When I was thinking about what part of Spain I might be placed in, I knew that if placed in a city such as Madrid, I would be able to maximize my time off and see as much of Spain as possible. So far, I have done day trips to Toledo and Valencia, which are easily accessible by train.
I did the trip to Toledo with my boyfriend while he was here visiting, and while I loved showing him around Madrid, it was nice to be able to experience something new together. The city is only a 30-minute train ride from Madrid, and as you approach the Old Town from the train station, the view is breathtaking. The city walls and the winding streets of the Old Town were a refreshing break from the very modern Madrid. I also discovered that Toledo used to be the capital of Visigothic Spain, which I knew nothing about, so I really enjoyed learning more about this part of Spain’s history. We visited the Jewish Quarter, and it was really interesting to see the way the history of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity were all connected in the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca. Toledo is the perfect day trip that doesn’t require an early wake-up and still gets you back into the city at a reasonable time!
More recently, I travelled to Valencia, which is a little bit farther from Madrid. The train ride is about two hours, and I left bright and early to make sure I had as much time as possible there. The good news is that the train ride is a perfect opportunity to plan lessons or, in my case, finish a book. The city is beautiful, and I had great weather, but my favorite places were Mercat Central and Parroquia de San Nicolás. The Mercat is a large covered market and the perfect lunch spot. The Parraquaia is impressive in and of itself, but they also do a light show that highlights how beautiful the church is. Definitely make sure you time your visit to the light show, and it will definitely be worth the entrance fee. I also got to try Horchata, which is a very popular sweet drink in Valencia. It wasn’t my personal favorite, but I’m glad I tried it. The older section of the city is beautiful, but if you walk outside of that section and to La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, the architecture changes drastically, and you are suddenly in this ultra-modern area. I loved the juxtaposition and getting to see both sides of the city! Once I return to Spain after Christmas break, I cannot wait to continue exploring. Next up on my list to visit is Salamanca!
Author: Mary W.