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La Granja sightseeing with TM
Avila sightseeing with TM (one hour visit, one hour lunch)
· You need cash for entrances in La Granja
· A guide can sometimes be organised at La Granja on arrival, there are few English-speaking guides however, so be prepared to translate where necessary.
· Please make sure everyone in your group has their whispers sets before heading out on sightseeing (and that you have the microphone/s for the local guide)
La Granja – visit
Remind your group to leave their backpacks on the bus – checking them in takes up a lot of time, which you do not have today.
Have the driver drop you off near Hotel Roma and then walk your group up Plaza España (gardens) to the palace. On arrival you can arrange a guided tour for your group free of charge. Most tours are in Spanish, however English-speaking guides are available. If you have a Spanish-speaking guide, ask them to give a more simplified visit, as you will be required to translate for your group. After visiting the palace give group free time in gardens. Continue to El Escorial.
La Granja is best known for being an imitation of the Palace of Versailles, depending on the interests of your group you might want to spend more time in the gardens, where there are 26 fountains, than the palace itself.
Avila – visit
On arrival at Avila follow signs for Cuatro Postes. From here, there is the best view of the walls. There is a cafe with restrooms across the street.
From here, drive to the tourist office on the main road around the city You can ask for maps to distribute to your group if you like. There is an escalator inside the office that takes you up to the city. When you get out at the top cross the roundabout and enter the gate here to the old town. Lead your group inside the walls and almost immediately take the left-hand street – Calle Tostado which leads to the cathedral.
Give your group time to visit the Cathedral and then walk together to the convent of Santa Teresa. It is built on the site of the house in which she was born. The stained-glass windows in the church depict the story of Santa Teresa. To the right of the entrance to the church are a small souvenir shop and a tiny museum containing a finger of Santa Teresa!
If the group is interested, they can also walk a section of the wall in their free time. If there are many who are interested in doing this, then make this the stop before lunch. Group rates are available, ask at the ticket office.
Give the group free time for lunch. There are places to eat in the Plaza de la Victoria.
