2012

Fly at c. 11.00am from London Heathrow to Madrid—a first visit to the Prado Museum, which is among the world’s greatest art galleries; concentrate today on the Spanish school—settle into the hotel before dinner.

In March 2012 return to the Prado for the Treasures from the Hermitage exhibition. Other tours begin at the Archaeological Museum, good on ancient Iberian civilization and Roman Spain (renovation work ongoing here). Continue to the Lázaro Galdiano Museum, with works by El Greco, Goya and Murillo. The afternoon is free to allow for temporary exhibitions (details nearer the time) or a visit to the 18th-century Royal Palace.

By coach to the Sorolla Museum, in the charming house of the eponymous Impressionist painter. Continue to the arcaded, balconied Plaza Mayor, centrepiece of Habsburg town planning. In the afternoon there is a second (third in March 2012) visit to the Prado, this time primarily to see the Italian and Netherlandish schools.

Walk via Herzog & de Meuron’s Caixaforum (visit dependent on the exhibition at the time) to the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, one of the greatest modern art museums and home to Picasso’s Guernica plus works by Miró, Dalí and Tàpies. Fly to London Heathrow, arriving c. 5.45pm (5.20 in 2011).