Day Trip to Cuenca from Madrid with Cathedral Visit

Nature, well maintained unesco heritage. Friendly guide, even in the 2 languages (English/Spanish) you can see that you enjoy your work.

“From Medieval to Modern” with Marik of TRIP TOURS MADRID This was another great Guruwalk, my 4th and last this week in Madrid. The meeting spot was the Plaza Mayor where our guide Marik told us about its history including bullfights; a 9-day fire that destroyed the early wooden structure; kings, queens, lovers; and more! He led us up and down backstreets, often stopping to talk to us where we could sit on walls or benches. That was good because today’s walk was about 3 hours. Lots of history, lots of fascinating details. Marik is a wonderful storyteller. He included 2 stops, one where we could get coffee and pastry and another where we had madroño, a drink from the fruit of the same name and sold only in 3 spots in Madrid. It was served as shots in tiny, chocolate covered wafer cups (like ice cream cones). The little café was VERY inviting and I’d have returned if I’d had time. The weather was wonderful and actually sunny for much of the walk. We’d passed a restaurant called LaMucca near the Cervantes statue and before long, steep stairs leading to a spot where we could look out over the city at the end of the tour. I needed rest and food before walking back to my hotel so I stopped at LaMucca, on Marik’s suggestion. Wow! Excellent bread and the best salmon in my life!

Small and fine town less than an hour away with a convenient express train connection from Madrid. Worth the well restored cathedral, of what still stood. Be sure to make the short but interesting visit to the gallery there. Accessible via one of the side towers, you have a great view of the forecourt and the city. An imposing view of the nave, especially because rarely at this height to have the 12 music-making angels so close. Also directly the little rosette above our heads. The stained glass is contemporary and well done, not all, but something for everyone. For lovers of modern art, the city already has several good collections to offer and sophisticated gastronomy. The best view from the Parador. Recommended for a two-day trip.

Coach departed late. Not all guides fully conversant with English. Operators must clearly state tours are in English AND Spanish, i.e. guide delivers details in two languages. On our tour when group was broken into separate languages, the guide also had to deliver in English and French. Be aware that lunch is quite late and that stop at winery does not include the option for purchasing snacks (take snacks with you). Return was late by 30 minutes. Also dropped at location not disclosed until after the start of the tour. This is simply unacceptable; of the multitude of tours we’ve taken around the world we’ve never been dropped at an undisclosed location unless told in initial information.

I went on this tour on Monday April 29, 2019. I wish I could give more stars especially since I thought our tour guides (Marta brought us to Cuenca from Madrid and led the Casas Colgadas walking tour in Cuenca and Cristian who was our local guide through the Cathedral) did an excellent job! The reasoning behind the two star deduction: 1) The tour was booked under operator "Cuenquendo" however the meeting site was designated at Trapsatur Day Tours office in Madrid. Also, if you press on the operator for the webpage of the day excursion "Cuenca Nature and City", it says closed... (!) Since I had already gone on another day excursion that had met up at Trapsatur on April 25, 2019, I decided to see what would happen. Fortunately, Trapsatur recognized my ticket and the tour I booked exists... what a relief! 2) I booked the tour with the "Touristic Lunch" included because I decided to be lazy and let the Tour handle it. We went to this restaurant about 5 minutes outside of the modern town center of Cuenca and the couple sitting next to me had ordered the same and had to return their appetizer plate because it was cold. My appetizer plate consisting of eggplant and meat not surprisingly was cold. I just sucked it up and ate it and didn't want to cause problems by returning the dish. Have to say, Spain has fantastic food and definitely this was the most disappointing meal I have ever had in Spain (as compared to my numerous meals from my multiple visits all over Spain).. Major :-(

Travelled from Madrid to Cuenca on the tourist bus and on arrival were handed over to a local guide. We did a walking tour of the old town, Art Gallery, Hanging houses and Cathedral. Knowledgeable young man with quite good English. Had a lovely day despite the cold, windy and drizzly weather.Returned to Madrid at 9 pm after having left at 830 am. Recommend the day, especially if you don't mind walking !

Don’t miss this trip.We had a great guide on the bus and another fantastic one for the Cathedral, museum and old city. There were only two of us of the Old City and Cathedral tour which was wonderful. We are over cathedrals from lots of visits in Europe but this one is wonderful and different to others on the inside(not the outside)Our total group was only around twelve people and we were put on a quality and new mini bus. We learned so much about the town, the area and it’s history. We normally don’t take tours and looked at going by fast train and getting around ourselves( this is what we usually do)Go with this tour as it is not much more expensive than going yourself and really informative. There is a new highway all the way!Also if you sign up for newsletters with Viator you can get 10 percent off so investigate. Cancel after.We didn’t opt for the organised lunch and got a great menu del dia(3 quality courses with wine )for 10 Euro per person