Hola Mari,

I checked the website of Posada and just looks lovely. Is 2 days in Cuenca too long? What is there to see/ do there or nearby?

Were you there in the summer months? If so, was it too hot?

Thanks!

kja,

How was that Viator trip?

Did you have enough time at the sites or was it spent mostly on the bus?

Did you have the lunch and if you did, how was it?

Was it actually Pullmantours which was the tour operator (but booked by Viator)?

Hola Cruise!

We wound up in Cuenca mostly by chance so it had the added bonus of a surprise location. The views are drop dead gorgeous. There is a hanging bridge that connects the old town with the parador. Very scary for me but 100% worth it.

We arrived mid-afternoon and spent the entire next day before heading out to Madrid. We mostly walked around and enjoyed the ambiance and the views. Had a wonderful meal in a restaurant that I have to look up for you if you are heading that way.

I would have loved to spend another day to hike the nearby trails.

We were there in late March and the temperature was still cool.

Now that you ask, I have to admit that I'm not sure who actually operated the tour I took to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen! I know I booked it through Viator. If I recall, it left Madrid mid-afternoon (around 3? from somewhere near the Plaza de Espana) and returned early evening (around 8?). I probably would have spent a little more time at El Escorial had I been on my own, but I didn't feel particularly rushed. A wedding was about to start at the Valley of the Fallen, so we had a little bit less time than I would have preferred in the sanctuary itself, but there was time to walk around and have coffee and a snack. I don't think anyone in the group had lunch. I didn't feel like I spent too much time on the bus, and I remember finding the scenery beautiful.

cuenca in summer.. right up there as far as heat index is concerned.

two nights should be plenty.

don´t miss the modern art museum and the archeological museum. some fine pieces of roman vials, etc.. the area is very rich in artifacts.

one morning (to avoid heat stroke)in summer to the "ciudad encantada", an unusual geological rock formation park to hike in.

( gets a little repetitive.. but worth it once in your life)

I took the cercanias train to el Escorial and then took the bus from there to the Valley of the Fallen. If you read Maribel's guide there are specific instructions on how to do this. The entire trip cost around thirty dollars if I remember right. There are limited buses to the Valley from Escorial so that part has to be carefully planned.

I was quite happy because I had ample time at el Escorial this way. The place certainly deserves ample time to enjoy.

By the way -discussing temperatures, I was there in July and I almost passed out from the heat walking across the Escorial esplanade...yup, with me being a tropical girl and all!

The Valley...well, could have skipped it but you only know that after you have been there. The views are impressive but the building is like an opera stage - unreal! I only went there on my third visit to Madrid and thought it had been a good decision not to make it a priority. Can't imagine a wedding in that eerie cathedral.

Billsrulz:

What most interest you ibn your travels? Art? Shopping? Music? Restaurants I think there is plenty to see in Madrid, it has it all.

Holajkis:

Re Pedraza: I read somewhere (I think in Eks crunchy Pedraza post, not sure)that since Pedraza is so quiet during the week that there are no regular buses mon - fri. If someone else can confrim...?
Holajkis when are you leaving? March no?

amsdon

I have 5-full days, M-F, arriving on a Sunday afternoon.

All these day trips sound interesting but if I go to Toledo, Segovia, Avila, Escorial and Valley of the Fallen Kings, they would all take up at least half those 5 days, at least while there is daylight.

Doesn't leave much time for the big 3 museums, Royal Palace and other parts of the city. The museums, I can see spending at least half a day in each.

So I have to drop at least one of the day tours and I'm thinking of dropping Toledo, which would say half to a full day.

It's possible to do all of them but it would make for a crazy week.

scrb,

Only you can decide which of these places you are more interested in. I agree that doing all those day trips in 5 days will not give you anytime in Madrid.

If this was my first time to Madrid I would not do all those day trips. I think you need at least 2-3 days in Madrid. That leaves 2-3 days for other stuff.

I have been to all the places you mention. IMO if you are going to do 2 of those , the ones I would do are Segovia and Toledo. If you can do a 3rd then I would do Avila. The Escorial is very impressive but I enjoyed Avila ( or any of the others) more.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!

scrb, pleaseeeeee, no fallen kings in the valley !!! :) It's just Valley of the Fallen, not related to kings.

Sorry about that Kenderina.

I'm thinking of doing a Viator tour for Avila and Segovia. They do offer a "Segovian cuisine" lunch which Maribel lists as probably going to a well-known roasting tavern to eat roasted pig or lamb.

Or I might skip lunch, since she (?) described needing something sweet to chase down the greasy fare.

OK, I will take the suggestion to skip Escorial in favor of Toledo under advisement.

Anyone do the "Discover Madrid" tours offered by the official tourism office?

http://www.esmadrid.com/wps/portal/_...005110054.html

They don't list the times when the English-speaking guide does the tour.

We also have 7 days in Spain in late March flying in and out of Madrid on Mondays. We are going to spend Tuesday in Madrid, Wednesday in Toledo or Segovia, part of Thursday in Madrid, leaving around 3 for Sevilla by AVE. We will spend 3 nights and 2 days in Sevilla, then leave on Sunday. We are planning to take the Ave to Cordoba for a good portion of the day, then leave by late afternoon for Madrid. Monday we leave for home. We are still trying to decide between Toledo and Segovia, and whether to do a bus tour or just go on our own. Any suggestions?
Nancy