Blogs from Toledo, Castile-La Mancha, Spain, Europe - page 3

Known as 'The City of Three Cultures' for its rich Muslim, Jewish and Christian histories, Toledo is only half an hour's train ride from Madrid so ideal for a day trip. It has a beautiful walled old town and lovely streets apes and arches, with architectural styles that combine the influences of the Muslim and Christian rulers (Jews don't really get much of a look-in on architecture). Even the train station is a remarkable ornate building. Of course we wanted most to see the Juderia, the old Jewish quarter and were very disappointed to learn that El Transito, the well-known grand restored synagogue is closed on Mondays. We did however see the strangely named Sinagoga de Santa Maria La Blanca which is smaller, simpler and older but also has beautiful Mudejár architecture. It was rather moving. ... read more

The colour of the day is rust. The earth is as near to rust colour as you could wish to see as we travel closer to our two day stop at Toledo. Toledo is famous for knives and sword production. The Sheffield of Spain or should Sheffield be called the Toledo of Yorkshire. The weather was unbelievably hot as we left Teruel to travel to our campsite El Greco just outside of Toledo. It was hitting just over 30 by mid- day and staying that way without any respite. Even late into the evening it was still hot, hot , hot. We are heading for the hottest part of Spain Cordoba and will be there in a couple of days. We saw eagles soaring high above the fields and the roadsides are still a riot of ... read more

Toledo, Spain... read more

Can't write much today - mainly because I forgot my computer plug in Madrid, and my laptop is almost out. Fortunately I connect back in Madrid tomorrow, and the hotel has it. Thank God. Toledo today, just briefly, was brutally hot, although it truly is a beautiful town. A lot like an Italian hill town again. Tons of walking and sweating. Toledo, also, most famously, is the town of El Greco, and his art is everywhere here. There's also an absolutely massive Cathedral. I'll probably write more once I have my cord back, but for now the pictures should suffice. Looks like the battery is holding out, so I'll write a bit more. Caught the train from Madrid Atocha, and actually had to go through security, like an airport. But they did have a terrorist attack ... read more

TOLEDO Friday 14th to Sunday 16th June 2013 I made my way by metro from the hotel to the Madrid Atroche train station. That part was easy - firstly I lined up in the line for a ticket for 'short' distances only, then, after moving to the correct section of the station, and getting a numbered ticket to be served in order, I waited 45 minutes. More people watching time. Consequently I just missed a train and had to wait nearly 2 hours for the next - the joys of travelling! The train journey to Toledo only takes about 30 minutes and the train reached a speed of 250km/h. After a short taxi ride I was at the Hotel Eurico, in the centre of Toledo, very close to the cathedral. To think that earlier in the ... read more