Showing posts with label Segovia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Segovia. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Next Stop…Segovia, Spain
















Located just an hour north of Madrid, the enchanting city of Segovia is a perfect day trip from Madrid. In the span of just one day you can see a Roman aqueduct, a Gothic cathedral, a castle that looks like it came straight out of a fairy-tale, and end the day by enjoying a meal of roast suckling pig.

The most impressive sight in Segovia is the Roman Aqueduct that was built in the 1st C. It is a true marvel of Roman engineering, as its 163 arches and 120 columns is built on two levels, and was constructed using large stone blocks that fit together without the use of any kind of mortar or plaster. It is one of the largest and best preserved aqueducts in the world. The Cathedral of Segovia was built in the 16th C. and was the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain. The Alcázar castle sits high on a hilltop, and some say it was the inspiration for the Magic Kingdom castle used by Walt Disney.

Besides its impressive monuments, Segovia is also known for its food. Favorite local dishes include judiones de La Granja, a stew made with the large white beans from La Granja, Castilian soup, made with garlic and bread, and the most famous dish of all – cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig). Visitors flock to local institutions, including Mesón de Cándido (the most famous) and Casa Duque (the oldest), to sample this traditional dish.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Next Stop...Palacio Real de la Granja, Segovia (Spain)













 
 
 
 
 
If you are planning a day trip to Segovia, be sure to include in your itinerary a stop in the town of La Granja de San Idelfonso to see the Royal Palace of La Granja. It is located about 15 minutes southeast of Segovia, or about an hour drive north of Madrid.

La Granja was the summer palace of the Bourbon kings. It was built from 1719-1739 by Philip V, the grandson of Louis XIV, who attempted to replicate the grandeur of his birthplace, Versailles. The word granja means farm, and there was once a farm on the site of the palace. Visitors to La Granja can tour the palace and gardens, and see a collection of antiques, paintings, and an impressive collection of Flemish tapestries.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.