ILUVPARIS

My husband and I will be traveling to Spain in early October 2014 and we plan to visit the cities above. We'll be arriving in Zaragoza from Seville by train. One of the major reasons for visiting these cities is photography, particularly just after sunset. This will be our first trip to Spain. I've been doing tons of research but having some issues with logistics and the best way to do this.

From Zaragoza we could visit either Segovia or Salamanca. I'm thinking Segovia makes the most sense because I know we can take a bus between the two cities once we get to either one. The issue is the photos that I want to take and I'm wondering if we'll need a car in order to get them. If so, we could just rent a car when we depart Zaragoza. In terms of transportation, train, car or bus would all be fine---just looking for the options that make the most sense. I was unable to locate a train that goes between Zaragoza and either of these cities. I'm guessing that if we take a train to Segovia we'll have to connect in Madrid and it will probably involve switching train stations as well? I wasn't able to locate information on buses. Sounds like a pain, there's got to be a better way!

Based on this photo of Castilla y Leon: http://www.medievalarchives.com/wp-c...stle_spain.jpg
I'm guessing we'll need a car? Maybe not, it's hard for me to tell. To me, it looks like it was taken outside the city limits. I'm hoping someone who has taken a similar photo or has been there can weigh in.

Also, for Salamanca: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-2927...nca-spain.html
It appears that you could just walk across the bridge in order to take this photo but, where I haven't been I'm not sure how far it could actually be.

If anyone has insight as to the best way to do this, I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

BigRuss

<i>I'm guessing that if we take a train to Segovia we'll have to connect in Madrid and it will probably involve switching train stations as well?</i>

I think that's right. Trains to Zaragoza are on the line to Barcelona, which leaves from Madrid-Atocha. Trains to Segovia leave from Madrid-Chamartin. But the two are only three stops from each other on the commuter rail Cercanias trains (see http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Madrid_map.png). And the fast trains are a LOT faster than any bus would be.

Trains to Salamanca also leave from Chamartin.

danon

never taken the bus to Segovia from central Madrid, but some posters liked that option.
The train stop in Segovia is a few kilometres out of town..(.there is a bus to centre.)

Bedar

You really should get out a map of Spain. It makes no sense to go from Seville to Zaragoza. Better to go to Madrid to Segovia and Salamanca and then to Zaragoza, if you must. Not much to see or photograph there.

ILUVPARIS

Assuming that we do take a train vs. renting a car, does anyone know if there are taxis readily available at the Segovia train station?

Any photographers out there who can tell me if these shots were taken out of town or within walking distance?

Maybe it's just me, but I think the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar in Zaragoza is pretty spectacular and worth a night:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ba...lar-sunset.jpg

danon

we took a taxi from Segovia train station to town( and back)
...

rialtogrl

ILUVParis, that photo was taken within easy walking distance. There is a river walk along the river on the other side from the Basilica. Lots and lots of photo ops along there.

It sounds like, from your dates above that you may be in Zaragoza for the Fiestas del Pilar. If you can, try to be in Zaragoza on October 12 which is the big day of the festival. Many thousands of people walk in a procession, all dressed in historical costumes, to the plaza de Pilar carrying an offering of flowers to the Virgin which are then put on a huge pyramid of flowers. It really is something to see! Even if you can't be there on the 12th there are events going on in the days leading up to it.

lauren_s_kahn

Why not rent a car? You can stop wherever you want for photos. You can also rent or buy a GPS--which will make the driving much easier. After many driving misadventures in Europe on home exchanges I spent $200 and bought a GPS. I loan it out to friends when they go and use it when I do. Solves a lot of problems.

Car rental agencies generally charge about 15 euros per day in addition to the car rental for a GPS rental.

Sassafrass

Bedar is absolutely right about your itinerary.
You are going from extreme SW to mid-NE and back to far W.
Seville to Salamanca to Segovia to Zaragoza, or Seville to Segovia via Madrid to Salamanca to Zaragoza makes sense.
The drive between Zaragoza and Madrid is long and boring. Take the train to or from Madrid.
Are you skipping Toledo? Talk about photo ops!
Granada? Also fantastic photo ops!

kimhe

The Fiestas del Pilar in Zaragoza (Virgen del Pilar is the patron saint of the city) 2014 goes on from Oct 4 to Oct 13, the highlight is Oct 12 which coincides with Día de la Hispanidad/National day of Spain. http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/festivals/el-pilar/

Photos from Fiestas del Pilar: https://www.google.no/search?q=fiest...w=1600&bih=783

ILUVPARIS

Thanks for the information on the fiesta in Zaragoza but, sadly we'll be there a week too early. We will be visiting Granada/Alhambra prior to Seville. We also plan to visit Toledo but, as a day trip from Madrid. Too many places, too little time-- even with 16 days.

I thought it made sense to go from Seville to Zaragoza because there's a direct train. Maybe not. If we chose to go to Salamancia or Segovia first then we have to stop in Madrid and switch train stations. We will each have a large bag so I was trying to avoid doing that. I have no objection to renting a car. To be honest we almost always do but, where these are cities it can be a pain to drive into a unfamiliar city And then there's the whole pay for parking thing. I will look into downloading Europe on our GPS tonight, good idea.

Does anyone know if the other two photo links I provided for Segovia and Salamacia were taken within walking distance of the city if we decide not to rent a car?

lauren_s_kahn

It is not a pain to drive in an unfamiliar city IF you get a GPS. One of those really just removes the stress. I drove from Salamanca last summer to Escorial, Aranuez, Segovia, Santiago and in and around Salamanca. I was travelling solo. I had no problems except with the crazy toll structure in Portugal. I do home exchanges. Tourist sites are sign posted. Your house is not. The GPS prevents unwanted "adventures" finding your exchange home. Ha!

kimhe

Just for your info: Seems that you will be in Sevilla during the Bienal de flamenco, the finest flamenco artists in the world on stages in theaters all around town every night from Sept 12 to Oct 5. Mostly a local and knowledgeable crowd, and a night at the Bienal can be something to remember for very long: http://www.labienal.com/en/

rialtogrl

The picture in Salamanca is not out of town and you don't need a car to get there. Sorry, I didn't understand your above question and thought the photo you were asking about was the one in Zaragoza.