Toledo

Just 70 km south of Madrid; known as the city of the three cultures for having been populated for many centuries by Christians, Jews and Arabs, Toledo has a history that goes as far as back as the Bronze Age.
A good option to enjoy Toledo is getting lost int their narrow streets. Try the route from the Alcántara Bridge all the way across the city until San Martin Bridge. Don't miss the Alcazar and the magnificent view from there. Museums? Casa de El Greco, where some of  the painter's most important works are. If you love steel knives and swords, Toledo will be like paradise: you'll find a specialized store in almost every corner. Just one important detail: if you travel back to Madrid by AVE train, safety checks are mandatory. So don't forget to request a proper packaging at the store.

If you are planning just a day in Toledo, a guided tour can be a good way to ensure you get the most out of it. These tours are usually cheaper than you expect.

My experience when in Toledo? I took the double-decker open-top red tourist bus at Plaza Zocodover. The tour around the city took less than one hour and gave me the chance to see the city from the top, exactly as you see in any Toledo's postcard. Then I just walked for the rest of the day and it was amazing. So bring comfortable shoes and a map - just in case. My best advice: get lost! Take time to loose yourself in Toledo's medieval streets. Afternoon is the best time as locals are  taking a nap and the silence makes the place even more special. The old city is relatively small and can be crossed in just 45 minutes, so you are never too far from the center. When you want to head back just head uphill and you are virtually guaranteed to end up at the main square, Plaza de Zocodover. 

Where to eat?  My feeling about this topic is always the same: follow the locals. Look and listen to them and choose the place where they go. I don't trust empty restaurants or those full of tourists: they usually serve you the worst. So I always try to see where locals are, and it works!

From Madrid to Toledo: the AVE high-speed train takes about 30minutes and is very comfortable. Check timetable here.  Be aware that once at Toledo Station, sometimes you can't find a bus to the old city; don't worry, it just take a 30 minutes walk and the view is very nice. 

By bus, unfortunately there is no convenient options to Toledo.

By car, play around with the Michelin maps and choose your best option. On the left column of the map you can select the fastest route, the shortest, the economical and the sightseeing, as well as avoid tolls, select the type of vehicle, calculate cost and time. On top of the map you can check the weather on your route, the traffic, petrol stations, and even select different types of maps. You can print or email this map. And you also have written directions with the time and distances between points until destination.

Toledo by night: take a look at this image and try to imagine yourself behind the camera picture.

When I do this exercise, I can see myself comfortably seated, with a glass of red wine in one hand and some Serrano ham in the other. And when the wine has gone, I open my bag and take another bottle :)

So, if you are lucky enough to stay more than one day in Toledo, make sure you book accommodation in advance as it is usually full.

Watch Toledo from the Sky, click here.
Watch my own pictures from Spain by clicking here.