DAY 10: Segovia - Madrid

We left Madrid in the morning for a day trip to Segovia. Our first stop was the magnificent Roman Aqueduct, a true marvel that has stood tall for nearly two thousand years. From there, we wandered through the quaint old town, its cobbled streets lined with cozy cafés and shops that seem frozen in time.

Built sometime around the 1st or early 2nd century AD, this ancient giant once carried fresh water from the mountains more than 15 km away, channeling it straight into the city.

What amazed me most was learning that the entire structure—nearly 20,000 granite blocks—was built without any mortar at all. No cement, no binding material, nothing. Just Roman precision, perfect balance, and engineering that still makes modern architects scratch their heads.

The most photographed part is the stretch over Plaza del Azoguejo, where the aqueduct soars almost 29 meters high with its colossal double row of arches. Standing beneath it, you really feel how tiny you are next to something that has survived almost two millennia of weather, wars, and whatever life threw at Segovia.

Even the catastrophic 1755 earthquake, which shattered buildings across Spain and nearly destroyed Lisbon, failed to dislodge the aqueduct.

It’s one of those places where you stop, look up, and think:

How on earth did they build this… and how is it still here?

Just a short walk from the aqueduct, I spotted something I didn’t expect in Spain: the she-wolf nursing the twins, Romulus and Remus. If you remember your school history lessons, this is the founding myth of Ancient Rome—the abandoned twins rescued and suckled by a wolf before growing up to establish the city.

Segovia has its own bronze statue of the Capitoline Wolf, a gift from Rome in the 20th century to honor the city’s Roman roots. It’s a little reminder that Segovia wasn’t just sprinkled with Roman influence—the Romans built, lived, ruled, and left their mark so deeply that even today their symbols still stand proudly in the city.

So after admiring the aqueduct, don’t miss the wolf and her famous twins. It’s like a small history lesson tucked quietly into a Spanish street corner.

Plaza de Medina del Campo

Catedral de Segovia

Esgrafiado

The textured surfaces on many buildings in Segovia are called esgrafiado, a traditional Spanish plaster technique where layers are applied and then carved or scraped to reveal contrasting colors and intricate geometric or floral patterns. Originally popular during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, it added elegance, indicated social status, and even helped with insulation. You can spot it on numerous historic façades throughout Segovia, especially near the Cathedral and Jewish Quarter, giving the city its distinctive, quilted allure.

This is exactly why I love going on guided tours — it’s these little architectural details and hidden stories that I would otherwise walk right past without even noticing.

Alcázar of Segovia, a medieval fortress said to be the inspiration of Snow White's castle

Countryside view from Plaza de la Reina Victoria Eugenia

Lunch at Meson de Candido 

In Segovia, meals are a celebration of tradition — and a little bit of fun! We started with Judiones de La Granja, a hearty bean stew made with giant, creamy white beans from nearby La Granja de San Ildefonso, simmered with chorizo, pork, and warming spices.

Next came the star of the show: Cochinillo Asado, roast suckling pig so tender the chef slices it with a plate instead of a knife. And just for luck, that same plate gets smashed — a playful ritual to ward off bad fortune! 🐷💥

To finish, we indulged in Ponche Segoviano, Segovia’s iconic dessert. Layers of soft sponge soaked in syrup, rich cream, and smooth marzipan on top — sweet, decadent, and the perfect ending to a meal that’s all about flavor, tradition, and a little local magic.

         

Part of the itinerary had us heading to Las Rozas Village, but given a choice, I’d much rather shop at a local mall. The outlet itself was festively decked out for the Day of the Dead, with colorful skulls, marigold decorations, and festive displays adding a cheerful pop to the elegant streets — a fun contrast to the quiet, historic charm of Segovia earlier in the day. 

Not being fans of designer brands, we soon strayed off to the nearby Heron City, where we indulged in a very early cozy dinner of comforting pasta and cheesy pizza at Vezzo.

Can’t believe I’m actually in Spain, enjoying a Llao Llao froyo — the very country where it all started! Topped it with Dubai chocolate, a flavor we can’t get back home in Malaysia, and every bite felt extra special 😋.

A sweet little ending to a day filled with history, good food, and small surprises.

Day 9 : Toledo - Madrid

Perched on a hill above the Tagus River, Toledo is a living museum of Spain’s layered past. Once home to Christians, Muslims, and Jews, the city earned its title as the “City of Three Cultures.” Its winding medieval streets, grand cathedrals, synagogues, and mosques stand side by side, reflecting centuries of coexistence and artistic fusion. Every corner tells a story — from Visigothic roots to Moorish arches and Gothic spires — making Toledo one of Spain’s most captivating historic sights.

To reach this hilltop gem, we took the Recaredo escalators — a modern blessing for such an ancient city. Our guide joked that we should pray they’re working, and after seeing how steep Toledo really is, we understood why! 😅 The series of outdoor escalators glide smoothly up the hillside, carrying visitors from the car park below straight into the old quarter. It’s a wonderfully unexpected way to arrive — stepping off at the top to find yourself surrounded by stone walls, weathered gates, and views that instantly transport you back in time.

            

 Church of San Román

Today, the church is home to the Museum of Visigothic Councils and Culture. Built in the 13th century, the church showcases the *Mudéjar style, where Christian and Islamic artistry come together. Over the centuries, the site has served as a *Visigothic church, later a mosque, and eventually restored as a church. Inside, visitors can see Romanesque frescoes from the 1200s and elegant horseshoe arches, along with exhibits celebrating the Visigoths who once made Toledo the heart of their kingdom.

*Mudéjar elements are Islamic decorative features—such as geometric patterns, brickwork, tiles, and carved wood—integrated into Christian-era buildings in Spain after the Reconquista.

*Visigoths — a Germanic people who ruled much of the Iberian Peninsula between the 5th and 8th centuries.

In Spanish history, the Visigothic period is an important era that came after the fall of the Roman Empire. The Visigoths made Toledo their capital, turning it into the political and religious center of their kingdom.

Toledo Cathedral

City Hall of Toledo

Toledo through my lens

As we wandered through a maze of narrow, cobbled lanes lined with artisan shops, cozy cafés, and timeworn facades with wrought-iron balconies, I happened to look up… and there it was — a tiny balcony guarded by stone frogs. Little surprises like this are why I adore Toledo. In this atmospheric corner of the city, where history seems to whisper from every wall, you’re always bound to stumble upon something quirky and utterly adorable.

The tiled street signs of Toledo are one of the city’s charming details that often go unnoticed at first glance. 💙

Each sign is made of hand-painted ceramic tiles, often framed in blue and white, showing the street name in elegant lettering — sometimes with small decorative motifs or coats of arms. This tradition dates back centuries and reflects Toledo’s rich ceramic heritage, influenced by Moorish and Spanish craftsmanship.

They’re not just practical markers — they’re tiny works of art that add to the city’s old-world atmosphere, perfectly matching Toledo’s cobbled streets and historic architecture.

Everywhere you walk in Toledo, you’ll spot sword shops glinting with steel — a nod to the city’s centuries-old reputation as the home of Spain’s finest blades. ⚔️

Since Roman times, Toledo has been famous for its exceptional sword-making, known as “Toledo steel.” The tradition continued through the Middle Ages, supplying weapons for knights, soldiers, and even royal armies.

Today, the craft lives on through countless workshops and souvenir stores that line the streets, displaying shining swords, daggers, and replicas from movies and history. It’s a fascinating reminder of Toledo’s legacy as the sword-making capital of Spain.

LUNCH @ La Parrilla

Lunch at La Parrilla de Toledo was a true Castilian feast — paella with tender perdiz (partridge), rich oxtail stew that melted off the bone, and creamy arroz con leche to finish. Traditional flavors, centuries old, still cooked with love in the heart of Spain. ❤️🍷

Arroz con leche — a creamy Spanish dessert made with soft, slow-cooked rice simmered in milk and sugar, with a touch of cinnamon on top.

Oxtail stew (rabo de toro) originated in Córdoba, and it was indeed once considered a humble, hearty meal eaten by matadors and locals after bullfights. Traditionally, the tails of the bulls used in the arena were cooked slowly with red wine, onions, tomatoes, and spices to create a rich, tender stew.

Over time, rabo de toro evolved from a modest dish into a Spanish culinary classic, now served in fine restaurants across Andalusia and beyond — but its roots remain firmly tied to Córdoba’s bullfighting heritage.

After lunch, we took the Recaredo escalators back down. From above, Toledo’s terracotta rooftops stretched across the hillside, with the majestic dome of the Church of San Ildefonso rising proudly in the skyline. The scene was bathed in golden afternoon light, framed by rolling plains and dramatic clouds beyond the city walls. Gliding down the escalator, it felt like a gentle, moving farewell — Toledo’s timeless beauty unfolding one last time before our eyes.

With Toledo’s magic still lingering, we rolled into Madrid.

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, also known as Las Ventas Bullring

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

Almudena Cathedral

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest royal palace in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world, with over 3,418 rooms.

Golden hour at the Royal Palace of Madrid — a breathtaking sunset to end a beautiful day.