The Travel Peoples

If you are in Madrid, make it a point to take that trip to the nearby Segovia. It is another historic place minus the hustle and bustle of the busy capital. We tried both transportation means. First, we took the bus, which was an hour-and-a-half ride. It was only EUR4 per person for a departure at 11 AM. Returning, we rode the fast train at only EUR14 per passenger departing at 5:30 PM. The other options are whole-day packaged tours, including bus fares, to and fro. Get Your Guide offers convenient choices for activities and fares in Segovia. The bus ride offered nice views of what lies outside of Madrid. The train windows were closed throughout the trip because it was super hot! In fact, it was a bit warm inside the train. Our first stop was the Alcazar de Segovia, which was said to be the inspiration behind Disneyland's castles. You can see it in the video and you can tell why.  The true feast to the eyes was the Segovia Cathedral. In the video, we had a lengthy portion that sho...

Transported back in time! This was the feeling when we set foot in Madrid, the capital of Spain, a former global superpower ( conquistador or conqueror). The city is bustling with history. Everything we saw, the places we ate in, and the streets we walked on, teem with colorful past. Not that I'm complaining. We love stories that we can tell when we go back home.   The iconic landmark, Plaza Mayor, is a crowd favorite with its restaurant rows and various touristy fares. We visited Madrid in the Summer --- not a smart move. The heat was too much, at 40 degrees Celsius daily. Coming from The Netherlands , the Spanish weather was too much to bear. So, when visiting Spain this season, be ready with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunblock, and lots of water.  We first noticed the country's terrain from the plane when it was about to land. It resembles most of California --- dry and brown (with few trees), and of course, sunny. Somehow some parts looked like the desert surfac...