Arrive in Spain's beautiful captial city of Madrid. After checking into your hotel the rest of the day is at your leisure. Spend some time walking down one of the many elegant boulevards, explore El Retiro Park, or sample a glass of Cava.

(Accommodations, Madrid)

After breakfast, free time to explore the area, as the Prado, Reina Sofia Museum and Cybeles Fountain are a short walk away. In the afternoon, experience the Spanish culture, with a private Madrid tapas tour accompanied by our guide. In all of Spain's cities, towns and villages you will find bars, taverns, even entire neighborhoods, specializing in tapas. An afternoon spent sampling tapas is the ideal way to experience Spanish culture. Your guide will be pointing out throughout the tour little-known cultural and gastronomic landmarks, telling stories and answering queries, enriching and enlivening your experience of this vibrant and flavorful city. As the saying goes "Live Spain as a Spaniard!"

(Breakfast, Accommodation, Madrid)

Pick up your rental car for the short drive to Toledo, one of the Spanish cities with the greatest wealth of monuments. Known as the "city of the three cultures", because Christians, Arabs and Jews lived together there for centuries, behind its walls Toledo preserves an artistic and cultural legacy in the form of churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques and synagogues. After checking in to your hotel, you'll have time to explore some of the sights, including the El Greco Museum, in what used to be his home. One of Spain's most famous painters, El Greco was a native son. Rooms are set up in the style when El Greco lived here, as well as an excellent collection of his paintings.

(Breakfast, Madrid; Accommodations, Toledo)

Today after the buffet breakfast, meet your guide for your private walking tour. Some of the attractions include the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, an imposing 15th-century Franciscan monastery and church that was founded in the heart of the Jewish quarter by the Catholic monarchs Isabel and Fernando. The highlight is the amazing two-level cloister, complete with elaborate arches and gargoyles that surround a lush garden with orange trees and roses. The next site to be visited is the Sinagoga del Tránsito. This magnificent synagogue was built in 1355 and now houses the Museo Sefardi. The main prayer hall has been restored, and the numerous exhibits provide an insight into the history of Jewish culture in Spain. At Saint Mary's Cathedral, you will see an impressive example of medieval Gothic architecture. The highlight of all, however, is the sacristía (sacristy), which contains a gallery with paintings by such masters as El Greco, Zurbarán, Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael and Velázquez.

After the tour, there's still time to explore on your own. Right at the top of the town on a hill overlooking the city, you'll find Toledo's Alcázar. Built before the 3rd century, it's one of the oldest buildings in the city, and has been a fortress, a palace and, now, holds the magnificent Army Museum.

(Breakfast, Accommodations, Toledo)

After breakfast, travel north towards the imposing walled city of Ávila. Founded in the 11th century to protect the Spanish territories from the Moors, this "City of Saints and Stones", the birthplace of St. Teresa and the burial place of the Grand Inquisitor Torquemada, has kept its medieval austerity. This purity of form can still be seen in the Gothic cathedral and the fortifications which, with their 82 semicircular towers and nine gates, are the most complete in Spain. Only an hour away lies Segovia; a living legacy of the past in an inspiring setting. Perched on a rocky hilltop, this historic walled town boasts stunning views The old quarter of which, along with its Roman aqueduct, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, lies on high ground between the Eresma and Clamores Rivers. The cathedral and stunning Alcázar fortress/palace evokes memories of the city's magnificent past.

(Breakfast, Toledo; Accommodations, Segovia)

After breakfast, your route will take you via Escorial; only only 30 miles northwest of Madrid, and well worth a visit. Its main attraction is the Monasterio y Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The imposing main façade leading to the Patio de los Reyes, is one of the musts of any visit to the monastery. The Royal Oratories and the Royal Burials are particularly noteworthy; two groups of kneeling statues corresponding to the families of Carlos V and Felipe II. Under the Royal Basilica lie the Royal Vaults; 26 black marble tombs containing the remains of the Kings of the Houses of Austria and the Bourbons, and the Infant Vault, with the graves of the Queens who died without heirs to the throne. The Palace of the Hapsburgs, located behind the basilica, boasts an interesting Battle Room, which contains frescoes of some of the more significant battles won by the Spanish crown. The personal belongings of Felipe II and Princess Isabel Clara Eugenia can also be found here.

(Breakfast, Segovia; Accommodation, Madrid)

After breakfast, drop off the rental car or continue to another Avanti destination.

(Breakfast, Madrid)