In Spain like a King

Day 1. Madrid – Salamanca (213 km, 2 h 10 min)
Arrival in the capital of Spain, Madrid! Right at the arrival hall you can find your AVIS desk, where your reservation has been made. We will book an automatic intermediate car (Group E: BMW 1 Series) unless you would prefer any other model. Please state when requesting your reservation.
After briefing with Avis and getting your car key, head towards Avila for a very comfortable 2 h drive. Avila’s walls are said to be among the bestpreserved medieval buildings in whole Europe, so a stop here for a walk is customary. Learn about the rich history of the place and some of its most representative names, like St Theresa.
Following your road you reach Salamanca, setting of the oldest University in Spain and with astonishing Main Square. Ideal stop for lunch or dinner, you should dedicate no less than 2 h to tour the old town before retiring to your first accommodation, which is today the Castillo del Buen Amor, near Salamanca, from which we can trace written evidence as far as 1227.

DAY 2. SALAMANCA – LEON (205 km, 2 h)
Breakfast at the hotel and start your drive to the north crossing Zamora and Benavente, where you could stop for a short coffee at the Parador, located inside an impressive castle dating back to 12th Century! But our highlight today is without any doubt the accommodation in Leon, at the unique Parador, old hospital converted into a luxurious hotel.
Leon is a great base to explore the rich settings around, like Astorga, old Roman city with more than 2000 years of history, or even reach Ponterrada, whose fantastic templar castle will surprise us.

DAY 3. LEON – VALLADOLID – BURGOS (263 km, 3 h 5 min)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will explore the very heart of Spanish history, touring the memorial stone for the foundation of the country: Start your drive through Castile on a scenic route through medieval castles and cereal plains. Your drive might include a stop on the way to visit interesting spots like Tordesillas Medina del Campo (which great castle is to be visited: Castillo de la Mota), and more, before head for Burgos, in one of its endless castles we will sleep today: Señorio de Olmillos stands proud of its long history, dating back to 15th Century and also offering a quite nice restaurant you would not wish to skip!

DAY 4. BURGOS – RIOJA WINE AREA – OLITE (219 km, 2 h 38 min)
After breakfast we start our day today through lands of wine: Rioja is the most international of all our Denomination Origins and unforgettable experiences.  We recommend a stop in Laguardia for a short visit of its unique fortified old town, including a magnificent main gate of the Church of our Lady and maybe s stop at any of the many great design wineries, like Marques de Riscal. Your tour ends today in Olite, impressive Royal Castle converted into a dream Parador.

DAY 5. OLITE – ALCAÑIZ (248 km, 2 h 36 min)
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Zaragoza for a visit of the Basilica complex and cathedral before you head for your destination today, the Castle and Convent of Alcañiz, founded in 12th Century and whose
Tower still stands as a signal of a rich past.

DAY 6. ALCAÑIZ – ALARCON (314 km, 4 h)
Breakfast at the hotel. You will be surprised today for sure by some of the most beautiful locations of Spain, hidden deep among our rich heritage. Be sure your day will be full of surprises when you tour locations like Albarracin or Mora de Rubielos. Great gastronomy will be the perfect squire of your trip. But the journey is not complete until you reach your hotel, the amazing Alarcon Castle, with more than thirteen centuries of history behind, nestled in a scenic setting and offering quite lovely rooms for your relax.

DAY 7. ALARCON
Breakfast at the hotel. We have left for the end what is probably the best preserved castle in Spain: Belmonte, very close to Cuenca (that deserves a complete visit, no doubt) will be the perfect ribbon for our trip in Spain.

DAY 8. ALARCON – MADRID (189 km, 2 h)
Breakfast at the hotel. We start our return to Madrid, where we drop our car off and get ready for our flight back home. Our voyage is finished, but our memories will last forever.