Segovia in 6 Hours, Segovia, Spain (B)

One of the things I loved about staying in Madrid (besides the tapas) is its central location, making the Spanish capital a convenient jumping off point for daytrips. Thanks to the high-speed AVE train, there are a handful of cities that can be reached in less than 2 hours – Toledo (30 minutes), Ávila (1.5 hours), Valencia (1.75 hours), Cordoba (1.75 hours, and about 45 minutes more to Sevilla) and one that’s a little more off people’s radar, Segovia (30 minutes from Madrid’s northern Chamartin station, not to be confused with the main Atocha station).

Like much of the Mediterranean region Segovia was once part of the Roman Empire before it was reclaimed by the Spanish crown, and traces of its layered past have been thoughtfully preserved (and in some cases rebuilt) for tourists today. It’s hard to describe the city in one word as some of Segovia’s most distinctive sites are larger-than-life, while other spots hint at a laid-back European charm. And considering how close it is to Madrid, Segovia feels a world away. Here’s a snapshot of our visit. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).