Toledo

Toledo is located 70 km. south of Madrid. It can be reached by a day trip from Atocha train station in Madrid. It is a 30 minute train ride. Cost of train is 20E. Tickets can be bought on day of travel.

If you choose to stay a couple of nights, La Posada de Manolo which is a family, friendly pension with a splendid view of the cathedral.

Toledo is on a mountain top with a 150 degree splendid view. From the train station, the city is approached ascending narrow, steep medieval streets taking you to a medieval world.

It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and historical existence of Christian, Muslim and Jewish culture. Known as the "Imperial City" for having been the main venue of the Court of Charles I and as the City of three cultures.

The city was named by its first Jewish inhabitants who settled there in the 5th century.

The city is said to have been populated since the Bronze Age and named by its first Jewish inhabitants who settled there in the 5th century BCE. In 193, BCE, it became an important Roman colony. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Toledo served as the capital city of Early Christian Spain, till the Moors conquered the Iberian peninsula in the early years of the 8th century.

Experienced a period of co-existance of Jews, Christians and Muslims. 

            The breakfast room and deck is on the second floor of the Pension. Imagine having breakfast  

            with a splendid view of the Cathedral of Toledo.

    Facade of the Cathedral

Interior of the Cathedral

       Narrow streets of Toledo

      Alcazar was used by the Romans as a palace in the 3rd century

Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes

  Interior of Synagogue of Saint Mary the White

Accommodations

http://www.laposadademanolo.com/en/ 

Walk along the Seine, Paris, France

“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”
― Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

“I guess it goes to show that you just never know where life will take you. You search for answers. You wonder what it all means. You stumble, and you soar. And, if you’re lucky, you make it to Paris for a while.”
― Amy Thomas, Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light

    

      Walk from Musee D'Orsay to Pont Sully along the Seine and through Isle de Louis

      Le Lourve from Pont Carousel 

      

    Institute de France

Pont de Arts covered with love lockets

Pont Neuf Oldest bridge in Paris

     One of many stands along the Seine

      Norte Dame

    

      Saint Jean Paul on the side of Notre Dame

           Store Fronts Isle Saint Louis

      Sunny, warm evening in Paris

      Line at the Ice Cream Store

        Cafe overlooking the Seine-expensive glass of Wine

          Bicycles crossing the bridge 

People relaxing in the lovely Jardins behind Notre Dame

         Lovers along the Seine

          View of the Eiffel Tiwer from Pont Neuf

Granada, Spain-the Alhambra

Granada I was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1984. it is located at the foot of Suerra Nevada Mountains in Andalucia. It is best known for the Alhambra, a grand hilltop fortress wth Rotal palaces, serene patios, reflecting pools and gardens from the Nasrid dynasty.

It dates to 5500 BC.

The Alhambra rises up on the banks of the River Darro protected by mountains and surrounded by woods. Originally designed as a military area, the Alhambra became the residence of royality and the court of Granada in the 13th century after the establishment of the Basdrid Kingdom.

Throughout the 13th,14th and 15th centuries the fortress became a citadel with high ramparts and defensive towers. The complex of monuments also has an independent palace, opposite the Alhambra, surrounded by orchards and gardens: the General life. 

Reasons to visit: History, beautiful architecture dating to BC, gardens. 

Tickets for the Alhambra should be bought at least 3 weeks in advance. 

I arranged a tour through Viator which was well worth it. They partnered with Granavision. The guide was Enrique and very knowledgeable. 

http://www.alhambra-patronato.es/index.php/Brief-History/34+M5d637b1e38d/0/

Seen throughout-Allah