Raoul, hilarious.

So, Raoul_Duke, if I'm understanding correctly, you didn't take even the most basic precaution of using a money belt? And you didn't start doing so, even after multiple attempts by pickpockets? And you are blaming Madrid for your foolishness? And you are also blaming Madrid for what you apparently consider poor choices of restaurants and lodging -- choices which, presumably, you yourself made? Hmmm....

(Sorry, meyernic1, to continue taking your thread off base, but I really couldn't resist a comment.)

A better choice is Toledo , only minus lots of tourists. Cuenca is very nice but Toledo is much more. also lots of the old city of Cuenca has been re constructed , looks fine but is not original.
I thought it was funny that a nice hotel is called Leonor de Aquitania, but it is a mistake I thought they must have meant Leonor de Castilla....because it was her who was connected with Cuenca's history.
I asked them at they told me I was right. ...

They both have there own charms. Toledo has more to see, and I could swear that on a cloudy afternoon the town looked like the mannerism of El Greco. On the other hand there is a spectacular natural beauty to Cuenca and a quirky modern art museum.