Succulent Segovia

Our birthday weekend gave us the opportunity for a short break away to Segovia for the weekend. A beautiful Spanish city, over 2000 years old that is just an hour’s drive to the north of Madrid.

It can easily be done as a day trip from Madrid, but if you want to have a bit of an escape from all the Christmas crowds and to gorge yourself on amazing food then a night or two here is just perfect.

We stayed at the Palacio San Facundo, just off the Plaza Major, tucked away on a quiet little square but close to all the sights, restaurants and bars.

The main attraction for us was the food! Segovia is home to suckling pig, you will find it everywhere but if you want the best then go to Jose Maria…where you can meet the man himself

Then tuck into the ultimate suckling pig and wonderful service to match. The pig is cooked so well that they don’t bother cutting it with a knife…just use any plate that is at hand.

Following all this you’ll need an after-dinner walk around the city, it’s particularly nice at night; starting in the Plaza Major for the catherdral that rises up over the square.

Heading down to the roman aqueduct that dominates the lower part of the town. Built around 100AD, it has been around for quite some time and is easily one of the best preserved in the whole of Europe.

Finish you after-dinner walk by looping back up Calle San Juan for a picture with the selfie Devil!

After an exceptionally good night’s sleep, redo the sights by day, the Gothic Cathedral

Along the Iglesia de san Martin

And back to the Aqueduct

Make sure you go up to the stairs to the side to get a better perspective and a bit more sunshine.

On the opposite side of town is the magnificent Alcazar

It’s impressive enough from above, but for an even better view of it, head down to the Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos, where you’ll see the castle rising up like something from Dracula.

With a whole weekend to enjoy you can easily afford to make a half day trip to Avila. A fortified city that has it’s walls approved by Unesco

Spend an hour wandering through the city. If it is Christmas you’ll be treated to their impossibly small Christmas tree!

And then spend another hour wandering along the town’s walls. Even in winter the day can get up to a very nice 20 degrees that makes the walk all the better.

With a second night in Segovia, start with some drinks on the Plaza Mayor at one of the many bars. It may be winter, but that does not stop everyone sitting outside for their drinks…except us!

Not sated with all the pork we had eaten so far, we went back for more, this time at Candido.

It certainly wins for location (right by the aqueduct) and the traditional decor inside

but Jose Maria was still the winner for the actual food, so if you just have one to go to then make sure it is JM.

With a late flight on our last evening we had time to return via Madrid and a chance to see a bit of the city centre and its Christmas lights.

Prepare for the city centre to be packed, everyone comes for the lights, and to pick up a lottery ticket for El Gordo.

Lucky for us our friend Aitor was on hand to give us an insider’s tour of the central city. Heading away from the crowds, past the spectacular palaces

We had a lovely long lunch at La Casa del Abuelo that has much more space that it’s small frontage would suggest. Artichokes to start, the tasty oxtail rice and a glass or two of some great Spanish wine.

and as is common in Spain, where there are food an drinks…then more friends turn up, with our second guide to the city – Juan!

If you are looking for an after-lunch / dinner drink then try Platea, an old cinema that has been converted into a trendy foodie (and drinkie) heaven…a must try is the traditional Vermouth.