Getting there:  there are several ways to get to Toledo.  It takes around an hour by car.  I’m a big fan of exploring Spain by car. There are so many charming little towns and smaller cities you can explore without being tied to a train schedule.  If you are traveling by train, there are also many leaving from Madrid central station all day. A direct train ride is close to 35 minutes.

What to see:  If you love history, Toledo is the place for you.  Centuries ago, Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived in peace in this magical city.  That is why is known as the “city of three cultures”.  Although the elements of this era are carefully preserved in mosques, synagogues, and churches, also pay attention to details of that era within the many walls of the city.

As we approached the city, I was taken by the view of the San Martin Bridge.  It almost felt like stepping into another era as we entered the city.  Although Toledo is the perfect day trip from Madrid, I could’ve easily stayed there several days exploring the little corners of the city and people watching at one of the many patios of Plaza de Zocodover.    A common denominator in Spain is the abundance of culture  You can find it everywhere. Whether it is theater or a church, I’m always learning something new on my trips.  Art and religion come together at the famous Catedral de Toledo.  If you are a fan of gothic art, you will be taken by the architecture of the building and the collections of artists such as Goya, El Greco, Lucas Jordán and Van Dyck.  Tickets to the museum are 11 Euros. More information on the Catedral de Toledo page.

Eat:  I must admit that I did not eat at a restaurant in Toledo as we ate at Yolanda’s parents. However, we did take a coffee break in many of the cafes nestled in the small streets of the city.  One of the specialties of the Toledo is marzipan, a sweet paste made of almond.  Although you can find pieces of marzipan to be sold as candy, it’s a little too sweet for my taste. However, I did indulge in a delicious slice of cake with a thin sliver of marzipan. It was perfect.

As the sun set over the bridge in Toledo, we knew it was time to head to dinner.  That little day trip from Madrid is still one of my favorite memories of Spain.  Hopefully the next time I get to stay a little longer.

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Two weeks ago, I shared my vows with my husband for a second time.  This time we did it in front of our European family and friends in Barcelona. Given the rising cost of airfare, I decided to make a few stops to cities that are very close to my heart on my way to the big party: Madrid and Brussels. We only spent 24 hours in Madrid but had a lovely walk around the city that reminded me why this is one of my favorite European cities. My dear friend Carlis from SpicyCandyDC was my travel buddy for this trip and we loved every minute of our adventure.

After a late arrival from Brussels, we got some much needed sleep and started our day quite late. It was warm and sunny in Madrid as we began our tour at the Gourmet Experience at El Corte Ingles. Let’s start with the view: if you only have 24 hours in Madrid, this has to go on your must see list. Have a tinto de verano and tapas like we did and observe all the iconic landmarks of the city.

After stuffing our faces on montaditos, we decided to walk it off and see El Palacio Real (Royal Palace). We cut through the Plaza Mayor, which is always a pleasure to indulge in its magnitude with the tourists, local students, and questionable performance artists. Afterwards, we walked by the famous Mercado San Miguel.  From there, we found the Palace via Plaza de Oriente, where you can have a lovely cocktail and indulge in people watching of tourists and locals alike.

We continued to walk by the tiny streets and alleys of Madrid with my dear friend Santiago, who has lived in Madrid for three years. We admired hidden churches, secluded plazas, and little details which make this city so great to visit. We found ourselves taking a break at Posada del Leon de Oro, a small hotel with a lovely bar with ample windows to the street and an interesting glass floor. There, we sipped on more tintos de veranos and reminisced about old times and good times in Brussels, the city where Santiago and I met.

Plaza del Oriente

As the sun started to set, we continued our walk to make the most of our time in Madrid. We walked by Parque del Retiro, which I love for running (did many training runs there during my prior visits) and took in the beauty of Madrid City Hall. We ended our aggressive walking tour with a little shopping in the fashionable Salamanca neighborhood where I bought a fabulous cocktail dress at Trucco for my wedding after party. This was my fourth time in the city and although it was 24 Hours in Madrid, it was a lovely experience. Many people focus on Barcelona for travel in Spain, but Madrid also has something very special. I love the history, architecture, and old soul of Madrid. A must go, even if for 24 hours….

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