Spain Off-the-Beaten-Path Road Trip: Madrid to La Mancha - 8 days

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid

Welcome to Spain! Upon arrival at the nation's capital, you'll enjoy a private transfer to your hotel in the city center. Take some time to settle in before heading out to explore. You'll definitely want to see some of the highlights, like the Puerta del Sol, one of Madrid's most historic and expansive plazas. There's also the famous Fountain of Cibeles with its sculpture depicting Cybele, the Greek goddess of fertility, riding in a chariot pulled by lions.

Another idea is to stroll down Gran Vía, Madrid's answer to Broadway. You'll find plenty of beautiful buildings and theaters showcasing plays and musical productions. Needless to say, the options for culture in this city are vast, and you could also visit museums, art galleries, and live music venues if the mood strikes.

When night falls, be sure to indulge in Madrid's world-class culinary scene. If you want to dine amid history, head to Botín. No less than Ernest Hemingway described it in his seminal novel "The Sun Also Rises" as the best restaurant on Earth. 

Day 2: Pick up Rental Car, Drive to Daimiel, La Mancha Excursion

After breakfast, you'll pick up your rental car and begin your road trip to La Mancha. From Madrid, you'll follow a scenic route toward the town of Consuegra, traveling through the arid plateaus of central Spain. This was the home of the protagonist of Spain's most celebrated novel, "Don Quixote." He may be a fictional character, but the windmills featured in that everlasting work by Cervantes are very real staples of La Mancha.

Along the way, you'll visit the windmills and Castillo de la Muela, a well-preserved castle dating to the 10th century, with an excursion led by a private guide. Enjoy learning about these landmarks and their unique history. An optional stop to add is the Saffron Museum, which features exhibits about the history, cultivation, and qualities of Spanish saffron, which is said to be the best in the world. 

You'll likely work up an appetite after all that sightseeing. Around lunchtime, you can stop at a local restaurant for a traditional La Mancha meal. Afterward, continue to Las Tablas de Daimiel, a national park protecting the area's largest wetland ecosystem, where you'll spend the night.

Day 3: Drive to Almagro, National Park Experience

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you'll drive to the Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park for a privately guided, half-day expedition through the scenic wetlands.

Though it's Spain's smallest natural park, it's home to various migratory waterbirds, like herons and egrets, who flock to these expansive wetlands during winter. On a brisk walk around the park, your guide will lead you along wooden pathways to view nesting flocks. Savor the experience because Tablas de Daimiel is the last floodplain wetland in the central Iberian Peninsula. 

Next, hop back in the car and continue a short way to Almagro, where you'll check into your hotel. This town of fewer than 10,000 people may be small in scale, but it abounds with rich history and beautiful landmarks. Its well-preserved 15th-century architecture is a throwback to when Almagro was defined by its aristocratic culture, which you can see in the stately manor homes and grand Plaza Mayor lined with colonnaded buildings.

Day 4: Tour Almagro, Optional Day Trip to Campo de Calatrava

In the morning, you'll meet up with an expert guide and walk through Almagro. Your guide will share the town's unique and interesting history, taking you to iconic sites like Plaza Mayor and explaining the architectural significance of Almagro. But the city is most famous for its 16th-century open-air theater, the Corral de Comedias. You can tour the Corral during the day, but some nights it features performances from Spain's golden age of theater (the 16th and 17th centuries).

In the afternoon, you can head to the nearby Campo de Calatrava, a comarca (traditional region) known for volcanic hills and glassy lagoons. It was named after the military Order of Calatrava, which controlled the region in the 10th-12th centuries when La Mancha was the frontier between Christian and Muslim Spain. Here you can visit well-preserved castles, like Calatrava la Nueva, and interesting archaeological sites like Oreto and Zuqueca, home to the remains of a Visigoth necropolis and an ancient Muslim city.

Day 5: Drive to Villanueva, Wine Experience

After breakfast, continue your road trip to the well-preserved medieval town of Villanueva de los Infantes. Along the way, you'll stop for a wine tour of Valdepeñas. Not only does this region enjoy the Designation of Origin (DO) mark of quality, but La Mancha is the world's largest continuous wine-growing region. With over 300 vineyards and 22,000 grape growers, there are a lot of options for things to do and see here. Luckily you'll have a guide for your excursion, who will take you on a journey into the world of Spanish viticulture.

After traveling to a local vineyard, your guide will teach you about the different grape varieties grown in the region. You'll see the care and techniques that go into harvesting grapes on a small-production vineyard and learn about the external factors that can influence the quality of the grapes—everything from the weather to astrology. Next, enjoy visiting the winery and see firsthand the enormous terracotta fermentation containers where the grapes become wine. Each one holds an impressive 1,585 gallons (6,000 liters).

After the tour, you'll be able to sample some wines. Popular varietals in La Mancha include Grenache and Tempranillo. In the afternoon, you can either hang around Valdepeñas and enjoy the town or continue on to Villanueva de los Infantes. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and can spend the remainder of the day relaxing.

Day 6: Explore Villanueva de los Infantes

In the morning, you'll meet a local expert guide for a walk through Villanueva de los Infantes. With its early 17th-century Plaza Mayor and various medieval hermitages and convents, this village is straight out of the mind of Cervantes. In fact, Villanueva de los Infantes is generally considered the town referenced at the beginning of "Don Quixote" as the title character's home. 

You'll visit the major sights in town, including the Plaza Mayor and St. Andres Church, where the famed poet Francisco de Quevedo is buried. You'll also stroll cobbled streets lined with medieval manor houses with their well-preserved history. When the sun sets, you'll head out for dinner at a great restaurant in town. It's the perfect opportunity to discover and enjoy genuine La Mancha cuisine.

Day 7: Drive to Alcázar de San Juan, Stop at Ruidera Lakes

After a leisurely breakfast in Villanueva de los Infantes, you'll drive to the town of Alcázar de San Juan. On the way, stop at another wetland region: Lagunas del Ruidera. This oasis in La Mancha comprises 16 glassy lakes connected by cascading waterfalls. With its many beaches and swimming areas, the environment is almost tropical yet firmly rooted in La Mancha—the lakes are even referenced in "Don Quixote." 

After spending the morning and part of the afternoon enjoying the lakes, you'll take a break for lunch. Instead of traditional Spanish cuisine, dine at a restaurant that has won international awards for having the best pizza in Spain for many years running. Afterward, should you choose, you can enjoy a tasting of artisanal brandies at a nearby distillery. Later in the afternoon, you'll continue to Alcazar de San Juan, where you'll check into your hotel before enjoying a free evening.

Day 8: Drive to Madrid via Campo de Criptana & Depart Spain

It's time to say goodbye to Spain! After breakfast, you'll drive 1.5 hours to Madrid to catch your flight home. Don't worry, though; you can enjoy one or two more activities in La Mancha before your plane leaves. You could visit the famous Campo de Criptana windmills or stop in at a private workshop in the town of Villafranca for a hands-on lesson in producing traditional terracotta ceramics. You can even visit a farm that makes award-winning Manchego cheese from sheep's milk.

Whatever you decide, eventually you'll arrive at the airport in Madrid. Be sure to give yourself enough time to return your rental car and make it through security. 

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