Toledo & Aranjuez
May 16th, 2003 | 05:35 PM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,662
Likes: 0
Hi gail,
Do you want to hit both in the same day?
If so, please get an early start (!), as there is much to see and please do not plan to do this on MON. when the Bourbon Royal Palace in Aranjuez is closed, as are some other monuments in Toledo.
We actually did both on the same day in April, starting at the airport at 10, then drove through Chinchon, on to Aranjuez, then ended in Toledo where we spent the night at the Parador, saw half the sights and finished up our sightseeing the next Sun. morning, but I do not recommend this crazy feat at all-far too exhausting!
To do both Toledo and Aranjuez from your hotel in Madrid, I would start with Toledo.
If you need to pick up a rental car, do so at Atocha rail station, and from there take the N 401 southwest straight to Toledo-easy. But when you arrive in Toledo, do not try to enter the medieval city by car, as parking inside the gates is next to impossible.
At the Paseo de Merchan Park, where you will see the tourist office, across from the Puerta de Bisagra medieval gate, continue down the Paseo de Recaredo (the Hostal del Cardenal will be on your left as will the Arab walls, where you will pass the escalator up the hill (the people mover called remonte electrico). Directly on your right, you will see the entrance to an underground parking garage, called Parking Recaredo. Park your car there, go up and take the people mover escalator up to the top of the city (will save you a hefty, steep climb), where you can start your touring. The cathedral opens for tourist visits at 10:30, but across the street at the museum shop (Museum-Musei, which has tasteful gifts), which opens at 10, you will need to buy your tickets to visit cathedral sacristy, treasury and the special Corpus Christi exhibit. You can also rent an audio guide there for an extra 3 euros (probably worth it). After visiting the cathedral, you can hit the tiny Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca (takes no time to see) and the Iglesia de Santo Tome, where you will need to fight the crowds to get an up front view of the El Greco masterpiece, the famous Burial of the Conde de Orgaz (or if you go at 10, you can beat the tour bus hordes). Then you can visit the Casa/Museo de El Greco (disappointing), which is simply a replica of a typical Toledo house of his day, not his real home, and houses just 1 room of his paintings, mostly portraits of Toledo noblemen. But it is free.
Unfortunately the Sinagoga del Transito is closed for renovations to the Sefardic Museum, as is the Alcazar.
If you happen to be an art buff, the Museo de Santa Cruz is a little jewel, containing the real El Greco treasures plus great works by Goya and Ribera and tapestries, memorabilia from the battle of Lepanto, and on and on...
And from Tues-Sat it remains open during siesta while other Toledo monuments close.
The Fodors Spain has a good walking tour you can follow.
The Plaza del Zocodovar has outdoor cafes where you can rest your feet and maybe buy some marzipan treats at Casa Telesforo.
Be sure to walk across the San Martin bridge on the west side below the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes for great photo ops.
And speaking of photos...
Before you leave the city by car, you will want to take the ring road, Carretera de Circunvalacion, up to the Parador (4 km.) to soak up the stupendous view from this amazing vantage point, the same one that El Greco painted in his View of Toledo. This is the ultimate Toledo photo op.
From Toledo to Aranjuez, take the N 400-easy and only 40 km. northeast.
The 18th c Bourbon Royal Palace, often called a Spanish Versailles, is open from 10-6:15, Tues-Sun. but the lavish interior can be seen by guided tour only. 4,80 euros
The wonderful and enormous gardens, los jardines del Principe are free, open til sunset and can be enjoyed at your leisure. The Casita del Labrador is located in the gardens.
See the following for more details and to check current hrs:
www.patrimonionacional.es/aranj/aranjuez.htm
Both cities have a little tourist tram you can take to get your bearings. 4 euros
Then from Aranjuez, take the N IV-E5 superhighway back to Madrid.
Hope this helps in your planning!
Do you want to hit both in the same day?
If so, please get an early start (!), as there is much to see and please do not plan to do this on MON. when the Bourbon Royal Palace in Aranjuez is closed, as are some other monuments in Toledo.
We actually did both on the same day in April, starting at the airport at 10, then drove through Chinchon, on to Aranjuez, then ended in Toledo where we spent the night at the Parador, saw half the sights and finished up our sightseeing the next Sun. morning, but I do not recommend this crazy feat at all-far too exhausting!
To do both Toledo and Aranjuez from your hotel in Madrid, I would start with Toledo.
If you need to pick up a rental car, do so at Atocha rail station, and from there take the N 401 southwest straight to Toledo-easy. But when you arrive in Toledo, do not try to enter the medieval city by car, as parking inside the gates is next to impossible.
At the Paseo de Merchan Park, where you will see the tourist office, across from the Puerta de Bisagra medieval gate, continue down the Paseo de Recaredo (the Hostal del Cardenal will be on your left as will the Arab walls, where you will pass the escalator up the hill (the people mover called remonte electrico). Directly on your right, you will see the entrance to an underground parking garage, called Parking Recaredo. Park your car there, go up and take the people mover escalator up to the top of the city (will save you a hefty, steep climb), where you can start your touring. The cathedral opens for tourist visits at 10:30, but across the street at the museum shop (Museum-Musei, which has tasteful gifts), which opens at 10, you will need to buy your tickets to visit cathedral sacristy, treasury and the special Corpus Christi exhibit. You can also rent an audio guide there for an extra 3 euros (probably worth it). After visiting the cathedral, you can hit the tiny Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca (takes no time to see) and the Iglesia de Santo Tome, where you will need to fight the crowds to get an up front view of the El Greco masterpiece, the famous Burial of the Conde de Orgaz (or if you go at 10, you can beat the tour bus hordes). Then you can visit the Casa/Museo de El Greco (disappointing), which is simply a replica of a typical Toledo house of his day, not his real home, and houses just 1 room of his paintings, mostly portraits of Toledo noblemen. But it is free.
Unfortunately the Sinagoga del Transito is closed for renovations to the Sefardic Museum, as is the Alcazar.
If you happen to be an art buff, the Museo de Santa Cruz is a little jewel, containing the real El Greco treasures plus great works by Goya and Ribera and tapestries, memorabilia from the battle of Lepanto, and on and on...
And from Tues-Sat it remains open during siesta while other Toledo monuments close.
The Fodors Spain has a good walking tour you can follow.
The Plaza del Zocodovar has outdoor cafes where you can rest your feet and maybe buy some marzipan treats at Casa Telesforo.
Be sure to walk across the San Martin bridge on the west side below the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes for great photo ops.
And speaking of photos...
Before you leave the city by car, you will want to take the ring road, Carretera de Circunvalacion, up to the Parador (4 km.) to soak up the stupendous view from this amazing vantage point, the same one that El Greco painted in his View of Toledo. This is the ultimate Toledo photo op.
From Toledo to Aranjuez, take the N 400-easy and only 40 km. northeast.
The 18th c Bourbon Royal Palace, often called a Spanish Versailles, is open from 10-6:15, Tues-Sun. but the lavish interior can be seen by guided tour only. 4,80 euros
The wonderful and enormous gardens, los jardines del Principe are free, open til sunset and can be enjoyed at your leisure. The Casita del Labrador is located in the gardens.
See the following for more details and to check current hrs:
www.patrimonionacional.es/aranj/aranjuez.htm
Both cities have a little tourist tram you can take to get your bearings. 4 euros
Then from Aranjuez, take the N IV-E5 superhighway back to Madrid.
Hope this helps in your planning!
May 16th, 2003 | 06:13 PM
#3
Original Poster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
thank you. Im a university Spanish professor, lived in South America, but havent been to Spain. I just love getting all the info...it excites me.
hasta pronto - just kidding, I think Im almost through with my ques - we are leaving May 25!!!
hasta pronto - just kidding, I think Im almost through with my ques - we are leaving May 25!!!
May 16th, 2003 | 06:25 PM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,662
Likes: 0
gail,
right now, in Kansas City on a family visit, but I live on the US East Coast. If you need anything more, feel free to email me at
[email protected]
right now, in Kansas City on a family visit, but I live on the US East Coast. If you need anything more, feel free to email me at
[email protected]
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