of the least visited parts of Spain where few tourists venture outside of the main cities, ensuring that visitors will leave feeling like they have discovered something new. At the centre of Spain is Madrid, where atmospheric cobbled streets link bustling squares which are filled with pavement cafes and flea markets, whilst tree-line boulevards are overlooked by neo-classical buildings. Surrounding the city are the dry plains of the country's central plateau which are divided by spectacular mountain ranges and dotted with numerous castles, magnificent cathedrals and ancient Roman ruins. To the north of Madrid is Castilla y León, an elevated region which has played a hugely important role in the history of modern Spain. Rolling countryside is littered with historic cities, isolated villages and mediaeval castles, built by the Christians to defend against the Moorish invaders. Salamanca, Avila, Segovia, León, Valladolid and Burgos are all home to a wealth of art and stunning architecture, including Gothic cathedrals and Roman structures. Away from the cities are natural attractions including mountain ranges and nature reserves, with wheat fields and vineyards covering the high plateaus. To the south and east of Madrid is Castilla-La Mancha, an expansive region with dry plains stretching towards mountains in the distance. The predominantly flat scenery is made up of olive groves, wheat fields, extensive vineyards, hilltop castles and the iconic windmills described by Cervantes. Head to the historic city of Toledo, where Christian, Jewish and Arab cultures blend to create a popular tourist destination, or to Cuenca, a dramatic town where houses seemingly dangle over a plunging gorge. Further west towards the border with Portugal is Extremadura, a region with green pastures and rolling hills, forests and fertile river valleys, as well as charming towns boasting stunning examples of Roman architecture. Elaborate palaces and manor houses are found in clusters throughout the region, built by conquistadors with gold from the New World.
Highlights of the Heart of Spain
The three world-class art galleries which make up Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art, home to works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Francisco de Goya. The historical sights of Old Madrid, including the lavish Royal Palace, the grand Plaza Mayor and the city's spiritual centre, Puerta del Sol. Parque del Retiro, a popular spot for relaxation in the centre of Madrid with a boating lake. El Escorial, a large royal residence just outside Madrid which also functions as a monastery and is where many Spanish monarchs are buried. The Gothic cathedrals of León, Burgos and Toledo which feature stunning stained glass, mediaeval art and elaborate sculptures. The numerous castles which are scattered across the region including the Gothic-style Belmonte Castle, the Mudejár Coca Castle and the Moorish Alcazaba of Badajoz. The university city of Alcalá de Henares, birthplace of Cervantes, the 16th century author who wrote about the adventures of Don Quixote. The walled city of Ávila. The university city of Salamanca. Segovia, with its Roman Aqueduct and distinctive castle. Cuenca, a picturesque old town with houses which appear to hang over a gorge. The iconic windmills which sit on the plains near Consuegra. Roman ruins in Mérida. Elaborate palaces and manor houses in Trujillo and Cáceres. The wine-producing regions throughout central Spain including Ribera del Duero, La Mancha and Valdepeñas where visitors can visit vineyards and enjoy wine tastings. Mountain ranges which divide the central plateau, with many opportunities for walking and rock climbing.
Festivals in the Heart of Spain
February: Caja Madrid Flamenco Festival, February to March: Madrid Carnival, February to March: Madrid Contemporary Art Fair, March/April: Holy week celebrations, May: San Isidro bullfighting festival (Madrid), May/June: Toledo Corpus Christi processions (Toledo), July to August: Madrid summer arts festival, October: Saffron Rose Festival (Consuegra), October: Cervantes Week (Alcala de Henares), October to November: Madrid Autumn Festival
Gastronomy in the Heart of Spain
As expected, Madrid is home to some excellent restaurants serving a great range of cuisine from throughout Spain and around the world. Roasted meat and game as well as a variety of broths and stews are common features on menus throughout central Spain, where traditional cooking is simple and hearty. Cuisine varies slightly between the regions, with more paprika and saffron being used in the south. Various pulses are grown on the plains of Castilla y León, whilst Manchego cheese produced in La Mancha and high quality Ibérico ham is produced in Extremadura. There are a number of wine regions which produce high-quality red and white wines. Local dishes include ‘Pollo a lo Padre Pero’ (chicken with a spicy sauce), ‘El frite’ (fried lamb), ‘Sopa de ajo’ (garlic soup), ‘Pisto manchego’ (similar to ratatouille), ‘Yemas’ (a rich dessert made with egg yolks).
Climate in the Heart of Spain
The climate of central Spain is generally quite extreme, with extremely hot summers and bitterly cold yet dry winters. Rainfall is generally quite low thanks to the mountains which surround the region. Madrid can be almost unbearable in the summer months as temperatures reach 40 degrees, whilst during the temperatures regularly drop below freezing. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit as temperatures are warm and pleasant, although there is increased rainfall.
Call us on 01392 441245
Madrid and Salamanca two-centre fly-drive holiday with 3 nights in the city and 3 nights on a wine estate in the country
About Madrid
An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Madrid is a chance to explore this lively and passionate capital city with a laid-back lifestyle. Atmospheric cobbled streets link bustling squares which are filled with pavement cafes, whilst tree-lined boulevards are overlooked by neo-classical buildings. Our luxury holidays to Madrid feature some of the best four- and five-star hotels in the city, including elegant hotels and more boutique properties. Visitors to Madrid will find plenty to fill their days. Art and culture play an important role, primarily thanks to the three world-class art museums which make up Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art, home to works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Francisco de Goya. Illustrating the city’s rich history are the sights of Old Madrid, including the lavish Royal Palace, the grand Plaza Mayor, and the city’s spiritual centre – Puerta del Sol. There are plenty of designer shops to browse throughout the city, as well as small boutiques and flea markets which visitors might stumble across. It is after dark that Madrid really comes alive as the streets, parks and open-air cafes fill with people of all ages and the bars and clubs remain open until dawn. What better way to recover from a late night than to while away a morning in the Parque del Retiro, strolling through the beautiful gardens and perhaps hiring a rowing boat on the park’s tranquil lake. For those who wish to escape the energetic city, a number of towns are located nearby which make for an interesting day trip.
Highlights of Madrid
Numerous squares including the historic Plaza Mayor, the setting of bullfights and executions during the Spanish Inquisition. The Royal Palace, a lavish building which was constructed in the 1700s and is still used today for state occasions. The Prado Museum, one of the largest art galleries in the world which contains an impressive selection of Spanish paintings including works by Goya and El Greco. Reina Sofia Museum, displaying modern works including Picasso’s ‘Guernica’. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, based on a private art collection which illustrates the history of western art and includes pieces by Goya, Degas and Renoir. Retiro Park formerly used by the royal family and now a popular spot for relaxation. The Teatro Real, an important opera house with performances of opera and dance. Almudena Cathedral. Gran Vía, a famous street which is lined by theatres and shops. Debod Temple, an ancient Egyptian temple which was rebuilt in Madrid in the 1960s. The Santiago Bernabéu Football stadium, home to Real Madrid. El Rastro Market, an open-air flea market which is held on Sundays. Ventas Bullring where bullfights take place every week during the bullfighting season.
