Today you depart Andalucia and head to Spain’s capital, Madrid, for the next step on your Spain & Portugal History & Culture Tour. Your 4* boutique hotel is housed in an eighteenth century building which used to be the residence of the Duke of Noblejas and has maintained its frescoes, mirrors and stained glass whilst being equipped with modern comforts. The hotel’s location is perfect, next to the famous Plaza Santa Ana, within the Golden Triangle of Art, so you will not have far to walk to get an art fix.
This afternoon, our Officially Licensed guide will take you on a tour of El Prado and Old Madrid. Starting with the Prado museum, which is the biggest art gallery in the world, your private guide, additionally qualified in Spanish History and Art; will make sure you don’t miss anything. It has more than 7,600 paintings, but can exhibit only one part of its collection due to a lack of space. However, a recent addition to the museum increased the space by 50%, so more paintings will gradually be displayed. Prado means meadow, and the museum got the name of Prado because there was an open meadow where the museum now sits. Your private tour of Madrid will then take you to the Plaza Oriente to see and learn about the Royal Palace and the Cathedral. You will then walk through Madrid’s old town to San Miguel market, the hottest gastronomic spot in Madrid whose bars and restaurants make it the place to meet! On your journey, you will enjoy some fantastic bites to eat, and a beverage or two, as you sample the best variety of tapas the city has on offer!
Tour in a nutshell: 1st Class high-speed train to Madrid. Private guided tour of El Prado & Old Madrid. Tapas-hopping meal with wine. Overnight in a luxury 4* hotel in Madrid.