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Tapas
Cordoba, Spain
Side street up to Saint Tome Church
Puente de San Martín, Toledo ES 1998Don't just day trip to Toledo
I read somewhere that most visitors to Toledo do so on day trips from Madrid. I think they miss a lot by not spending a couple of nights here in this marvelous little city. If at all possible I would recommend spending a night, preferably two, here to really enjoy and see it. There are a lot of things to see and do but the city itself is a splendid experience. Its narrow and hilly streets are among the most puzzling mazes I have seen anywher but that just adds to its charm. However the city is small enough that it is difficult to get too seriously lost. Also, most locals speak English so you can always ask directions. It has much of the ancient city wall still standing and there are wonderful "puertas" or gates through the wall. Two pictured here are the New Bisagra Gate as it is 16th Century and the old one is 11th Century. You can see the coat of arms of Charles I, the two headed eagle surrouding the coat of arms of Castille/Leon over the arch. The second is the Puerta del Sol which was once the principal port of entry. Don't miss these kinds of artistic treasures throughout the city. Toledo is an amazing entity of beautiful architecture and still retains its ancient feel even though you sometimes have to pull in your stomach against a wall while an auto winds through the narrow passages. Everywhere one looks it seems there is a splendid structure, statue or piece of public art. Also I loved the fact that we could walk most places and the feeling that while there were loads of trourists around, local folks take them in stride and continue with "normal life." It was good to see young people gathering in Plaza Zocodover to meet others, join people starting their day with churros and get to kibitz a boules game.
