CnC Living Travel Log: Spanish Architecture, swords, and 24k gold jewelry - a walking tour of Toledo, Spain

Another travel report, but this time there is also a surprise at the end!

We departed Madrid from Atocha station, which is a gorgeous space filled with sweeping palm trees in the center.

You can buy tickets at the station or online, but get there early because they won't allow you to board 10 minutes prior to departure.  Sigh, yes we did end up sitting around for 2 hours and buying tickets for the next train.  But it was a good chance to read and snack on our sandwiches.

Toledo is a short 30 minute ride from Madrid and perfect for a day trip.  This lovely city was Spain's capital until the 16th century.  Its buildings represent almost all the different stages of Spanish art from Moorish to Gothic to Renaissance.

We pulled into the Toledo train station which is also gorgeous and made our way into town with the help of a really basic map (we did end up buying a more detailed one in town later because there are so many small streets!) and la policia.

 

The train station is about a 15 minute walk from the Alcazar fort.  This was originally a Roman fort that was later used by the Moors and most recently by Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War.  It also contains a Spanish military museum and a Museum of Knives and Swords.

 

From there, ascend the fort via the stairs or escalators to the main part of town (of course we didn't find the escalators until after we climbed the stairs, they are towards the right side of the castle).  Mr. Gadget was not amused by the number of stairs.

From Alcazar, it is a short way to Plaza Zocodover - a good place to take a break on your way to other sites and a short walk from some sweet treat shops.

 

We headed to the main Cathedral - built from 1221 - 1732!  It is in the Gothic style and requires a 7 Euro fee to enter the Sacristy.  The Sacristy houses quite a few highlights including an art gallery with El Greco's "Denuding of Christ", a Baroque alterpiece, and alabaster figures from the Old Testament.  Breathtaking (this was near the ceiling).

If you want to shop for something, Toledo is known for two things: swords and 24k gold damasquino jewelry or plates.  Toledo specializes in making medieval, historical, and replica swords.

 

In addition, they are known for damasquino work, the art of decorating non-precious metals with gold - you see this mostly with plates and jewelry.  It was used in the Middle Ages and originates from artisan work done in Damascus, Syria.  Cuts are used to create patterns - the patterns are either Arabesque (more geometric) or Renaissance.  Then these patterns are filled with 24k gold.  Each piece undergoes oxidation providing a black background with the gold pattern.

 

So I picked up a few pairs of earrings and am giving one pair away!  I thought it would be a nice way for you to know Toledo as well.  Details will be coming in a post later today!

CnC Living Travel Log: Madrid Indoor Sites, Snacks, and Styles - part 2 of 2

If you want to see some of Madrid's sites that won't leave you out in the cold, take a peek at my favorite Madrid indoor sites replete with snacks and some style!

Eat where Ernest Hemingway did - at the oldest restaurant in the world, Restaurante Botin (opened 1725, building dates from 1590).

 

But you better like pork because they specialize in tender, sucking pig!  They let you walk through the restaurant as well too and will even show you Hemingway's table!

 

If you'd rather have a light snack, head over to the modern Mercado de San Miguel,  a gorgeous indoor market with lovely wrought iron work.

 

Have some lovely wine like we did.

 

Supplement with snacks as needed.

People watch on Spanish styling.

If you want a snack on the go, stop by one of the many Museo de Jamons.  Jamon serrano on a baguette - 1 euro!!!   A great, great snack and they also have other pastries and dishes.  Thanks for the tip Los Angeles Love!

Another must try - tortilla espanola - potato omelet (this time on a baguette too!).  Spanish people love meat and eggs, but don't worry vegetarians/vegans, I found something amazing for you too below!

One more must see site, the Reina Sofia (the Prado is not far away and filled with more of the classic Spanish painters while the Reina Sofia contains more modern art).  That's the lovely glass elevator/lift you see in front.
Tip: It's free after 6 or 7 pm when we went Friday and the museum closes at 9 pm!

Finally, a restaurant recommendation- 29 Fanegas.

They had a lovely variety of tapas, including these piquillos - a native not-spicy Spanish pepper fried and dusted with sea salt.  Shoe string fries were underneath - heaven!

Finally, a view of beautiful Atocha railroad station where we took a trip to Toledo which I'll recap next week!  Spain is a lovely, diverse country - travel when you can!

CnC Living Travel Log: Madrid Outdoor Sites - a Walking Tour, part 1 of 2

Leisurely walks through old cobble stoned streets.

Siesta with wine and tapas.

A sense of relaxation, yet a vibe of great energy as well.

That was my Madrid experience.  We covered quite a bit in a few days and I wanted to briefly introduce some must-see Madrid sites (I've bolded all the sites).

We started at Calle Fuencarral, a former canal that is now a pedestrian shopping center.

Loved these faux paintings on side of the buildings - yes that side on the left is painted!

We ended up at Puerta del Sol - this contains the famous statue of a bear and a madroño tree - the symbol of Spain.

 

There were also lots of random people in costume or doing cool trickss.  This dude was balancing on nothing (visible).

It's the bear and Pooh bear!

 

 It is also the site of kilómetro cero, the symbolic center of Spain and site of large rallies or protests.

 

My BR flats at the center of Spain!

Then onto Plaza Mayor, a centrally located plaza with lovely cafes and architecture.  It has hosted everything from bullfights to soccer games to public executions.

 

 Yes, that is a fight Spider Man on the right and a white bunny

Many artists and caricature artists also line the plaza selling their works.

 

Finally, el Parque del Buen Retiro - considered the last great creation of the Renaissance in Spain - is a lovely, large park with the Estanque de Retiro (Retiro Pond), Rosaleda rose garden, many statues of past kings and
significant buildings such as the Palacio de Cristal or Crystal Palace.

This is by the entrance.

Then of course there is the lovely lake.

It's a short walk to the Prado or Reina Sofia from here.  To be continued...

Madrid Bound

We're going to Madrid tomorrow.

Royal Palace picture source here, here I come.

Mr. Gadget bought tickets a few minutes ago.  It's so against my usual trip-planning prep to just take off, but it's kinda cool in a so-bad it's good kinda way (and obviously I'm voraciously reading the guidebook on the plane).

The beauty of us having free time right now is that we can enjoy our time.
The beauty of living in Europe is having access to low-cost airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet.
Very chic 'n cheap living.
So if you have some time with your loved one, go somewhere, explore, and of course have fun.

It'll be Mr. Gadget's first time and my first time in 15 years (oh the memories, I went to my first ever nightclub in Madrid - I thought I was the coolest. teenager. EVER.)  I don't know where those photos are, but they are undeniably awkward teen photos - braces, hot pink t-shirts - very 90s.

Picture from here

Any ideas for things to do?

I'm excited. 

Hola Madrid, quiero comer mucho jamon y tortilla espanola (Hello Madrid, I want to eat a lot of ham and potato omelet).  It's scary that we have to survive on my Spanish...