Just working through the last week or so of our April trip to Andalucia and points north. I'm considering picking up a car in Toledo and driving to Salamanca via Avila, then on to Segovia where we would drop the car and train to Madrid for our flight home. It looks like we will have 3 nights to split between the 2 cities, and I'm leaning towards 2 nights in Salamanca (Plaza Mayor, architecture, atmosphere) and 1 night in Segovia (aquaduct and cochinillo!) Any comments?
Posted by
San Diego
552 posts
Why not spend one night in each? Being at a place for the evening 'magic hour', as Rick likes to put it, will make for your best photo memories. It's hard to get dramatic shots of medieval lanes at midday.
Posted by
OP
Victoria, BC, Canada
372 posts
Thanks Bill, but I have 3 nights for 2 places - the question is which place to spend 2 nights?
Posted by
San Diego
552 posts
Well,...
I would say that Salmanca, being a college town, can be dangerous. We hooked up with some students at a bar serving shots of 'licor de madroño'. I thought it would be fun to show them how to use it to create an interesting variation on the Manhattan,... and it all went downhill from there... ^_^
I don't think I could've handled a second night in Salamanca, to be honest.
Plus, it's easier to drive around and in and out of Segovia. So you could day-trip to Burgos or Escorial.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
Segovia is nice because there is an aquaduct, cathedral, castle and old templar church all in one little area (the templar church is just outside walking distance). One night there is plenty.
Salamanca is a great city, quintessential Spain. Spend as much time as you can there.
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
Both Segovia and Salamanca are wonderful cities...but I would spend one night in Segovia and the two nights in Salamanca. Salamanca has more to see than Segovia for the average tourist. Segovia has 1. the aquaduct which can be seen in a few minutes, 2 the Cathedral, takes a bit longer, and 3 the Alcaaar which will take more time. Get one of the guide books to Segovia and read up on the city once your arrive. There are more places to see and things to do, but these are the major attractions. Lots of history there. Salamanca, as the site of one of the oldest colleges and universities in Europe, has more buildings and attractions to explore. It is a larger place as well. Do not miss the Plaza Mayor, both in the day light and in the night time as well. There is a great tourist office located on it. I have been to both, but would spend my two nights in Salamanca for sure.
Posted by
OP
Victoria, BC, Canada
372 posts
Thank you for the helpful info. Decision made: Segovia 1, Salamanca 2
Posted by
OP
Victoria, BC, Canada
372 posts
Thank you for the helpful info. Decision made: Segovia 1, Salamanca 2