Day 1: New York / Madrid
Overnight flight from JFK Airport on Iberia non-stop to Madrid.

Day 2: Madrid / Toledo
Upon your arrival to Barajas Airport in Madrid, you will find your host waiting for you to greet you and then transfer you to your hotel in the center of Old Toledo.  This striking city impregnated as it is with such accumulation of history and wealth of culture,  perched on a hill skirted by a winding lace of the river Tagus. Toledo has remained almost unaltered since the end of the Middle Ages, sheltered by fortified walls in a maze of twisting alleyways and blind turns that meander through the narrow cobblestone crisscrossing streets.  Up and down staircases from timeless age leading to historic corners where one discovers the uniqueness of a city that captivates the imagination and witnesses the greatness of an era that stood still for many centuries.  The morning will be to relax and acclimate, then we will start our city discovery tour in the afternoon.  Walk through countless arches to explore artistic and cultural high spots and loose yourself among the nooks and crannies of its intricate web.

Day 3: Toledo / Tomelloso
Today we will proceed on our quest to Orgaz, Los Yébenes visiting interesting historic sites such as Castillo de Guadalerza and the imposing  fortress of Consuegra with its stylish windmills stating an era of pride.  Crossing through Madrilejos you will witness a picturesque style of architecture unique in La Mancha.  We will stop at museums and classical squares which express the daily life of this magnificent region. Dinner and overnight in the breathtaking Tomelloso. Despite the impact of modern life, Tomelloso remains conscious of its history of traditions and values.  As a  typical city of La Mancha, it rises proud of a glorious history in its own fashion.  Only three miles down the road from Argamasilla de Alba where the immortal Don Quixote came to existence through the crying feather of a thinker named Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.

Day 4: Argamasilla / Campo Criptana
Today our journey will take us to Argamasilla de Alba.  Ultimately this historic town does not necessitate any introduction.  It offers in a humble way some vestiges of memories and a cultural center where a great deal of wisdom sprang from, to the Spaniard mind in particular and to the rest of the world in general. When we visit the confining cell where the genus Cervantes was inspired to write the immortal novel of Don Quijote de la Mancha, one confronts the illustration of the daily life of Spain then, now, and yet to come.  After contemplating these beautiful places brimful of Quijotes and Dulcineas, we will follow the footsteps of history that will lead us to Puerto Lápice where Don Quijote was dubbed Knight.

Day 5: El Toboso / La Mota del Cuervo
El Toboso
Is a typical village with the charm of La Mancha preserved in the magic of medieval style.  An appealing remnant of love and romance.  Here Don Quixote encountered his lady Dulcinea; though she was the daughter of a peasant, for him she was lady Dulcinea del Toboso,  the most beautiful and sophisticated woman whoever lived on earth.  Perhaps she was the most beautiful, as her legacy still survives in the aura of beauty that overshadows every aspect of this village. If the contributions of Cervantes deserve to accumulate in a museum, it should be in a house in the typical style of La Mancha that he loved dearly. And it is in her house, that of  Dulcinea del Toboso. Our journey will lead us to La Mota del Cuervo for an overnight.

Day 6: La Mota del Cuervo / Cuenca
Today we will take a stroll through narrow medieval cobblestone streets to discover centuries old town gates and fortified walls.  Windmills and manor houses punctuated by castles and fortresses flanked in mudejar style.

Day 7: La Ciudad Encantada de Cuenca
The romantic city of Cuenca is startling craggy landscape, skirted by rivers Huécar and Jecar on three sides, their deep gorges offer this old town an extraordinary character. Crossing any of the many bridges will lead you to start

climbing the stepped streets towards the Plaza Mayor which rises in the heart of the medieval quarter. We will explore cathedrals, castles, and cliff hanging dwellings all impacted like a geode of amethyst.

Day 8: Cuenca  / Sigüenza
Today we will explore the paths to The Serranía de Cuenca and the region called la Alcarria known for its colorful hilly fields where aromatic plants of rosemary, thyme, lavender and marjoram grow in abundance.   Our journey will take us to the ochre roofed town of Sigüenza which descending in tiers from its hilltop is dominated by its ostentatious Cathedral fortress and castle where we will spend our night. This Old town is a maze of narrow streets squishing between medieval stylish mansions built to last forever. Following one of these streets will lead you to Plaza Mayor, a delightful town square punctuated by its 16 century
arcaded gallery and Renaissance
Ayuntamiento, town hall.

Day 9: Sigüenza / Madrid
Travel back to Madrid in the morning.  The remainder of the day will be devoted to explore the marvels of Madrid.  Farewell dinner in a typical Spanish Taverna.

Day 10: Madrid / New York
Late morning transfer to the airport to catch your flight back home with a memorable trip of a lifetime.
 

What is included:
RT from New York to Madrid 8 nights
Accommodation in hotels and castles.
Full board (3 meals a day)
Land transportation in a chauffeured vehicle
Fees of guides, escort and entries.

Cost per person based on double occupancy: $2150.00