Province of Avila

Day Trips

Avila is one of Spain’s oldest cities, and surrounded by well-preserved walls dating from the 11th century, it resembles an immense castle. The old quarters are home to a number of important Romanesque churches, Gothic palaces, and the city’s 12th-century Gothic cathedral, which is also fortified. On this full-day excursion from Madrid, you’ll see the exterior of the Avila Cathedral, the Romanesque Basilica of San Vicente, and visit the Plaza Mayor. Take a short walk through the city’s old streets to the Convent of Ste. Therese. Continue on to Segovia, a city rich in historical monuments. See the magnificent Roman Aqueduct from the time of Emperor Augustus. The elegant Cathedral, and its Alcazar fortress, the most spectacular castle in Spain, are among the highlights. Both Avila and Segovia are listed as Heritage of Mankind cities.

Meet with your group in central Madrid 15 minutes in advance of the tour. Travel towards the city of Ávila on an air-conditioned bus. Upon arrival, embark on a guided walking tour of the Old Town to discover the impressive history of the city. See Romanesque style churches, Gothic palaces, and a fortified cathedral dating back to the the Middle Ages. Visit the well-preserved walls of Ávila hear of the events that they have witnessed throughout the centuries. Marvel at the fortification and towers, which have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. After the tour, enjoy some free time to explore the other areas of the town. Meet your guide again at the designated time to continue the tour to Segovia. If you decided to include the option, enjoy a wonderful gastronomic menu for lunch. Alternatively, enjoy some free time in the city to see other sites, such as the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia. Meet your guide again in front of the Cathedral for a guided tour of the city. Walk through the old Jewish quarter of the city, following your guide towards the Alcazar of Segovia. Enjoy a guided visit of the site and marvel at its spectacular architecture which served as inspiration for a famous Disney film.

Start your tour in Salamanca, where you will have the opportunity to visit the patrimonial legacy with its charming corners and details. Get to know the city’s oldest town squares, and get an important reference point for the business life of this beautiful metropolis. Located in the center of Salamanca, the Plaza Mayor has become a major tourist attraction. The square is characterized by its impressive Baroque ornaments — spend some time admiring the sights, including the cathedral.  Next, travel to Avila where you can explore the city in a dynamic, friendly and fun way. Get to know the ramparts of Avila, San Vicente's Shrine, and the Cathedral of Avila.

Discover the hidden corners, authentic secret jewels, and local favorites in three cities on a full-day tour to Segovia, Ávila, and Toledo. Start in Segovia with a guided tour through the historic center. Find out why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, walk through the Plaza Mayor, and explore monuments such as the aqueduct and the cathedral before entering the Real Alcázar. Continue to Avila’s historic center and tour its famous city walls. Learn the mysteries of the thick defensive wall that surrounds the city before heading to the Roman necropolis. Continue the trip to Toledo, the third city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and known for its long Christian, Jewish, and Muslim historical tradition.

Depart from Madrid and travel 40 minutes before arriving at the Guadarrama National Park. Discover a serene natural environment of extraordinary beauty as you take a guided walking tour of the park. Be accompanied by an expert local guide who will show you the most prominent highlights such as La Pedriza, Puerto de Navacerrada, Puerto de Cotos, and Puerto de la Morcuera. The Guadarrama National Park is the fourth largest national park in Spain and home to 11 distinct ecosystems. Learn about some of the 1,280 animal species who live in the park, including deer, wild boar, Iberian wolf, roe deer, fallow deer, mountain goats, badgers, several mustelids, wildcats, foxes, and hares. The park also hosts more than 1,500 native plants and thirty different types of vegetation.

The tour departs the busy city of Madrid and heads to the first stop of the day the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Ávila. Armed with your tourist information pack provided by your escort guide, step back in time in this fascinating city. Immerse yourself in this medieval experience and discover the history, curiosities and legends of this mythical and mystical city, known as the birthplace of Santa Teresa - a proclaimed doctor of the Catholic Church. Wander along the incredible medieval wall and admire the city’s stunning cathedral, the romantic Basilica of St. Vicente, the small Market Square and the Baroque church of Santa Teresa among other places of interest. After your stroll around Ávila, head back to the bus and to the next destination of the day, Segovia, another UNESCO World Heritage-listed city. Learn about the Aqueduct of Segovia, a prodigy of Roman engineering and an icon that represents this beautiful city. From the Aqueduct, head into the medieval part of town and enjoy the stunning views from the Canaleja, then continue onto the Plaza Mayor and marvel at the spectacular Segovia Cathedral. Next, walk towards the Alcázar of Segovia which was once the fortified residence to the kings of Spain and boasts a magnificent architecture inspired by palaces.

Leave Madrid early in the morning and head towards Ávila, where you will stop at the Cuatro Postes viewpoint. After, travel to the city to start the walking tour, and pass by the Sanctuary of San Vicente, the cathedral and of course, the walls. Next head to Segovia and on arrival your guide will explain everything about the creation of the aqueduct by the Romans. Then continue your route through the streets of the city center, and pass through the Cathedral, continuing through the district of the Canonries, until you reach the famous Alcazar, a symbol of the art and history of Spain. Then you have free time to enjoy lunch, do some shopping or access some of the monuments on your own. Once the break is over, go to El Escorial, where you will visit the inside of its Monastery. There, under the guidance of your guide, discover the architectural complex that includes a royal palace, a basilica, a pantheon, a library, a school and a monastery. Late in the afternoon, return to Madrid in your comfortable vehicle. Join the tour and learn about the history, the architecture and the culture of Spain.

Watch the sunset from one of Corsica's best sunset locations on this boat trip from Ajaccio. Get the chance to explore the largest of the Sanguinaires Islands, Mezzu Mare, and enjoy a glass of wine and charcuterie board onboard. Board your speedboat in Ajaccio and set sail for Mezzu Mare, where you will moor for an hour. Explore the island on foot and visit a 19th-century lighthouse for panoramic views of the entire archipelago or take a dip in the crystal-clear waters. On your return to the boat, sit down to a delicious charcuterie tasting board served with Corsican rosé wine. Relax as the sun sets over the Mediterranean Sea. Finally, enjoy one last dip in the warm waters of the sea before returning to the port.

Take a day out of visiting Madrid to enjoy a guided tour of nearby Avila. Customize your tour and visit some of the town's most interesting places, including its famous walls and 12-century cathedral. Enjoy a convenient hotel pickup in Madrid and take the drive out to Avila. Choose from a variety of fascinating medieval sights, such as the Basilica of San Vicente and the Convent of Santa Teresa, the birthplace of St. Teresa of Avila. Admire the views from the Cuatro Postes viewpoint or visit the Monastery of Santo Tomas. Have some free time after your guided tour to explore the town at your leisure.

Discover two of the main cultural and historical attractions of the Spanish plateau and World Heritage Sites: Segovia, where you can see one of the best preserved Roman aqueducts in the world, and the Monastery of El Escorial and its basilica, the burial place of the kings of Spain. You will leave Avila at around 10:30am for Segovia, where your guide will explain everything about the creation of the aqueduct by the Romans, and you will continue your route through the streets of the city center, passing through the Cathedral, continuing through the Canonjías district, until you reach the famous Alcazar, a symbol of Spanish art and history. There you will have free time to eat, do some shopping or access some of the monuments on your own. Once the break is over, you will go to El Escorial for a guided tour of the interior of the monastery. There, under the guidance of your guide, you will discover this architectural complex that includes a royal palace, a basilica, a pantheon, a library, a school, and a monastery. You will return to Madrid around 6:30pm in the afternoon.