Toledo

Early morning cab ride to Atochya Station awhere we get introduced to one of the largest and the most user friendly station we have ever been through. There are information booths everywhere with English speaking attendants. Easy to read boards and easy to follow directions.We glide off to Toledo on a new smooth fast train. Oh I envy the rest of the world their train systems

Lines of cabs and busses are at the station in Toledo and I hear a voice behind me say, in a bit of New York accent, "want to share a cab." Turning we meet Hank and Laura and so we have a fabulous guide for our day in Toledo. Luck strikes again. Hank is a 30 plus year veteran Spanish teacher from Massachusets who has led 17 guided tours of high school students to Spain. He is fluent in and passionate about all things Spanish. If any one questions the fitness level needed for these trips this day is the rule. Up and down the narrow cobble stone streets we went at speed and we were treated to a fabulous tour that would have cost hundreds of euros( we know, we checked). Hank loves the history and he also is funny and witty. After 4 hours on our feet we all needed a beer break so at 2 we had a leisurely lunch and we can attest to the fact that not all people in Mass. are Kennedy loving liberals. We laughed until we hurt at the inside stories.

               Everyone says Toledo's cathedral is the most beautiful in Spain. No argument from us.

This is a hole they punched in the cathedral to let in some light and then a family of artists, father and 3 sons spent their entire lives decorating the opening so the light is magic and the artistry is beyond description.

This is gold covered with gemstones 10-12 feet high. The center section is 35lbs of solid gold Christopher Columbus brought home from the new world.

Tuesday in Madrid is an easy day. We get senior tickets for 9 eu on the double decker bus and see all of the city, old and new and then go back and see it all at night. There is a theater district that feels like mini Broadway and the new architecture is stunning. The whole city is clean and prosperous looking but as we know looks can be deceiving and nearly 40% of young people are out of work. It is easy to navigate and reasonable in price and has a good cab and metro system.

We have a great small hotel, Hotel Orfila, that is Relais and Chateaux so it is charming with a wonderful restaurant. We are very cured of grand big 5 star hotels and love the charm and homey feel of these small places. In minutes they know us by name and have lots of suggestion of places to go and really care that we enjoy our stay.

Posted with Blogsy