Train Trip to Segovia

Another of our "best days" in Spain was the day we took the train north to Segovia. With 2 weeks in Spain we went with high hopes of riding rails to Barcelona and Seville, but reality set in as well as the holidays and winter colds and soon we had to admit we weren't leaving Madrid. This was fine, but we did decide one day that we needed a change of place, so instead of walking to our normal bus stop; Isaac, Carolina and I walked a little further to train station and made the 1 hour train trip north to the small city north of Madrid further into the Madridian mountain range.

The trip took right about an hour and while Isaac and Carolina played on their phones I enjoyed the view as we climbed higher and higher.

The ride up into the Mountains

Upon our arrival in Segovia there was a little bit of confusion as we figured out where from the trains station we needed to go to get to our destinations and it looked for a few minutes that the trip might be a bust but soon we were headed in the right direction.

Now there were several times during the day that I considered selling or even just giving Carolina to gypsies that day, but she really hung in there like a champ overall as we walked a good 6-7 miles total and that a lot for any kid, especially one who whines if she finds herself needing to walk up stairs.

Our first stop was actually a restaurant, we were starved and Carlina was about to melt down so after lunch and a rejuvenating Coke for Carolina and I we hit the road and made our way to the Roman Aqueducts. One of the things Segovia is most known for is the aqueducts constructed by the Romans during their time in Spain. It's amazing when you walk up to them because you come around from a small narrow street and there they are just stretched out in front of you; it's quite impressive!

 

Turned a corner and there they were! Carolina chose to hopscotch up the street!

Isaac and Carolina *note the jacket is on her head. At least it wasn't in my hands!

Looking down one side of the Aqueduct.

The aqueducts

View from the top

Segovia

One of my faves of Isaac and Carolina

Once we were done at the aqueducts we continued through Segovia toward the cities large castle at the far end of the city. On the way we passed the beautiful cathedral and had wanted to tour it, but God was charging 5 euros per person so we decided to save our money and kept on going.

I was starting to think the castle was a myth and we had been told a lie, but finally there it was the cities narrow streets end and there in front of me...was Hogwarts. Well, not really but I was reminded of it as I gazed at the large castle before us.

Walking up to the castle

View from the castle grounds

one of turrets, looks like Rapunzel could let down her hair at any moment!

We decided to pay for not only the castle but the top tower so we started first by walking around the bottom floors. From what I gathered it wasn't a king or queen per say that lived in the castle it was the lord of that particular "state". I think, it was all in Spanish.

From the courtyard

In the Courtyard

Looking up

A cannon

Sitting down to dinner

Entrance to the chapel off the bedroom. (if you need a chapel off of your bedroom, you need to reexamine some things)

View from inside the castle

We then took the 145 steps up to the top of the tower. I give Carolina a hard time about laziness sometimes, but those stairs almost killed me! They were pretty steep and it was very narrow so sometimes you had to stop at a landing when you heard people coming down the opposite direction. For someone that is both afraid of heights and small spaces, this took a toll!

It was totally worth it though, when we got to the top and looked over the city. The view was amazing and something I'll never forget.

The View from the top

hee hee, couldn't help it! Oh look, guess who's jacket I'm holding!

Another good one of Isaac and c

Very Hogwarts, I though

Only snow we saw in Spain

the five euro church

Once we made it down it was time to hike back across town to the train station. By this time it was getting dark and much cooler and the walk felt much longer. The only thing that kept poor Carolina moving was the promise of churros and a chocolate when we got to the station. We paid up as soon as we confirmed our train back we walked across the street from the station where the adults had a much, much need coffee and Carolina got her hot chocolate and a doughnut.  I think what I loved most about Segovia was how walkable it was. It was long walk, but completely doable and the city was beautiful with narrow streets and old buildings. We returned that night tired but very happy with the day we'd had, and it was one of the high points of our trip!

**I have many more pics of inside the castle but blogger is being a pain tonight, I'll try to come back later and add them, or you can check out my Facebook page.