21/01/13
Brightwater Holidays - Madrid - Real Madrid
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from £ 695.00
Madrid - Real Madrid , 4 Nights
Royal palaces and stunning gardens in Madrid, Segovia and Toledo
Tour Overview
Madrid, the Spanish capital, is a cultured, handsome city, home to some fine gardens as well as fabulous works of art. We will visit
the sumptuous Royal Palace and its historic gardens, along with the fine Botanical Garden and the 17th century Parque del Buen
Retiro. We also explore the surrounding area, with visits to the Spanish Renaissance gardens at the Palacio de Aranjuez, a ‘cigarral’
garden in Toldeo, and the stunning baroque gardens of La Granja de San Ildefonso and the private garden of El Romeral de San
Marcos in Segovia.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
We depart this morning flight from London to Madrid. On arrival we are met by our local guide and transfer by coach to the city
centre for a panoramic guided tour of Madrid, including a visit to the Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace) and its gardens Campo
del Moro and Sabatini. The Royal Palace is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family but is only used for state ceremonies. It
is built on the site of two previous edifices, a 9th-century fortress and a 16th century ‘alcazar’ or castle, which burned down in 1734.
King Philip V ordered a new palace built and construction spanned the years 1738 to 1755, with Charles III being the first monarch to
occupy the new palace in 1764. With a floor space of 135,000 square metres and 3,418 rooms, it is the second largest palace in
Europe by floor area after the Louvre Palace. The interior is notable for its wealth of art including paintings by artists such as
Caravaggio, Velázquez and Francisco de Goya. Other collections of great historical and artistic importance preserved in the building
include the Royal Armoury, Porcelain, Watches, Furniture and Silverware.
The Campo del Moro (Moor’s Camp) gardens are so named because the Muslim leader Ali ben Yusuf allegedly camped here with his
troops in 1109 during an attempted reconquest of Madrid. During the construction of the palace various landscaping projects were
put forth based on the gardens of the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, but lack of funds hampered further improvement
until the reign of Isabel II who began work in earnest, commissioning a design in the Romanticist style. With the fall of Isabel II, the
gardens suffered a period of abandonment and neglect during which parts of the design were lost. Under the regency of Maria
Christina of Austria, rehabilitation work began which created the current design following the layout of the English gardens of 19th
century. The Sabatini Gardens adjoin the north side of the Palace and were made in 1933, under the Republican government.
Although they were designed by Zaragozan architect Fernando Garcia Mercadal, they were named for Francesco Sabatini who
designed the royal stables that previously occupied this site. The gardens follow a French symmetrical design and feature a large
rectangular pond which is surrounded by four fountains and statues of Spanish kings which were originally intended to crown the
Royal Palace.
Later we transfer by coach to our centrally located hotel. Evening at leisure.
Day 2
After breakfast we depart for a visit to the gardens of the Palacio de Aranjuez in Aranjuez, south of Madrid. Situated to the north of
the palace, the gardens owe their creation to Philip II (1527-1598), during whose reign the territory of Aranjuez as it exists today
took its shape, though successive monarchs added their own contributions. Four distinct areas can be found: the Old and New
Parterre gardens, the Island garden and the Prince’s garden. Closest to the palace is the original small parterre from 1556, a lovely
old relic which has been carefully restored. Elsewhere there are mature trees and shaded riverside walks.
In the afternoon we visit a private ‘cigarral’ garden in Toledo. Mainly located around the outskirts of the city, these gardens have 1/2
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Brightwater Holidays - Madrid - Real Madrid
In the afternoon we visit a private ‘cigarral’ garden in Toledo. Mainly located around the outskirts of the city, these gardens have
their origins in the 17th century and are typical of Toledo, a former capital of the Spanish Empire.
Evening at leisure.
Day 3
After breakfast today we have a further exploration of our host city of Madrid, beginning with a visit to the Parque del Buen Retiro.
This sizeable park has its origins as the garden of the 16th century Monasterio de los Jerónimos and has been extended and
modified by successive monarchs. While large areas are densely wooded, there are several separate and distinct gardens, such as
the tranquil rose garden. There are also many fountains and statues, the most interesting of which is perhaps in the Plaza del Angel
Caido (the Square of the Fallen Angel) – thought to be the only public statue of the Devil in the world.
We continue to the Real Jardín Botánico, which has been on this site for over two centuries. Having suffered various depredations
from nature and man, a major restoration was carried out in the 20th century, although much of the original layout was retained and
many of the important surviving plants remain. The garden is divided into a series of distinct areas or terraces, united by wellproportioned staircases, paths and pools. Shade is provided by a collection of mature and important trees including Cork oaks
(Quercus suber), camphor, olives, walnut and eucalyptus.
After the visit to the Jardín Botánico there will be some free time, an opportunity perhaps to visit one of the three galleries that
comprise Madrid’s ‘Avenue of the Arts’: the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Queen Sofia Centre for the
Arts (admissions not included).
Evening at leisure.
Day 4
After breakfast today we travel north-west of Madrid to Segovia, where we visit the gardens of La Granja de San Ildefonso. This
royal summer palace was created in 1790 by Philip V, the first Spanish Bourbon who, remembering the French gardens of his
childhood, undoubtedly wanted to emulate them. Thus they are exceptional gardens in the French style, with more than a hint of
Versailles about them, richly adorned with statues, vases, benches and of course some stunning fountains. The most notable of
these are in the main cascade: the fountains of Neptune, Apollo and Andromeda which together form part of the long perspective
known as The Horse Race.
After some free time and an opportunity for lunch (not included) in the old quarter of Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, we
depart for a visit to the private garden of El Romeral de San Marcos. A disciple of the Brazilian Roberto Burle Marx and one of the
great landscapers of the 20th century, the Uruguayan Leandro Silva acquired the land here in Segovia in 1971. Using more than 300
plant species from all over the world, Silva created a true work of art. There are influences from Moorish and Hispano-Muslim styles,
from the sacred Roman gardens – such as the one at Hadrian’s Villa, much admired by Silva – or from old Babylon and the first
gardens in history. Likewise, the great variety of species that can be found creates a scent that transports the visitor to the
richness of tropical nature.
Evening at leisure.
Day 5
After breakfast we check out of our hotel and have the morning free in Madrid for some final shopping and sightseeing. We will then
transfer by coach to the airport for return flight to London.
What's Included
4 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the 4-star Hotel Gran Via in Madrid (or similar)
Return scheduled flights from London to Madrid (flights from other airports are available on request)
Comfortable coaching in Spain
Guided coach tour of Madrid; visits to the Parque del Buen Retiro, the Real Jardín Botánico, the Royal Palace and its
gardens Campo del Moro and Sabatini in Madrid; the gardens of the Palacio de Aranjuez and a ‘cigarral’ garden in Toledo; La
Granja de San Ildefonso and the private garden of El Romeral de San Marcos, Segovia
Services of a local guide as Brightwater Holidays tour manager
Supplements Per Person
Single room supplement
£140.00
Insurance
£47.00 (under 65); £83.00 (65-74); £98.00 (75-90)
Regional flight connections and/or overnight accommodation can be arranged on request before or after the tour
Departure Points
London - TBA
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