Today you will board your international outbound flight to Madrid, where you will be met and transferred to your classic, upscale hotel in the Plaza de las Cortes.

Perhaps Spain’s most authentic city, Madrid attracts fewer tourists than Barcelona or Seville, and its bars and restaurants remain the preserve of discerning locals. However, those who do venture to the capital are richly rewarded with elegant architecture, picturesque plazas and some of Europe’s finest art collections – including those housed within the Golden Triangle of Art on the Paseo del Prado.

Your stay will also undoubtedly include visits to Madrid’s wonderful food markets, the sprawling oasis that is Retiro Park and the eight-hectare Royal Botanic Gardens. Leaving time to marvel at the Royal Palace, a splendid complex set among manicured gardens and ornamental ponds, with the chance to explore the opulent rooms inside.

Stay: Three nights in a double room at the Villa Real – bed & breakfast