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Report 292: HOLY WEEK IN CENTRO SPAIN

By Bob the Navigator from FL, Spring 2003

Trip Description: Exploring the Castilla/Leon region of centro Spain

Destinations: Countries - Spain

Categories: Hotels/B&Bs; Sightseeing; Independent Travel; Single Traveler

Page 1 of 3: Overview and Itinerary

It was my 4th trip to Spain, but I had never really explored the Castilla/Leon region of centro Spain. The catalyst for this trip was my participation in a unique program of teaching English to a group of Spanish professional people—more about that later. I had allocated a total of 17 days, and the trip was divided into two distinct phases. The first nine days was touring the cities of the region and enjoying the cultural experience of the wonderful religious processions of SEMANA SANTA [Holy week]. The next week was spent in a remote manor house near Il Barco de Avila speaking English to 16 of my new Spanish friends, along with 15 other English speakers [ Anglos].

Here is my rough itinerary and hotel choices:

Arrive Madrid—get car and drive to Segovia—Hotel Infanta Isabel—3 nites

Note: I used Easycar for the first time and saved more than $150 compared to my best quote from Autoeurope. It was a Mercedes A car, manual. I had to taxi to pick it up, but not a big deal. They are limited in coverage, but have the best prices I have seen. Overall, a good experience.

Drive to Avila—a medieval walled city—The Parador de Avila—2 nites

Drive to Salamanca—the famous University city—Salamanca Palace—3 nites

Drive to San Lorenzo de Escorial—Hotel Victoria Palace—1 nite

Drop car in Madrid—taxi to meeting point for the Vaughan group bus. Bus ride to El Barco de Avila with the program participants—2.5 hours

A week at the Hotel Puerta de Gredos with the group—a remote manor house converted into a 4 star private hotel. We returned to Madrid by bus the next Sunday for my last nite at Hotel Ramon de la Cruz.

Trip Report Pages

Overview and Itinerary

Central Spain is worth your time

The good news and the bad news

Resources

Resources are on the last page of the trip report.

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