Spotlight: El Caminito del Rey

 Spotlight: Once known as "one of the world's most dangerous hikes," the Caminito del Rey is now safe as well as adventurous. The 7.7 km hike is made via a wooden walkway 100 meters above the Guadalhorce River, along a sheer cliff face, offering magnificent views of the canyon and surrounding countryside. The walls of the canyon rise as much as 700 meters above the canyon floor. The canyon is home to various species of vultures, golden eagles, Spanish ibex and wild boar. The aerial walkway was built in the early 20th century, between the waterfalls of Gaitanejo and El Chorro, to allow access by maintenance workers for the local hydroelectric dam. The hike got its name due to a visit by King Alfonso XIII, who visited the site in 1921, officially opening the engineering project.

Hydroelectric dam

View of the canyon

View of the old path below the new one

    The path through the canyon is one-way (north to south) and encompasses a combination of mountain trails and suspended boardwalks. At one point, there is a glass balcony which juts out from the walkway, allowing unobstructed vertical views of the canyon below. Guided tours of El Caminito del Rey start at the Visitors' Reception Centre at Puerto de las Atalayas (57.7 km northwest of Malaga or 51 km west of Antequera). 

Suspended boardwalk

Suspended bridge

glass balcony

View of the boardwalk hugging the cliff

Location: El Caminito del Rey, 29550 Ardales

- VISITORS' Reception Centre coordinates: X: 36.914411 / Y: -4.806910

Cost: General admission: 10 euros; Guided tours: 18 euros

Time: Guided hikes of Caminito del Rey begin from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. The hike takes between 3-4 hours.

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Things You Should Know:

- You can reserve and purchase your ticket online (https://www.caminitodelrey.info/en/) or directly at the northern access of the Caminito, at the ticket office.

- Parking at the Visitors' Reception Centre is 2 euros/day. Plan on arriving one hour before your hike time to allow for pre-hike preparations, including shuttle time from the Visitors' Centre to the starting point of the hike.

- The shuttle that you take from the Visitors' Centre to the Caminito del Rey is not owned by the tour company, but the shuttle stop is next to the Visitors' Centre parking, and 300 meters from the ending point for the return trip. A single ticket is needed to travel back and forth on the shuttle. The ticket can be purchased ahead of time (online) or with cash (2.50 euros), but cannot be purchased by credit/debit card at the shuttle stop. The shuttle service runs from 7:40 am to 7:00 pm and is about 15-20 minutes.

- If you desire to do the hike on your own, there are parking lots in the town of Ardales where the hike begins. You can then take the shuttle bus from the trail's end back to Ardales.

Nearby: Ardales Cave (10 km SW of Caminito del Rey); Neocropolis de las Aguilillas (6.3 km NW of Caminito del Rey); The Rock Church of Bobastro (9.3 km south of Caminito del Rey); Malaga (60 km SE of Caminito del Rey).

Spotlight: Antequera, Spain

 Spotlight: Located in Andalusia, Antequera isn't usually found on most tourist company's lists of must-see places in Spain. However, we found it the perfect place to set up our base camp as we explored southern Spain. Antequera is located in between the four major cities in Andalusia: Cordoba, Sevilla, Malaga and Granada. We found an inexpensive, yet very comfortable and roomy Airbnb there and stayed there for a week, taking day trips to the nearby cities. Yet, even though it doesn't occupy much space in travel brochures, Antequera, with its white homes with red roofs, has some treasures of its own - including a castle and a nature reserve.

City of Antequera

A beautiful Antequeran church

Activities: 

La Alcazaba de Antequera: The Alcazaba de Antequera is a 14th century, rectangular fortress with three towers. It was built by the Moors over the ruins of a Roman fortress in an effort to check the advance of Christian forces into Andalusia. Nevertheless, in 1410 AD, the Castillian forces conquered the city following a six month seige. The moorish residents were exiled to Granada, where they settled in a neighborhood they named Antequeruela. The Christian forces reinforced the city's defenses and built a bell tower/chapel in the largest tower in 1582. This tower is among the largest in all of Andalusia.

La Alcazaba de Antequera

Castle interior

Castle Wall

- Location: Pl. de los Escribanos, s/n, 29200 Antequera

- Hours: 10 am to 6 pm daily (no entrance after 5:30)

- Cost: Adults: 6 euros, Groups: 5 euros each, Children 7-16: 3 euros

- Rating: 3 of 5 stars

El Torcal de Antequera: Located 16 km south of the city limits (about 5 mi. as the crow flies), is the beautiful Torcal de Antequera - a nature reserve. This park can be explored on your own or as part of a guided tour. Although certain areas of the reserve are only accessible through guided tours, there are many paths that are accessible to the general public. We decided to explore on our own, and it was spectacular. If you like unique rock formations, this park has plenty of fascinating formations - including the "Tornillo" (screw) and many similar formations. In fact, the Torcal is considered one of the most impressive karst landscapes in Europe. If you like animals, this park has plenty of them as well. As we were hiking, we heard what sounded like someone banging a hammer. We turned the corner and saw a herd of Spanish ibex. A couple of males were trying to establish their dominance by banging their heads. We also saw a fox searching for its breakfast. Other common animals in the park include: the Montpellier snake, the ocellated lizard, the Griffon vulture, badgers, weasels and other rodents. There are also many caves in the park, including the Cueva del Toro - which has several neolithic artifacts.

El Torcal de Antequera

El Tornillo

Hungry fox

Ibex head-butters

Spanish ibex herd

- Location: Calle el Torcal de Antequera, 70, 75, 29200 Antequera

- Hours: Open 24 hours/day

- Cost: free; guided tours cost between 2 euros - 16 euros, depending on the tour

- Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Things you should know: 

- If you desire to visit the Torcal de Antequera with a group or as part of a guided tour, please communicate your plans at: reservas@torcaldeantequera.com. If you plan to tour the park on your own, no advance reservations are needed. 

- The best time to visit the Torcal is probably early morning when you are likely to have the park practically to yourselves and are more likely to discover wildlife on the prowl.

- The Torcal Visitors Center has several visitor services including: parking, a tourist information center, tour guide services, a gift shop, cafeteria, interpretive area, a multi-purpose room and an astronomical observatory.

Nearby: El Caminito del Rey - a fabulous hike (50 km west of Antequera); Malaga - a large city located on the Mediterranean Sea (52 km south of Antequera); Sevilla - Spain's most important city during its colonial days (158 km west of Antequera); Cordoba - the Islamic capital of Spain during the height of Al-Andalus (119 km north of Antequera); Granada - home to La Alhambra (101 km east of Antequera).

Top 10 - Castles in Spain

     There are more than 2,500 documented castles in Spain! The number actually exceeds 10,000 if you include all the unofficial buildings and ruins that were once considered castles. Although some people refer to any palace as a castle, the official definition of a castle is a large, fortified building, typically from the medieval era. I have only visited a dozen Spanish castles, so this list is by no means comprehensive. It only includes those that I've visited personally. However, those that I've visited are definitely worth a look. With that disclaimer in mind, here is my Top 10:

10.  Fortaleza de Monterreal (Bayona) - Bayona is best known as the city where the Pinta landed upon its return from the Americas on March 1, 1493. It was from here that word of a "New World" spread across Europe. A full-scale replica of the Pinta sits in the harbor, which is guarded by the Fortaleza de Monterreal. The castle was built on the same site where Julius Caesar conquered Bayona in 60 BC. Construction of the modern castle was begun during the 11th century and wasn't completed until the 17th century. Because of its strategic location on the northwest coast of Spain, the site has been fortified for more than 2,000 years by many different groups (including Celtics, Visigoths and Romans) and has suffered many naval attacks over the centuries. Although there isn't much left in the interior of the fort, three kilometers of walls connect the three main towers, and are armed with many cannons. The Torre del Reloj houses the giant bell that was rung whenever ships were spotted approaching the shore.

Fortaleza de Monterreal

9. Castillo de la Mota (Medina del Campo, near Valladolid) - The Castillo de la Mota, located in Medina del Campo (56 km south of Valladolid), has the look of a classic castle. Built on an elevated hill (a mota), it dominates the small village that surrounds it. This setup is reminiscent of how much of Spain was during medieval times when the economy was based on the feudal system. The Lord of the Manor, el Don, would rent out his land to landless serfs who would pay the Lord with a substantial portion of the crops that they grew to support their family. If bandits attacked the village, the Lord would provide protection within the castle walls, and the villagers were expected to help defend the castle. The castle has a trapezoidal floor plan with four towers and a square courtyard in the middle. A dry moat surrounds the castle, which could only be accessed via a drawbridge when the moat was full. Unfortunately, we got there too late to go on the tour, so we only got to see a limited amount of the castle. We did get to enter the large chapel and walk around the impressive ramparts.

Castillo de la Mota

The castle chapel

8. Castillo de Consuegra - Consuegra is a town smack dab in the middle of La Mancha - Spain's interior plains where the adventures of Don Quijote took place. The castle occupies a spot on top of the hill that looks out over La Mancha, which today is covered in farmland. Along the ridge of the hill, visitors can explore one of the seven old fashioned windmills that were used to grind grain for generations. It now serves as a gift shop where you can purchase a ticket to explore its interior. The castle, which is over 800 years old, was built by the Order of San Juan de Jerusalen over the remains of Muslim castle that was conquered by Christian soldiers during the long religious war for control of the peninsula. The castle, which has gone through many reformations over the centuries, has been restored to appear as it did during its heyday in the 15th century. The many rooms include living quarters, a chapel, an armory, a narrow staircase leading down to the dungeon, and of course many ramparts along the exterior to defend the castle from attack.

Castillo de Consuegra

Consuegra Castle bed chamber

7. Castillo de Coca (near Segovia) - Built for Don Alonso de Fonseca, the archbishop of Sevilla, during the 15th century, the Castillo de Coca (62 km NW of Segovia) is one of the best examples of Spanish Mudejar style - combining elements of Islamic styles with Flamboyant Gothic. The 15th century castle was attacked during the Revolt of the Comuneros in 1521. Over the years, the castle fell into disrepair until it was declared a national monument in 1926. However, full scale repairs to the castle weren't done until 1954-1958. Upon its completion, a Forestry School was opened within the castle. It was also partially opened to tourism, including: the Chapel, Armory and Central keep. One of the coolest things about Castillo de Coca is that you are able to explore the castle on your own - discovering all the nooks and crannies like kids do when exploring a vacated house. Even though it doesn't have some of the historical significance of many of the other castles on this list, it is a classic medieval castle, and looks really cool.

Castillo de Coca

Castle moat

Exploring the ramparts

6.  Castillo de Manzanares el Real (north of Madrid) - El Castillo de Manzanares is located at the foot of the Guadarrama Mountains along the Manzanares River (52 km. north of Madrid). This 15th century castle was the primary residence of the Mendoza family and is one of the best preserved castles from the era. The quadrangular castle was constructed completely of granite and has the look of a classical castle, with circular towers at each corner. In 1961, it was one of the castles used in filming the movie El Cid - the most famous warrior in Spanish history. The castle houses a museum on Castles of Spain, including a huge collection of tapestries.

Castillo de Manzanares el Real

Dining Hall

One of the amazing tapestries

5. Alcazaba de Malaga - Malaga is a large city on the southern shores of Spain. The Alcazaba was constructed during the Islamic Era under the rule of the Al-Andalus. The current fortress was built in the 11th century along a ridge of a large hill that looks out over the city and the Mediterranean Sea. The ridge was previously occupied by the Phoenicians circa 600 BC. Excavations of the hill have also uncovered a Roman Era theater that was built into the western slope of the hill in the first century AD. The fortress comprises two walled enclosures (one within the other). The inner enclosure encompasses the hills summit and encloses the palaces within its gates. The whole structure can be accessed by climbing a series of stairs and ramps that climb the hill, passing through various gates with beautiful views of the city.

Alcazaba de Malaga

Roman Era theater

4. Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (Córdoba) - Cordoba was the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate in Spain during the Middle Ages. During that time, it was probably the most academically advanced city in Europe. "Alcazar" is the Romanized translation of the Arabic word for "The Palace." The Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (Palace of the Christian Kings) is located near the banks of the Guadalquivir River near the famous Mosque-Cathedral - site of the principal Islamic mosque in Spain. When the Umayyad Caliphate in Damascus fell to the rival Abbasid Caliphate, the surviving monarch, Abd ar-Rahman I, fled to Cordoba. Soon after, he began construction of the Alcazar, which became the official residence of the Al-Andalus. The Christians conquered the city in 1236, and in 1328 King Alfonso XI began construction of the current palace on the site of the old fortress, incorporating many of its structures. The castle got its name from the Christian Monarchs, Fernando and Isabel, who used the fortress for one of the first permanent tribunals of the Spanish Inquisition. The magnificent palace is perhaps surpassed by the immaculate gardens that surround it. The complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos

The Alcazar Gardens

3. Real Alcazar de Sevilla - The Royal Alcazar of Sevilla is a walled palace that was constructed on the site of the ancient Islamic-era citadel in the 10th century. It was expanded into a palace complex by the Abbadid Dynasty in the 11th century, followed by the Almohads in the 12th and 13th centuries. When the city was conquered by the Castilians in 1248, many of the palaces and gardens in the complex were rebuilt or replaced, retaining the Mudejar style, but adding sections with Gothic and Renaissance styles. The Alcazar was used as a set in the filming of the 1962 Hollywood blockbuster Lawrence of Arabia. The Alcazar is still a working palace, and the royal family occupies the upper stories whenever they are in town. The castle was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987 and is administered by the Patrimonia Nacional.

Real Alcazar de Sevilla

One of the many ornately carved Palace entrances

2. Alcazar de Segovia -  The Alcazar of Segovia is the epitome of a medieval castle. Built on a stone peninsula overlooking the confluence of the Eresma and Clamores rivers, it was perhaps the most impregnable castle of its era. Secret passages below the castle lead down to the river below allowing access to fresh water as needed. The castle was built in the 12th century A.D. and was the home to 22 kings, but its most famous occupant was Isabel of Castile - the queen who with her husband Fernando would unite the peninsula (except Portugal) into one of the first countries of modern Europe. After the castle was gutted by fire in 1862, it was restored to its 15th century glory and converted into a museum and National Archive. The Homage Tower once housed the famous treasure of the Crown of Castile, which was used to fund the voyages of Christopher Columbus. In modern times, the castle served as one of the models for Walt Disney's Cinderella Castle at Disneyland. UNESCO declared the castle a World Heritage Site in 1985.

Alcazar de Segovia (2008 study abroad group)

Main Tower of Segovia's Alcazar

Throne Room

1. The Alhambra (Granada) - If there were a 7 Wonders of Spain list, the Alhambra would most likely take the first spot. In 1238, with the "Reconquest" of Spain by the Christians in full bloom, Abdallah Ibn al-Ahmar decided to strengthen the defenses of Granada by building a fortified palace on Sabika Hill. During the reign of the Nasrid Dynasty, the Alhambra was transformed into a palatine city, complete with aqueducts that supplied the mountain top with an adequate supply of fresh water. Over the course of the next 250 years, the caliphs continually added to the complex, building new palaces and converting the older ones into ornate governmental buildings or housing for other important individuals. As the other Islamic strongholds of Andalucía fell to the Christian monarchs, Granada became the last stronghold of the Islamic forces in Europe. In December of 1491, the aptly named Catholic monarchs, Fernando and Isabel, marched into Granada accompanied by an army of overwhelming numbers. Rather than Muhammad XII of Granada capitulated in January of 1492, allowing the Alhambra to be spared a brutal attack. Upon the exodus of the Islamic forces, Fernando and Isabel took possession of the citadel. Their son, Carlos V, built his own palace on the summit - a cubed building with a circular courtyard which stands out due to its incongruity with the Moorish architecture which dominates the remainder of the hill. The Alhambra was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Although some of the ancient structures have long since been replaced, the complex currently contains: the Alcazaba (fortress), a fortified will with 13 defensive towers, the Palace of Charles V, Comares Palace, the Palace of the Lions, Partal Palace, the Palace of Abencerrajes, the Palace of the Convent of San Francisco, Generalife Palace, and numerous plazas, gates, towers and gardens. The geometrically themed artwork on the walls, which was carved or painted by hand, is absolutely exquisite.

Wide view of the Alhambra complex

The Generalife Palace fountain

Inner view of a palatial dome

Spotlight: Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso

Spotlight: This Royal Palace of San Ildefonso, known as La Granja, is located in the small town of San Ildefonso, about 10 km. east of Segovia, and 80 km north of Madid. The palace was built in the early 18th century, during the reign of King Felipe V, the first Spanish king of the French Bourbon Dynasty, who rose to the throne following the death of Carlos II, who had no male heirs. Felipe, who was homesick for his native France, began building the palace and gardens based on the famous Palace of Versailles. Teodoro Ardemans was chosen as the first architect for the project, but was later succeeded by Andrea Procaccina, and finally Filippo Juvarra. The palace was designed, in the Rococo architectural style, as a quiet retreat for Felipe, who planned to retire there. However, when his successor, King Louis I, unexpectedly died, Felipe was drawn out of retirement, and his quiet retreat became an important meeting place for the King, his advisors and the Spanish Court. The small town of San Ildefonso grew to provide for the needs of the many courtiers who arrived to pay homage to the reagent. Some of these expansions included military barracks, a collegiate church and a royal glass factory. Following Felipe's death, the palace served as the primary summer residence of the royal family until the 1880's. Although much of the palace was burned during a fire in 1918, it has been restored to appear as it did during its heyday. The Palace is part of the Patrimonio Nacional of Spain, which maintains many of the Crown's lands, and is currently used as a museum.

Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso

View from the top of Cascada Nueva

    One of the key attractions of the Palace are its extensive gardens and fountains. The gardens extend over 1,500 acres, and were designed by Rene Carlier in the Jardin a la francoise style, which was popular throughout Europe in that era. The gardens include 26 sculptural fountains which feature themes from classical mythology, particularly in the Greek tradition. The fountains are made of lead, to avoid corrosion, but painted to look bronze or marble. The original waterworks are still functional, relying on gravity to project water up to forty meters in height. However, most days only a few fountains are in operation.

The Cascada Nueva fountain

The gardens of La Granja

The fountains are rarely on; but the artwork is beautiful

Location: Real Sitio de San Ildefonso

Cost: 9 euros; entrance is free on Wednesdays and Sundays from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Time: open daily Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (last entry at 6:00 pm); the gardens stay open later based on the month; closed Mondays

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Things you should know: - A few fountains are operational daily from April to mid-October. The Diana Baths is usually operational on Saturday evenings. All 26 fountains are in operation twice a year - on the Feast Days of San Fernando (May 30) and San Luis (Aug. 25).

- Transportation to San Ildefonso is available by bus from Madrid (Avanza) or Segovia (Linecar)

- Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the Royal Palace. However, you can see what some of them look like, as well as the fountains on display at this link: https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/san-ildefonso-palace

Nearby: Madrid - Spain's capital (80 km SE of San Ildefonso); Segovia (10 km to the west of San Ildefonso); Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial - a royal site where most of the kings and queens of Spain are entombed (59.6 km south of San Ildefonso); Castillo de Manzanares - a beautiful medieval castle (41.5 km SE of San Ildefonso)

Spotlight: Segovia, Spain

 Spotlight: Located along the Eresma River near the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range, Segovia is located 91.6 km northwest of Madid. Segovia is a fortified city in Castilla-Leon - with a fortified castle and city walls extending from the castle around the city center. Queen Isabella was crowned Queen of Castilla-Leon in 1474 in the church of San Miguel de Segovia near Segovia's Plaza Mayor. Queen Isabella and her husband, King Ferdinand of Aragon, united northern Spain and conquered the Muslim kingdoms in Andalucía (southern Spain) to create the modern nation of Spain. 

    Segovia is probably my favorite city in Spain. The city center of Segovia, and its famous aqueduct, were both declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The city center contains many historical buildings of civil and religious importance - including a number of historical Jewish sites within the Old Jewish Quarter. The most famous monument is the Aqueduct of Segovia in the Plaza de Azoguejo. The aqueduct dates back to the early second century A.D. and is the best preserved roman aqueduct in all of Spain. It is an awesome example of the Roman's engineering prowess, with about 25,000 granite blocks held together by gravity (without the use of mortar!), spanning 818 meters with 167 arches, the tallest measuring 29 meters. The aqueduct remained in use until 1973, and received its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1985. If you follow the aqueduct to where it intersects with the city walls, you can climb the stairs to get more amazing views of the aqueduct from a different angle.

The Aqueduct of Segovia

View of the aqueduct from the city walls

- Location:: Pl. Azoguejo, Segovia

- Hours: always open

- Cost: free

- Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Activities: 

"La Dama" - La Catedral de Segovia: Segovia's cathedral is considered the last Gothic-style cathedral built in Spain. Construction was started in 1525, but the cathedral wasn't dedicated until 1768. The cathedral was built on a hill near the city center and the tower, measuring 108 meters, became the tallest tower in Spain upon its completion.

- Location:  C/ Marques del Arco, 1, 40001 Segovia

- Hours: 9:00 am - 9:30 pm (Mon. - Sat.); 1:30 pm - 9:30 pm (Sun.)

- Cost: 4 euros

- Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

La Dama - Segovia's cathedral

The Alcazar of Segovia: The Alcazar is a medieval castle built on a stone peninsula overlooking the confluence of the Eresma and Clamores rivers, offering a fantastic view that provided both aesthetic and military value. Segovia's city walls flanked the castle walls until they reach the back wall, creating the illusion of a giant ship with the castle located at its bow and the aqueduct jutting out like a rudder. The castle was built around the 12th century A.D. and was the home to 22 kings as well as many other historical figures. The castle served as the Royal Artillery College until an accidental fire gutted many of its rooms. When the castle was restored to its 15th century glory (when Isabella sat on the throne), it was turned into a museum and National Archive. The Homage Tower once housed the famous treasure of the Crown of Castile, which was used to fund the voyages of Christopher Columbus. In modern times, the castle served as one of the models for Walt Disney's Cinderella Castle at Disneyland.

- Location: Pl. Reina Victoria Eugenia, s/n, 40003 Segovia

- Hours: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm (summer); 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (winter); closed for major holidays

- Cost: 10 euros

- Rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Alcazar of Segovia
(as seen from the valley below)

castle garden - Alcazar

The Alcazar was one of the castles that
inspired Walt Disney's Cinderella Castle

The Room of Kings - Alcazar

The Iglesia de Vera Cruz: The Church of the True Cross is a Roman Catholic church built by the Knights Templar in 1208 in the Romanesque style - a 12-sided polygon with 3 semicircular chapels, reminiscent of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. Inside the church is a two-story gallery. According to legend, the Knight Templar would stand guard in this shrine, protecting a fragment of wood that was said to come from the true cross of Jesus Christ. However, the fragment of wood is no longer housed here, but the shrine remains a popular tourist destination.

- Location: Tr.ª Zamarramala, s/n, 40003 Segovia (in the valley below the Alcazar of Segovia)

- Hours: 10:30 am - 1:30 pm; 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Wednesday - Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday)

- Cost: 1.20 euros (free on weekends and holidays)

- Rating: 3 of 5 stars

La Iglesia de la Vera Cruz

Inside the Church of the True Cross

La Real Casa de Moneda: The Coining House was previously the Royal Mint, and dates back to the 1500's. The mint was commissioned by Felipe II, and built on the shore of the Eresma River to take advantage of the new technique of minting coins using hydraulic-powered machinery. This was the first mechanized factory in Spain and remained in use until 1869. The Coining House is now a museum, which demonstrates the evolution of coin making from ancient times up to the 20th century.

- Location: C. la Moneda, s/n, 40003 Segovia (in the valley below the Alcazar of Segovia)

- Hours: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm; 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Wednesday - Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday)

- Cost: 4.50 euros

- Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Real Casa de Moneda water wheels

Old Spanish coins

Things you should know: Segovia wasn't built with cars in mind. Travel around the city is best done on foot since it is almost impossible to find parking spaces near where you want to go. In fact, when we did try to drive down one street, it was so narrow that the walls on both sides of the street were covered with scrapes from cars that got a little too close, and a gouge was carved out of the stone wall in order to allow the cars' mirrors to squeeze through.

A narrow street in Segovia

- Segovia is famous for its cochinillo (roast pig). One famous restaurant demonstrates the tenderness of the meat with a small ceremony in which the waiter cuts the pig with a plate, then smashes the plate on the floor. I'm not sure why they smash the plate, but it's part of the spectacle.

Nearby: Madrid - Spain's capital (91.5 km SE of Segovia); The Royal Palace of San Ildefonso (10 km to the east of Segovia); Castillo de Manzanares - a beautiful medieval castle (51.5 km SE of Segovia), Castillo de Coca - another beautiful medieval castle (62 km NW of Segovia) and Castillo de Mota - another interesting medieval castle (94.5 km NW of Segovia)