Unlock Spain’s Hidden Gems: Senior Routes to Timeless History

Exploring the history of Spain is an experience that can be enjoyed all year round. However, it is especially pleasant in spring and autumn when the temperatures are milder; you will be more comfortable as you wander around the streets of cities like Toledo, Segovia, Salamanca, Córdoba, Granada, Seville or Santiago de Compostela. Spain is also a country of contrasts where you can enjoy the sea and the mountains at any time of year. The beaches of Catalonia, Andalusia, Murcia, the Valencia region, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, as well as those in the north of Spain, are perfect in spring and autumn. The temperatures are warm and the water is still warm enough for a swim. In the north of Spain, in regions like Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country, you will find a wide range of activities in the countryside. You can explore the countryside in a number of ways. For example, you can follow the Route of Don Quixote, a waymarked itinerary that runs through the region of Castile-La Mancha and the places described in Cervantes novel. Then you can visit the Don Quixote Museum in Ciudad Real, with a collection of paintings and engravings by Spanish and international artists, and the House-Museum in the town of El Toboso, a typical 16th-century house where you can admire different editions of the book in a number of languages. You can take the opportunity to explore the regions natural landscapes. You can take a boat trip through the Lagunas de Ruidera Nature Reserve and visit the Tablas de Daimiel National Park, a unique wetland enclave in the heart of Spain. Toledo was declared a World Heritage City by the UNESCO and is a clear example of the fusion of cultures. Known as the City of Three Cultures, it was home to Christians, Muslims and Jews for centuries. Youll love wandering through the streets of the old town and discovering the Toledo Cathedral, the Alcázar Fortress, the Santa María la Blanca Synagogue and the El Tránsito Synagogue, which is also the home of the Sephardic Museum. The El Greco Museum is also well worth a visit. The painter spent most of his life here and his work is a perfect reflection of Toledo in the 16th century. You can complete your trip with a visit to Segovia, just a little more than an hour from Madrid. The city is famous for its Roman aqueduct, a civil engineering masterpiece from the 2nd century AD, constructed without the use of mortar. The Santa María Cathedral is known as the Lady of the Cathedrals, because it was the last Gothic cathedral to be built in Spain. The Alcázar Fortress is a curious building which resembles the bow of a ship. You can continue your journey in Salamanca, one of the most beautiful cities in Spain with one of the oldest universities in the world. In the old town, you can visit the Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells), a palace from the late 15th century, the Clerecía Church, the New Cathedral and the Old Cathedral. From Salamanca, you can then travel to Ávila to visit the Basilica of San Vicente and take a walk around the old city walls, which are over two and a half kilometres long. We also recommend a trip to Burgos to visit the spectacular Burgos Cathedral, the Monastery of Las Huelgas and the Charterhouse of Miraflores. Córdoba was one of the most important cities in the world during the time of the Caliphate of Córdoba (10th and 11th centuries). The citys most important monument is the Great Mosque, an architectural gem that is still one of the largest mosques in the world. It contains a Christian Cathedral that was built in the 16th century. The Historic Quarter was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Here you will find the Jewish Quarter, with its whitewashed houses, balconies filled with flowers and the only remaining synagogue. We also recommend you visit the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos Palace and the Roman Bridge. If you visit Córdoba in May, you can also enjoy the Patio and Crosses Festival, a competition to find the most beautiful patio and cross in the city. The Alcázar Gardens host the Córdoba Guitar Festival, a must for music lovers. The festival usually takes place during the first fortnight in July. You can continue your journey in Seville, Andalusias regional capital. Here you will find a wealth of historic heritage, including the Cathedral, the Giralda and the Royal Alcázars of Seville, which have been declared World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO. The Santa María de la Sede Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece and the largest of its kind in the world. Here you can visit the Christopher Columbus Mausoleum. The Giralda, the old minaret of the citys former mosque, is the bell tower of the cathedral. You can climb to the top to enjoy stunning views of the city. The Royal Alcázars of Seville are a group of palaces built in the Mudéjar style. The Courtyard of the Maidens and the Hall of the Ambassadors are particularly beautiful. The Archive of the Indies, another of the citys World Heritage Sites, is one of the most important historical archives in Spain. You can complete your journey through Andalusia in Granada, the home of the Alhambra, one of the most visited monuments in Spain. The Alhambra was the residence of the Nasrid sultans and is a fine example of the fusion of Arab and Andalusian culture. The palaces are built around courtyards like the Patio of the Lions, the Patio of the Myrtles and the Patio of the Arrayanes. You can also visit the Generalife Gardens, the summer residence of the Nasrid sultans, and the Albaicín Quarter, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.