If not Madrid, then what?
Holidays in Spain are mainly associated with relaxation on the beach and parties in crowded resorts. However, this country is not only sun, sand and passionate dancing - it is also beautiful, although a bit harsh mountains and green valleys, the bottoms of which are leisurely carved by rivers with gentle curves. This is the perfect camping spot in Spain . Such landscapes can be found in the heart of Spain, not far from bustling Madrid.
Be amazed by Madrid
The capital of Spain, the pearl of the Castilian Plateau, attracts tourists all year round, tempting with a multitude of attractions. It would be difficult to get to know them all in one day, even if spent very intensively. Because you also need to see the Royal Palace, take a walk through the Sabatini Gardens, and look at the buildings surrounding Plaza Mayor, the former heart of the city. It is worth paying attention to the architecture of Madrid's main street, Gran Via, the end of which is crowned by Plaza de España with the statue of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
Curiosity also leads to Madrid Atocha , where in the main hall, under the dome, there is a tropical garden. Where is the time to visit museums, for example? And which one to choose? The Prado Museum , the most important in Madrid and one of the leading in Spain, the futuristic CaixaForum, with a vertical garden covering the former power plant, or perhaps the American Museum with over 25,000 pre-Columbian artifacts presenting the history of colonial conquests? Museum of Romanticism, Maritime or Archaeological Museum, or maybe the Museum of the Blind? And this is not even a fraction of the attractions that await us during this point of our holiday in Spain .
Escape trip to Segovia
The temple doesn't give you a headache, but the capital of Spain can be tiring due to the multitude of impressions. Where should you go after visiting Madrid to relax a bit? To the northwest - for a trip to Segovia, a city located at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, at an altitude of 1,000 m above sea level. It is approximately 90 km away from the Spanish capital (depending on the chosen route). It is not large, but it has something to tempt tourists. As we approach it, we will see cattle grazing in the meadows by the highway, and the snow-capped mountain peaks will serve as a further backdrop to the landscape. The main attraction of Segovia is the Roman aqueduct, an impressive structure from 100 AD. Together with the old town, it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Only about 800 meters of the canal have survived to this day, but it still makes a huge impression on tourists.
No less than the Alcázar , a fortress overlooking the confluence of the Clamores and Eresma rivers. Thanks to its location on a rocky hill, it provides wonderful views - from its tower there is a panorama of Segovia and the surrounding villages. A moment of attention also deserves the cathedral, which, according to various sources, is considered the last Gothic building built on Spanish soil. Beautiful, with numerous soaring towers, it is especially impressive at night when it is illuminated. Walking around Segovia, it is easy to notice how well organized the signage of tourist attractions is. We can reach the main points of the city without any problems. If we visit the tourist information center (located in the square next to the aqueduct), we will receive all the tips needed for sightseeing, as well as free maps.
Night in the Spanish mountains
Since we are so close to the Sierra de Guadarrama, why not take advantage of the opportunity to relax in the Spanish mountains and stay here at least one night? The views are wonderful, the air is clean, it is quiet and peaceful, so it's really worth the temptation. In the immediate vicinity there is Lozoya, a picturesque valley approximately 25 km long and approximately 6 km long. It is covered with mixed forests (mainly oaks and Scots pine), and the river of the same name flows between farmlands and pastures. In the valley there is Campingred Monte Holiday , a year-round facility with a strong emphasis on ecology. It is a great place for people who want to both relax and spend their holidays actively. There are plenty of options, from cycling, through sailing and kayaking, to observing the local fauna in the Cerro del Lozoya reserve.
A writer by profession, a passion of a cat. One day he will see what is behind the Urals - good to Vladivostok. So far, when he can, he enjoys the sun of the countries of southern Europe. And it's also fun;)
