Visit Madrid, Lerma, Burgos, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Logroño, La Rioja wine country, Medinacelli, and Siguenza.

Following is our suggested itinerary, please note that you may extend the number of nights in each city, as well as select the hotel of your choice and choose from different sightseeing tours.

Day 1: USA - Madrid
Arrival at the Barajas Airport in Madrid. Check into your hotel in Madrid. Spend the afternoon visiting some of Madrid?s main avenues and fountains (Cibeles, Neptuno), as well as the famous and always busy Plaza Mayor.
Day 2: Madrid - Lerma - Burgos
Breakfast. Early this morning, depart for Burgos. (149 miles - 3 hours). On the way, we recommend that you stop in Lerma for a quick visit. Sitting on a hill, overlooking the Arlanza River Valley, Lerma dates back to pre-Roman times. Be sure to walk around the stately historic quarter and visit the majestic Ducal Palace, which at present houses the Parador de Turismo. Francisco de Mora erected it between 1601 and 1617, on top of the ruins of an ancient castle. Across from the palace is the huge Ducal Square, which used to be fully arcaded. Continue to Burgos, on arrival check in at the hotel. This afternoon, you may want to take a stroll around the foothill of the fortified Castle Hill, which has the best views of the city, the medieval quarter unfolds. Some of the remarkable buildings of this place include the Mudejar Arch of San Esteban and the Gothic church by the same name, which houses the Reredos Museum. Another important temple is the one devoted to San Nicolás, where you can see a magnificent polychromatic alabaster reredos.
Day 3: Burgos
Breakfast. First thing this morning, we suggest that you visit the Cathedral, beyond all doubt, the architectural masterpiece of Burgos, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Erected on top a Romanesque temple, the cathedral was built following a Norman French Gothic model. The filigree work in the spires of the towers and in the exterior of the High Constable Chapel, are some of the masterpieces found in this cathedral. In the afternoon, we recommend a drive to Covarrubias, a medieval village that retains its atmosphere and then visit the Monastery Santo Domingo de Silos. The Monastery was a very important center of wisdom and culture in the middle ages. Today, it is one of the few places in the world where you can listen and watch mass in Gregorian rite, a ?must? for classical music lovers.
Day 4: Burgos - Santo Domingo de la Calzada - Logroño
Breakfast. Early this morning, depart for Santo Domingo de la Calzada (46 miles - 1 hour), one of the Rioja towns most deeply marked by the Pilgrim's Road to Santiago de Compostela, which offers a network of medieval streets, declared a National Historic Interest Site, particularly its walls, the Cathedral and the old Pilgrims' Hospital. From here, continue to San Millan de la Cogolla, (11 miles - 25 minutes), Its deep-rooted monastic traditions can be seen in the beautiful collection of historic buildings it houses, where the Monasteries of Suso and Yuso, both declared World Heritage Sites, are outstanding. The importance of San Millán de la Cogolla is also due to its status as the cradle of the Spanish tongue, since the first documents written in this language are preserved here. 11 miles away is the town of Nareja, with the exceptionally important monument: the monastery of Santa María La Real. Built in 1032, its fortress-like external appearance contrasts with the ornamental beauty of the cloister of the Caballeros (knights), so-called because of the great many nobles buried here. Just 18 miles further you arrive in Logroño, check into your hotel and overnight.
Day 5: Logrono and the Rioja
Breakfast. Today you will visit the world of the Rioja wine. In the morning, depart towards Haro (30 miles - 37 minutes) in the area of the High Rioja. In Haro, you will visit the Museum of Wine and Technological Institute of Wine. Wine is central to Haro life. It is the driving force of the regional economy and a cultural expression in the area. Vines are an important part of the local landscape and the majority of the vineyards are open for visits. Continue to Laguardia (16 miles - 32 minutes) where you can visit the Villa Lucia Complex that is dedicated to wine. It has a perfect climate for farming the wines that give this area its well-deserved fame. It is also an area with numerous archaeological sites, Paleolithic remains, as well as Roman and medieval artifacts. In the afternoon, head for Labastida (4 miles), a little village whose whole economy is about Rioja wine. Here you will be able to visit Labastida?s wineries which range from the old-time caves and cellars to today?s modern winemaking facilities; from the Agrícola Labastida winery to the Unión de Cosecheros of Labastida. Return to Logrono (24 miles) and overnight. We recommend you have a dinner based on "tapas" with a local red wine in one of the establishments along popular Laurel Street, in the heart of the old part of the city.
Day 6: Logrono - Medinaceli - Siguenza - Madrid
Breakfast. Early this morning depart towards Calatañazor, (85 miles - 2 hours), a little village that is famous for an important Christian/Arab battle and is mostly unpopulated. From here, you continue for 22 miles to El Burgo de Osma, an episcopal city, which offers one of the best-preserved medieval precincts in the entire province of Soria. Not in vain has the city been declared a Historic-Artistic Site. Be sure to enjoy a walk around. Then proceed to Gormaz (10 miles), to visit its Moslem, Calif-style fortress that was built in the 10th century to defend the lands of the Duero from Christian attacks during the Reconquest. This castle is mentioned in the ?Cantar de Mío Cid?. El Cid Campeador was mayor of the fortress once taken by the Christians. It is the longest fortification in Europe. Curiously, inside there is an almost empty village. 52 miles will take you to Medinaceli, names Ocilis by the Romans and Medina Selim by the Arabs, Medinaceli has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site thanks to its wealth of monuments. Among its many attractions, you can admire the Roman arch, from the 2nd and 3rd century; the collegiate church, in the flamboyant Gothic style and built in the 16th century on the site of the Romanesque church of Santa María la Mayor, outstanding inside which is the Romanesque crypt, the carving of Cristo de Medinaceli from the 16th century; and the convent of Santa Isabel, founded in 1528. Continue for 18 miles to Siguenza, a beautiful city whose lofty architectural heritage was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1965. The castle, the cathedral, and the main square, or Plaza Mayor, are three spots that should not be missed, although most streets in Sigüenza are filled with gorgeous civil and religious buildings. Continue to Madrid (88 miles - 2 hours) and overnight.
Day 7: Madrid
Breakfast. Enjoy a full day to fully explore this thriving city. Madrid is a city of great contrast and tendencies that provide a feast for the eyes: the Old City, the innumerable churches and convents, the Madrid of the Hapsburgs, the Royal Palace, the Puerta de Alcala, the Retiro Park, etc? every façade, corner, statue or park has its own particular charm. It?s museum mile offers more masterpieces per square foot than anywhere else in the world; the stellar Prado with its El Grecos and Velazquezes; the Caravaggios and Rembrandts at the Thyssen-Bornemisza; and the Dalís, Mirós and Picasso's wrenching Guernica, at the Reina Sofía.
Day 8: Madrid - USA
Breakfast. At appropriate time, depart for the airport. Please allow yourself enough time, to return the car. (Note: we do not suggest driving in Madrid, you may want to drop off the car when you arrive and book a transfer out to the airport.) End of services.