Burgos is approximately two and a half hours by car, north of Madrid. It’s an easy drive and also easily accessible by train, with the train station being quite close to the town centre.
It’s a lovely city with many historical landmarks, the most important of which is the Cathedral of Burgos (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The cathedral is Gothic-style and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It holds many interesting sculptures and artworks and also the tomb of El Cid. Admission price includes a commentary phone, which gives detailed explanations and descriptions of the cathedral history, architecture, interior and artworks.
We stayed at the NH Collection Palacio de Burgos. This hotel is set in a beautifully renovated Gothic building and is very centrally located — only five minutes walk to the cathedral and Burgos central.
Tapas are popular in Burgos but I have to admit, I wasn’t a big fan of the selection. There seemed to be a lot of morcilla (blood sausage) and anchovies, neither of which I eat (but that’s my personal taste). We were given two tapas bar recommendations close to the cathedral: La Favorita and La Boca del Lobo. These were obviously popular local choices as they were VERY busy. We did try the tapas at Del Lobo, they offered a wide variety and were very tasty.
The food in general in Burgos seemed to be a little expensive (hamburgers from approx. 18 € to 26€) but the wine was very reasonable. Unfortunately, due to dire hunger circumstances on Saturday we ended up eating in one of the few restaurants that were not busy. I was served frozen chicken (that appeared to have been pre-cooked/roasted and then frozen but not defrosted properly!) and it was quite frankly, awful! The staff didn’t charge me the 18 € for my “dish”!
The following day saw Burgos redeemed when we ate at Casa Azofra. The house speciality here is Cordero Lechal Asado and it was delicious! Served with a crisp salad and a lovely house red — I highly recommend it!
We only spent two days in Burgos but we plan to return and take more time wandering around this lovely historic town. This is a great weekend place to visit that’s not too far out of Madrid.
Hi there everyone. I’m sorry I’m late posting this week but as the title indicates, we’re skiing in Baqueira Beret so I’ve been a little busy on the slopes.
I thought I should share a quick post with you about this fabulous winter sports area. If you haven’t been and you are into some snow activity, then this a a great ski location. It’s a big area and the vistas are beautiful! We’re staying in a hotel within 50 metres of one of the gondolas and the hotel provides lockers, accessed by your room key right at the gondola station so it makes things very easy.
We’ve had a lot of snow so the base is fabulous with lots of powder and groomed runs. There are 4 levels, green (very beginner), Blue (harder and a little more intermediate) Red diamond (Intermediate/advanced) and Black (advanced/expert).
We did check the Spanish school holiday periods but we didn’t think to check other European countries so we were surprised at the number of people and we soon realised that some ares of France and Britain are in school vacation. This wasn’t a big problem however as we soon discovered that the mountain provides a large ski zone for all. Most of the chair lifts seat 4 or 6 people and the lines move very quickly. We are avoiding the central slopes, however and preferring to ski either side, on the further slopes and out of the way of ski schools and crowds.
There are quite a few different restaurants to choose from and some small supermarkets. We had a lovely glass of Moet at the Moet Lounge Bar half way down one of the runs today – blue skis, sun and snow – what can be better?
We drove here from Madrid so I can’t offer any advice about other means of transportation. I think though, that driving would be the easiest option if you can manage it.
Please feel free to e-mail me if you would like any more information – I’m more than happy to pass on any advice/opinions.
I’m sure many of you have been to Granada but as it was our first visit there recently, I thought I’d do a quick post about this beautiful city and include some photos.
In my opinion, Granada truly is one of Spain’s best cities. Located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and one hour from the Mediterranean, visitors get the best of both worlds! Also, the Sierra Nevada ski resort is close by so in winter you can ski and in the warmer months, a swim in the beautiful Mediterranean waters is just a car ride away — I’m thinking a great city for a holiday home!!
We stayed at the Hotel Alhambra Palace. This is a lovely hotel (with its own interesting history) providing stunning views over the city and mountains and an easy walk into town.
Of course we visited the Alhambra Palace and spent a few hours wandering around this historical and beautiful citadel. Its Moorish history and influence gives a fabulous insight into Islamic architecture and culture and provides a stunning attraction. The grounds are also superb and beautifully maintained — well worth a leisurely stroll around on a lovely day! We booked our tickets on line, which I recommend.
Tapas are also a highlight in this city. They are plentiful, varied and delicious and often afterwards, we found ourselves not requiring dinner.
Wandering through the narrow streets I almost felt that I was back in the bazars of Morocco! Brightly coloured textiles, scarves and clothing hang from the stalls, alongside beaded bags, oils and spices. The Moorish influence remains an integral component of this city and provides for a truly cultural and vibrant experience.
There are Segway and bus tours that you can take, both providing interesting commentary and site seeing.
Another fabulous Spanish city that can’t be missed!
Anne Pinder has submitted this fabulous post for us today – thank you, Anne.
Roman, Muslim, Jewish and Christian, fabulous Córdoba has lots to see and lots of personality, but somehow this city is often overlooked in favor of the showier Sevilla or Granada.
If you haven’t visited Córdoba, put it on your list. Better yet, start planning your trip for the near future. Here are some tips to get you started.
Córdoba’s Must-See Monuments:
Mosque-Cathedral. The oldest part is from the late 8th century; enlarged three times, the current cathedral was added in the 16th century. Audio guide is ok, take an ID (keep the receipt handy to pick up ID after visit!). You can climb the tower (built around the original minaret), but space is limited so you might have to wait.
Baños del Alcázar Califal / Baths from the original Alcázar fortress. 10th – 11th century. Very interesting, model / map explaining the importance of baths in Muslim culture, Córdoba’s center city in Muslim times, and how these baths fit into overall urban layout.
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos / Fortress of the Christian Kings. Second fortress, 13th century. While this is a must-see, I was a little disappointed, lots of site is closed off and the signage inside is minimal (get a pamphlet to learn more, 3 euros). What’s good: Very nice view from the one tower you can climb, pretty courtyard with foundations of previous building, baths (different from ones above), Roman mosaics in the old chapel, fabulous gardens.
Wandering: a true must-do in Córdoba! The part around the mosque-cathedral is always very crowded, try to get a bit farther away: streets Judios, Almanzor and Romero and their side streets are all nice. Don’t worry about getting lost; signage is pretty good and any local can point you back to the mosque-cathedral.
Got more time? See these:
Synagogue. Not very big but good to see as compare/contrast with Toledo and as part of the Three Cultures theme.
Caballerizas Reales / Royal Stables. 16th century. There isn’t a lot to see (empty stalls, some old buggies) and opening hours are short but I liked this – it’s probably a must-see for anyone horsey. Horse show several times a week, get more info or buy tickets at http://www.caballerizasreales.com/index.php
Archaeological Museum. Maybe too panel-intensive for young kids, but lots of info and well laid out. Panels in English, too. Building is on top of a Roman theater, don’t miss the excavations in the basement.
Other sights: various typical houses with permanent exhibits, pretty patios (peek in!), Roman bridge, ruins of Roman temple, old city walls and city gates.
Getting there: Córdoba is on high-speed AVE train route to Sevilla or Málaga, less than two hours from Madrid. To get the best ticket price buy early, or if traveling with family / friends consider getting the “tarifa-mesa” (table rate), a considerable savings when buying four tickets facing each other over a small table.
How long to stay: Three days to see just about everything in a relaxed way, two days missing some things or hurrying. If terribly pressed for time, Córdoba could be one-day trip from Madrid by high-speed train, or a stop-off on the way to Sevilla (even if travelling by train), but that would only allow the top sights, and almost no time for wandering and soaking up the atmosphere.
Tip: Luggage lockers (consigna) in the bus station, just across the street from the train station. Dump your bags during the day to explore unencumbered before afternoon or evening departure.
More information: Córdoba city website is very good, helps you plan almost everything before you go: http://english.turismodecordoba.org/index2.cfm . Tourism offices in the city: at train station and on side street between mosque and Roman bridge.
Well we’ve been in San Sebastian for some much needed R & R and I have to say that all the reports I’ve heard are true — it’s a beautiful city!
One of the first things we did was book a table at one of San Sebastian’s numerous Michelin-starred restaurants. The restaurant
we chose was Mugaritz, it’s one the three-star restaurants in the area. Mugaritz’smodus operandi is to serve many small dishes (I think we had 24!). Essentially it’s a degustation menu with some intriguingly named plates such as — Salting of ashes: orchids and ferns and A thousand leaves… It changes all the time and is largely based on what’s seasonal and what’s on offer in the local markets. The experience was…interesting and most of the food was very enjoyable and it’s something that we can cross off the
list. However, if you do make reservations for such a restaurant I recommend that you read the cancellation policy carefully (some of them charge a hefty cancellation fee).
When we first arrived in San Sebastian the weather was quite arctic! Everyone was wandering around in winter woollies and there was a fierce wind blowing. A couple of days later however, the sun was shining and the temperature had warmed up considerably — yippee, swimming weather! The beach was beautiful — soft, white sand and loads of beach chairs with awnings to rent. The sun was out and I couldn’t wait to get into the water, when I ventured in however, my breath stopped and I flapped my arms around like an untrained seal and squealed — it was freezing! I don’t know if it’s the Australian in me, or if I’m just a non-handling princess, but it took me some minutes to get used to the water temperature! My husband assured me that it wasn’t that much cooler than what we’re used to but I suspect he was humouring me to get me in! Once immersed though, it was truly lovely and the water is beautifully clear and clean.
It’s a fabulous place to walk around and the old section is great for tapas. Also, you must visit the bull-fighting plaza in the old town. The surrounding apartments used to be private viewing boxes, their old numbers are still displayed above the doors.
The lookout offers picturesque views across the beach and the city and makes for a good energetic walk, as does the foreshore at sunset.
I totally recommend it but pack for some varying temperatures and wet weather. Also, there’s a great bike track that runs along the foreshore, so keep that in mind.
Well I’m in the Northwest of Spain at the moment and it’s quite lovely. The beaches are beautiful but unfortunately the weather has been cool, well too cool for an Australian to venture into the water!
I think that’s the only problem with this area. The weather can be quite temperamental and it’s often windy. The good aspect is that it doesn’t seem to attract as many tourists as the South of Spain.
There is quite a lot to do here and it would make a good holiday location for families. A bike track follows the shoreline around the city and there are numerous places to hire bikes. There is also Segway hire and tours around the city environs.
The lighthouse here — Torre de Hercules, is the oldest lighthouse in the world. It was constructed by the Romans and whilst it’s been extensively renovated, the original structure can be seen on the inside.
The Castle of San Anton, houses an interesting archaeology and history museum. It was originally built as a fortress but has also served as a prison.
You can also visit the home of Maria Pita, famous for her role in defeating the English Armada in 1589.
We took a day trip to Santiago, which is about an hour’s drive away from A Coruña (yes — we cheated!). Apparently Santiago is one of the three most important places in Christianity, after Jerusalem and Rome. It’s also the final stop on the Camino de
Santiago pilgrimage. Our Spanish friends told us you must kiss the feet of the Shrine of St James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. This, we were told after we’d visited and when we said we hadn’t in fact kissed anything, our error was met with gasps of disbelief. We had to promise to go back and correct our oversight — perhaps next time I’ll walk!
We left Santiago and drove to Lugo. There is not a great deal here but it’s the only city in the world entirely enclosed by a Roman wall. It’s perfectly in tact and you can walk all the way along the top of the structure. They hold a Roman festival here in June, which sounds like good fun to attend.
All in all I do recommend a visit but keep in mind the temperamental weather.
This week I’ve decided to write a post on Sevilla. We visited there with friends a couple of weeks ago and if you haven’t yet been, I think you need to put it on your bucket list.
It’s a beautiful city full of history and interesting things to do. It boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the Alcázar palace, the Cathedral and the General Archives of the Indies.
The Alcázar palace complex was very impressive, particularly the grounds. My girlfriend and I wandered around here for a couple of hours and enjoyed a lovely lunch in the café overlooking the garden.
The Cathedral is lovely although it was very busy and the line to get in could be quite long. This is also where Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón) is interred. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and has very intriguing architecture.
If you are interested in the history of Sevilla, you must visit the General Archives of the Indies. Here you can find a fascinating collection of historical documents, and also a short movie that provides a good snapshot of Sevilla over the years.
As Andalusia is where Flamenco was born, we just had to see a show while we were there and it didn’t disappoint! We asked the hotel for a recommendation and they booked us in. You can enjoy dinner with the show or just sip a complimentary drink. Definitely a ‘must do’ in Sevilla.
We drove to Sevilla from Madrid. The trip took approximately five hours and as the roads in Spain are fabulous, it was a very easy drive and provided some lovely countryside scenery.