Madrid and the Heritage Cities

Fourteen nights, self-guided, in a circuit from Madrid through five World Heritage cities in the centre and west of Spain. Caminos arranges the hotels and an economy hire car, and the page calls World Heritage the travelling companion throughout.

The stops are Segovia, Avila, Salamanca, Caceres and Toledo, each with the evidence of a great past on show, from Roman remains to cathedrals, palaces and universities. Between them the sierras of Guadarrama, Gredos and Francia and the dehesa of Extremadura offer birdwatching and stargazing, with regional food and wine to match at each stop. Jamon Iberico and Ribera del Duero wine are listed highlights.

Three nights in Madrid cover the Golden Triangle of Art and the Royal Monastery of El Escorial. Two nights around Segovia and the Sierra de Guadarrama include the Roman aqueduct, La Granja and medieval Pedraza. Avila and the Sierra de Gredos take two nights, with the city walls and a dark-sky location for stargazing. Salamanca takes three nights, with Toro, Tordesillas and Zamora nearby. Two nights in Caceres include Monfrague National Park, Trujillo, Guadalupe and the Roman bridge at Alcantara. The final two nights are in Toledo, the City of the Three Cultures, with its cathedral, Alcazar and El Greco museum.

The price covers hotels on a bed and breakfast basis for two sharing a double room, an economy four-door hire car for those flying, or Brittany Ferries crossings for travellers bringing their own car, a regional guide book and a personal travel app with restaurant suggestions and weather forecasts, and instructions for finding every hotel. Flights, one-way and cross-border car hire charges, extras such as a second driver, garage parking and local tourist taxes are not included. Caminos quotes about £2,300 per person as an indicative mid-season figure for 14 nights, and adapts the route, hotels and airports to each traveller.