This travel blog is going to be a bit different in that there is not cruise ship involved! We fly on Iberia again from Mexico City to Madrid, Spain to begin our adventure of exploring the central areas of Spain by car all around Madrid. This will involved several nights here and there with our overnights planned in the following cities; Madrid, Segovia, Salamanca, Toldeo, Granada, and Aranjuez. We were looking forward to something different and certainly sangria, flamenco dancing, and great food! The most surprising was the fact that there were 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites in this area!
Of course after arrival and picking up the rental car from Budget ($389 for 12 days unlimited mileage), we head to the heart of Madrid for a few nights staying at the Suite You Zinc right near the Plaza Mayor and other points of interest in the center of Madrid. I chose a suite with kitchenette and we were able to buy groceries and cook our breakfasts. The first thing was to explore the area and we decided to do the Hop On Hop Off bus again to get us oriented to the city. Madrid is certainly an interesting city architectually, but you must look UP to see what I mean. The tops of the buildings are the most interesting sights and designs that I have seen anywhere in the world.
Our 2 nights gave us a brief overview of the city and we saw many interesting things including the many plazas, several churches and nice meals that ranged from tapas, pintxos, main courses of fish and pork. There are countless places serving Iberico and Serrano smoked hams, from plain appetizer style to grab and go sandwiches from shops of all types. The prices range depending on the length of curing, much like wine is. But for about 5 euros you can get a nice quick sandwich to go.
Our next overnight stop on the Central Spain by Car is scheduled for Segovia with a stop along the way at San Lorenzo de El Escorial Monastery. That was quite an interesting place with a lot of history when King Phillip II of Spain decided to build it starting in 1563 to serve as Royal Palace and resting place for his parents and future generations of the Royal Family. It has now become the official burial site for over 5 centuries and 26 burial vaults. With over 4000 rooms, invaluable art, and the gardens; the UNESCO complex is quite a site to see!
We arrive in the afternoon in Segovia our quick one night stop at the Hotel Infanta Isabel located at the top of the town right at the town square and the Cathedral. Unfortunately, not a great night of sleep as they had a concert that night till 4am right outside our windows! But we had visited the Cathedral and had a wonderful suckling pork lunch at the Restuarante El Bernadino, a Segovia specialty during the day before the crowds moved into the Plaza.
Segovia is also famous for the Roman Segovia Aqueduct, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located as you enter the city. The Aqueduct of Segovia was built during the second half of the 1st century A.D. under the rule of the Roman Empire and supplied water from the Frío River to the city into the 20th century. The remaining portion of the structure stands 28.5 meters tall at its maximum height and nearly 6 additional meters deep in the main section. Along 14 kilometers of rolling landscape, the aqueduct adjusts to the contours of the valley, hills, and city and creates a sense of grandeur and monumentality.
After our short night, we continue to see Central Spain by Car and head out to the next city of Salamanca for a 2 night stay at the Sercotel Puerta de Catedral. As the name implies it was right next to the door the Salamanca Cathedral! Very nice hotel and perfect location for seeing the sights around town. Salamanca is a beautiful city in western Spain known for its stunning architecture, especially its well-preserved sandstone buildings. As another UNESCO World Heritage site, it is home to the University of Salamanca, one of the oldest universities in Europe, dating back to 1134. Home to a Roman bridge that dates back to the first century and crosses the Tormes River. Salamanca has one the largest Plaza Mayor (City Main Plaza) in Spain and it reminded me of St. Marks Square in Venice with restaurants all the way around. It was a nice place to relax, people watch and enjoy beverages and snacks.
Well rested and time to go forward for our drive to the next city of Toledo, Spain. (Not Ohio!) We are staying at another Hotel Sercotel Alfonso VI for the next 2 nights at the top of the city with fabulous views across the city below. It is right on a Hop On Hop Off bus route, so we decide to take it down and around the city below. Toledo is an ancient city set on a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain. The capital of the region, it’s known for the medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian monuments in its walled old city. It was also the former home of Mannerist painter El Greco. The Moorish Bisagra Gate and the Sol Gate, in Mudéjar style, open into the old quarter, where the Plaza de Zocodover is a lively meeting place. As you walk around you certainly can see the Moorish architecture in many buildings.
Now our longest drive is about 3.5 hours to the city of Granada where we stay for 3 nights at the Monjas del Carmen Hotel as we continue our Central Spain by Car trip. Also right in the heart of Granada along the Gran Via de Colon we can just walk around and a local Hop On Hop Off mini train stop is at the corner. It is laundry time and we search one out to do our business about 10 minutes away from the hotel. Then next morning we go for the 2 day ticket on the Hop On Hop Off train that takes us all the way around the city, especially in the upper neighborhoods. Granada is a city in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s known for grand examples of medieval architecture dating to the Moorish occupation, especially the Alhambra. This sprawling hilltop fortress complex encompasses royal palaces, serene patios, and reflecting pools from the Nasrid dynasty, as well as the fountains and orchards of the Generalife gardens. If you wish to see the Palace, you need to purchase tickets in advance here. This was the only place that we encountered that problem.
You can definitely see the Arabian influences in this city in the old spice market shopping area where most of the shops offer Arabian items and Arabian restaurants are plentiful. But we did encounter a real Mexican restaurant as well, so it has diverse cultural menu selections. We book an evening of Flamenco and Dinner at the Cueva de Rocio up in the hills of Granada and enjoy a Gypsy (Zambra) Flamenco Show.
It is time to return to the north towards Madrid and we take a quick one night stop in the city of Aranjuez just outside of Madrid where there is the Aranjuez Summer Palace. We stay at the NH Collection Palacio de Aranjuez hotel right at the entrance to the palace and with a nice upgrade to a suite, we enjoy one of last nights in Spain. The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is one of the official residences of the Spanish Royal Family. Established in the 16th century as a royal hunting lodge, the palace was built by order of Phillip II. Under his reign it became one of four seasonal seats of the court along Rascafria, El Escorial, and the Royal Alcazar of Madrid. The royal estate comprises a set of landscaped and ornate gardens and woodlands that house an extensive botanical collection.
The Central Spain by Car trip is unfortunately wrapping up. It is time to return to Madrid and our flight home in the next days, so a quick overnight at an airport hotel keeps us close to the airport for the departure. What an enjoyable experience and trip! I was concerned about jumping from hotel to hotel as I have not done that in a while, but it worked out well. Please take note this trip could also have been accomplished via trains, but I do like to drive in Europe, so I opted to rent a car. There is certainly more to explore in the northern parts of Spain near Portugal into the wine country, so maybe that is the next time to Spain?
Remember to check out the rest of my travel blogs from my travels around the world!
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