A trip to Madrid can be made extra special by adding visits to two “spectacular” cities nearby, a travel expert has said.
Steve Hanson said the capital of Spain offers a relatively less expensive alternative to Paris and London when it comes to hotels and restaurants. Madrid’s galleries and historic buildings also possess great appeal.
The travel expert – whose Senior Travel Expert blog has tips, offers and advice for older travellers – told Express.co.uk that combining a visit to Madrid with day trips to Toledo and Segovia can add something even more special to a holiday.
Dr Hanson said: “The centre of Madrid is relatively compact and flat and so many of its great sites, like the Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor and the Palacio Real de Madrid can be easily toured by foot.
“Day trips by road or rail to the spectacular cities of Toledo and Segovia – only about 50 miles or so away – add an extra special dimension to a Madrid holiday.”
Although he wouldn’t include Madrid in his top 10 world cities as it lacks a riverside, Dr Hanson said the city offers a lot to seniors.
He hailed the city’s tree lined boulevards, winding backstreets, markets and top notch shopping plazas. Dr Hanson’s highlights include El Rastro flea market, Plaza Mayor, the “magnificent” Palacio Real de Madrid and the street performers of Puerta del Sol.
There’s also Museo del Prado, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and Centro de Arte Reina Sofia as well as Retiro Park, Atocha Station and Real Jardin Botanico.
Dr Hanson stayed in five star rated hotel InterContinental Madrid and recommended upgrading to a club room to take aadvantage of the complimentary breakfast, evening drinks and tapas.
After a few days exploring Madrid, he hired a car and toured central Spain, covering 250 miles over four days. His route took in Segovia, Ávila, Toledo and Getafe.
Segovia’s attractions include the baroque Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, a former summer residence for Spain’s kings. The city’s Roman aqueduct was “breathtaking” while Segovia Cathedral provided a “magnificent” backdrop to the city.
Dr Hanson added that the castle, Alcázar de Segovia, reputedly inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle.
Toledo’s highlights include the Alcázar de Toledo, Primate Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo and strolling through the city’s narrow, winding streets.
The travel expert’s rental car was booked via Auto Europe through the hire company Firefly, a budget subsidiary of Hertz.
He said he was charged about £5 per day in November for an almost new Seat Ibiza, with the same car in the summer months costing about £35 per day.
Iberia, British Airways, Vueling Airlines, LATAM Airlines, Japan Airlines, American Airlines, Ryanair and easyJet all fly direct to Madrid. The average flight time is two hours 31 minutes.
According to Skyscanner, the best time to visit Madrid is usually from June to September when averages temperatures range from 19C to 32C.
UK airports with flights to Madrid include Bristol, Liverpool, London Stansted and London Gatwick.
It takes just over an hour to get from Madrid to Toledo by car and about an hour by train from Atocha Station.
Segovia is about one hour 15 minutes north of Madrid by car, with trains from Madrid Chamartin Station taking about an hour.
