Full day excursion departing from Madrid to visit Avila and Segovia, the jewels of Castile and Leon, one of the Spanish regions with the greatest cultural & ethnographic heritage and natural wealth, declared World Heritage Cities by UNESCO in 1985. Avila preserves a unique historical legacy, being one of the best preserved walled sites in Europe. Segovia is world-famous for its impressive Roman aqueduct, the Gothic cathedral or the Alcazar Fortress.

We invite you to experience a wonderful excursion accompanied by official tourist guides who explain the history of these two beautiful cities, their monuments, characteristics and traditions, travelling by modern, fully air-conditioned coach.

Departure from our terminal with destination Avila. Its great Romanesque wall of the 11^th century surrounds the old town and guards a large part of its monumental treasure… more than a simple town, it looks like a castle. It counts with numerous Romanesque churches, gothic palaces and a fortified cathedral of the 12^th century. Santa Teresa de Jesus was born here, the great mystic of the Catholic Church. We will make a stop on the hill of “Los Cuatro Postes” to admire one of the most beautiful views of the city. During our guided tour we can highlight the visit of the Cathedral (from the outside), the Basilica of San Vicente and Santa Teresa Convent.

We will continue our trip to Segovia. It was an important military centre during the Roman period, proof of which the construction of its magnificent Aqueduct. Segovia, chosen by some Castilian Kings for their residence, preserves one of the most remarkable medieval complexes of Spain. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy some free time for lunch (see tour options). After lunch, we will take a guided walk through the monumental area to admire the Aqueduct, the exteriors of the Cathedral (the last Gothic cathedral, built in Spain, considered for its elegance “The Lady of the Spanish Cathedrals“) and we will finish with the interior visit of the Alcazar (the most spectacular castle in the country), with its recent artillery museum. Return to Madrid and end of our services.

– Travelers insurance
– Round trip bus transportation from Madrid
– Panoramic tour by bus
– Guided walking tour through the old town of Avila and Segovia
– Entrance tickets to the Alcazar Castle in Segovia
– Accompanying guide throughout the trip
– Lunch if requested

Avila

Avila was declared World Heritage in 1985 and preserves an historic legacy which is unique worldwide. Its walls of more than 2,5 kilometres converts it into an easily recognizable Castilian and medieval city, the result of coexistence between Jews, Christians and Muslims. The Avila architecture ranges from Gothic to Renaissance, without forgetting Islamic marks through Mudejar. Its facades are characterized by a decentred door with a window or balcony above it. This grouping of houses had to do with lineage, but above all with defensive reasons, that is why they are linked to the city wall. The continuous fighting determined that some of these houses were fortified towards the inside, configuring real fortresses. The most characteristic elements of this Romanesque wall are its 2.5 kilometres of perimeter, 88 towers and 9 gates, two of which must be visited: The Gate of San Vicente and the Gate of Alcazar.

According to Azorin, “Avila is amongst all Spanish towns, the most 16^th century one”. The town may presume of a rich civil architecture, built between the end of the 15th and the 16th century. For the town it was a period of maximum splendour, and still about 30 houses are preserved that confirm the importance of the nobility. Furthermore, mysticism and spirituality have a leading role, led by the figure of Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada. There are dozens of cathedrals, churches and palacios worth visiting.

The location of the Cathedral of Avila reminds us of its link with the city wall, determining its fortified character. The construction was started in the Romanesque period, but finally it was constructed according to the gothic parameters, converting Avila in one of the first Castilian towns to explore this style.

Segovia

Segovia was declared World Heritage in 1985 and has worldwide fame because of its impressive Roman Aqueduct. But in this Leon Castilian town the tourist can also contemplate other historic monuments such as the Gothic Cathedral, the Alcazar, the Tower of San Esteban, the Monastery “del Parral”, the Synagogue of Corpus Christi, just like a great number of small temples in Romanesque style.

The Aqueduct. This is one of the most spectacular legacies the Roman Empire left behind in Spain. A total of 166 arches compose this aqueduct with a length of more than 17 kilometres, which transported water from La Acebeda to the Alcazar, challenging gravity as only the balance of forces maintains this structure that dispenses with mortar. Legend has it that it was the devil who constructed the aqueduct in only one night in order to obtain the soul of a young girl who had thus tempted him: “I offer you my soul if you can have water reach my house before a rooster crows”

The Cathedral. The apse of this temple, whose construction started in 1525, frames the Plaza Mayor and marks the limit with the Old Jewish Quarter. Inside, the stand glass windows of the 16th century stand out, as well as the Main Altarpiece designed by Sabatini.

The Alcazar. The splendid views of El Pinarillo (with the Jewish cemetery), Zamarramala and the Vera Cruz church are a more than sufficient reason to visit the old fortress, converted in royal residence since the 13th century. A deep moat with drawbridge gives entrance to this fortress, from whose turret Alfonso X studied the firmament. On its left, the Casa de la Quimica, built in the period of Illustration and centre of investigation of Louis Proust.