I'm helping an adult couple plan 1 week and want to suggest this intinerary based on what I've read and what they're looking for. Any comments greatly appreciated.
Day 1-arrive in Madrid, rent car and go straight to Toledo and spend 2 nights.
Day 3-Up early drive to Murcia/Alicante/Elche area.Stay 2 nights
Day 5-drive to Cuenca,Stay 1 night at Parador
Day 6&7 Madrid
This would be last week of June. They want a combo of history and art but do want to squeeze in some R&R w/palm trees in a not too contrived tourist area.

Karenwishart writes: Hey, Karen: It's Costa Blanca (not Blanco)!

It's a pretty long drive from Toledo to Alicante (5-hours?). There's not much to see along the way (until you get to Elche). Tell them to buy a Christmas lottery ticket there. Past 2-years el Gordo tocó, first in Campello, then in Elche.

Maybe I am just an old 'stick in the mud,' but for 1-week I wouldn't stray that far. Toledo is fine for the first 2-nights. Then they could go to Segovia for a couple of nights and explore places like Pedraza or maybe even El Escorial (for the San Lorenzo monastery).

When they get back to Madrid, I recommend they drop off the rental car and get around using public transportation. Driving (and parking) in Madrid can be more of a burden than a benefit.
Yes, but what do we do with our luggage? You're going to a very warm place. You should be able to pack light; and by the time you get back to Madrid you should have divested yourselves of much expendible (disposible) stuff.

You say they want history and art. Forget about Costa Blance! What I would do next is return to Madrid and take AVE to Sevilla. Spend days # 3 & 4 (2-nights) in Sevilla. Day #5 back to Madrid for leisurely visits to Museo del Prado, Palacio Réal, Centro de Arte de la Reina Sofia, etc., etc., and some serious shopping.

Thanks Eddie: I agree with everything you're saying and I'm planning to have them look at these comments.I had suggested the same thing but it's so hard to convince people who haven't been to Spain to skip trying to get out the Mediteranean in a 7 day trip.