For this week’s post I thought I’d share our day in Toledo with you. We took a day trip from Madrid on a Friday when we were in Spain last month. We got to the train station early enough to get something to eat before we headed off to Toledo about 9:30 a.m. It’s a half hour ride and once we got there we opted to walk into town. It’s probably a twenty minute uphill hike to get to a cafe where we got something to drink and enjoyed the sunshine on their terrace. Up first are some photos of our hike into town.
After our refreshments it was off to the Santa Cruz museum where many El Greco paintings reside. I’m a huge fan of El Greco so I had to go back and have another look. They’ve redecorated since we were there five years ago and all the art is on the first floor instead of two floors. There is a beautiful courtyard too. The paintings here are enormous but stunning as well. El Greco’s style is unique and I’ve always enjoyed gazing at his art. I love the long fingers, his use of white and the eyes he paints are mesmerizing.
We spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon in La Judería which I wrote about two weeks ago. I hope you’ll check out that post, it was one of the highlights of the trip for me. We also paid a visit to Mariano Zamorano’s sword shop as hubby wanted to say hello. Hubby bought a sword there five years ago and got to shake the sword maker’s hand. We got a brief tour of the workshop where a few men were working with steel and then we were on our way to La Judería.
We met up with my blogger friend Simone, otherwise known as Lady of the Cakes, in Plaza Zocodover at 2:00. It was great to finally meet after following each other’s blogs for a few years. I don’t recall the name of the restaurant where we ate lunch but we all got their menu del día (menu of the day) and I was quite happy with my merluza (hake). I had this fish frequently as a student in Madrid and fell in love with it! This one was delicious. After lunch Simone led us up the alcázar for great views of the city! And then a walking tour of the surrounding area. It was great to see things we might not have otherwise seen. Come look at the next gallery for more scenic views of Toledo. It really is so picturesque and we had a nice, sunny day for picture taking :)
I’ve been to Toledo many times, starting when I was a student in Madrid over 35 years ago. It’s still a very special place to me and although this visit was short, we all had another great time. If you have not been to Toledo, well, you just have to go to Toledo. The most picturesque city in the world. My daughter would argue that with me since she fell in love with Barcelona this trip. But that’s a post for another day.
travels with toby 
Geeez….we sure got to those cakes before the camera did, didn’t we?!?
he he! yea, I kept doing that all over Spain: taking the photo after eating some of the food first :)
I’ve been there ! ! ! Beautiful place. I also bought some gold jewelry.
Surprisingly we didn’t buy anything this time! It is a very beautiful place. Thanks for your comment.
Toby, I think you need to be a tour guide and arrange us bloggers to come with you. Either that or adopt me. Keith
Ha! now there’s a couple of ideas :)
Lovely! It looks like you had good weather too!
Yes, it was one of the two days we had nice weather ;) It started out a little chilly but the afternoon was just lovely.
Spain is definitely on my list! Thanks for the follow… I so happy to have discovered your blog and look forward to reading more!
thank you for the follow as well!
Gorgeous pics – looking forward to my visit in July. I’ll be staying there for two nights, and have heard it gets packed with daytrippers in the day but at night it’s nice and relaxed.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them. That is what I’ve heard as well. I’ve never stayed overnight in Toledo. It’s always been a day trip from Madrid for me. I’ll be looking forward to your posts about Spain :) for I assume it’s not just Toledo that you’re going to yes?
Just a flying visit from the UK with two nights in Madrid and two nights in Toledo!
two of my favorites! I know you will enjoy them :)
Great photos of this beautiful city! What a wonderful trip you had. We were there the year before last year. :)
Thanks! yes, magical city :)
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