WORLD HERITAGE SITES: FROM CASTILE TO EXTREMADURA

When Alfonso VI conquered Toledo in 1085, the Christians were able to begin to organize what would be at the end of the Middle Ages the heart of a vast empire. The entire area between the Duero and Tajo Rivers would be filled with cities inhabited by proud nobles, an authoritative church and bellicose kings ever more powerful. We will see their origins, their splendor and their projection towards America. These and their excellent state of preservation allow us to find five historical districts along this route that have earned the designation of World Heritage sites.

Day 1 Arrival in Madrid and departure to Toledo. Overnight in Toledo

Day 2 Toledo was already the capital of Spain under the Visigoths and would become so again when the Christians reclaimed the city. It is the enclave that best expresses the religious avatars of the Middle Ages. From the Visigoth period which emanated the idea of a united, independent and Catholic Iberian Peninsula, to the medieval cohabitation of three religions -the Cristo de la Luz Mosque, the Tránsito and Santa María la Blanca Synagogues, and the Cathedral- we arrive at the controversial Spanish Renaissance -the Santa Cruz hospital and El Greco-. Despite the overlapping of cultures, wandering the narrow streets of Toledo continues to evoke the Mediterranean and Semitic origin of so many Spanish cities. Overnight in Toledo
Possibility of visiting a local producer for a manchego cheese tasting

LA RIOJA: WINE AND GASTRONOMY

It was during their southbound march through La Rioja that the Christians first integrated Mediterranean agriculture: the olive grove, the vineyard and the irrigation system. For centuries this junction would be both a disputed territory between the people of Castile and Navarre, and the centre of cultural creation; for here is where the language of Spain was born, where the Route of Santiago de Compostela was consolidated, and where superior wines were nurtured.

Day 1 The first route of our journey takes us to the Bilbao Airport, designed by the renown architect Calatrava, followed by another landmark of contemporary art, Frank O. Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum, the newest icon of the Basque Country’s industrial capital city. We will further explore this refurbished city with a scenic tour that takes us from the newer suburbs to the historic old town and its Seven Streets.
Travel to Logroño for overnight.

Day 2 We will begin by visiting the old section of Logroño -capital city of La Rioja- and will walk along the city stretch of the Path of Saint James where we will find the late Gothic church of Santiago, as well as the con-Cathedral, the church of Saint Bartholomew. The towns of Samaniego and Labastida await us in the Alaves district of La Rioja.
Possibility of visiting different wineries with tasting
Possibility of organizing a regional Rioja lunch
On our way back, we will enjoy a walk in San Asensio -a prosperous village known for its Davalillo Castle ruins and the Battle of Wine- and in Cenicero, whose historic past is evidenced by gated homes marked with their respective coats of arms.
Overnight in Logroño

THE PATH OF SAINT JAMES

The journey down this road continues to seduce the eager traveler time and again because of its religious nature, its historical continuity, its large cultural heritage ubiquitous throughout cities, towns, villages, convents, bridges and chapels.

We will enjoy its varied landscapes and cultures accompanied by the perennial presence of contemporary pilgrims. Participating in mass and possibly enjoying long walks will help us better appreciate this phenomenon and understand the endurance of this centuries old tradition.

Day 1 The first route of our journey takes us to the Bilbao Airport, designed by the renown architect Calatrava, followed by another landmark of contemporary art, Frank O. Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum, the newest icon of the Basque Country’s industrial capital city. We will further explore this refurbished city with a scenic tour that takes us from the newer suburbs to the historic old town and its Seven Streets, where we will have our first encounter with the Path of Saint James while visiting the Santiago church, nowadays a Cathedral.
Travel to Logroño for overnight