Thursday, August 24, 2017

Spain - Madrid and Toledo

This was a trip we hadn't planned. Due to circumstances (surgery) we had to cancel our planned trip to Tuscany, Italy because the surgeon thought it would perhaps be too early to travel. However, I recovered quickly and at the last checkup, we were told travelling was permitted.

It wasn't easy to find a destination on so short a notice. Either the airplane tickets were too expensive (only business or first class) or the hotels were fully booked. At long last we found something priceworthy plus a hotel that still had rooms. Our destiny became Madrid, Spain. We left early on Monday morning of August 14th and arrived in Madrid before noon. We took a taxi to our hotel (we could have taken the metro, but it would take longer than a taxi ride), which wasn't all that expensive.

We stayed at hotel Vincci The Mint, at the Gran Via, right into the town's center. A wonderful hotel which I can certainly recommend! We had a lovely room, overlooking the busy boulevard, but we didn't hear a thing about the traffic, neither from other rooms. Also the breakfast was more than lovely. When you had booked room with breakfast, you could take whatever item from the menu, as many times you liked! We had something different each morning.


Already that first afternoon we went exploring somewhat. We are not the kind of tourist who plan and plan, reading all kind of travel publications. We just plunge into it. Madrid isn't a town where you can get lost easily, by the way. It's not that big and easy to walk, if you are inclined to do so. It's so nice to just walk around and see all those beautiful buildings.

For the next day (Tuesday) we had bought tickets for the Prado museum online. That's the best thing you can do, as the lines are very long and waiting in the hot sun is not advisable. We could enter straight away. The museum has a large collection, especially of masters of the 15th and 16th centuries. I can tell you, there are a couple of millions hanging on those walls! We took our time seeing everything we were interested in, and paused for a coffee at the museum cafertaria. On leaving the museum, we found a nice place closeby where we had a long lunch.



On Wednesday we took off to Toledo. Departing from the Atocha railway station, there is a Renfe train that brings you to Toledo in about half an hour. You have to buy the tickets in advance, though.  And also be aware, arrive in time because your luggage will be checked.

Now Toledo is a town worth a visit. It's a very old town, where both Christians, Muslims and Jews lived. Each left their mark on the town. We didn't have time to see all of it, but we visited the Jesuit church from which towers you have a most magnificent view over town. There is also the Alcazar, the El Greco house and museum, the Jewish quarter. The speciality of Toledo is marzipan. We went to the convent (don't ask me of which order) where the nuns make marzipan the old way and sell it for a price less than in the many shops. It's quite tasty and not too sweet.



On our last full day in Madrid, we tried to see some more of the city. We went to the park Retiro, close to the Puerta Alcantara. Also saw the Royal Palace but the lines were too long to get inside. And of course, being women, we did some shopping to finish our day!


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