Hi - my husband and I will be spending 3 nights in Toledo's Parador. Any tips on what not to miss in Toledo/hints for must-sees between Madrid & Toledo? <BR> <BR>Any big surprises about Toledo? <BR> <BR>Thanks very much everyone!

Toledo's history is fascinating and I would recommend you to read on it prior to the trip. It is an amazing town, and I recommend you arrange for a guided vist first, and then go back to the sites you prefer. My personal list of must-see are: The Sinagogue Santa Maria La Blanca (even the name tells you something special about Toledo), Church of St. Tome (which houses what's considered El Greco's masterpiece; the story behind it is even more fascinating), the Victorio Macho Museum (beautiful yard, interesting exhibit), The Cathedral, Lerma Museum or Tavera Hospital (very close to the Bisagra Gate), The Alcazar (the swords exhibit room, the views from the south side facing el Rio Tajo), the views from Puente de San Martin; just stroll the periphery of the town, the views of the Tajo River, the medieval walls, and the bridges are unbelievable. Near St. Tome is the Moor's workshop museum. Interesting. For a really local feeling stroll around Plaza de Zodocover (down street from the Alcazar)late afternoons. Stroll around, no doubt you'll get lost, don't forget to enjoy it.

i'd like to second Maria's suggestion re getting a guided tour on your first day. I was in Toledo about two weeks ago and I saw none of the wonderful places she mentions ... I just got lost, and further lost ... until I wore myself out! <BR> <BR>Next time, I'll go the guided tour route.

Tracy, <BR>I would just add that if you're an art lover, you should also visit the Museum of Santa Cruz, just outside the city walls, housed in a Renaissance building, a former 16 th c hospital with a lovely Plateresque facade. There you can gaze upon Flemish tapestries, 16-17th c furniture, 18 paintings by El Greco, including his final altarpiece of the Asuncion de la Virgen, and a Ribera, with wonderful background music during your visit. It's a gem. Every day except Sun/Mon this museum stays open during the siesta, from 10-6:30 <BR>(One of the very few Toledo monuments which doesn't observe the siesta-but on Mon. it does, and on Sun it closes at 2). <BR>A surprise for us last yr.-we forgot and arrived in Toledo on their most celebrated, sacred day of the year, the Sunday after Corpus Christi (this year falling on June 17, I believe). Toledo fills with spectators from miles around for the important, solemn and beautiful religious processions. These are Toledo's equivalent of Sevilla's processions of Holy Week, and during the processions, most monuments, and most importantly the Cathedral, will be closed. The final float in the long, moving and colorful event (in which it seems all of Toledo participates) through the narrow, festooned streets displays the Cathedral's treasure-the 400 lb elaborately carved monstrance of gold and silver usually kept in the Cathedral's Treasury. This is truly a unique experience. <BR>You'll love the wonderful views from the Parador-the same that you'll find in El Greco's famous painting "Vista de Toledo", a replica you'll see at the Casa-Museo El Greco. <BR>Have a great trip!

We only had one day to spend in Toledo at the end of March which is a great pity as we did not see half of what we wanted to see. <BR> <BR>The Cathedral that was also mentioned earlier is a must see and is just awesome. <BR> <BR>Over and above the "getting lost" part, do take your walking shoes as Toledo gives new meaning to serious and hilly walking - even if you are fit. <BR> <BR>There is a a little "train" (I think it is called the Promo-train) that runs non-stop for an hour around the town and gives you a good idea of the outskirts as well as the inner town. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip!!

Maira: how does one pre-arrange a guided tour? Is there a phone number or (preferably) an email address? Thanks!

Maribel, Maira, how and where do you arrange a guided tour in Toledo? We're planning to train and day tour from Madrid. We do not want to take a package from Madrid as we wanted to be flexible on when we would like to go back to Madrid. Will be leaving tomorrow. Thanks.

I found the most awesome ceramic and pottery shop in Toledo... so awesome I had to take out my camera and take a picture of it... The name is A. Serrano, Fabrica de Ceramica y Artesania, address is San Juan de Dios, 16... somewhere near the Jewish Quarter. Most of the things they sell there are originals and are signed and the prices are reasonable. Go there, if not to buy anything, just to walk downstairs in the cellar to see the shop.

Although many hotels in Toledo have guides on their staff that you can hire for an hour or two, you may want to contact the Office of Tourism in Toledo. They do have tourism guides that you can hire for a guided visit. Oftentimes they have a group departing from their office (at least one of them) just outside the Bisagra Gate. If you feel like making the arrangements from the U.S., you may want to call the Patronato Municipal de Turismo at 011-34-92-525-4030 (most staff speak several languages, including English). Hope this helps. I'll post if I find more info.

Thanks everyone ! <BR> <BR>I'm actually in Helsinki on business right now - so will post about that later! Reading these posts I can't wait for some sun . . . = ) <BR> <BR>Are there any Sephardic/kosher restaurants or cafes in the Juderia? And what were the best non-pork based tapas you had? <BR> <BR>Thanks again!

Toledo Cathedral is a must.

Hey - just back, had a wonderful time. Very relaxing off-season! <BR> <BR>A couple of tips: visit the Cathedral early. It was more museum than sacred space (with really bad music on the PA), so avoid the groups by seeing it in the am. We also liked having a nap/swim during the siesta - almost everything is closed 2.30-5.30ish, and only tourists were on the streets; everyone else was eating. <BR> <BR>Finally, a restaurant recommendation: <BR>http://www.casontoledo.com <BR>Cason de los Lopez de Toledo near Zocodover. Spanish ingredients, imaginitive dishes. So good we went back twice for dinner. <BR> <BR>A superb trip overall, even managed to see the Picasso exhibit at the Reina Sofia in Madrid. <BR> <BR>Can't wait until my next fino in Spain!

How about one of the demascene metal workshops. The inlaid gold work is gorgeous.

To the top for Larisa.

I wouldn't stay at the Parador <BR> <BR>The view is nice but it's far from town. Going back and forth will be a real pain.