Here we collect several tourist routes and insider tips for QNP06 attendees. None takes you very far from Madrid. A week vacation in Spain will allow you to visit other phantastic destinations. These are thought for people who will stay a couple extra days.

• WEST OF MADRID (car, 1-2 nights out)
  Drive in the morning on A-6 northwest to San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Visit the renaissance Monastery (tomb to the Kings of Spain) and Valle de los Caidos. In the afternoon drive west on M535 towards Avila. Stop to see the well preserved middle age city wall (you will have to drive to the east and north side of the city). Drive sout on N-502 and spend the night in the quiet mountain area of Sierra de Gredos. A fine accommodation (others around) is the Parador Nacional de Gredos in Navarredonda de Gredos.
  • Alternative 1:
    Short hike in the morning. In the afternoon drive towards N-502 by mountain roads. Stopover at the lake. Stopover at the "toros" of Guisando, pre-roman iberian stone-carved natural size figures of a bull, where Isabel la Catolica was acclaimed Queen of Castille. Return to Madrid by San Martin de Valdeiglesias.
  • Alternative 2:
    Drive south of the Sierra de Gredos to Cuacos de Yuste. Visit the monastery where Carlos I (Kaiser Karl der V) retired in 1555. The monks run a rustic eatery. Visit the german cemetery. Drive to Plasencia, visit its many historic buildings and spend the night. Drive north to La Alberca (a middle-age village that has been very well preserved) and the woods around Pegna de Francia. Visit Ciudad Rodrigo or Salamanca. Return to Madrid (3h).
• CABALLEROS DE CALATRAVA (1 night out)
  Drive south on A4 and take the exit towards Ciudad Real. Visit the castle of Calatrava la Vieja. Stop at Almagro and visit its historic renaissance theatre, El Corral de Comedias. Spanish classical plays are still ran there. Sleep in Almagro or in the area (hostal accommodation available). Drive south towards the Sierra Morena (the divide between Castille and Andalusia) and visit the castle Sacro Convento de Calatrava near Aldea del Rey. Return to Madrid. Alternative: visit one of the natural parks "Lagunas de Ruidera" or "Tablas de Daimiel". However this is a dry year and these two parks are water reservoirs for migratory birds. (More info on the area).
• EASTERN LA MANCHA (1 night out): Drive eastwards on A3 about an hour and visit the castle/convent of the knights of Santiago, the Monasterio de Ucles. Drive three more minutes on A3 and stop at Segobriga, roman excavation with theatre, baths and a circus. Drive farther eastwards and plan to spend the night at the Parador Nacional de Alarcon, a unique hotel inside an arabic fortress in a worthy natural environment. Drive back towards Madrid and choose between
  • Alternative 1: Visit Cuenca and the Ciudad Encantada (this is a nearby park where water and weather action have given phantastic shapes to large stone boulders).
  • Alternative 2 (shorter): Visit Chinchon. Enjoy its Anis and Plaza Mayor.
• CASTLE ROUTE IN OLD CASTILLE (1 night). Drive out of Madrid on A6 and exit at Villalba. Follow east to Manzanares el Real, first castle between a spectacular stone sierra and a lake (1hr drive). Drive farther east until you reach A1, then drive north to Buitrago de Lozoya, a nice little walled city at the end of Madrid (1hr drive). Drive north until you reach N-110 and take it southwest. Detour to visit Pedraza de la Sierra, another small castillian stone town and castle (this one more touristy, several eateries and shops). In the afternoon drive somewhat north to visit the castle of Turegano (or for a change, the natural scenery near Sepulveda at Hoces del Duraton) and then continue southwest to spend the night in Segovia. The castle there is a must. The second day regain A6 northwest and have a glimpse to the castle of Arevalo (on the highway). Take a small detour to visit the castle of Coca. Continue on A6 until you reach Medina del Campo, that also features a large castle. Return to Madrid (for a small extra drive you may want to visit either Valladolid or Tordesillas). See castle pictures .
• CASTILLIAN CITIES (train: in and out the same day). All can be visited with the railway.
  • Toledo. Train departs from Atocha. Visit its sinagogue "Santa Maria la Blanca", the church and cloister of San Juan de los Reyes with the historic chains of the christian captives freed at the war of Granada hanging from its walls, and the magnificent cathedral. El Greco worked in Toledo, and his master work "El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz" still hangs here. Marzipan, steel works and jewelry are typical souvenirs. A must for a first-time visitor to Spain.
  • Segovia. Train departs from Chamartin. The highlight is the Roman aqueduct, World's engineering landmark. The Alcazar (castle) and cathedral are open for visit. Also worth is the octogonal church of the Temple Knights. Make sure you eat at Meson Candido, the specialty is roasted pork. Castille has strong, bodied red wines from the Duero.
  • Avila is a monumental stone town. Also easily reachable from Chamartin station. Visit its cathedral and several historic churches, but especially walk out of the walls on the eastern side for a spectacular view. A local specialty is the Yemas de Avila, an egg-yolk and sugar sweet.
• THE TWO COUNTRYSIDE PALACES (car, in and out same day)
  Drive north on A6 and take the tunnel. At the exit marked "Segovia" drive north east on the old road N-603 (avoid the highway). When you reach Navas de Riofrio you can visit the palace there. The deer in the park will delight children. Drive further north to Segovia and choose to visit the city (see above) or drive immediately southeast on CL-201 until you reach San Ildefonso de la Granja. Go through the iron gates and park. You can visit the palace and mountain gardens with numerous water fountains and sculptures. Take CL-601 south until Puerto de Navacerrada. You can enjoy the mountain scenery at 1800 m. Continue south to Villalba and return to Madrid on A-6.
• THE NORTHEAST (car, 1 night out) Drive northeast an hour on A2. You will pass Guadalajara and the castle of Torija. After a short hour you will reach Medinaceli , an ancient town. It still preserves a roman arch that overlooks the roman road (Below the modern freeway) and numerous middle-age buildings. The muslim general Al-mansur is supposed to be buried here by his son after his final defeat. His legendary treasure from the sacks of Santiago and Barcelona was buried with him. You now have three interesting alternatives
  • Drive farther north on N111 to Soria. Just north of the city visit Numancia . This is a preroman arqueological dig-out.
  • From Km. 203 on A2 drive to Nuevalos and the Monasterio de Piedra, for a quiet and restful night between a ruined medieval monastery and a natural park with water, a cave and cliff. Here were chocolate and sugar mixed together for the first time in the XVIth century.
  • Or return towards Madrid and take the exit to Siguenza. an untouristy medieval town. Stay for the night at its fortress turned into a Parador Nacional.