Arrived in Toledo
The third day of our trip to Madrid we had a tour booked to see Toledo and Segovia.
I love this photo, no effects were used (filter).
Toledo is a very beautiful city to photograph, especially from a distance. It is almost divided into three sections, the Jewish, Christian, and the Muslim neighborhoods, but together they make the melting pot of Toledo. Our guide took us around the city first, and showed us the oldest marzipan bakery Obrador Santo Tomé (they claim to have invented the treat), the church wall where the chains were left, and a bit of every neighborhood.
The church with all of the chains
We got about an hour and a half of free time. We decided to see the synagogue that the guide claimed was not to be missed (truly it can be missed, it’s just an open space with some wall moldings), since that took all of 5 minutes we wanted to see the museum of El Greco (it was closed on this Monday and all Mondays, though our guide said it was open). With all the running around we did we only had time to go to the oldest marzipan bakery to pick up treats and get to the meeting point.
Don Quixote made of marzipan
From there we took many escalators to the bus (the city is located on a hill). In the bus we were informed that Segovia has amazing food and that we would have time to eat there.
Segovia and the Roman aqueducts
Segovia has a Roman aqueduct still in place and in great condition. The monumental size and engineering of the aqueduct is truly impressive to see. It was built with stones one on top of the other and no other adhesives.
The other side of the aqueducts
Lunch came around and we could not make up our mind, because the place near the aqueduct seemed like a tourist trap (right near a tourist attraction). We ended up eating in Restaurante Mesón De Cándido, which we first deemed a tourist trap, food should have been horrible, but in this case it was not true. I do not eat pork and beef, but in this place I made an exception and had the pork. We ordered the Lomo Iberico Embuchado (which is thinly sliced Iberico pork), the pigs only feed on special acorns and it gives it a different taste to regular pork, it was really good. For our main course we took the suckling pig and split one portion. The piece of suckling pig was so very juicy, fall-off-the-bone amazing, but the skin had this amazing thin glazing/crust (truly an experience not to be missed).
Church in Segovia
After lunch we met up with the group and walked through Segovia listening to the history of the city. On the way we stopped to take pictures in picturesque spots, with beautiful mountain views.
Castle of Segovia
The last stop on the tour was Alcázar de Segovia (which is one of the fairytale castles that inspired Walt Disney). The castle does not have a lot of furniture, but it does have some amazing stained glass windows. The views from the windows or the castle walls are amazing. The castle sits on a peak and you can see far into the distance.
Panorama and castle
After our self-guided tour (the tickets were included in the price, the tickets cost $75 per person for the full day with Amigo Spain) of the castle. We met with the guide and took the stairs down the path towards the bus. As you walk to the bus the view of the castle gets better and better, so you can take a photo of it from the ground up (it is a very romantic sight).
On our walk from the castle.
The drive back to Madrid was about an hour and a half, after all of the sights of the day it was a welcome rest. One of the uncomfortable points of the tour is that the bus does not pick you up and drop you off at the hotel, everyone has to meet on the Plaza Las Ventas at exactly the time on the voucher, or they will leave you even if you are five minutes late.
After we got back to the hotel we got ready to go to La Pescadería for dinner. I must say that they have the best Pina Colada I have ever had, it is so well blended in the blender that it was almost like cream. We took a few squid Spanish style, the risotto (this was the only dish we did not love), and a meat dish, everything was amazing. The service was sometimes slow (it was packed), but definitely will stop by next time I’m in Madrid. I strongly suggest making reservations in advance as it gets very packed and full early.
Night shot of Madrid
After such an eventful day, we headed back to the hotel, to pack and prepare for our last day in the city.
Toledo Continued
Chanel Boy with Toledo background
Toledo Panorama
Jewish neighborhood markings in Toledo
Former main synagogue in Toledo
Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo
More of Segovia
The Roman aqueducts are in fantastic shape
View with the aqueducts
The gorgeous mountains in the background in Segovia
Church of Iglesia de San Martin
The castle had wonderful stained glass
A wishing well?
Knight’s armor in the castle
The castle grounds are very nice as well, they have peacocks roaming free
Last photo of the castle.