Although Madrid is one of the most entertaining cities in Spain there are also a lot of interesting things to see within the radius of about 100km from the heart of the Iberian Peninsula.

Salamanca, located north-west of Madrid in the province of Castilla and Leon, is famous for one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, hosting 50,000 students a year. The University of Salamanca has a strong influence on the atmosphere of the city and brings a boost to life.

With only 180.000 inhabitants, Salamanca astonishes with richness of cultural and social events. This makes it a very special and unusual mixture of big city bright lights and the lax atmosphere of a small town. Salamanca is also called ‘The Golden Town’ because of the sandstone that is the primary building material and creates a golden glow when the sun lights up the city. The impressive Cathedrals, Casa de las Conchas and Plaza Mayor, one of the most perfect plazas in the world, draw crowds of tourists every year.

Ávila is located in the north of Castilla y Leon, half way beetween Madrid and Salamanca. The city is famous for the muscular walls that surround the old center, and as the birthplace of Santa Teresa, a Catholic mystic and reformer. A multiplicity of monasteries and small churches as well as a secular renaissance residence make it a wonerful destination for a weekend excursion.

Segovia is situated on a rocky hill and has a typical Castilian character. During The Golden Age, Segovia hosted the Royal Family and the Parliament. In 1474 in a small Iglesia de San Miguel, near Plaza Mayor, Isabel was coronated. For a rather small city Segovia has an impressively long list of monuments. The most famous are the Roman aqueduct, the Cathedral and the fabulous Alcázar, in addition to a lot of smaller churches hidden in narrow streets of the old city.

Toledo, which used to be the capital of Spain untill the 16th century, is a defensive city built on a hill next to the Tagus River, and is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities in this part of Europe. The city has the status of a national monument and has been rightfully added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The city of the three cultures, as many refer to it, was the place where Jews, Muslims and Christians lived in relative harmony. The narrow, cobblestone streets with an amazing number of churches, synagogues and mosques ensure an unforgettable atmosphere. Many have said like a trip to Toledo is like a trip back in time.