Tailormade tour Castles, palaces and windmills of Spanish Castile Spain

Begin your touring holiday by flying into Madrid, where you stay for two nights.

Three world-class art galleries adorn the streets of Madrid: the Prado, which exhibits pieces by the likes of Goya, Rubens, and Murillo, and specialises in art from between the 12th and 19th century; the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, which is one of the best private collections of 13th to 20th century works, housing the works of Goya, Degas, Renoir, and Kandinsky, and must be booked in advance; and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia which specialises in 20th and 21st century works, and houses Picasso’s ‘Guernica,’ along with an abstract film created by Salvador Dalí and Luis Buñuel. In Old Madrid, visit the Plaza Mayor, the arcaded square at the centre of the city, and the Palacio Real de Madrid, considered to be the official residence of the royal family. This palace is often open to visitors, allowing you to observe the expertly crafted Spanish marble, the stucco carvings, the frescoes painted by Giaquinto, Tiepolo, and Bayeu, and explore the Royal Armoury and the Royal Pharmacy. Outside the palace, the Plaza de Oriente is lined with statues of the Gothic Kings. You may want to visit the palace in the evening, though interior tours are only available in the day, to see the dramatic lighting that turns the intricately designed and dynamic palace to gold when the sun sets. Perhaps also visit the Real Basílica de San Francisco el Grande, known for possessing one of the most impressive domes in Spain. Its circular central chamber glows golden, with atmospheric lighting that seems to take you back in time, though the domed ceiling is painted with beautiful blue and green scenes. Less than three-quarters of an hour north of Madrid is the Castle of the Mendoza, otherwise known as the Castle of Manzanares El Real, believed to be one of the most beautiful castles in Spain. Appearing quite traditional in design, with an essentially square shape and circular towers at each corner, this castle is one of the last remaining, but best examples, of Castilian military architecture, and dates from the 15th century. Built over six storeys, and with a central courtyard, there is a lot to explore. The Gothic Gallery on the first floor is considered to be one of the most remarkable and rewarding in Spain. The Hotel Villa Real Madrid is a wonderfully elegant property, housed within a 19th century property, but with a unique blend of old-world and present-day style. On your two evenings in Madrid, either locate one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants in the city, or dine at the gastronomic East 47 Restaurant, named after Andy Warhol's New York studio, back at your hotel. Either dine inside surrounded by pop art prints and contemporary Spanish art, or on the terrace overlooking the square.

In the morning of your third day, collect your hire-car and drive northwards towards Segovia, visiting the imposing El Escorial en-route. This vast castle complex is a stunning site among the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama, and consists of a Royal Pantheon, a monastery, a royal palace and a library. The interior, just as much as the formidable alabaster exterior, is defined by the attention to detail in its design and decoration. Each room is unendingly aesthetically pleasing, with arched ceilings adorned with frescoes, and walls covered by dark wood bookcases. You stay in Segovia for two nights.

Segovia is a beautiful city whose old quarter is a World Heritage Site, as is the spectacular Roman Aqueduct which dates back 2000 years. Another much-photographed sight in Segovia is the hill-top Alcázar, a fairy-tale fortress with pointed turrets and towers which served as inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Approach the Alcázar via the zigzagging pathway that leads up the rocky hillside to the building’s perch. Its unusual shape makes it perfectly suited to its environment, and also adds an element of intrigue to any visit. Navigate the labyrinth and wander the hallways to see the informative and historic exhibits. Less than an hour northwest of Segovia is the Coca Castle. This brick-built castle was once part of an important defensive square, along with the castles of Cuellar, Arevalo, and Olmedo. The outer and inner enclosures are shaped by both polygonal and semi-circular turrets on every wall and tower, giving the castle a unique aspect. Around its base, runs a 40ft deep moat. Hours can be leisurely and pleasurably passed climbing the narrow staircases that lead up to the ramparts or down to the moat, and then following the panoramic views around the circumference. Slightly further on is the Castillo de la Mota, which originally dates from mediaeval times, but has been reconstructed more recently. This castle bears a similar imposing façade to the others mentioned on this tour, with wide towers and a shady inner courtyard. Its history is gloomy, serving as an arsenal, the Royal Archive, a school, and a prison at various points in history. Back in Segovia, visit the Cathedral. Built at the highest point in the town, this Gothic cathedral was the last one of its kind built in Spain, and dates from the 16th century. Its watchtower is possibly its most striking feature, as it is the most immediately visible from all over Segovia. Enter the main building through one of its three main entrances, and navigate through the 23 chapels, appreciating the magnificent examples of Spanish religious art as you go. The unusual shape of the semi-circular presbytery and ambulatory aids the acoustics of the interior and has a very pleasing effect on the tiered exterior.

Perhaps, on your journey to Ávila, use this opportunity to make a detour to Coca Castle to see that outstanding example of Mudéjar architecture if you have not already. When you reach Ávila, check in to the historic Parador de Ávila, which is set amid the cobbled streets of the town centre. Spend the rest of the day in Ávila, where well-preserved mediaeval walls enclose the centre of the World Heritage City. Visitors can stroll along the ramparts and enter the cathedral, which is integrated into the distinctive colourful stonework of the town walls. On your travels around the town, you may wish to stop off at the Church of San Juan Battista, the beautifully refined Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de Gracia, and the Cuatro Postes on the town’s edge, all of which are tied into Ávila’s history with St Teresa of Jesus. You will also notice the lasting influence of the Mudéjar masters, as well as the abundance of granite in the architecture of the town, which gives the Cathedral a very austere look. The Basílica of San Vicente is an example of the unique Spanish Romanesque style, with wonderfully measured grey pillars and tan brick walls. Just over an hour’s drive west will bring you to Salamanca, the capital of the Castile region, and known for its impressive sandstone architecture. Tour the surprisingly peaceful streets, from the Cathedral of two parts (the New Cathedral with its individualistic carvings and the Romanesque Old Cathedral), to the Plaza Mayor, and the Convent. Dine on refined local cuisine at the Parador de Ávila in the evening, and then relax in the warmth of the cosy rooms, which look out over the red rooftops of the town. You spend one night in Ávila.

Today from Ávila you drive approximately two hours southwards to Toledo. Toledo is a fascinating, historic destination known as the City of Three Cultures due to the co-existence of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism which has been essential to its prosperity. Its picturesque appearance comes from its rising spire and its situation, built as it is into a wide meander of the River Tajo. The former capital of Spain, it is home to a spectacular Gothic cathedral alongside synagogues and mosques, and was the home of El Greco, a Greek painter who lived in the city in the 16th Century. The Gothic cathedral is tightly nestled in between Toledo’s narrow streets, and at ground level seems to emerge quite suddenly. It was originally built in the 13th century on the site of a Muslim mosque. Now, it houses a breath-taking interior and a rich collection of paintings by the likes of Rubens, Raphael, and Titian in its sanctuary. Visitors must enter through the Puerta de Mollete, named after the Spanish word for ‘Muffin’ because it was here that food was traditionally distributed to the poor. The 88 interior columns ensure that your first impressions of this building are striking, and the beautiful stained-glass windows, some of which date back to the 13th century, add a splash of ethereal colour. If you have more time in the cathedral, perhaps visit the marble tombs in the Capilla de Santiago, or the ‘retablo’ of New Testament scenes in the Capilla Mayor. For a taste of multicultural Toledo, spend time in the Cristo de la Luz, wandering through the keyhole archways and admiring the colourful stone, or in the Santa María la Blanca. The Iglesia de Santiago del Arrabal is one of the most stunning examples of Mudéjar architecture in the city, with dark brick and curved, indented walls; while the Puerta Vieja de Bisagra is the only remaining section of the Moorish town walls. There are too many excellent historic sights in Toledo to see in one day, so you may wish to extend your stay in order to visit the 13th century Moorish Puente de Alcántara, the Iglesia de Santo Tomé, which resembles the Minarets of Morocco, and the simple yet charming Castillo de San Servando. Before leaving Toledo, browse the damascene metalwork in one of the small shops, and pick up some of the delicious local marzipan. You stay in Toledo for one night.

From Toledo it is approximately 45 minutes’ drive south to Consuegra, where you will find the iconic windmills described in Miguel de Cervantes’ stories about the fictional ’Don Quixote’. Of the white windmills which are found throughout Castile la Mancha, those that stand along the Cerro Calderico ridge are some of the best preserved. Then, drive for about two hours eastwards through the rolling countryside of La Mancha to Cuenca, where you stay at the Parador de Cuenca for one night. This luxury hotel occupies a former Dominican convent and offers its guests stunning views over the ravine. The historic centre of this World Heritage City is set on a ridge between the Júcar and Huécar river canyons, where the wooden balconies of the famous Casas Colgadas (hanging houses) appear to hang over steep cliffs. On this street, in one of the intriguing houses, you will find the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art, which is one of the best in Spain. The old part of the city’s position on the promontory gives it views over the ruins of the ancient Moorish Kunka fortress, while the more modern district has begun to sprawl on the distant plain. The Cuenca Baroque style can be seen in the church and convent around the Plaza de la Merced, while the rest of the city is an eclectic mingling of architectural styles. Other points of interest within the city include the Gothic cathedral, which was built on the site of a former mosque, a number of interesting museums and the charming Plaza Mayor, on to which the arches of the Town Hall, and several cosy inns, open. The restaurant at the Parador de Cuenca is the perfect place to sample some of the region’s best cuisine on your last night in Spain. To finish off your experience of Cuenca, take an evening stroll from the bottom of the old town to the highest point in the city, passing the Church of San Miguel, the Church of San Nicolás, the Church of San Pedro, and the hermitage of the Nuestra Señora de la Angustias on your way. You spend one night in Cuenca.

Depending on the time of your flight, it’s worth trying to incorporate a final interesting excursion to the Ciudad Encantada, or Enchanted City, just half an hour’s drive from Cuenca. This phenomenal beauty spot hidden in the depths of a canyon has been carved by water for centuries; the limestone has been eroded by ice, wind and water, leaving spectacular rock formations that resemble objects, houses, animals, and people behind. From here, allow about three hours for the drive north west to Madrid Airport, where you return your hire-car and catch your flight back to London.