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Visiting El Escorial, Segovia and Toledo??

Visiting El Escorial, Segovia and Toledo??

Old Sep 16th, 2013, 05:59 PM
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Visiting El Escorial, Segovia and Toledo??

Hello - Hubby and I are spending 5 full days (arriving on Tuesday, Oct 8th, and flying out on Monday, Oct 14th) in Madrid and are trying to plan our time. 2 Questions - 1. If we rent a car can we visit El Escorial and Segovia in a single day? 2. Should we rent a car to visit Toledo? Or, is it really easier to travel via the high speed AVE train? And if we travel by train to Toledo, do we need to make advance reservations given that we are traveling in early October? Thanks for your suggestions!
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Old Sep 16th, 2013, 06:12 PM
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Hi; Having just visited/stayed in Spain, it is easy to visit Toledo by train from Madrid.

For Segovia and El Escorial, Robert would know if a tour could do this in a day.

No train reservations are needed in advance for Toledo.

www.maribelsguides.com for info
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Old Sep 16th, 2013, 08:43 PM
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1) You could easily do this in a day. Without a car, find a tour that takes you there. If you rent a car, the earlier the better, as parking fills up.

2) Either train or bus, I've taken both, will get you to Toledo. Usually, the earlier the better. Lots of tourists.

I've spent 3 nights in Toledo on one trip, and loved the place at night. Quiet and peaceful.
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Old Sep 16th, 2013, 08:52 PM
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I believe that Saturday 12 Oct is a major holiday in Spain (Columbus Day). When I was in Spain around that time some years ago, many trains, buses, and hotels were fully booked well in advance.

So, if you want to visit Toledo, I would recommend that you either visit very early in your stay or book transportation well in advance. And BTW, I thought Toledo worth 2 full days.

I would guess that you could visit both El Escorial and Segovia on a single day trip by rental car from Madrid. It would mean spending several hours on the road and you would (I think) need to plan carefully to make sure that you reach the things you want to see while they are open.
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Old Sep 16th, 2013, 08:58 PM
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And I agree with Rastaguytoday -- Toledo is incredibly evocative at night after day-trippers have left!
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Old Sep 17th, 2013, 11:29 AM
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The trains to Toledo can sell out. I had to wait 3 hours last September to get on the next available train.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2013, 11:06 AM
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Thanks everyone ... I am struggling with the plans for each day. Any suggestions or guidance would be so much appreciated! Thanks!

Friday (Oct 4th) - landing in Barcelona at 9:40 a.m. - Plan to spend the afternoon in the Ramblas, Bari, Gotic/ cathedral area (maybe at stop at Hofman Bakery and we could check out the markets -

Saturday - Picasso Museum El Born + Sardana Dance + Magic Fountains (or do this on Friday night?)

Sunday - Visit Mont Serrat? or Montjuic, Barceloneta and more walking (eating!) in Barcelona?

Monday - Gaudi sights ... have 10-11a.m. slot for Sagrada Familia

Tuesday - Take a.m. train to Madrid? And visit he Thyssen ? Or, did I miss something in Barcelona? Should we take the p.m. train to Madrid?

Wednesday - 17th Century Hapsburg Madrid - including the Palacio Real

Thursday - day trip to Toledo

Friday - Morning at the Prado and Retiro Park and Reina Sofia Museum

Saturday (October 12th) - Visit El Escorial (Today is Fiesta Nacional ... should we stay in Madrid?? Will there be lots of traffic?) If we stay in Madrid, should we visit Caixa Forum and perhaps the Botanical Gardens?

Sunday (last day in Madrid!) What shall we do with our day? Is this a better day for El Escorial?

Thank You so much for any thoughts!!
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Old Sep 22nd, 2013, 02:49 PM
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I haven't been to Barcelona yet and so can only comment on the Madrid part of your trip.

IMO, the Thyssen is quite remarkable and well worth visiting. Visiting the Proado and Reina Sofia in the same day on one of the days when the later is open in the evening (such as a Friday) is quite possible, assuming you are able to spend a full day with art. I can (and often do); I know of many people who find that too much. Depending on your priorities, you many have minimal time for the Retiro Park between those two museums. The things you list for Saturday are all good options; whether to visit them or to do other things is your call. Do make time for a stop in the Plaza Mayor!

You might want to adjust your plans to give Toledo two full days, or at least more than a day trip. Not only does it have more than enough to keep some of us happily busy for 2 full days, it is much more evocative in the evening after day-trippers have left. If you pursue this option, I'd go to Toledo before Madrid so you don't have to have two separate stays in Madrid.

Enjoy!
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Old Sep 22nd, 2013, 06:49 PM
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Personal choice
, but with with several days Madrid I would not spend 2 days in Toledo
Prado and Sofia are huge...give them some time
Walk north of Retiro to elegant Serrano- Salamnca to see a non touristy
part of Madrid....the best shops, lovely tree lined streets, galleries ..upscale living.

In Barcelona . I would go to Montjuic...lovely view from the top, Miro and Catalan
museums
Also, instead of spending long time on Ramblas, walk north to Rambla de Catalunya
.....one of the most beautiful streets in the city.

We are going to Madrid on Oct16th. - for the fourth time.
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Old Dec 21st, 2017, 01:30 PM
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Hello, my name is María and I'm an official tourism guide in Toledo (Spain).
If you need me I would like to show you my beautiful city. I can speak: Spanish, English and French and a little of Chinese.
My phne number is: (00 34) 649 22 35 93.
My e- mailpepipedro at yahoo .es

Thank you very much for your attention
Warm regards,
María
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