Sunday 21st September 2003
Left Jesus Pobre en route to Alicante at 11.45 am
Took the motorway to Alicante. Just past Alicante Airport turn off to route to Murcia/Albacete at 12.45. Turned off Albacete Autopista to Hellin at 1.45. Either go into Hellin or 6 kms before Hellin onto CM412 a narrow road. After 5 km you meet the real CM412 from Hellin. If you wish to look at the town you have a choice.
Stopped for lunch just 10 mins along the road on the right Paraiso at 2.00 pm. When we arrived only two people in the restaurant but over 50 when we left at 3.00! Had a good Menu del Dia for 9 euros.
Continued on the CM412 to Valdepenas – A fast good road passing through undulating agricultural land with many empty derelict farmhouses – Spasmodic almond and olive groves – valleys and hills. Past Elche de la Sierra into Riopar.
From Riopar the road twists upwards through a densely wooded area – Although this is a good road it is very slow due to bends. After reaching the top with spectacular views the road starts bending downhill.
Beyond Reolid 19235 km 4.00 pm join the N322 turn right towards Albacete 2km. Then a little further down the road turn left CM412 Villanueva/Manzanas/Valdepenas It is 82km to Valdepenas at this point and the road is new, fast and straight
18 km before Valdepenas at 5.00 pm we saw many people grape picking (Sunday) and had to pass many lorries laden with grapes. Drove through part of Valdepenas but not the centre. You can go round it (recommended) Back onto CM412 and 32 km to Almagro. Those interested can visit the Wine Museum – and Bodega Real in Valdepenas
Arrived in Almagro
This had been a day’s trip of 464 km
We stayed at the Parador de Almagro
A very lovely building, unfortunately, could not find our booking!! Usual Parador problem – but eventually found our room which was delightful. Went out in the evening into the town to eat. Lovely atmosphere and had a pleasant relaxing meal at La Plaza in the square for €33 – my omelette made especially was €1.5!! Had an extremely good bottle of local wine which the following morning went back into the town and took 4 bottles home with us Vegaval Plata Gran Serva Tinto 1994 €6.50. The Parador bill was 147 euros for Bed/Breakfast and one drink each.
Monday 22nd September
Had a lovely walk around the town. See the pictures – certainly worth another visit.
Almagro-The-Parador
Almagro The Plaza Mayor
Tony chatting to a local
Tony-enjoying-a-rest-in-the-Almagro-Plaza
Map of Almagro and a couple of postcards in file
Left Parador at 11.00 am, Turning left out of the entrance then immediately right joining the CM 412 to Cuidad Real (As Cuidad Real is a large city and not very exciting the choice is to go direct to Damiel from Almagro saving 35 km) The road to Cuidad Real was good and straight across more flat land. From here we took N420/430 to Damiel passing car showrooms and boring countryside. See alternative above missing CR. Arrived Damiel 12.00 It was 70 kms
Damiel is a pretty town but was very busy as it was Monday morning and we could not park so we headed out for Park National Los Tablas de Daimiel (long but lovely video)across arable land and vineyards (many of the grapes in the process of being collected) Stopped for coffee at Meson de la Duquesa. Unfortunately a little too early for lunch as it seemed to have very good tapas – an interesting shop with herbs and gifts. This was by an old bridge and mill
Old-Bridge-and-Mill-Damiel
We carried on into the Park and walked the easier yellow route . See Map for the Park showing all the birds many of which we saw.
Tony-in-Park-National-Los-Tablas-de-Daimiel.
We then retraced our steps returning to the Meson and took the left onto a track to Villarrubia
After 3 km Time 1.45, the rough track, fortunately, became a normal tarmac road. At a T junction turn left – See the picture of me scrumping grapes and grape picking
Jo-scrumping-grapes-en route-to-Toledo
passed over a small river and into Villarrubia de los Orjos then on CM4120 to Los Labores (17km to Puerto Lapice)
Track to Villarrubia across country
Following signs to centre then left. A good straight road signposted Madrid. Join N420 and turn left Puero Lapice and Madrid. Don’t go into the village keep on Madrid road – Motorway to Madridjos circulating this town and take the road to Toledo and Consuegra. See the picture of the landscape and Windmills in the far distance.
Molinos-Manchego
3.00 Follow signs Molinos/Castillas going out of the town – Left and uphill to windmills and castle. Magnificent views 180º of plains of Spain
Go back and in and out of the town – If you can find Toledo signs! Onto CM400 again a long flat good road with many derelict ruins. After crossing an empty river bed – a small bridge 1.5 km take a left turn to Manzaneque Los Yabanes TO2231V passing across fast track railway Seville/Madrid – we actually saw the high-speed train. Go into Los Yabanes and go through town to the right looking for the small road to Orgaz up through the hilly part of town – road climbs (quite difficult to find) – well worth it for views at the top where there are more windmills. Join N401 Toledo/Orgaz then CM410 Mora
4.20 pm arrived in Orgaz a very pretty small town.
From Orgaz take the road to Mora 8 km – skirt Mora take CM400 to Toledo.
At 5.15 Arrived Toledo. Great video
is a great blog by Abi King
Had terrible problems finding Hotel Santa Isabel which was well signposted but impossible to access due to roadworks. Decided to ditch the car in the closest car park to the Hotel. This we advise for all visitors to Toledo as the roads are so narrow and walking is the best way to see this city. The hotel is small but extremely friendly and close to everything Went out for a drink and walk – had dinner at a very good restaurant La Orza with a nice atmosphere
238 kms in the day
Tuesday 23rd September
Walked around the city – and visited many interesting places. The most spectacular is the Cathedral. Visited Artesania Burgueno and watched the typical manufacture of Toledo jewellery. Unfortunately, the El Greco House was closed for renovation but visited the Museum. The Synagogue of the Transit and the Alcazar also closed for renovation – suggest you check with the tourist board before visiting Toledo as you can like us miss some of the points of interest. Saw gate of Cambron – further walking and had lunch at a lovely restaurant El Patio
Tony leaving the El Patio restaurant
and walked back through the main shopping street and small streets back to the hotel
The narrow streets of Toledo
Out again at 5.30 further historical buildings such as
The-cathedral-Toledo
and sat and watched the people in Plaza Zocadora
People watching in Plaza Zacadora Toledo
Visited a Museum showing Toledo through the ages extremely fascinating with moving pictures – at least a one hour visit and extremely descriptive. Given a complete translation to follow as you walk around the different areas. Left Museum at 9.00 pm and went for a meal just off the main street which was very disappointing.
Need to do a bit more research on Restaurants in Toledo!
Maps and brochures of Toledo are in the file.
Here is a photo was taken of Toledo by Diana which I love
Wednesday 24th September
Left Hotel Santa Isabel – Bill for two nights inc breakfast €111 – one thing to be warned about staying in the centre – Bells ring at quarter to the hour and on the hour throughout the night! Also added to this was a barking dog every morning for half an hour at 6.30 am! Other than the above the hotel can be recommended especially for the value.
Left Toledo at 10.00 am km onto N400/401 the way we came into Toledo over the bridge then onto N400/E5/NIV Ocana/Cuenca again a flat road dual-carriageway through industrial and residential zones. Finally goes into two-lane with wheat fields – but the rather boring countryside
10.40 am arrived in Aranjuez – a very lovely town with tree-lined streets and good shops. An oasis in the middle of the parched Castilian plateau. Once the site of a Habsburg hunting lodge on the banks of the Tajo, Aranjuez became in the 18th century a favourite summer residence of the Bourbons, who constructed a large palace and other buildings, created extensive gardens, and planted woods. It has developed into a popular retreat for the people of Madrid and has a faded elegance similar to Versaille in Paris – this is a town to visit again combined with Madrid, We have some small hotel brochures in the file.
Left Aranjuez at 11.08am to Ocana NIV stay on the Motorway signposted Cordoba until you come to Madridejos then onto CM400 a fast road with lots of lorries 11.45 am and 19738 km – 32 km to Alcazar de San Juan
A good road through villages at 12.15 pm. Arrive in Alcazar de San Juan 19767 km an Industrial town with lots of private small housing developments being built obviously a high employment area.
Stopped at Camp de Criptana for a coffee & nuts – Town not of any particular interest
At 13.15 took a good straight road across the plains of Spain A new road bypasses Mota now onto N301 to La Roda. Busy road with lots of slow lorries very hard for passing (definitely need a good fast car for this stretch) – arrived at La Roda at 2.20 pm
A good road from La Roda dual carriageway still on N301 to Albacete
Arrived Albacete 14.35 Then N430 to Alicante – Stopped on the motorway for 20 mins for Petrol and sandwich arrived home at 17.00
569 kms in the day
Total trip 1,275 kms