Castilla y León

About the destination: Segovia represents the best of Castile. Its magnificent golden churches and winding streets are filled with the aroma of sopa castellana, a hearty garlic soup made with sausages, bread, and eggs. Only those who are not wise would rush past the grand Roman aqueduct, the cathedral, and the breathtaking Alcazar on a quick day trip; others are aware of Segovia's cool squares after sunset. The impressive Roman aqueduct has been transporting water for over two thousand years. You can view it from Plaza del Azoguejo, where the structure reaches its maximum height of 30m, or see its silhouette from the steps on the left side of the square. The city's location at the junction of the Eresma and Clamores Rivers has led to comparisons of Segovia to a sailing ship, with the Alcazar, a fortress, serving as its majestic bow. The fortress offers a stunning view of Segovia and the surrounding plain, and inside it houses a collection of medieval weapons and several spectacular handcrafted ceilings. The cathedral is a massive late Gothic structure. Elegant and refined, Segovia is the true embodiment of Old Castile.

About the destination: Salamanca is a sandstone architectural masterpiece. While it boasts excellent examples of Roman, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque structures, it's the golden stone that provides a consistent and harmonious thread. Despite this, this ancient university town has many monumental highlights. Plaza Mayor, often considered the most beautiful main square in Spain, is a great spot for admiring architecture. The town hall, a large, elegant building, sits in the center of the square. Two stunning cathedrals stand side by side: the New Cathedral, with its beautiful Plateresque facades, is the only entrance to the connected old, Romanesque Catedral Vieja. The university, the city's focal point, is one of the best examples of Spanish Plateresque style. Salamanca at night is a lively place. The illuminated city is a gathering spot for hundreds of students enjoying tapas and beer. But don't be mistaken, it's also a city where you can enjoy a quiet night, savoring some wine on a terrace of Plaza Mayor.

About the destination: Ávila is a near-perfect 11th-century walled city set against the backdrop of the snow-capped ridge of the Sierra de Gredos. This town in its entirety is a national monument. The walls that enclose it are the oldest and best preserved in Spain. Ávila is the birthplace and home of Saint Teresa of Jesus, a devout Catholic nun famous for writing poems dedicated to Jesus in which she expressed her devotion to Him. The cathedral, with its red-splotched interior and stone relief works, is actually embedded in the walls. The Basilica of San Vicente is another Romanesque-Gothic structure. The Convento de San José is the first founded by Saint Teresa. The Convento de Santa Teresa was built on the site of her birth, and she later had quite a few mystical experiences at the Convento de la Encarnación. Food in Ávila means roast veal and yemas, a local confection made of egg yolks. Ávila is certainly no ordinary medieval walled town. Most tourists who visit this place will either feel a surge of chivalry or become poetic or filled with religious fervor.