This morning we explored Segovia. Segovia has town walls, a stunning cathedral, a palace called the Alcázar and most famously, a Roman Aqueduct that was built in the first century. The aqueduct is built with only the stones, no mortar! At its highest it is almost 100 feet tall.
After checking out of our Parador we drove into town and looked for a parking place. We found a elevator underground parking garage. The sign said you pull in center your car according to the electronic signs and then leave the car. We watched another car go in. After she got out and used the machine to pay the door closed and her car dissapeared. Duke tried to use it to park our car but the electronic sensors said our car was too wide. We ended up parking in a conventional garage. Every parking space had a sensor and you found an empty site by following the signs and looking for a green light over a parking space.
We went to the tourist office and got a map and some suggestions for a walking tour of Segovia. Our first stop was a small Jewish museum. In the 1400’s Segovia had a thriving Jewish quarter. In 1492 all Jews were expelled from Spain. The museum told the history of the Jews and the Jewish quarter in Segovia.
Our next stop was a one of the gates in the wall. We were able to go up on the wall and even see the slot where the portico gate would have been lowered.
Although the temperature was around 40 degrees and the air was cold it was a stunning day to explore the narrow streets of Segovia.
We stopped at the Castle (the Alcázar) where Queen Isabela and other royals lived and then walked by the cathedral.
From Segovia we drove to Avila. On the way into town we stoped at a store that reminded me of Walmart. We picked up bottles of water and some snacks. When we went to check out we discovered that we should have had our fruit weighed and priced in the produce department. The check out clerk asked a lady, who I think was a supervisor, to take the fruit back and take care of it. She was on roller skates and was back in nothing flat!!
The old center of Avila is surrounded by beautiful walls. The narrow streets were deserted when we walked around. All the shops and restaurants are customarily closed from 2:00 until 5:00. We did find one restaurant open where we could get a cup of coffee.
From Avila we drove to our Parador at Gredos. It was the very first Parador and was opened in 1928. We are surrounded by snow capped peaks and the Reserva Nacional de Gredos. We enjoyed our free welcome drink.
Dinner was great as usual. A three course dinner is included in our price to seat here.
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