FYI- In Alburquerque, Extremadura (near Portugal) there is a hostal called El Castillo de la media luna. You might have to be a hostal network member to stay there, but it is really amazing. The beds are singles, and rooms are cheap, and they are located in the reformed living quarters of a medieval castle. I stayed there in 1998 and don't know how to access them on the web, but if you are driving through, it is an idea. . .

As for Bunuel, the movie is a "documentary." It is an interesting thing to see and yes, the people did live like that until fairly recently, but some of what is said is made up. But the Surrealists sort of thought that reality was fiction and that fiction could, therefore, be reality. You be the judge.

Claire

We are leaving the first week in May for these places. Just wondering if anyone has any further advice for me, apart from all of the helpful advice you have already so generously offered.

We are flying into Madrid, renting a car from Autoeurope on a Sunday, and driving to Toledo where we will spend two nights at Hostal Cardenal. I am still looking for a walking tour in the city..will ask the hotel for help. Will have one meal at the hotel the day of arrival and thinking of Adolfo for the second night. (???) Great tapas bars, general food info??

Next we will drive to Caceres and spend two nights at the Parador..possible stop in Trujillo. We have the option of one night in both paradors but I think it is better to base in one place and see Trujillo one morning, maybe en route from Toledo to Caceres.

From Caceres we have a long drive to Segovia. I would like info on driving through La Vera....any town that would make a good lunch stop? Any recommended places to eat/visit en route to Segovia? (Will make brief visit to Avila to see the walls..have been there many years ago)

Then one night in Segovia parador. Dinner at Jose Maria? (If too tired may have to dine at parador that night..mistake??)

Friday after walking around Segovia, drive to Sepulveda for lunch at Tinin. After lunch drive to last stop, Pedraza, where we have two nights. Lunch Saturday at El Yantar on terrace.

Sunday drive Pedraza to airport for late afternoon flight to JFK.

Any tidbits you can offer would be appreciated.....looking for info on buying torta del casar cheese, jamon Iberico, other food products to bring home.... Good tips on tapas bars? Guided tours of Toledo and Segovia? Making the most of the long drive from Caceres to Segovia? Anything else I need to/should know? Thanks so much!

careful with heavy traffic sundays.. could be a nightmare like you have never seen.

The Cardenal is quite nice. It is at the Toledo wall and has a lovely garden restaurant. Toledo is a wonderful walking city and you can't take your car inside anyway. Segovia is also a great place to visit and the Alcazar is something special to see. You will love both cities.

Thanks very much. Good advice on the Sunday traffic for the day we have to leave Pedraza for the airport. We are getting very excited! Anyone else have further tips for me??? The biggest annoyance we usually face is in driving into a new place and finding the hotel!

one of my favorite paradors is oropesa. if it works into your schedule, a coffee stop will be most impressive here on way to caceres. you can make it work into your route form toledo. this is definitely worth a short detour up to that main road.


getting out of toledo issometime s afeat unto itself.
they have several different routes out of the city and it is VERY important your htoel tell you EXACTLY what the signs will say, as i have never seen so many possible exits of such a samll city , and so easy to get onto the wrong rural road.!!! You must know the NUMBER of the road you want , and do not go down any other! toledo is like the center of a wheel, and there are MANY spokes, PLUS the "CIRCUMVALACION". so this would be an important moment to really study a detailed map before you leave.

talavera de la reina is a ceramics center.

we ate at a lovely place called "la cisterna", i believe.

in toledo, at least stop for a drink and see the place that is called "cason de los lopez de toledo". i love this restaurant and go every opportunity i get.

i believe they have a menu of the day also at lunch. striking setting. it is an impressive palatial home owned by a doctor from valencia who has remodeled in very tastefully.

across the street there is a bar/restaurant ( las cuevas??)that has excellent venison (ciervo)in cream sauce. you can get just a tapa of it if you aren´t very hungry. (another favorite dish).

of course, avila is on your way to segovia from caceres. you have a LOT to see if you want to.

sounds like a GREAT trip. enjoy!

Thanks so much for all of the good tips! I printed out directions from Via Michelin to the Toledo hotel (Cardenal) so hope that will guide me!