Packing Tips
Traveling in Spain
- Renfe -- This site will be your best friend when it comes to purchasing train tickets to get around Spain. Using the train is affordable, fast, and easy! You can book tickets up to 62 days before departure. If you're under 26 years old and plan to do several trips via the train system, I'd highly recommend getting a Tarjeta Joven. For a small initial fee, you will save 30% on every train ticket. I have saved lots of money this way! Always use "Segovia Av" when looking for train tickets from Segovia.
- La Sepulvedana -- This bus company is the one that can take you to Madrid (Principe Pío station) and La Granja from Segovia (near the Roman Aqueduct). The rates are very fair, and you can see the timetables by clicking the pretty purple link. Fares for the bus are much cheaper than taking the train to Madrid.
- Los Urbanos de Segovia -- If you'd like to take the bus to get to the public pool or the movie theater in Nueva Segovia, I'd highly recommend using the bus to get there. Fares are super cheap, especially if you're a student and you get a bus card at the office on Calle Real.
- Kayak -- This site is a great resource for locating cheap flights if you're flying into Spain separately from the group or if you'd like to do your long weekend traveling in a country other than Spain. It's very customizable.
What to See in Spain
- Lonely Planet -- Consult Lonely Planet for expert travel advice and suggestions for each and every city you visit! Their material is available online and in travel books at your local book store. I'd highly recommend them for restaurant/bar suggestions and figuring out which sites you want to see.
- Trip Advisor -- Trip Advisor is a great resource to check out user/guest reviews on hotels, hostels, restaurants, attractions, and more! This is my favorite website for choosing hotels/hostels in an unfamiliar city, learning about the "must-sees" every place I go, and reading about others' experiences at the places I plan to visit.
- Córdoba -- Without exaggeration, this is probably one of my favorite cities in the world. Córdoba is ideal for those who like to eat well, explore on foot, dive into old bodegas, and relish architectural wonders. The city's heart needs no introduction, for its fame is widespread: the magnificent Mezquita, a symbol of worldly and sophisticated Islamic culture, lords over the town centre and pulls thousands of tourists into its arched interior every day. The streets of the Judería (Jewish quarter) stretch out from the great mosque like capillaries (albeit those nearest the monument are clogged with tourist bric-a-brac), unexpectedly emerging on peaceful plazas. The compact town centre has a more boisterous vibe with some excellent bars and restaurants – some of which have become sights in themselves.
- Sevilla -- If any one place comes close to rolling together everything that’s quintessentially Andalucian, it’s Sevilla. Here in the region’s capital and biggest city, that special Andalucian way of life is distilled into its purest and most intense form. Sevilla has the most passionate and portentous Semana Santa (Holy Week), the most festive and romantic annual feria (fair), the best tapas bars, the best nightlife and the most stylish people in Andalucía. It has more narrow, winding, medieval lanes and romantic, hidden plazas soaked in the scent of orange blossom than half of Andalucía’s other cities put together. It’s the home of those two bulwarks of Andalucian tradition, flamenco and bullfighting, and its heri‑tage of art and architecture (Roman, Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque) is without rival in southern Spain.
- Granada -- Sevilla may have the pasión and Córdoba a medieval charm, but Granada has an edge. Most visitors concentrate solely on the magnificent Alhambra, but if you explore further, you’ll find Andalucía’s hippest, most youthful city, with a ‘free tapas’ culture, innovative bars and intimate flamenco haunts. Here the Islamic past feels recent, as Muslim North Africans make up some 10% of the population; there’s even a modern mosque in the medieval district of the Albayzín. And though Granada looks alpine, with the white-capped Sierra Nevada peaks startlingly close, you could just as easily go swimming down on the coast for the day and be back in time to enjoy the city’s nightlife.
- Málaga -- Málaga is a world apart from the adjoining Costa del Sol; a briskly modern yet historic city, it still has the atmosphere and swagger of a Mediterranean port. Admittedly, initial impressions can be discouraging as, like most Spanish cities, the shell is drab and industrial. But the kernel, the historic city centre, is charming with its majestic, if peculiar, unfinished Gothic cathedral, surrounded by traditional balconied buildings, narrow pedestrian streets and some of the best tapas bars in the province. In recent years, the city has heavily invested in its culture and heritage with new museums, extensive restoration and a brand-new port development. Málaga is a joy to stroll around, with a skyline that reflects the city’s eclectic character; church spires jostle for space with russet-red tiled roofs and lofty apartment buildings while, like a grand old dame, the 11th-century Gibralfaro castle sits grandly and provides the best view of all. But above all, check out la Costa del Sol! :)
- Valencia -- Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, for ages languished in the long shadows cast by Madrid, Spain’s political capital, and Barcelona, the country’s cultural and economic powerhouse. No longer. Stunning public buildings have changed the city’s skyline – Sir Norman Foster’s Palacio de Congresos, David Chipperfield’s award-winning Veles i Vents structure beside the inner port, and, on the grandest scale of all, the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencas, designed in the main by Santiago Calatrava, local boy made good. An increasingly popular short-break venue, Valencia is where paella first simmered over a wood fire. It’s a vibrant, friendly, mildly chaotic place with two outstanding fine-arts museums, an accessible old quarter, Europe’s newest cultural and scientific complex – and one of Spain’s most exciting nightlife scenes.
- Barcelona -- Set on a plain rising gently from the sea to a range of wooded hills, Barcelona is Spain's most cosmopolitan city and one of the Mediterranean's busiest ports. Restaurants, bars and clubs are always packed, as is the seaside in summer. The city's avant-garde chefs whip up a storm that has even the French reaching for superlatives. You might get the impression it's dedicated exclusively to hedonism, but it's a hard-working, dynamic place hoping to place itself in the vanguard of 21st-century Europe with a heavy concentration of hi-tech and biomedical business. It regards its long past with pride. From Roman town it passed to medieval trade juggernaut, and its old centre constitutes one of the greatest concentrations of Gothic architecture in Europe. Beyond this core are some of the world's more bizarre buildings: surreal spectacles capped by Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Família church. Barcelona has been breaking ground in art, architecture and style since the late 19th century. From the marvels of Modernisme to the modern wonders of today, from Picasso to the likes of Susana Solano, the racing heart of Barcelona has barely skipped a beat. Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a region with its own language, character and history – many Catalans think of their home as a separate country. The city itself could keep you occupied for weeks but just outside it are sandy beaches, Sitges and the Montserrat mountain range - so be sure to make time for a few day trips during your stay.
- Madrid -- No city on earth is more alive than Madrid, a beguiling place whose sheer energy carries a simple message: this city really knows how to live. Few cities can boast an artistic pedigree quite as pure as Madrid’s and many art lovers return here again and again, so rich is the city’s art collection. For centuries, Spanish royals showered praise and riches upon the great artists of the day, from home-grown talents such as Goya and Velázquez to a stunning pantheon of Flemish and Italian masters. Masterpieces by these and other Spanish masters such as Picasso, Dalí and Miró now adorn the walls of the city’s world-class galleries. Three in particular are giants – the Museo del Prado, Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza – but in Madrid these are merely good places to start. Madrid nights are the stuff of legend, and the perfect complement to the more sedate charms of fine arts and fine dining. The city may have more bars than any other city on earth, a collection of storied cocktail bars and nightclubs that combine a hint of glamour with non-stop marcha (action). Madrid boasts medieval mansions and royal palaces, unimagined angles of Spanish contemporary architecture, sober brickwork and slate spires of Madrid baroque, and extravagant confections of the belle époque. Put simply, this is one beautiful city.
- Santiago de Compostela -- Locals say the arcaded, stone streets of Santiago de Compostela are at their most beautiful in the rain, when the old city glistens. Most would agree, however, that it's hard to catch the Galician capital in a bad pose. Whether you're wandering the medieval streets of the old city, nibbling on tapas in the taverns, or gazing down at the rooftops from atop the cathedral, Santiago seduces.
- Burgos -- The extraordinary Gothic cathedral of Burgos is one of Spain's glittering jewels of religious architecture and it looms large over the city and skyline. On the surface, conservative Burgos seems to embody all the stereotypes of a north-central Spanish town, with sombre grey-stone architecture, the fortifying cuisine of the high meseta (plateau) and a climate of extremes. But this is a city that rewards deeper exploration: below the surface lie good restaurants and, when the sun's shining, pretty streetscapes that extend far beyond the landmark cathedral. There's even a whiff of legend about the place: beneath the majestic spires of the cathedral lies Burgos' favourite and most roguish son, El Cid.
- Salamanca -- Whether floodlit by night or bathed in the light of sunset, there's something magical about Salamanca. This is a city of rare beauty, awash with golden sandstone overlaid with ochre-tinted Latin inscriptions, an extraordinary virtuosity of plateresque and Renaissance styles. The monumental highlights are many, with the exceptional Plaza Mayor (illuminated to stunning effect at night) an unforgettable highlight. But this is also Castile's liveliest city; home to a massive Spanish and international student population that throngs the streets at night and provides the city with so much youth and vitality.
- Toledo -- Though one of the smaller of Spain's provincial capitals, Toledo looms large in the nation's history and consciousness as a religious centre, bulwark of the Spanish church, and once-flourishing symbol of a multicultural medieval society. The Old Town today is a treasure chest of churches, museums, synagogues and mosques set in a labyrinth of narrow streets, plazas and inner patios in a lofty setting high above Río Tajo. Toledo's charms, and its proximity to Madrid, mean that it can get choked with tour groups during the day. Try to stay till dusk, when the city returns to the locals and the streets take on a moody, other-worldly air.
- Ávila -- Ávila's old city, surrounded by imposing city walls comprising eight monumental gates, 88 watchtowers and more than 2500 turrets, is one of the best-preserved medieval bastions in all Spain. In winter, when an icy wind whistles in off the plains, the old city huddles behind the high stone walls as if seeking protection from the harsh Castilian climate. At night, when the walls are illuminated to magical effect, you'll wonder if you've stumbled into a fairy tale. Within the walls, Ávila can appear caught in a time warp. It's a deeply religious city that, for centuries, has drawn pilgrims to the cult of Santa Teresa de Ávila, with many churches, convents and high-walled palaces. As such, Ávila is the essence of Castilla, the epitome of old Spain.
Strictly Segovia--What to Do & See
SEE
EAT
- Alcázar -- Rapunzel towers, turrets topped with slate witches' hats and a deep moat at its base make the Alcázar a prototype fairy-tale castle, so much so that its design inspired Walt Disney's vision of Sleeping Beauty's castle. Fortified since Roman days, the site takes its name from the Arabic al-qasr (fortress). It was rebuilt in the 13th and 14th centuries, but the whole lot burned down in 1862. What you see today is an evocative, over-the-top reconstruction of the original. Tours cost 3 euros if you're in a group or 5 euros if you go by yourself.
- Cathedral -- How cool is it that we have classes RIGHT NEXT to this beauty?! Started in 1525 on the site of a former chapel, Segovia's cathedral is a powerful expression of Gothic architecture that took almost 200 years to complete. The austere three-nave interior is anchored by an imposing choir stall and enlivened by 20-odd chapels, including the Capilla del Cristo del Consuelo , which houses a magnificent Romanesque doorway, and the Capilla de la Piedad containing an important altarpiece by Juan de Juni. Entrance costs 3 euros.
- Roman Aqueduct -- Segovia's most recognizable symbol is el Acueducto (Roman Aqueduct), an 894m-long engineering wonder that looks like an enormous comb plunged into Segovia. First raised here by the Romans in the 1st century AD, the aqueduct was built with not a drop of mortar to hold the more than 20,000 uneven granite blocks together. It's made up of 163 arches and, at its highest point in Plaza del Azoguejo, rises 28m high. The aquaduct was originally part of a complex system of aqueducts and underground canals that brought water from the mountains more than 15km away. Its pristine condition is attributable to a major restoration project in the 1990s. For a different perspective, climb the stairs next to the aqueduct that begin behind the tourist office. The best part? Seeing this beauty is FREE!
- Monasterio de San Antonio El Real -- This convent is a former royal palace and retreat of Enrique IV. Its facade is Gothic (Isabel) in style. Inside are some ogee, segmental, clover-leaf arches. Of note in the high chapel is the wooden, Mudejar handiwork.The brick cloister combines red and white colors.
- Monasterio del Parral -- This lovely monastery lies outside the city walls of Segovia near a café and wonderful river walk, very popular with day trippers from Madrid. It takes about 10-15 minutes to get there from the old town. The superb altar survives intact. You can actually go into the monastery itself, where you can see the very fine small cloister and a few other features. The view of old Segovia is wonderful from here, and the monks certainly have a ravishing 15th century group of buildings at their disposal. There is no charge for the visit but donations are welcome.
- Iglesia de Vera Cruz -- This 12-sided church is one of the best-preserved of its kind in Europe. Built in the early 13th century by the Knights Templar and based on Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher, it once housed a piece of the Vera Cruz (True Cross), now in the nearby village church of Zamarramala (on view only at Easter). The curious two-story chamber in the circular nave (the inner temple) is where the knights' secret rites took place. Admission is only 1.75 euros.
- Iglesia de San Miguel -- This church is located on Calle Real, about halfway on your trek from the Plaza Mayor to the Roman Aqueduct. You'll likely end up passing this gorgeous church almost everyday, and I'd highly recommend taking 10-15 minutes to check it out inside. Besides, it's free! You really don't have any excuse not to! It boasts an interesting history, old murals, gorgeous statues, and magnificent paintings.
- Iglesia de San Esteban -- Built in the XIII century in late Romanesque style. Measuring 53 meters high converting it into the highest, Romanesque tower in Spain. There are ten arches in the atrium and capitals adorned with medieval engraved motifs.ales. The inside is Baroque because it was built after the fire in the XVIII century.
- La Granja -- A short 25-minute bus ride via La Sepulvedana bus lines will get you to the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso. This palace is an 18th-century palace in the small town of San Ildefonso in the hills near Segovia, 80 km north of Madrid, formerly the summer residence of the Kings of Spain since the reign of Philip V. The palace is in a restrained baroque style surrounded by incredible, extensive gardens in the French manner and sculptural fountains. It is now open to the public as a museum. A student discount is available.
- Nueva Segovia -- So, there isn't really much to see here, BUT I'd still highly recommend taking the bus (Los Urbanos de Segovia) to check out the movie theater (what the link goes to), the local grocery store to stock up on some snacks (MUCH cheaper here than in the city or on excursions), and the general feel of a relatively small Spanish residential area. Being the foreign film buff that I am, I found myself over in Nueva Segovia quite a bit to watch movies.
- Calle Real -- What a sight to see! Our classes are held right by where the street starts. It boasts lots of cafés, restaurants, souvenir shops, old churches, mini-plazas, terraces, and the best shopping in Segovia, with lots of designer brands available! This road connects the Plaza Mayor to the Roman Aqueduct. You'll know this street like the back of your hand by the end of your stay in Segovia.
- Plaza Mayor -- The shady Plaza Mayor is the nerve centre of old Segovia, lined by an eclectic assortment of buildings, arcades and cafés and an open pavilion in its centre. It's also the site of the catedral and the tourist office. The road connecting Plaza Mayor and the aqueduct is a pedestrian thoroughfare that locals know simply as Calle Real.
- Plaza de San Martín -- This is one of the most captivating small plazas in Segovia. The square is presided over by a statue of Juan Bravo, the 14th-century Torreón de Lozoya , a tower that now houses exhibitions, and the Iglesia de San Martín , a pièce de Romanesque résistance with its Mudéjar tower and arched gallery. The interior boasts a Flemish Gothic chapel.
- La Judería -- As I'm sure you remember from your Spanish Civ & Culture class, Jews had a major influence on Spain's rich history. From the 7th century until their expulsion from society in 1492, Segovian Jews inhabited this barrio. It used to be one of the richest areas in all of Castilla y León. Located in the south of the city between the old Sinagoga Mayor and las calles (streets) de Judería Vieja, Santa Ana, el Rastrillo, plazuela y calle del Socorro, Judería Nueva and Almuzara. You can find the Jewish cemetary in El Pinarillo on the other side of the Clamores River.
- House Museum of Antonio Machado -- Located near the Cathedral and the Plaza Mayor, the Antonio Machado's home is a must-see! The museum provides an audio-guide in your language that you key in for information as you move along at your own pace. It's a really nice piece of local history, whether you like poetry or not.
- Casa de los Picos -- Its most characteristic feature is its façade, which is covered entirely by granite blocks carved into pyramid-shaped reliefs. The portal has a round arch with large voussoirs. Above the balconies is the coat of arms of the De la Hoz family, owners of the house. The entranceway and courtyard are decorated with tiles from Talavera, which have some of the buildings of Segovia painted on them. Currently it houses the Segovia Art School and exhibition hall.
EAT
- Café la Colonial -- Two words: FREE WiFi! This cute little cafe on Calle Real, a three minute walk from where we have classes, has yummy tea, coffee, and snacks. This is a popular hang out spot for KIIS students, as you can use the free wifi for as long as you want to plan travel with your friends, text amigos back home, and get a Facebook fix. It's also a popular place to do homework with everyone.
- Limón y Menta -- Service is so-so here, but the pastries are TO DIE FOR! Try the Ponche Segoviano and thank me later! :)