1. Vacation Travel • Поездки

Spain (09.2011)

Two weeks in Spain - certainly not enough to take in or absorb all there is to see in the four cities we visited - Madrid, Alicante, Valencia & Barcelona with a day trip to Toledo. As always, we did too much, though our beach break in Alicante helped. It's easy to understand why Europeans love to vacation in Spain - fabulous weather, varied landscapes, history, culture & style.

Such striking architecture from the Medieval to the contemporary. Oh those Spanish masters - artists & architects - with their indelible contributions to civilization. Oh that sweeping history from the Romans to the great empire; and, yes, its tainted past filled with dictators & despots leading to the Inquisition, colonial cruelty, & the Civil War.

Spaniards certainly haven't lost their lust for life despite teetering on the edge of default. Their cities seem to never sleep with hordes of Spaniards & tourists wining & dining, and walking & talking until the wee hours of the morning. Glad we weren't there in high season as the crowds were a bit overwhelming even into early October. Each of the cities we visited could use another go-round, but of course, there are so many other Spanish cities to explore...

I have seen dawn and sunset on moors and windy hills, Coming in solemn beauty like slow old tunes of Spain... "Beauty" ~ John Edward Masefield
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Beauty for Ashes. Old gallery notice posted on a wall in Toledo.
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Beauty for Ashes. Old gallery notice posted on a wall in Toledo.

beauty for asheswall postingwall noticegallery sintesisgaleria sintesisconcert noticepeeling wall noticesToledo Spainrusurusu photographyИспанияSpainEspañaТоледоT oledo

  • Beauty for Ashes. Old gallery notice posted on a wall in Toledo.
  • Rustem waiting for our Zocotren ride to start.
  • This little girl, a Jordanian from Boston, was on the Zocotren with us.
  • There's so much to see in this medieval walled city high on a hill, that like others, we took the Zocotren to take in the city highlights & catch some classic views.
  • View of Toledo with the Alcázar situated on the highest point in the city. The entire city has been declared a national monument & is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • View of the Monastery of San Juan De Los Reyes.Founded in 1476 by Ferdinand and Isabel who intended it as their last resting-place, but plans changed and, instead, they're buried in Granada.
  • The 14th century Saint Martin's Bridge spanning the Tagus River.
  • The Puerta del Sol was once the main gateway into the walled city of Toledo. (10th Century)
  • Puerta del Sol towers.
  • Side view of the Alcázar de Toledo. The fortress dates back to the 3rd century when it was a Roman palace. In the 1500s it was used as the Royal Palace prior to the capital being moved to Madrid.
  • The left wall encloses the Cathedral - one can feel quite small here.
  • The Cathedral of Toledo: Founded in the 1st Century, the present structure dates from the 13th Century.
  • Us in front of the Cathedral of Toledo.
  • Cathedral of Toledo detail.
  • Cathedral gates.
  • Toledo theater.
  • Protesters in Plaza de Zocodover, Toledo.
  • Old man walking in Toledo's former Jewish Quarter.
  • The 13th Century Synagogue El Tránsito is now a museum describing the history of Toledo's Jewish population.
  • Menorah in the museum's window. (Synagogue El Tránsito).
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