Art & Architecture of Central Spain: Segovia to Toledo

May 8 – 18, 2027

With Madeline Diaz

May 8 – 18, 2027

Starting from

$11,699

Cultural Tour through Spain’s Historic Heart

Beyond Spain’s more familiar realms of Madrid, Andalusia, and Catalonia, discover Castile and Extremadura. These lush autonomous communities occupy Spain’s high interior, stretching from the Douro River basin toward the plains along the Portuguese border. Gain special access to historic fortresses, world-class museums, and centuries-old wineries on this cultural tour.

Begin in the fairytale city of Segovia, then marvel at Spain’s most elegant collection of polychrome sculptures at the Museo Nacional de Escultura in Valladolid. Enjoy a visit to the UNESCO-listed Burgos Cathedral, known as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture. Continue to Tordesillas, and learn about the famous agreement between Spain and Portugal at the Treaty Museum, then discover the gastronomy of the Toro wine region with a tour and tasting a local vineyard. Visit Salamanca’s majestic cathedral complex, and wander cobblestone streets lined with medieval architecture in Plasencia and Cáceres. Take a private visit to Mérida’s Roman Amphitheatre, and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the Toledo Cathedral, featuring paintings by El Greco, Caravaggio, Titian, Van Dyck, Goya, and others.

Highlights

Discover the treasures of the Museo Nacional de Escultura in Valladolid with a private guided visit to its unparalleled collection of polychrome religious sculptures from the 13th to 18th centuries.
Go behind the scenes at a traditional Guijuelo secadero for an inside look at the artisanal production of jamón ibérico de bellota, concluding with a curated tasting paired with local wines.
Experience a private tour of Bodegas Numanthia in the Toro wine region, exploring vineyards, barrel rooms, and production facilities, culminating in an expert-led tasting of their signature Tinta de Toro wines.
Descend into the Aljibe Árabe, an 11th-century Islamic cistern beneath the Museo de Cáceres, for a private exploration of one of the Iberian Peninsula’s best-preserved ancient water systems.
Enjoy a private visit to Mérida’s Roman Amphitheatre and Roman Circus, exploring these monumental sites with expert guidance and stepping into the arena where gladiators once battled thousands of spectators.
Explore Toledo with a private behind-the-scenes look at the Toledo Cathedral, including the Sacristy, retablo mayor, and masterpieces by El Greco, Goya, Velázquez, and Caravaggio.

Lecturer

Madeline Diaz

Lecturer

Madeline Diaz is an artist, art historian, and educator working across France, Spain, and the United States. With more than two decades of experience, she has designed innovative educational programs for major museums and cultural institutions, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Cloisters, The Frick Collection, the Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino. In France, she has developed signature educational programs for renowned institutions such as the Grand Palais, Musée d’Art Moderne, Centre Pompidou, and the Maison Européenne de la Photographie. As a practicing artist, her work has recently been exhibited in galleries and public spaces in Spain and Oman, including at the National Museum of Oman. She holds a BA from Brown University and an MA from Columbia University.