July 11-12: Toledo

Since the 2nd class tickets were sold out, we sat first-class on our train ride to Toledo (tranfering in Madrid). We spent an evening and a day in Toledo, a walled city on a hill and the former capital of Spain. There were lots of narrow, zig-zagging streets reminding us of Venice. in Our hotel sat near one of the old gates to the city, the Puerta del Sol:

The most spectaular site in the city is the Cathedral. While not as big a St. Peters, the inside is more detailed and fascinating -- you can spend a couple of hours seeing everything. Lots of stained glass windows and different rooms, and a unique skylight cut into the ceiling to light the front of the church.

While there are masses held, and area devoted for people to come pray, it is sad to note that many churches like this in Europe are more tourists sites now than places of worhsip.

We also took a forty-minute "train" ride around the city. While this seems a bit cheesy, the train took us around the river gorge which surrounds three sides of the city, offering spectacular views.

Toledo is known for its sword making (Scott bought one here during his visit in 1989), and marzipan candies (yum). After our short stay in Toledo, we boarded a train for Madrid!