After reading comments about Madrid vs. the surrounding small towns, I'd like to check out the Prado, then drive out to the small towns. We plan on 3days, 4 nights in the area. Here are my questions: <BR> <BR>How much time would you spend in Madrid vs the small towns? <BR> <BR>Are there good roads between Segovia, Avila, and Toledo so we won't have to return to Madrid each time? (From the maps, it looks like we can drive out of Madrid and make a circuit through these towns returning to Madrid. Is this right?) <BR> <BR>If so, what are the drive times between these towns? <BR> <BR>Is renting a car a good way to go, or should we take the bus/train to these smaller towns? <BR> <BR>Which 2 of these would you spend the night in: Segovia, Avila, or Toledo? <BR> <BR>Comments about the Paradores in these towns? <BR> <BR>Thanks! <BR>

Karen, driving in Madrid is a horror show, so be prepared, it made driving in Rome seem like a breeze to us! But the Prado is a museum not to be missed and don't forget to go to Botins resturant. Madrid is great , but once there park your car and walk. Having said that I still would have a car to travel to the small towns, we loved <BR>Segovia and Toledo, Avila we did not make it to. We stayed 2 days in Madrid and 1day/night in Segovia and just stopped for a couple of hours in Toledo. You will love Segovia, it's very charming and if you can stay the night, do. Contact me directly if you'd like the name of the place we stayed at , it was amazing and really well priced. We never stayed in any <BR>Paradors as they seemed to be booked so very many months in advance, but some of them looked amazing. As far as the roads go they were all great and really well marked. Can't help you much on the Madrid circuit route though I do remember trying to help my husband navigate through a maze of highways at that point.(It was 5 years ago and I'm a little fuzzy) Have a great time, we loved Spain!

Last August we stayed in Madrid (6+ days) and decided to spend 2 of them doing side trips. We first shortened our options down to the El Escorial, Segovia, Toledo and Salamanca, and ended up going for Toledo and Salamanca. <BR><BR>The best way to visit both these cities out of Madrid is by bus. The following was cut from an older post of mine on the matter:<BR><BR>We managed to leave the hotel at 8:30am (somewhat out of shape because of the previous night dining experience at the Borin, well past midnight) and took the circular metro to Mendez Alvaro and Estacion Sur de Autobuses. No trouble identifiying Autobuses Galiano Continental ticket boot. Service to Toledo is held every 30 minutes, on :00 and :30 and fare costs 590ptas. The trip takes 1:20 hours with some stops along the way (the driver told me that outside August there's a direct service that takes 1 hour). The bus arrives outside Toledo's walls and a local bus (110ptas) takes you to Plaza Zocodover (once there was a major work being undertaken in the Plaza, the bus actually dropped us at the Alcazar). <BR><BR>Direct bus service to Salamanca is operated by Auto Res (info 91 551 7200; reservations 902 192939) every hour (on the hour) departing from the Auto Res sation (to get there, take circular metro #6 to Conde de Casal). The one way fare costs 2,250 ptas (there is a small discount ??? for the round trip). Metro ride from the old center takes 25-30 min and the bus ride to Salamanca 2:30 hrs. A taxi (350 ptas) is very convenient to get to the old center (at the bus station we were informed that there was no bus service to the center ... which is hard to believe!). On the return to Madrid the bus crosses the city from west to east, so one doesn't have to go all the way to the bus station. We stepped off at the first stop, right in front of our hotel; no idea on the other schedulled stops and itinerary.<BR><BR>To make the most out of it, I strongly recommend you leave your hotel in time to catch the 9am bus and use the 7:30pm bus on your way back. We managed to leave our hotel shortly after 8am (metro station close to the hotel was served by line #6 with no need to change) and we barely made it, getting the last 5 available seats on the 9am bus. The ride was very confortable, with a movie being displayed both ways. Once past the El Escorial/Valle de los Caidos area, one crosses a long tunnel. It was amazing how the temperature dropped from one side to the other (some 6 degrees Celsius). Salamanca is situated at about 800 mts above sea level and the temperatures there were surprisingly low for mid summer ... it was very fresh for a change and nice. <BR><BR>Should you opt for Segovia, buses depart at Paseo della Florida, some 100mts from the Pricipe Pio metro station.<BR><BR>Paulo<BR>

Hi Karen. <BR>I'm Norwegian, and have been to Madrid three times. First time when marrying. Stayed a fortnight. Second just a night on our way to Barcelona, and Oct 99 with my company for 4 nights. Rented car all times. No touble, if you ask me. Heavy traffic now and then, but not hasardiuos. After all, people care and will not deliberately run into disasters. But try to, when in Madrid, to do as the Madrilenas do. <BR>With 4 nights in the area, I would spend 3 in central Madrid, and 1 in Toledo. We drove to Toledo and stayed in the Parador there, which was fantastic, located perfectly just south of the town's walls, and with a magnificent view. We paused in Aranjuez on our way down. <BR>Next day we had extensive sightseeing in Toledo before returning by N401 back to Madrid. <BR>I've done the roundtrip Madrid Segovia three times. First time via El Escorial and over the Navacerrada "mountains". Nice trip, but a little boring to stay on the same road both directions. <BR>Segovia is very nice. Luncheon in the famous restaurant under the aqueduct is georgious. <BR>Parking in Segovia can be troublesome, and you might tend to leave the car a little too far from the city center, especially if you enter town from north. Try and get to the area just south of the aquaduct and navigate from there. <BR>I certainly will recommend a "circle", starting in Madrid. Follow the main road north (passing the soccer stadium) heading for Burgos. Some small hour or even less you will get to the N1(your road) and N110 section. N110 will take you to Pedraza and Segovia, and from Segovia take either the main road or via Navaccerada back to Madrid. I prefer the mountain road and also the Escorial / Valley of the fallen detour. <BR> <BR>Do not, I mean NOT, miss Pedraza, the sleepy and wonderful little village north of Segovia. At the town's suare there is a very nice restaurant, and the view from the hilltopp and the old castle is terrific. <BR> <BR>The Madrid-Pedraza-Segovia-Madrid easily can be done within a day. Considering a stay-over in Segovia, though, might be an alternative, thus reducing the Madrid stay to 2 nights. All depends of what you are after and how deep a sghtseeing you prefer. <BR> <BR>If any questions, do'nt hesitate to send me an e-mail. Madrid is fantastic, and so are the surroundings. Do not be afraid of driving there. I'm not, and I'm 57. <BR> <BR>Bjorn

Hi again Karen. <BR>I'm sorry my writings got screwed up by many errors. I didn't mean section, by example. I meant the N1/N110 junction. <BR>Suppose I got too exited to get it right because of thinking of the marvellous Madrid-Pedraza-Segovia tour. <BR>Bjorn

Thanks everyone for your comments. I'm still confused, but feel better about driving. I guess with limited time, I have to choose, and I really want to do it all... Bjorn, I was in Norway this past July for 3 weeks. You are fortunate to live in such a beautiful country, and your English is impeccable compared to my Norwegian!

If you have 3 or 4 days ahead you would do more or less this circle with increasing interest: Madrid-Aranjuez-Toledo-Escalona-Avila-Segovia-Pedraza-Sepulveda-Cañon del Rio Duraton-Buitrago-Madrid. <BR>To stay my favourite place is Segovia because is a very cozy monumental city that you can afford walking. Hotel Los Linajes in the heart of the city is good. And so the Parador but it is located in the outskirts so you will have only the view over it! <BR>A Michelin Central Spain Map would help you do this trip.

Hello to my favorite travel partner. Looks like you are learning how to research. Isn't it fun? Yes, but lots of work. You can now help with our trips in the future. You are getting lots of good info. As you know, my trip to Spain was several years ago, so my info is outdated as well as my memory. I did love Avila & spent a night there. We stayed in a parador in Jaen. Loved it! I think a few hours in Toledo is enough. Sounds like the roads have improved since we were there. My friend drove & I read the signs & map, but there were few signs. I assume you have lots of travel books to researh as well. <BR>I'm envious, wish I could go with you, but am looking forward to our next trip. <BR>Good Luck with your planning & have fun!The research is part of the fun.

Pedro, thank you for your post. I will be sure to get a good map!