ROUTE EE 2w SPAIN EXPRESS (2 Weeks) SUMMARY: Madrid San Lorenzo del Escorial Segovia Santiago de Compostela Salamanca Ávila Toledo Windmills of Consuegra Córdoba Sevilla Doñana National Park Granada Barcelona Madrid Steps: 13 (12 not including Barcelona) Total distance (including Barcelona): 4,311 Km. Total distance (not including Barcelona): 3,203 Km. Total driving time (including Barcelona): 46 hours 30 minutes. Total driving time (not including Barcelona): 34 hours 30 minutes. STEPS: Madrid San Lorenzo del Escorial: 50 Km. (1 h.) San Lorenzo del Escorial Segovia: 53 Km. (45 ) Segovia Santiago de Compostela: 537 Km. (5 h. 30 ) Santiago de Compostela Salamanca: 427 Km. (4h. 30 ) Salamanca Ávila: 106 Km. (1 h. 15 ) Ávila Toledo: 670 Km. (6 h.) Toledo Windmills of Consuegra: 68 Km. (1 h.) Windmills of Consuegra Córdoba: 283 Km. (3 h.) Córdoba Sevilla: 137 Km. (1 h. 30 ) Sevilla Doñana National Park: 97 Km. (1h. 30 ) Doñana National Park Granada: 352 Km. (4 h.)
(Option including Barcelona): Granada Barcelona: 906 Km. (10 h.) Barcelona Madrid: 625 Km. (6h. 30 ) (Option not including Barcelona): Granada Madrid: 423 Km. (4h. 30 ) PLACES OF INTEREST: SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL: It is the main tourist destination of the community of Madrid (apart from the capital). The monastery and Royal residence, built in the 16th century by Felipe II, have been declared world heritage by UNESCO in 1984. The monastery of San Lorenzo de el Escorial is one of the main Renaissance monuments of Spain and the main example of herrerian architecture. Link: http://www.sanlorenzoturismo.org/ingles/default2.htm SEGOVIA: Close to Madrid but separated by the Guadarrama range, the city of Segovia loses its origins in pre Roman times. Not in vain it houses the most important roman work of civil engineering in Spain and probably one of the most important in the world: the famous "Aqueduct of Segovia". With its 170 arches, more than 800 meters in length and 30 meters in height, the aqueduct of Segovia is an impressive work. Consisting of about 25,000 stone ashlars, superimposed without mortar, when you look at it, you can t believe that it has stood up for almost 2,000 years. In 1985, together with the old town, it was declared world heritage by UNESCO. You must not miss, in Segovia, the Alcazar, favorite Royal Palace of the Kings of Castile, the monastery of San Antonio el Real and the Cathedral of Santa María. Link: http://www.segoviaturismo.es/home.php
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA: Together with Jerusalem and Rome, Santiago de Compostela is one of the top three destinations of Christian pilgrimage. It houses the most famous cathedral, and one of the most beautiful of Spain with its Portico de la Gloria, culminating work of Romanesque sculpture. Around this, the historic town takes visitors to the Middle Ages. In 1985 the old town was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In Obradoiro Square, main facade of the cathedral, you can breathe the religious fervor accumulated over centuries of history. Do not forget to pay a visit to the beautiful city market, where you can make contact with the natural products that are at the base of the famous Galician cuisine. Link: http://www.santiagoturismo.com/ SALAMANCA: Declared in 1988 a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the city of Salamanca houses the oldest active university in Spain, founded in 1218. His monumental center, full of history, will not leave the visitor indifferent. Do not miss the Old and the New Cathedral, the Casa de Las Conchas, the Plaza Mayor, the Convent of San Esteban and Senior Schools. It also houses the National Automobile Museum. Link: http://www.salamanca.es/en ÁVILA: What most strikes the visitor reaching Avila is the medieval wall, Romanesque style, surrounding the whole historic center. No to be missed are interesting buildings such as the Basilica of San Vicente or the Cathedral of the Savior but, above all, do no miss its magnificent and well preserved, medieval historic center, declared world heritage by UNESCO in 1985. Link: http://www.avilaturismo.com/en/
TOLEDO: Located on a high hill surrounded by the river Tagus, Toledo is the tourist city par excellence. All Toledo itself is a monument full of history, but not to be missed are the Alcázar, the Cathedral of Santa María, or the Plaza de Zocodover. If possible, it is worth entering Toledo by the Puerta de Bisagra, which is like a "time gate" to lead us directly to the Middle Ages. It is not recommended to enter the old town of Toledo with the motorhome, since we run the risk of getting stuck in any of its labyrinthine streets. Link: http://www.toledoturismo.org/ WINDMILLS OF CONSUEGRA: We cannot leave La Mancha without getting to know the giants Don Quixote fought. 68 Miles south from Toledo, the village of Consuegra awaits us, with its 16th century windmills and its Castle of La Muela. Seven authentic La Mancha windmills rise on the hill known as Cerro Calderico and some of them even can be seen in operation. Link: http://www.turismocastillalamancha.es/patrimonio/molinos de viento y alfar consuegra 23464/visita/ CORDOBA: Córdoba was the capital of Hispania Ulterior in the Roman Republic, of the province of Baetica during the Roman Empire and of the Caliphate of Córdoba during the Muslim domination, whose leaders ruled over most of what is now Spain. According to archaeological evidence, by the tenth century, the city held around one million inhabitants, being the largest, most educated and wealthiest city worldwide. Today, one can see the remains of this glorious past, especially on its historic center, declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1994, and on its impressive Mosque Cathedral, a religious fervor space unique in the world. Link: http://english.turismodecordoba.org/index2.cfm
SEVILLA: Sevilla is the fourth most populous city in Spain (after Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia). Its historic center is the largest in Spain and one of the three largest in Europe (along with Venice and Genova). Because of the beauty of its streets, parks and monuments, its gastronomy, its countless cultural events and the joy of its people, the city of Sevilla leaves an unforgettable impression in the memory of its visitors. The magnificent Plaza de España, inside the Parque de María Luisa, built for the Universal Exibition of 1929, was used as a location in the Star Wars movie series Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), in which it featured exterior shots of the City of Theed on the Planet Naboo. It was also used to represent the British army headquarters in Cairo, in the movie Lawrence of Arabia. Links: http://www.visitasevilla.es/en http://www.turismosevilla.org/opencms2/opencms/en/index.html http://www.sevillaonline.es/english/seville/plaza_de_espana.htm DOÑANA: Doñana is the largest natural protected area in Spain and one of the most important in Europe. It comprehends the Doñana National Park (established in 1969) and the Natural Park of Doñana (created in 1989). It is a large area of marsh that homes over 300 species of waterfowl that can reach up to 200,000 individuals. With its privileged location between two continents and close to the Strait of Gibraltar, is a major stopping point for migratory birds between Western Europe and Africa. Doñana is considered the largest nature reserve in Europe. In 1994 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Next to the National Park, lies the village of El Rocío, a singular space unique in Europe that is well worth a visit. El Rocío is, also, the birthplace of one of the most important traditions of religious fervor that can be admired in Spain: the Rocío Pilgrimage, that s held, every year, the weekend for the Pentecost Sunday. Links: http://www.andalucia.org/en/natural spaces/parque nacional/donana/ http://www.donanavisitas.es/en http://www.andalucia.org/en/el rocio/?set_language=en
GRANADA: Dale limosna, mujer Que no hay en la vida nada Como la pena de ser Ciego en Granada (Give him alms, woman There is nothing in life As the pain of being Blind in Granada). Verses by Francisco de Icaza on a plate, in the Alcazaba of Granada (where blinds were supposed to be begging); last capital of Al Andalus, rendered to the Reyes Católicos (Catholic Monarchs), January 12, 1492, by Boabdil, last Nasrid King, whose mother, according to the legend, told him to mourn, as a woman, the loss of what had failed to defend as a man. Granada is the most impressive display of Arab art in Europe and probably in the world. The Nasrid palaces of the Alhambra, the military fortress of La Alcazaba, the gardens of the Generalife, the Palace of Charles V; all this constitutes a unique monumental ensemble. But don't forget to book a time to explore the historic center or the Albaicín district. Granada must be visited without haste because, once known, is never forgotten. Due to the amount of visitors and the delicate monuments, there are a maximum number of daily visits to the Alhambra, it is highly recommended to book the entry tickets ahead. See the following link. Link: http://granadatur.com/en/ BARCELONA: Possibly, the most European city of Spain and real "Mecca" of those interested in modernist architecture. As in Madrid, you would need weeks to appreciate the totality of its cultural offerings. At least, are not to be missed: The Sagrada Familia, Güell Park, the Gothic quarter, the Cathedral, the Casa Milà, the Casa Batlló, Montjuic, the Pueblo Español (Spanish Village) as well as a stroll down the ramblas or the "Passeig de Gracia" Avenue or a trip on the cable car that leads from the port to Montjuïc. If you have more time, the Parc of the Ciutadella, the basilica of Santa María del Mar, the Tibidabo, the National Museum of art of Catalonia and, even, Montserat massif are visits that won t let you down. You can spend weeks visiting Barcelona and there will always remain something to see.
A complete public transport infrastructure greatly facilitates the displacements. Best leaving the motorhome parked and move by subway, bus or tram. Link: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/english MADRID: Capital and main tourist destination in Spain, the city of Madrid is one of the main European capitals. The cultural offer in Madrid it s so huge that it would take weeks to get to know it in depth. At least, not to be missed are the museums of El Prado, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia and Thyssen Bornemisza, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and Plaza de Cibeles, the Egyptian Temple of Debod, Puerta de Alcalá and Buen Retiro gardens, Gate and Bridge of Toledo, the Plaza de Oriente, the Royal Palace, the Cathedral and the Opera Palace, the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande and the Gran Vía avenue. Links: http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do http://www.guiaturisticamadrid.com/