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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Alicante - the capital of the Costa Blanca. View of the Mediterranean from our balcony. Just what we needed - glorious!
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Alicante - the capital of the Costa Blanca. View of the Mediterranean from our balcony. Just what we needed - glorious!

ИспанияSpainEspañarusurusu photographyAlicanteSpa Porta MarisviewMediterranean SeaСредиземное мореАликанте

  • Marker for Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca. Before the expulsion of the Jews, there were ten synagogues in Toledo.
  • Commonly known as The Congregational Synagogue of Toledo. Built in 1180, it's considered the oldest synagogue building in Europe still standing. It was constructed under the Christian Kingdom of Castile by Islamic architects for Jewish use. and is considered a symbol of the cooperation that existed among the three cultures duringa during the Middle Ages. It became a church in the early 1400's after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain and is presently owned by the Catholic Church.
  • Overlooking the city as the sun sets.
  • The day's coming to an end.
  • El Alcázar de Toledo from afar.
  • Monastery of San Juan De Los Reyes.
  • A golden glow on the Infantry Academy.
  • The last bit of sun peeking through the trees as we overlook Toledo.
  • Toledo train station.
  • Almost time to catch the train back to Madrid.
  • Waiting on the platform for the train back to Madrid.
  • A satisfied Rustem heading back to Madrid.
  • Fountain near our Madrid hotel at night.
  • Fortress atop a cliff viewed from the train as we head to Alicante.
  • Entrance to our Alicante hotel, Spa Porta Maris.
  • The hotel lobby is reached by escalator. This is the casino across the street viewed from the lobby level.
  • Our suite room at the Spa Porta Maris.
  • Our dining table at the Spa Porta Maris.
  • View of the Mediterranean from the breakfast room at at the Spa Porta Maris.
  • Alicante - the capital of the Costa Blanca. View of the Mediterranean from our balcony. Just what we needed - glorious!
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