Welcome back Isabelle Kent

I'm excited to be leading the tour 'Madrid and Toledo: Two Jewels in the Spanish Crown'. These two cities are the ideal starting points to explore Spain’s rich history, vibrant art and stunning architecture. Perched dramatically above the Tagus river, Toledo is sometimes called the “City of Three Cultures” for its unique blend of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish heritage. Wandering through its labyrinthine streets we will come across ornamented synagogues, moorish architecture and ancient roman fragments, as well as countless exquisite churches. Even after losing its status as capital, Toledo remained a centre of learning , attracting scholars, theologians and artists such as El Greco. During this trip we will visit the artist's greatest work, a painting that, due to its size, never leaves the church for which it was created: the Burial of the Count of Orgaz.

Madrid is the perfect contrast. A sprawling modern metropolis, it is one of the cultural capitals of Europe. It is also a fairly new city as it was only in the 1560s that Philip II chose this once-sleepy town as the seat of his capital, instantly transforming it into the heart of the world's most powerful empire. The city’s architecture soon reflected its newfound status and grandeur, most notably in the Royal Palace, with its lavish frescoes by Tiepolo and magnificent ceremonial halls. Yet alongside these grand monuments, Madrid holds quieter treasures, such as the Convent of the Descalzas Reales. Founded in 1559, the convent was where queens retired, and its rich interiors blend regal opulence with monastic intimacy. We will also venture out of the city to the imposing Palace-Monastery of El Escorial. This vast building is a monumental expression of Philip II’s vision, one that fuses imperial might with catholic devotion Madrid is also home to perhaps the greatest art collection in Europe: the Museo Nacional del Prado. Over the course of two visits, we will study the extraordinary collection from Bosch's fantastical religious panels to Velázquez's enigmatic portraits and Goya's black paintings. We will also visit the new museum – the Galería de las Colecciones Reales, which houses the many beautiful objects and artworks still in the possession of the Kings of Spain.