Madrid or close by (1 Viewer)

[Dazzlin]

Hi
It has been known that it is near to a celebration of my 5th decade mid October and we are heading to Madrid area for the occasion.
Any recommendations for the satellite towns, especially any of culinary interest?
Suckling pig, pigs cheeks and any other delicacies?

Willing to try anything once!!!

 

[Mikeco]

Aranjuez is around 25 mile south of Madrid and is the home of the royal palaces, decent campsite on the edge of town within walking distance.

 

[Mikeco]

Aranjuez is around 25 mile south of Madrid and is the home of the royal palaces, decent campsite on the edge of town within walking distance.

Got a few restaurants as well

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[Larrynwin]

A bit south but direct rail connection to Madrid is Aranjuez and a reasonable campsite.

 

[Dazzlin]

Arannuez is now on the list.

Cuenca and Salamanca are also shortlisted.

 

[jumartoo]

Then add Segovia. There's a camperstop there. Nice city with some interesting architecture. Don't know about food though!

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[Tincataylor]

Aranjuez is around 25 mile south of Madrid and is the home of the royal palaces, decent campsite on the edge of town within walking distance.

Ditto the above, Aranjuez is lovely with one of the best park walks we have ever visited,

The Tincas

 

[Nik]

Toledo. Lovely small city

 

[jongood]

Cuenca is stunning. But cold at nights because of the altitude 2c the past two mornings. Make sure you visit the contemporary art museum in the hanging house by the iron footbridge.

Segovia plaza de toros stop seems good so far.

Jon

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[barsteward]

I stumbled on this place in March last year, next door to a very well kept and large park also LeClerc supermarket, Fuel, and shopping mall. The aire is cheap as i remember, secure and the waste and fresh water facilities are very good. The town is modern but I do recall quite a few eateries.
Would recommend.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...5767876b551b394!8m2!3d40.2388561!4d-3.6907696

 

[Glandwr]

El Escorail is extremely impressive and a must if you are into fine art with a wonderful collection of early Flemish artists such as Hieronymus Bosch.

Wilded in the carpark there 4 years ago

https://el-escorial.com

 

[Dazzlin]

Many thanks folks. The birthday week is fast becoming a birthday fortnight for a couple of reasons.
We have been doin' France swifter than expected due in no small part to the similarities to the 'great british summer', and I like to get the most out of a big b'day I can!!!
I have scribbled on a scrap of paper all your suggestions and also added Guadalajara, as it sounds good (have you ever been to Mexico? - no, but I have been to Guadalajara) and has another Alcazar to photograph!
I may have been thinking of Segovia when I mentioned Salamanca above (well, it was late) another time, methinks!

Anyway I will be pushing this thread all I can in the run-up.......any more ideas please?

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[Dazzlin]

Segovia (for conchinillo) and the start of the Madrid circuit tomorrow.

Enjoyed Pamplona, Vitoria Gasteiz, Briviesca and Burgos on the way down.

Quiet night in Sepulveda tonight.

We are in the centre of the last pic if you zoom in.

 

[Theonlysue]

We can see you........ lol

 

[magicsurfbus]

Another vote here for Aranjuez. Stopped there a couple of years ago (at the campsite). Huge ponced up Royal Palace, with generally pleasant town.

We also used the municipal site at Burgos whilst passing through - it did the job but didn't have time to look at the town.

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[jumartoo]

And you have a neighbour. Who was there first?

 

[Dazzlin]

Another vote here for Aranjuez. Stopped there a couple of years ago (at the campsite). Huge ponced up Royal Palace, with generally pleasant town.

We also used the municipal site at Burgos whilst passing through - it did the job but didn't have time to look at the town.

Deffo doing Aranjuez. A couple of nights at least and Madrid from there by train.
Recommend Burgos. The aire is a good stopover. We walked into town through the park most of the way and were pleasantly surprised.
Really nice river walk, cathedral and castle (walked to the top and it was shut!).
Had a v good menu del dia in the cathedral square.

 

[Dazzlin]

And you have a neighbour. Who was there first?

They were. There are four spaces between us. We got there lunch time and didn't know how busy it would get!

It didn't.....

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[Pia]

Then add Segovia. There's a camperstop there. Nice city with some interesting architecture. Don't know about food though!

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Segovia is famous for 'Cochinillo Asdo' or roast suckling pig.....cooked in a special oven...lots of restaurants to choose from....oh it is also one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and we walked from the centre of the city to the campsite on the outskirts...it was a beautiful spring day earlier this year and there are lots of seats to rest weary bones on as you walk and of course you can explore up close the Aquaduct that stretches way along to the outskirts of the city....beautiful. We took the bus in. There is also an Aire near the bullring....we don't usually leave our Harvey alone for long periods in Aires so when we go exploring we use campsites...then we can relax and meander. Whatever you do for your big day...enjoy....I would definitely recommed Segovia as a memorable place to spend a birthday.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Aranjuez is around 25 mile south of Madrid and is the home of the royal palaces, decent campsite on the edge of town within walking distance.

Yes, I’ll second this.

Great indoor market. Limited restaurants. But there is a tapas bar where €5 buys you 5 estrella dam in a bucket of ice, complete with tapas

 

[MikeD]

Aranjuez for us as well, beautiful place.

Real spanish town so lots of interest there.

If i remember 4e each way to Madrid. Station about 30 minutes walk from camp site. Direct line and takes around an hour. But someone will be along to correct me if i am wrong.

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[Dazzlin]

Segovia is famous for 'Cochinillo Asdo' or roast suckling pig.....cooked in a special oven...lots of restaurants to choose from....oh it is also one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and we walked from the centre of the city to the campsite on the outskirts...it was a beautiful spring day earlier this year and there are lots of seats to rest weary bones on as you walk and of course you can explore up close the Aquaduct that stretches way along to the outskirts of the city....beautiful. We took the bus in. There is also an Aire near the bullring....we don't usually leave our Harvey alone for long periods in Aires so when we go exploring we use campsites...then we can relax and meander. Whatever you do for your big day...enjoy....I would definitely recommed Segovia as a memorable place to spend a birthday.

We are staying on the aire at the 'Plaza del Torros'.

Walked into and around the city today. Return visit planned tomoz.

Booked at 'Meson de Jose Maria' for 'cochinillo' or suckling pig.(as mentioned above) The traditional dish of Segovia. Tomorrow lunch.
It comes well recommended but too early for b'day meal so it may be an early anniversary meal (24th), and it might even be the tasting menu!....or it might not?

Great town, aquaduct, cathedral, alcazar etc.

And after three or so stops for vino & pincho's, a chocolate oreo sandwich (montadito) in the last pic.......

 

[Dazzlin]

Meson de Jose Maria. Renowned for their Cochinillo, so tender it is cut and served with a dinner plate.
We decided to go whole hog (see what I did there?) and enjoyed the taster menu.
Starting with a freebie of the house, toasted bread and a pate/mousse with salad. It was all accompanied by a bottle of their own label red wine and a bottle of water.

1st starter a tower of avocado, cheese, roasted pepper and walnut.

2nd course, tuna croquettes on a white dressing/sauce? Didn't catch the name.

3rd 'The beans of the royal palace with all its accompanying' - bean soup with chorizo!

4th was Hake (merluza) with fried spinach. By this time we were pretty stuffed!

Then the main dish of suckling pig, shared between 5 or 6, was brought around the tables to show before being carved with the dinner plate. Vegetarians look away now.

Served with just its cooking juice. Thin crispy skin and tender meat.

Dessert is tarte de ponche. An almond marinated sponge with custard and marzipan served with turron ice cream, vanilla cream and tart fruits!

An early anniversary meal by 11 days followed by a very slow waddle back to the van for a siesta.

 

[Greenway]

@Dazzlin, perfect timing. We are planning to visit Segovia, staying at the bullring aire on Saturday 4th of November (after 17:30). Was the aire very busy?

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[Dazzlin]

@Dazzlin, perfect timing. We are planning to visit Segovia, staying at the bullring aire on Saturday 4th of November (after 17:30). Was the aire very busy?

Room for about 15 - 20 vans. We got here on wednesday and there were about 8 or 10 stayed overnight. Tonight they were pulling up as late as 11pm. Must have been 6 came after 8pm. May have been moved?
There is parking just next to the official part tho.

 

[Dazzlin]

San Lorenzo del El Escorial.
The Monastario. Used mainly by the royal family of Spain France and an english queen.
Now all cultured out thanks to @Glandwr after opting for the 3 hour audio tour!!!

Roll on Benidorm.....

 

[Dazzlin]

Avila is a recommended place to visit if you have not been, just for the walls.
82 towers and 9 gates. Several churches and a cathedral.

The fair was in town so we have had to park on the road nearby but all is quiet now.

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[Greenway]

@Dazzlin, thanks for posting. I was planning: Bilbao, Burgos, Segovia, Avila, Merida then Cadiz on out trip south for four months. Will stop at Sepulveda now as well.

 

[Dazzlin]

@Dazzlin, thanks for posting. I was planning: Bilbao, Burgos, Segovia, Avila, Merida then Cadiz on out trip south for four months. Will stop at Sepulveda now as well.

Just looked at Merida.
Will have to put that on our list.

 

[Glandwr]

An interesting fact about Avila is that in its elevation above sea level it is about the same as being on top of Ben Nevis

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