Join us this Christmas for an unforgettable journey through the regal wonders of Madrid and its neighbouring regions. We’ll begin in the enchanting lands of Castile and León, a realm steeped in history and graced with breathtaking monuments. Exploring the World Heritage cities of Avila, Salamanca, and Segovia. We venture southward to Castilla–La Mancha, where the medieval charm of Toledo awaits. Both regions, named after the Spanish word for castle, ‘castillo’, boast an array of awe-inspiring fortresses and medieval marvels that rival any in the world. And finally, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant heartbeat of Madrid—a city that effortlessly blends cool sophistication with timeless beauty. With its myriad attractions and irresistible charm, Madrid promises a journey filled with a thousand unforgettable moments.
Upon arrival at Madrid airport, we transfer to the nearby city of Segovia and our hotel by private coach. When evening comes, we will gather to enjoy a welcome drink before having dinner in a local restaurant.
After breakfast, we meet our English speaking guide at our hotel, before journeying to the small town of San Ildefonso located in the hills just outside of Segovia. Once there, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the ‘Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso’ – a former summer residence of the Kings of Spain, constructed in the baroque style and surrounded by extensive ornamental gardens covering over 6 square kilometres.
We will then have free time for lunch.
After breakfast, we leave our hotel in Segovia and travel by private coach to the UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Salamanca. We will enjoy a three hour guided tour of the Golden city where we will discover the main attractions such as the magnificent Cathedrals in the heart of the city (old and new) which are adjacent to each other, the famous university, the Anaya square and school, the Casa de las Conchas, the Pontifical University, the Plaza Mayor and much more.
We will also have some free time to explore the heart of the city. We then return to the hotel to relax and freshen up before having dinner in a local restaurant.
After breakfast, we leave our hotel in Salamanca and will go by private coach to the UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Avila where we enjoy a three hour guided tour of this impressive medieval walled city. This includes a visit to the Romanesque Cathedral which was constructed just as much to be a defensible fortification as much as a place of worship.
We will have some free time in the city for lunch and explore more.
We will then travel by private coach to the UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Toledo in the adjacent autonomous community of Castilla–La Mancha. On the way, we have a guided tour of the San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the imposing royal monastery that is another former residence of the King of Spain.
We then return to the hotel to relax and freshen up before having dinner at the hotel.
After breakfast, we enjoy a four hour guided tour of the old town of Toledo, nestled on the sloping hills by the side of the Tagus River with highlights that will include the striking city cathedral, the Islamic inspired Church of Santiago del Arrabal, the Castle of San Servando that overlooks the Tagus River and the Roman Alcantara bridge that crosses the river. We walk around the cities walls passing by some of its numerous, formidable ‘Puerta’ – ornate defensive gates that once controlled access into the city.
Following the guided tour, the rest of the day can be spent at leisure to find lunch in one of the many local restaurants and to explore the heart of the city.
We then return to the hotel to relax and freshen up before having dinner in a local restaurant.
We leave our hotel in Toledo after breakfast and travel by private coach to Madrid. We check-in to our hotel, having the rest of the day at leisure to explore and enjoy the beautiful Spanish capitol city before dinner in the hotel.
We enjoy a four hour guided tour of the city including the Madrid Royal Palace.
After that, we have some free time to explore, before returning to the hotel to relax and freshen up before dinner.
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return flight home.
We stay in comfortable hotels (or similar) throughout the trip :
Frequently Asked Questions
The transfer time between Madrid Airport and the hotel Infanta Isabel in Segovia is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
The transfer time between the Hotel Ayre Gran Hotel Colón in Madrid and Madrid Airport is approximately 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
The dress code for during the day is casual. In the evenings the dress code is smart casual. Comfortable warm shoes for walking and sightseeing are recommended. Winters in Madrid can be extra chilly due to the city’s high altitude, so be sure to bring layers that will keep you cozy and warm. Bring a comfortable coat, thick scarf, hat and gloves. Insulated boots and thermal tops are also good idea.
We suggest a Group Collection to cover guides, transfer drivers, and hotel staff of minimum £30.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % to add on.
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required as we include plenty of sightseeing/travelling.
Average Temperatures
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| December | 11 °C | 3 °C |
“I’m sure you will enjoy it, I have been on three solos holidays to date and the people I’ve met have been great.”
“I’ve been travelling with Solos for nearly 20 years, on and off. The reason is for exactly what you want – you meet like minded people… and have loads of fun!”
“I’ve been on loads of trips with Solos over the years and can honestly say you will not regret booking your 1st one!”
“The feeling you have once you go away on your own is worth all the nerves before! I was so very anxious the first time but now having done it 4 times, I love it!”
