Connections ….news travels
Hi from Gloria …Happy New Year to everyone.
In this newsletter, I am delighted to share with you my recent travel experience…
Reflections of Spain
privileged setting in the heart of Madrid's
'Golden Cultural Triangle', next to three of
Madrid's most important museums: the
Prado, the Reina Sofia and the ThyssenBornemisza, situated adjacent to one of the
Bohemian districts of the city. The city
turned out for the Spanish day parade and
celebrated into the night enjoying its
passion for traditional social style of dining,
tapas.
Madrid
We arrived in a racy, vibrant city, seemingly
the tourist capital, causing new arrivals to
Spain to ponder “what sovereign debt
problems”!
Spain looks and feels in great shape, but we
know they are doing it tough. We enjoyed a
old quarter, it exuded elegance and style
inside and had an impressive stone façade.
AVILA & SEGOVIA
Our first tour included the city medieval
walls, the exterior of the Cathedral, the
Romanesque Basilica of San Vicente, Plaza
Mayor, and a brief walk through the city’s
old streets to see the Convent of Santa
Teresa.
In Segovia we marveled at the magnificent
Roman Aqueduct which was built during the
reign of Caesar Augustus, the Gothic
Cathedral and the11th Century Alcazar,
which was all included on
our walking tour.
Toledo
The scene above is the panoramic view
from our hotel balcony across a valley
overlooking the Imperial City of Toledo, but
imagines a full orange moon rise thrown
in….priceless, first night in town!
Unique to this World Heritage city, which
grew in importance during Roman times, is
its reputation for metal working and its
artisans who produce beautiful, precious
gold inlay jewellery, which we were to
discover later, is difficult to find anywhere
else in Spain. Then back to Madrid to
overnight and prepare for our rail journey
to…….
Salamanca
A city in western Spain, located in the
community of Castile and Leon. Because it is
known for its beautiful buildings and urban
environment, the Old City was declared a
UNESCO world heritage site in 1988. It is the
most important university city in Spain and is
known for its contributions to the teaching of
the Spanish language. We stayed in a superb
boutique hotel only a 10 min walk from the
Ronda
Crisscrossing Spain with euro rail grows on
you, the experience allows you to meet
interesting people which is the wonderful
by-product of travelling.
In the heart of old Ronda there is this
delightfully restored Andalucian house,
dating from 1736, traditional elements are
complemented by modern comforts and
every care has been taken to preserve the
original character of the building, this was
our accommodation for 3 days.
reflecting pool above is just one of its many
spectacular features, if it was located in
Australia it would probably have its own
postcode.
Ronda was first settled by the early Celts,
around the city are remains of prehistoric
settlements dating to the Neolithic Age
including the rock paintings.
Granada
The Alhambra, built in the 14th century, is a
Moorish citadel and palace, it is the reason why
most travellers go to Granada. The most
renowned building of the Andalusian Islamic
historical legacy with its many cultural
attractions that make Granada, located at the
foot of the Sierra
Nevada
mountains, a
popular
destination
among the
touristic cities of
Spain, the
Seville
Here we are in the Santa Cruz quarter right in
the heart of Seville which is in the heart of
Andalusia, with its Moorish influence and
Flamenco heartbeat. It is impossible to resist
the charm of this district with its winding alleys,
its picturesque lime-washed houses, its delicate
hardly visible flowery patios and its small
squares. We stayed in a delightful small hotel
below, which was part of the Duke Béjar Palace
of the 14th century; only 10 minutes walk to the
centre of Seville and their magnificent
cathedral, the largest Gothic style in the world.
modernist style, which is based on forms
found in nature.
This is a truly elegant city, there is plenty to
see and do, the second largest in Spain after
Madrid, situated between the sea and the
mountains, it is today one of the world's
leading tourist, economic, trade fair and cultural
centres, it is a hub of high-speed rail particularly
that which will link France with Spain.
Barcelona
A friendly bus driver we got talking to
during a trip back to our hotel in Barcelona,
insisted that we must not leave Spain until
we visited the city’s most important
landmark. The Sagrada Familia church
shown above, has been under construction
since 1882, designed by Antoni Gaudi, it is
known as the unfinished masterpiece, a
If you are looking something different, find out
what sets us apart, please call me for ideas to
help you plan your next holiday….
Warmest Regards, Gloria
Hartney
03 95254574 or ghartney@bigpond.net.au