Madrid's origins are dated to around 865 CE
3.5 million
Welcome to your unforgettable adventure with A-Z Travels, a leading student travel specialist & educational travel company. As your trusted educational travel agency, we’re here to make learning come alive.
Highlights and Inclusions:
• Round trip airfare to and from Spain
• Transportation and transfers
• 5 Nights hotel accommodations at student-friendly hotel
• Breakfast daily at hotel
• 5 Lunches or Dinners
• Admission to the Royal Palace of Madrid
• Admission to Museum of Prado in Madrid
• Admission to Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid
• Admission to Puy du Fou Theme park in Toledo with Night show
• Private guided Tour in Palau de Les Arts in Valencia (the opera and concerts venue)
• Admission Museum of Sciences Principe Felipe in Valencia
• Professional Guides in Madrid and Valencia Museums and cities.
• Bike Tour in Valencia
• Paella cooking class in Valencia
• Two (2) Bilingual A-Z Travels Tour Managers
• Private security upon request
• Free chaperone spaces based upon number of paying passengers
• All taxes and fees for above listed inclusions
Day 1: Welcome to Madrid. Walking tour, Plaza Mayor, Historic Old Town and visit to the Royal Palace
Morning:
Welcome to Spain, and in particular, to Madrid! After arriving at the hotel and checking in, we will leave our luggage and gather for a welcome meeting. This will be a great opportunity to meet your Tour Manager and learn about the exciting journey that awaits us over the coming days. Afterwards, we will head into the city centre to begin discovering the fascinating history of Madrid. We will stop at the iconic Plaza Mayor, where you’ll have the chance to taste one of the city’s most famous local specialties: the traditional calamari sandwich (bocadillo de calamares).
Afternoon: We will continue exploring Madrid on foot with our guide, wandering through the charming narrow streets of the historic Old Town before arriving at the magnificent Royal Palace of Madrid. We will enjoy a guided tour inside the palace, the largest royal palace in Western Europe and the official residence of the Spanish monarchs from the 18th century until 1931. As we explore its grand halls and elegant rooms, we will admire the lavish Neoclassical décor and discover the rich history and splendour preserved within its walls.
Evening: We will enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional Madrid tavern before returning to the hotel for a well-deserved night’s rest.
Day 2: Madrid art immersion. Museum of Prado Guided Tour, Retiro Park, Free Time for Personal Artistic Expression and Reina Sofía.
Morning:
Today will be a day full of art. After breakfast, we will head to the Art Triangle, home to the city’s most important museums. We will begin with an educational guided tour of the Prado Museum, one of the world’s greatest art museums. There, we will discover the extraordinary collection of masterpieces assembled by the Kings of Spain since the 15th century, featuring works by renowned artists such as Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Titian, Rubens, and Bosch. The museum offers a fascinating journey through European art and provides a unique insight into Spain’s royal history and cultural heritage.
Afternoon:
After our visit to the museum, we will stop at a nearby café to pick up some sandwiches or salads to take away before enjoying a picnic in the beautiful Retiro Park. Here, you will have the opportunity to create a sketch inspired either by the park’s stunning scenery or by a work of art that particularly caught your attention during our visit to the Prado Museum. It will be a wonderful chance to let your imagination run free, reflect on the day’s artistic discoveries, and capture your own creative interpretation of Madrid.
After this relaxing break in Retiro Park, we will make our way to the Reina Sofía Museum, Spain’s national museum of modern and contemporary art. Here, we will explore the Spanish avant-garde movements and continue discovering the works of legendary artists such as Dalí, Picasso, and Miró. The highlight of our visit will be Picasso’s iconic masterpiece Guernica, one of the most powerful anti-war paintings ever created, alongside an outstanding collection that traces the evolution of 20th-century Spanish art.
Evening:
After a long and inspiring day exploring Madrid’s artistic treasures, we will return to the hotel to relax and freshen up. Later, we will meet again in the hotel lobby before heading out together for dinner at a cozy, traditional Madrid restaurant, where we will enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine and reflect on the day’s unforgettable experiences in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Day 3: Madrid-Toledo. PUY du Fou, Artisan Demonstrations, Evening Show, El Sueño de Toledo (The Dream of Toledo).
Morning:
Today we will check out of the hotel and travel to Puy du Fou España, an extraordinary historical theme park located just outside Toledo. Unlike a traditional amusement park, Puy du Fou offers spectacular live performances that bring Spanish history to life through breathtaking special effects, impressive sets, music, horsemanship, acrobatics, and hundreds of actors in period costumes.
Afternoon:
Throughout the day, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of immersive shows, wander through beautifully recreated historical villages, watch traditional artisan demonstrations, and sample regional Spanish cuisine. Every corner of the park is designed to transport visitors through different periods of Spain’s rich history, making it an unforgettable experience for all type of public.
Evening:
After an exciting day at the park, we will return to the hotel to check in, freshen up, and enjoy a quick dinner before heading back to Puy du Fou for the spectacular nighttime show, El Sueño de Toledo (The Dream of Toledo).
Considered one of the most impressive live shows in Europe, El Sueño de Toledo is an unforgettable open-air performance that tells the story of Spain through more than 1,500 years of history. Featuring over 200 actors, magnificent horses, breathtaking special effects, water displays, fireworks, and an enormous stage stretching across several hectares, the show takes the audience on a journey from the Visigothic era to the 20th century. Combining history, emotion, music, and cutting-edge technology, it is the perfect finale to a remarkable day and an experience that will leave a lasting impression.
Day 4: Fast train to Valencia. Valencia old town, cathedral and bike tour.
Morning:
In the morning, we will leave Toledo and return to Madrid to catch the high-speed train to Valencia, a fascinating Mediterranean city where history, culture, and modern architecture blend seamlessly.
After checking into our hotel and leaving our luggage, we will head to Valencia’s historic centre for a guided walking tour. Our visit will include entry to the magnificent Valencia Cathedral, home to the Holy Grail, which, according to tradition, is the chalice used by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper. Along the way, we will discover the city’s charming squares, medieval streets, and beautiful historic buildings while learning about Valencia’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Afternoon:
Enjoy a bike tour that takes you along the beautiful Turia Gardens, starting in the heart of the city and cycling all the way to the stunning City of Arts and Sciences. From there, we’ll continue to the coast to enjoy the views of the Mediterranean Sea. And for the bravest among us, there will be time for a refreshing swim before we head back!
Evening:
Tonight’s dinner will be a truly special experience—because we’ll be cooking it ourselves!
We’ll take part in a hands-on cooking class where we’ll learn how to prepare an authentic Valencian paella from scratch. Before we start cooking, we’ll visit the local market to buy the fresh ingredients, just like the locals do.
Once the paella is ready, we’ll sit down together to enjoy the delicious meal we’ve created. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience one of Valencia’s most cherished culinary traditions in a fun, authentic, and immersive way.
Day 5: Valencia: City of arts and science
Morning:
In the morning, we’ll explore the magnificent City of Arts and Sciences, one of Valencia’s most iconic landmarks, designed by the world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava.
This spectacular architectural complex is a masterpiece of modern design, famous for its futuristic white structures, elegant curves, and stunning reflections over the surrounding pools. It is home to some of the city’s most important cultural attractions, including an interactive science museum, an opera house, Europe’s largest aquarium, and beautifully landscaped gardens.
As we stroll through this unique setting, we’ll learn about its fascinating architecture, enjoy countless photo opportunities, and discover why it has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Valencia. We will have admission tickets to the “museum of science Principe Felipe”
Afternoon:
We’ll enjoy a private guided visit to the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the architectural jewel of Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences. During our private tour, we’ll discover the impressive interiors of this world-class performing arts venue, including its elegant auditoriums, rehearsal spaces, and exclusive areas that are normally inaccessible to the general public. Our guide will explain how the building was conceived, the remarkable engineering behind its design, and the role it plays as one of Europe’s leading opera houses.
The Palau de les Arts hosts an outstanding program of opera, ballet, classical music concerts, theatre productions, and cultural events throughout the year, attracting internationally acclaimed artists and companies. This exclusive visit offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty, innovation, and artistic excellence that define one of Valencia’s greatest cultural treasures.
Evening:
We will have our farewell dinner in a beautiful Valencian restaurant.
Day 6: Fast train To Madrid and transfer to the Airport.
Morning:
Time to say, “See you soon, Spain!” After an unforgettable journey through Spain, it will be time to begin our journey home. We’ll board the high-speed train back to Madrid, enjoying one last glimpse of the Spanish countryside before arriving in the capital.
From Madrid, you’ll transfer to the airport to begin your safe journey home, taking wonderful memories, new friendships, and unforgettable experiences with you.
Until next time, ¡Hasta muy pronto, España!
Thank you for considering A-Z Travels, your go-to educational travel company. We hope this experience will inspire lasting memories and learning.
