Treasures of Madrid

with Eric Denker, Senior Lecturer Emeritus at the National Gallery of Art

We’ll also visit a hidden gems of Madrid, the recently opened to the public Palacio di Liria, the stunning 18th century official residence of the House of Alba.

One morning we’ll visit the enormous Royal Palace with its plethora of over-the-top furnishings and artworks, plus plenty of history. Then we’ll walk over to the Plaza Mayor, once the center of old Madrid. Here are restaurants, shopping, an enticing food market, and a chance to try churros and chocolate at the historic San Ginés chocolaterìa. You’ll have time for a bit of shopping as well.

We’ll also explore two richly beautiful sites outside the city: first, the medieval city of Toledo, where we’ll visit the stunning cathedral, famous pictures by the artist El Greco, and the historic Jewish synagogue and cultural center. We’ll spend another day at El Escorial, the largest Renaissance building in the world, historic residence (and now burial place) of the monarchs of Spain.

And, of course, there will be traditional tapas and flamenco to savor.

Most days, we’ll move about the cities as the locals do, using the Metro and city buses. Most evenings, we’ll gather in the hotel before dinner for a glass of wine and conversation, and then break into small groups to choose where you’d like to dine.

Late March is a wonderful time to visit Spain. The tourist crowds haven’t arrived yet, and it’s still cool enough to enjoy walking all over the city. Daytime temperatures should be in the high 60s or low 70s, with nights cool enough to need a light jacket.

Itinerary

Please note that we may make changes to this itinerary in response to unexpected closings, road conditions, weather or other unforeseen events.

Saturday, March 29

Depart for home or your next adventure.

What's Different about Traveling with Wild Blue Yonder Trips and Politics & Prose

Our trips never require you to pay a single supplement if traveling solo. Nor do we move from hotel to hotel every few days; you'll unpack only once for the trip. You'll choose where you prefer to eat lunch and dinner rather than have limited choices on large group meals. We generally leave the hotel each day around 10am, so you don't have to wake up uncomfortably early. And our maximum group size is 18 people.

A Few Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who should come on this trip?

Even if you’ve been to Madrid before, this trip will heighten your experience by spending time with art historian Eric Denker. This is a perfect trip to take by yourself; you’ll make new friends and will always have people to do things with. Or come with a friend or spouse or partner. The trip is also perfect for any small group that wants to travel together but doesn’t want the hassle of planning it all in advance.

Q. Do I have to pay a single supplement?

No. This trip is priced based on each person having his or her own hotel room.

Q. I’m coming with a spouse or partner, and we want to share a room. Do we both have to pay the full rate?

For people who share a room, we offer a discount of $150 each. We’ve priced the trip primarily for people to have their own rooms, because Spanish hotel rooms just aren’t as large as those in the U.S. Of course you can share a room if you prefer.

Q. Will I need a visa to visit Madrid?

Yes. Near the end of 2025 the EU plans to announce a visa system for entering Europe that will apply to people from the United States. Once we have the details, we’ll send you detailed instructions on how to get your visa. Please note that the United Kingdom has already instituted a visa system, so it you plan to go on to, in stop in, England, you’ll need a visa for that too. You can email us for information about how to apply.

Q. How many people will be on the trip?

The maximum number of people is 18, so you won’t feel like you’re part of a huge group. We’ll have two trip leaders, plus Eric, so you’ll often find yourself in a smaller group.

Q. When is the trip?

The trip begins on Friday, March 21 and ends on Saturday, March 29. Since most flights to Spain are overnight, you’ll probably fly out from your home city on March 20, to arrive Friday morning in Madrid. We’ll provide you information about how to get to the hotel from the airport.

Q. Can I arrive early or stay on later in the hotel?

Yes. If you would like extra nights in the hotel, we can arrange them for you, so that you wouldn’t have to change rooms once the official trip begins. We’ll need your decision on extra nights by October 1, 2025.

Q. Why do you call this a “trip” and not a “tour”?

We’ve included the things we like best about group travel, including the convenience of having someone plan daily itineraries for you. But there are lots of things we dislike about tours, so here’s how this trip is different:

- You won’t be seated at long tables for big group meals at “We accept bus tours” restaurants.

- You won’t have early morning calls to leave the hotel.

- You only unpack and pack once – we’re not touring, but staying in one hotel where we can really get to know the area well.

- It’s up to you if you’d like to do everything with the group or go off on you own some days.

Q. Tell me about the trip leaders.

Sheila Campbell of Wild Blue Yonder has been organizing informal groups of travelers for years – often on hiking trips in France, England, Italy and Spain. She’s managed trips for Politics & Prose for thirteen years. She lives in Washington, DC, where she has been a volunteer at the National Gallery of Art for many years. She spends a couple of months a year in Europe, mostly in England, France and Italy.

Donna Morris has lived in Paris, France for the last eighteen years. She founded her business, Best Friend in Paris, in 2009 and started coordinating trips with Sheila in 2012. She divides her time between Washington, DC and Paris. She has developed and organized Politics and Prose trips to Paris, Provence, Cote d'Azur, Loire Valley, and Normandy, as well as to Barcelona and Spain. She speaks fluent French.

Q. Why aren’t lunches and dinners included in the price?

Restaurants that accept tour groups are usually the last places we want to eat. And we hate eating at long tables where we haven’t got a choice about what to order. Instead, we’ll find typically local places for lunch, and there are lots of restaurants to sample at dinner. You can choose where you eat, and with whom and how much you want to spend.

Q. Do you require us to buy travel insurance?

We strongly encourage you to buy travel insurance, both for trip cancellation and medical coverage and evacuation. Please read our Terms and Conditions carefully to see our cancellation policy. Also be aware that trip insurance companies are very strict about what they will and won’t reimburse you for, so read their policies closely. You’ll get your best price for trip insurance if you buy it as soon as you pay your deposit.

Q. What is the Soho Vincci hotel like?

The hotel is centrally located, only three blocks from the Prado and walkable from the other art museums we’ll visit. It has both a restaurant and a bar, so you can relax there in the evenings if you choose not to go out.

Q. Is there internet access at the hotel?

Yes, free wifi comes with your room.

Q. What will the weather be like?

It’s hard to tell. March should be warm and sunny, but of course it could be cool and showery, or warm and dry or warm and wet. Our advice is to come prepared for just about anything. Bring clothes suitable for spring weather, an umbrella, a jacket and – most important of all – very comfortable walking shoes.

Q. What to wear?

You needn’t dress up for this trip. Wear your most comfortable clothes for walking. Just about every place we go will be casual.

Please read this information carefully, as payment of a deposit represents your acceptance of the following Terms and Conditions.

Trip Prices

Trip price includes hotel accommodations on a single or double occupancy basis, breakfast at the hotel, daily transportation to locations as outlined in the itinerary, entrance fees to museums and houses with the group as listed in the itinerary, evening social events to plan the next day’s activities, and the services of the trip leaders as outlined in the trip description.

Not included in the trip price are entrance fees to museums and other attractions not expressly included in the itinerary; taxis, airfare and airline baggage fees; lunches and dinners; hotel, restaurant or airport tips; costs of passports and visas; personal expenses such as beverages, laundry or room service; internet wifi except as established in the trip description; airport transfers or any other services not specified in the trip description.

Please note that we cannot guarantee any special requests for hotel rooms.

Registration and Payment

The payment of your deposit confirms your reservation. Deposits may be paid by check made out to Wild Blue Yonder, Inc., or credit card via PayPal. There is a 3% surcharge for PayPal.

Your deposit is refundable for two weeks from the date it is received by Wild Blue Yonder, except for deposits made less than 90 days before a trip departs; those deposits are completely nonrefundable. Two weeks after the receipt of the deposit by Wild Blue Yonder, deposits are not refundable for any reason and will be forfeited if you cancel your trip reservation. Cancellations must be made in writing by either letter to Wild Blue Yonder or email to scampbell@wildblueyonder.biz. Cancellations become effective on the date they are received by Wild Blue Yonder.

Once your reservation deposit has been paid, you will receive a confirmation email and further information to help you plan your trip.

We reserve the right to cancel any reservations that are not paid in full at any time after the final payment is due. If you make your reservation after the final payment due date, payment in full will be required immediately.

Full final payment is due November 15, 2025.

Cancellations and Refunds

For any cancellations made before November 15, 2025, you will forfeit your deposit but will be refunded any other payments you have made. If you must cancel your trip, the effective date of cancellation will be upon our receipt of your notification, which must be made in writing either by email or letter. No refunds are possible after November 15, 2025.

We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance when you pay your deposit for this trip.

Additional Nights

If you would like to arrive early or stay on for longer than the official days of the trip, we will make reservations for you at the hotel. We’ll need your decision on extra nights by October 1, 2025.

Travel Documents

VERY IMPORTANT: You will probably be required to have a visa to enter the European Union. We’ll send you details about how to get a visa. You are responsible for securing your own visa and passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the completion of your trip, and it must also have at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

Health and Medical Issues

We welcome all travelers, but you must be in good health to participate in our trips. This trip requires a reasonable amount of walking – up to a mile, possibly uphill or on uneven pavements or cobblestone streets and streets without curb cuts. You must be able to climb several flights of stairs and board buses on your own. We regret that we cannot provide individual physical assistance; in such cases you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you, and you will have to incur the costs of taxis or other special transport you might need.

If you are unable to navigate this amount of walking, you will not be able to participate fully in the trip, and we suggest you choose another type of trip. We cannot provide individual alternatives to the planned group activities. If your fitness level does not allow you to keep up with the group and/or travel on public transportation, you will be responsible for planning your own activities and for any additional costs incurred (for instance, but not limited to, personal taxis, train tickets, and entrance fees).

Trip Insurance

We strongly recommend that you purchase both trip cancellation insurance and traveler’s medical and evacuation insurance for your trip. Should you have to cancel your trip after you have paid in full, we cannot offer refunds other than specified above, because we will have already paid the costs of your trip to our vendors.

Please note: Medicare is not valid outside of the United States.

Arrival and Departure Dates

It is your responsibility to make sure you arrive on the specified trip start date. We cannot refund part of your trip if you arrive late or leave early, unless you have notified us of your different start or end date by October 1, 2025.

Responsibility

The liability of Wild Blue Yonder and Politics & Prose, individually or jointly (referred to hereafter as Trip Planners), is strictly limited. In no event will the Trip Planners be liable for amounts in excess of the amounts payable to the Trip Planners in accordance with the terms hereunder, nor will Trip Planners be liable for any consequential indirect or incidental damages arising from this agreement. Trip Planners purchase accommodations, transportation and other services from independent suppliers not under our control. We serve only as agents for these suppliers in securing trip arrangements, and therefore will not accept responsibility and liability for wrongful, negligent or arbitrary acts or omissions of these independent contractors, their employees, agents or representatives.

Trip Planners are not liable for injury, damage, death, loss, accident, or delay that may be caused by events not within our control, including but not limited to, without limitation, acts of terrorism, war, strikes, defects of any vehicle, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters or the negligence or default of any third party, nor for personal accidents.

In consideration of, and as part payment for, the right to participate in the trip, the undersigned, on behalf of himself, his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, agrees to release Politics & Prose, Wild Blue Yonder and their officers, employees, representatives or agents, and the tour operator and its officers, employees and agents, from liability for personal injury, death, property damage or loss suffered by any person in connection with this tour, even if caused by the negligence (but not the reckless, willful, or fraudulent conduct) of tour staff or other related persons or entities. In addition, by registering for this trip, the applicant certifies that he or she is mentally and physically capable of full participation in this tour. By registering for this trip, the participant agrees to all of the Terms and Conditions herein.

Trip Planners reserve the right to correct errors in advertised prices. We reserve the right to cancel an advertised trip, decline to accept a reservation or remove a person from a trip if it is determined by us to be in the best interests of the health, safety or general well-being of other trip participants. Should you be removed, you will not be entitled to any refund for unused or missed services or costs incurred as a result of termination of your travel arrangements, including, without limitation, return travel, accommodations, meals and incidentals.

We will make every effort to conduct our trip as planned, but we reserve the right to make itinerary and other changes as necessary. If unforeseen circumstances require us to change a hotel, we will make every effort to select alternative accommodations of the same quality. The forgoing terms and conditions and all aspects of the relationship between Trip Planners and you shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland.

Recommended Reading

We love to read about the places we’re visiting, and we suspect you do too. Here are some books meant to enhance your travel experience. Although there may be some discussion of books in our evening salons, this is NOT required reading.

Fiction

The Fencing Master by Arturo Perez-Reverte. A historial mystery set in 1800s Spain. You might also like The Club Dumas by the same author.

Winter in Madrid by C. J. Sansom. A spy story set in the run-up to World War II.

Such Small Hands by Andrés Barba. The life of a small girl who arrives in a Spanish orphanage and creates a stir.

The Hive by Camillo José Cela. A novel set in Franco-dominated Spain, by a winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

The Wonders by Elena Medel. This novel covers the feminist movement in Madrid over the course of fifty years.

Soldiers of Salamis by Javier Cercas. A novel of the Spanish Civil War.

Time of Silence by Luis Martín-Santos. The novel follows the life of a young cancer researcher in the early days of Franco’s dictatorship.

Leaving the Atocha Station by Ben Lerner. The memoirs of a young poet in Spain.

Fortunata and Jacinta by Benito Pérez Galdós. A classic novel about the lives of two women of different classes in Madrid.

The Frozen Heart by Almudena Grandes. A family saga novel about the aftermaths of war.

The Swindler by Francisco de Quevedo. A picaresque novel about a young social climber set in 17th century Spain.

In the Night of Time by Antonio Muñoz Molina. A Washington Post Best Book of the Year, a novel of the Spanish Civil War.

Non-Fiction

Madrid: A New Biography by Luke Stegemann. An excellent history of the city, with an emphasis on some its most prominent artists.

El Greco: Domenikos Theotokopoulos, 1541-1614, a Prophet of Modernism by Michael Scholz-Hänsel. An excellent review of El Greco’s masterpieces.

Diego Velasquez: 1599- 1650: The Face of Spain. Another Taschen art history book about Spain’s court painter and his works.

The Anatomy of a Moment: Thirty-Five Minutes in History and Imagination by Javier Cercas. A journalistic account of critical moment in Spanish history and politics in 1981.

Frontline Madrid by David Mathieson. An account of the siege of Madrid during the Spanish civil war.