Adios Espana!

Sadly it was time to say goodbye to Spain this morning, after a really great 10 days.
We traveled to the airport in time to check-in for a lunchtime departure.

Checked-in & through security in Madrid - sad to leave but excited to be returning home.

Day Trip to Toledo - NEW TEXT & PHOTOS

Today, our last day in Spain, we took a day trip from Madrid to the former capital Toledo.
An historic city, built on an outcrop of land with the River Tajo surrounding it on three sides, Toledo is famous for its fine metal work (particularly swords & knives), for the artist El Greco (who loved here & many of whose paintings are still here), & for the harmonious co-existence of the Christian, Jewish & Muslim inhabitants prior to the 1492 'reconquest'.
After a journey of just an hour, we arrived & met our local guide Juanjo. He led us on a three hour walking tour that included visits to the cathedral, Santo Tome church, & the former synagogue.

The historic city of Toledo, not in Ohio!

Outside Toledo's ancient city walls

Entering the medieval city through St. Martin's Gate

Our local guide, Juanjo, explains the city's layout

Cordoba Cathedral

The stunning main altar of Cordoba Cathedral

One of the many genuine El Greco painting we saw in the Cathedral

The Cathedral cloisters

Strolling the streets of Toledo

After returning to Madrid in the late afternoon there was a final few hours of free time before we met for our last group dinner.  Some of the group shopped for final gifts or souvenirs, other made a last sightseeing visit to the Reina Sofia Museum to see Picasso's masterpiece 'Guernica' & other works by Salvador Dali.
After dinner tonight we enjoyed our last chocolate & churros, then said goodbye to those traveling on to Paris tomorrow!

Last night farewells

Madrid in Depth - NEW!

Cordoba, the road to Madrid - NEW PHOTOS

Sevilla: City of Flamenco, Bullfighting, Opera & Oranges - NEW PHOTOS