Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia (2014)

Hotel Palacio San Facundo stands on its own tiny square very close to the heart of Segovia’s old town.

Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

From here, it is an easy walk to the Plaza Mayor, cathedral, and many great restaurants. I took a standard room for this visit.

Standard room at Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

Standard room at Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

And here’s view of the bathroom as well:

Bathroom in standard room at Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

Bathroom in standard room at Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

Sleeping here was easy, as the hotel is away from the bustle of the plaza mayor. Yet only a couple of blocks away you’ll find some great places for snacks and drinks. Also, this central courtyard provides an excellent space for dining or business meetings.

Courtyard of Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

Courtyard of Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

The hotel has onsite parking, which may be useful if your traveling by car. Staff are friendly and helpful, providing great recommendations for dining and the sights to see. Take your time, but do as much as you can.

Published in: on July 24, 2014 at 12:34 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Restaurante El Bernadino, 2014

As long as we’re in Segovia, Spain, let’s stop for lunch at El Bernadino, another favorite of mine, where I have dined many times.

Restaurante El Bernadino, Segovia, Spain.

Restaurante El Bernadino, Segovia, Spain.

Here you’ll find all the traditional foods of Segovia and Spain in general. You can sit inside or out. I like to sit inside.

Interior of Restaurante El Bernadino, Segogia, Spain.

Interior of Restaurante El Bernadino, Segogia, Spain.

I started with the fabada Asturiana, a delicious bean soup that could have been the entire meal, as you see in the next photo:

Fabada Asturiana at El Bernadino, Segovia, Spain.

Fabada Asturiana at El Bernadino, Segovia, Spain.

Next I had the roast baby pig, which I did not take a photo of because I was enthusiastically enjoying the meal. Sorry about that. However, here’s a look at dessert:

Dessert at Restaurante El Bernadino, Segovia, Spain.

Dessert at Restaurante El Bernadino, Segovia, Spain.

While this restaurant does serve quite a few tourists, you will not the significant population of locals dining there, too. It’s a busy place, but there are three levels of seating so you’re sure to get a table quickly. Enjoy a bottle of wine from the extensive list. Worth every euro.

 

Published in: on July 23, 2014 at 9:38 am  Leave a Comment  
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Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia (2014)

As long as we’re on the subject of religious buildings, let’s take a look at the Church of the Vera Cruz in Segovia, Spain.

Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

The building was dedicated in 1208, more than 800 years ago. Inside, you’ll find an elevated chamber within the main structure.

Inside the Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

Inside the Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

A staircase leads up to this inner sanctum.

Staircase inside the Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

Staircase inside the Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

There’s an altar within that chamber that you see in the next photo:

Altar inside the inner chamber at the Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

Altar inside the inner chamber at the Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

From up there you have a view down to the side chapels, such as this one:

View to one of the chapels in the Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

View to one of the chapels in the Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

You’ll also find this reliquary in a separate place:

Reliquary at the Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

Reliquary at the Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

The exterior also bears a number of carved columns that are worth investigating.

Exterior carvings at the Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

Exterior carvings at the Church of the Vera Cruz, Segovia, Spain.

This is the third time I’ve visited this building. However, it was only the first time that I was able to go inside. Be sure to check the hours of operation prior to arrival.

Published in: on July 22, 2014 at 7:21 am  Leave a Comment  
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Segovia Cathedral, Spain

Spain, England, France, it doesn’t matter where, I have yet to find a cathedral I didn’t like. The cathedral in Segovia, Spain, is one of the largest in Europe. It towers over the town and anyone who enters its environs. This was my second visit to Segovia, and I didn’t pass up the opportunity to make a video. Take a look.

To think that video only showed a small portion of what was inside. The people walking about give a sense of scale to the building. They barely rise to the top of the bases of those massive columns. There are many more relics, chapels, and paintings to be seen, too. Bring a jacket because all that stone holds the cold air, which also makes it a nice place to step in when it’s hot outside. The cat at the end was one of several living on the back steps. I’ll have some photos and video of them in the future.

Published in: on June 27, 2010 at 12:16 am  Leave a Comment  
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