Madrid & Central Spain - Discover Spain: Experience the Best of Spain - page 322

Double back up towards the Puerta del Sol, and then on to Plaza de Santa Ana, the
ideal place for a long, liquid lunch. Time for some high culture, so stroll to the in-
comparable Museo del Prado. Afterwards, catch your breath in the Parque del
Buen Retiro before heading to one of the excellent restaurants in Chueca or Malas-
aña.
On day two, cram in everything you didn't have time for on day one. Choose
between the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, then
jump on the metro for a quick ride across town to the astonishing Goya frescoes in
the Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida. Finish off with tapas in La Latina.
On the third day, take one of the frequent high-speed trains for a day trip to (2)
Toledo , which, with its melange of Christian, Islamic and Jewish monuments is one
of the most fascinating cities in central Spain.
TOLEDO TO SEGOVIA CITIES OF THE NORTH
Vibrant urban life set against the backdrop of monumental architecture is something
of a speciality in Central Spain. Toledo and and Salamanca are each worth two
days and you'd need to allow at least a day for Segovia. All are easily accessible
from Madrid and they're close enough to each other to ensure you don't lose too
much time en route.
For centuries, (1) Toledo was Spain's capital-in-waiting and a world-renowned
centre for learning and tolerance among its Muslim, Jewish and Christian popula-
tion - Toledo's grand public buildings from all three communities are almost without
peer. Stay overnight to fully appreciate the city once the day-trippers have headed
elsewhere. Away to the northeast, (2) Salamanca is one of Spain's most uniformly
magnificent provincial towns, a showpiece of soothing Renaissance sandstone ar-
chitecture with student life coursing through its streets. Finish up in (3) Segovia ,
home to a castle that seems to have sprung from a child's imagination, a Roman
aqueduct, a litter of distinguished churches and a nightly soundtrack that never
seems to abate.