Another amazing day in Spain! Certainly didn’t have high expectations for Madrid, especially as several people had suggested we could have omitted it all together. So glad we retained it in our itinerary as has proven to be a wonderful city with so much to offer. After a decent sleep-in our day began slowly. Buffet breakfast at the Hotel Liabeny was sensational - so much choice and they even made us omelettes. After chatting with Danny, the concierge, we decide...

Leisurely start then downstairs for buffet breakfast - all to ourselves! The nearby construction work is evidently deterring guests! Regardless, we enjoyed, then checked out, stored our luggage at the hotel and took off up to the old town once again to meet our 11am (Free) walking tour. This was quite a large group - probably about 30 and although the guide was delightful escorting an English language tour was probably not her best option. She really struggled at...

Took our time this morning with our pack up and brekkie then left our luggage at reception to walk to the nearby garage to collect our car, with coffee enroute. Drove out of Valencia about 1030am heading west towards Madrid - today’s destination Toledo! Yet again diverse scenery. Rolling hills of farmlands - citrus and massive expanses of grapes. Picturesque - green and lush vegetation between the hills with rich soil. In no time the hills are densely foreste...

Enjoyed a sleep in then brekkie in our apartment before heading off to the old town before 10am. Had time for coffee at Plaza de la Virgen (not many coffee shops open this “early”) before meeting our guide Carlos for our free walking tour. Such a flamboyant charismatic character who really made our 2.5 hour tour interesting and enjoyable. Fortunately it was not exceptionally hot and with shady stops, some slight cloud cover and the occasional breeze, conditio...

Breakfast in our apartment this morning before packing up and walking about 10 minutes down near the river to collect our car from the parking station. Time for a coffee in a lovely cafe before driving back to the apartment and collecting our luggage. With an ATM then petrol stop, we were on the road by about 10.15am. Long driving day today as we decided to bypass Alicante and drive direct to Valencia. About 500kms (our longest day of driving so far) but thought...