Walks And Wine Tasting In Spain And Portugal

Arrive in Madrid, the Capital of Spain home to elegant boulevards, manicured parks, cultural museums and fantastic markets. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Madrid at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (Mad) which is around 20 minutes' drive from the hotel. Should you miss the meeting, your leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to explore the city, wandering the back streets in search of tucked away tapas bars. There vast 19th century El Retiro Park is good place for a leisurely walk, past rose gardens and statues to the boating lake.

This morning we head out for a walking tour (approx. 5 kilometres) of Spain's busy capital city and the third largest city in the European Union after London and Berlin. Located on the tiny Manzanares River, Madrid has its share of historic sights, great architecture, nightlife, fine dining, culture and shopping. We begin our walk in the centre taking in some of the iconic landmarks. We walk through Madrid's lively Latina neighbourhood, making a stop for coffee near the impressive Palacio Real before reaching the striking Templo Devod.. We make a stop at the Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid's gourmet market bursting with stalls, to sample some regional cheese and local specialities (tasting included). Passing through the Plaza Mayor, one of Spain's finest squares framed by slate roofed red-brick buildings, the tour ends at the Circulo de Bellas Artes for views over the city fro the 7th floor terrace. The afternoon is left free, you could discover Madrid's art neighbourhoods and visit the vast 19th century El Retiro Park.

This morning we leave Madrid behind as we head north to Segovia. After an hour and and a quarter we arrive at the village of Manzanares el Real, and the start of our walk into the Guaderrama National Park. This area of natural beauty is best known for the unusual granite rock formations of La Pedriza. Vegetation is sparse, however for rock-climbers it is a haven, as well as being a breeding colony for Griffon Vultures, which with a bit of luck we will spot on our walk. We continue by road for another hour to reach the city of Segovia. Today's 8 kilometre walk is expected to take around three hours with 250 metres of ascent and descent.