Fly & Drive rondom Madrid | Spanje

About the destination: Welcome to Madrid, the vibrant heart of Spain! As the capital city, Madrid is a mesmerizing blend of rich history, stunning architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene. Whether you're an art enthusiast, a history buff, or just someone looking to experience the local lifestyle, Madrid offers a plethora of activities and sights that will undoubtedly captivate your senses. Begin your journey at the iconic Puerta del Sol, the bustling central square that serves as the perfect starting point for any exploration. From here, you'll find yourself just a short walk away from some of Madrid's most significant landmarks. Take a leisurely stroll to the Royal Palace, one of the largest and most opulent palaces in Europe, and marvel at its stunning architecture and lavish interiors. Don't forget to visit Almudena Cathedral, located right next to the palace, which offers an impressive contrast of modern and traditional architectural styles. Art lovers should not miss the "Golden Triangle of Art," which includes the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The Prado houses masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco, while the Reina Sofía is home to Picasso's Guernica and works by Dalí and Miró. The Thyssen-Bornemisza offers an extensive collection that spans from the Renaissance to the modern era, providing a comprehensive overview of Western art history. No visit to Madrid would be complete without indulging in its culinary delights. Head to a traditional tapas bar and savor a variety of small plates, from patatas bravas to jamón ibérico. For a more substantial meal, try a cocido madrileño, a hearty chickpea stew that's a local favorite. Top off your gastronomic adventure with a visit to one of the city's bustling mercados, such as Mercado de San Miguel, where you can sample fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and delectable pastries. Whether you're here for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, Madrid's dynamic spirit and endless attractions ensure an unforgettable experience.

About the destination: Toledo flourished in the medieval era during the peaceful coexistence of Christians, Muslims and Jews. This fact has left behind a dignified and slightly mystical walled city. Toledo’s monuments crowd together in a dizzying anarchy of periods and styles, held together in a medieval matrix of sagging houses, churches, synagogues, and mosques. The city that El Greco portrayed in a few of his rare landscapes has changed little over the years. Surrounded by Rio Tajo, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of Spain’s most visited cities. Artifacts of Christian, Muslim and Jewish origin continue to complement one another in this city, often within the same building. The cathedral is a complex banquet of architectural and artistic styles. Two synagogues, Sinagoga del Tránsito and Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca, and a museum, the Museo Sefardi, are all that remain of what was once the largest Jewish community in Spain. Reminders of the Muslim presence are visible near the Puerta del Sol a 14th century Mudéjar gate and the 10th century mosque, Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz. The legends and traditions of Toledo seem to come alive at sunset. Visitors can explore the city’s mysterious medieval atmosphere walking through its narrow streets in one of the many night tours organized throughout the city. It is a fascinating experience that will transport travellers to another era.

About the destination: What a pleasure it is to walk around a city like Cáceres, where every stone tells a piece of history. Its monuments dating from medieval times are one of the best preserved. Explore the narrow alleyways of the Ciudad Monumental, the old town, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, and decorates the city’s skyline with spires, gargoyles, turrets and enormous storks' nests. The monumental highlights are many, with the exceptional Plaza Mayor, an unforgettable highlight, as well as the excellent Museo de Cáceres housed in a 16th-century mansion and built over an evocative 12th-century aljibe (cistern), a surviving element of Cáceres' Muslim castle. Cáceres is a favourite place for nature-lovers due to its wealth of natural resources just a short distance from the city centre, which include the Monfragüe National Park and a nature reserve. The Jerte valley is also well worth visiting in spring to see the cherry trees in blossom. Take advantage of the cool of the night, when the crowds have gone, to discover a city that takes you directly to the past.

About the destination: Salamanca is an architectural tapestry woven in sandstone. Though there are excellent examples of Roman, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and baroque structures, the golden stone itself is the thread of continuity and harmony. Nonetheless, this ancient university town, has many monumental highlights. Plaza Mayor, considered by many the most beautiful main square in Spain is a fine place for admiring architecture. The town hall is the large, elegant building in the centre of the square. Two beautiful cathedrals stand side by side: the New Cathedral boasts beautiful Plateresque facades and it is the only entrance to the connecting old, Romanesque Catedral Vieja. The university, the focal point of the city, is one of the best examples of Spanish Plateresque style. Salamanca at night is a party. The illuminated city is the meeting point for hundreds of students collecting tapas and beer. But make no mistake, it is also a city to enjoy a quiet night, savoring some wine on a terrace of Plaza Mayor.

About the destination: Zamora is an ancient city located in the region of Castilla y Leon, bordering with Portugal to the west. Zamora is a land of battles, castles and temples, a region of lakes, rivers and quiet nature spots, a place to enjoy wines, cheese, history and traditions. There is plenty to see in Zamora, history has left an imprint in the city in the form of small Romanesque churches, stone walls, fortresses and castles. Zamora has also charming places nearby the city, like the town of Fermoselle, Benavente, la Hiniesta, Puebla de Sanabria and the amazing lake of Sanabria, or Toro where delicious Spanish wines are produced.

About the destination: Tordesillas is a town and municipality in the province of Valladolid, Castile and León, central Spain. It is located 25 kilometres (16 mi) southwest of the provincial capital, Valladolid at an elevation of 704 metres (2,310 ft). The population was c. 9,000 as of 2009. The town is known for its Toro de la Vega festival during which a bull was slaughtered by people on horseback and on foot. Animal rights groups repeatedly tried to stop this from taking place.

About the destination: Valladolid lies on the Río Pisuerga just above its confluence with the Duero. It is the capital of Castilla y León, an outstanding wine-producing area, and on the early 17th century was the capital of Spain for five years. This provincial capital has great museums and a large, characterful old quarter. The historic centre of Valladolid is home to an interesting collection of Renaissance buildings comprising houses, palaces, churches, and one of its most emblematic buildings, its cathedral. The cathedral dwells east of the city’s lively Plaza Mayor. Its plain and massive architecture contrasts with the elaborate ornament of the Plateresque style of its time. The most notable features of the spacious interior are the high altarpiece and the fine Renaissance choir-stalls. The city has an intense cultural scene thanks to its status as a university town, and hosts events such as the Seminci, the International Film Festival, one of the highlights of the Spanish film calendar. There’s a great entertainment and nightlife scene to tap into at the end of a day investigating the city’s history and culture.

About the destination: Segovia is Castile at its best. Splendid golden churches and twisting alleyways filled with the smell of sopa castellana, a rich garlic soup of sausages, bread, and eggs. Only the unwise dash past the massive Roman aqueduct, the cathedral, and the stunning Alcazar in a quick day trip; other know about Segovia’s cool plazas after sundown. The imposing Roman aqueduct has been moving water for over two millennia. View if from Plaza del Azoguejo where the structure reaches a maximum height of 30m, or catch its profile from the steps on the left side of plaza. The city’s position at the confluence of the Rivers Eresma and Clamores has led to compare Segovia to a sailing ship, with the Alcazar, a fortress, as its majestic bow. The fortress commands a stellar view of Segovia and the surrounding plain, inside is a collection of medieval weaponry and several spectacular handcrafted ceilings. The cathedral is a massive late Gothic edifice. Elegant and graceful, Segovia is the true essence of Old Castile.

About the destination: Avila is a near-perfect 11th century walled city set against the backdrop of the snow-capped ridge of the Sierra de Gredos. This town in its entirety is a national monument. The walls that enclose it are the oldest and best preserved in Spain. Avila is the birthplace and home of Santa Teresa of Jesus, a devout Catholic nun famous for writing poems dedicated to Jesus in which she expressed her devotion to Him. The cathedral, with its red-splotched interior and stone relief works, is actually embedded in the walls. The Basilica of San Vicente is another Romani-Gothic structure. The Convento de San José is the first founded by Santa Teresa. The Convento de Santa Teresa was built on the site of her birth, she later had quite a few mystical experiences at the Convento de la Encarnación. Food in Avila means roast veal and yemas, a local confection made of egg yolks. Avila is certainly no ordinary medieval walled town. Most tourists who visit this place will either feel a surge of chivalry or become poetic or filled with religious fervour.

About the destination: Welcome to Madrid, the vibrant heart of Spain! As the capital city, Madrid is a mesmerizing blend of rich history, stunning architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene. Whether you're an art enthusiast, a history buff, or just someone looking to experience the local lifestyle, Madrid offers a plethora of activities and sights that will undoubtedly captivate your senses. Begin your journey at the iconic Puerta del Sol, the bustling central square that serves as the perfect starting point for any exploration. From here, you'll find yourself just a short walk away from some of Madrid's most significant landmarks. Take a leisurely stroll to the Royal Palace, one of the largest and most opulent palaces in Europe, and marvel at its stunning architecture and lavish interiors. Don't forget to visit Almudena Cathedral, located right next to the palace, which offers an impressive contrast of modern and traditional architectural styles. Art lovers should not miss the "Golden Triangle of Art," which includes the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The Prado houses masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco, while the Reina Sofía is home to Picasso's Guernica and works by Dalí and Miró. The Thyssen-Bornemisza offers an extensive collection that spans from the Renaissance to the modern era, providing a comprehensive overview of Western art history. No visit to Madrid would be complete without indulging in its culinary delights. Head to a traditional tapas bar and savor a variety of small plates, from patatas bravas to jamón ibérico. For a more substantial meal, try a cocido madrileño, a hearty chickpea stew that's a local favorite. Top off your gastronomic adventure with a visit to one of the city's bustling mercados, such as Mercado de San Miguel, where you can sample fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and delectable pastries. Whether you're here for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, Madrid's dynamic spirit and endless attractions ensure an unforgettable experience.