Castilla La Mancha Holidays - Toledo, Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Guadalajara

Castilla La Mancha is one of the most sparselyChinchilla and Almansa. Albacete tourist office can
populated regions in Spain. It is located in thebe found at Posada del Rosario (Rosario Lodging
centre of the country and is bordered entirely byHouse), in a building that has been declared a
other Spanish regions including Andalucia, Castilla &National Historic-Artistic Monument as a fine
Leon, Madrid, Aragon, Valencia, Murcia, andexample of original Castilian accommodation in La
Extremadura. Castilla La Mancha is further dividedMancha. Plaza de Altozano is a good place to relax
into 5 provinces, which take their names afterin the many bars on offer, while in Lodares
their capital cities. These are Toledo, Albacete,Passage can be found the city's shopping malls set
Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Guadalajara. Castilla Lain fine surroundings.
Mancha is synonymous with Don Quixote,Ciudad Real
windmills, sunflowers and Manchego cheese, whichCiudad Real has become increasingly popular as a
is made from sheep's milk.long-distance commuter suburb of Madrid since
Miguel Cervantesthe high speed AVE rail link began to stop here on
It is in the province of Castilla La Mancha whereits way from the capital to Seville. During the
the famous novel Don Quixote takes place,middle ages, the city was surrounded by 4
written by Miguel Cervantes. The novel coverskilometres of walls and over 100 towers to
the adventures of Don Quixote, also known asprotect the enclosed population. A good example
the knight or man of La Mancha. He is a hero whoof this 14th century Mudejar architecture can be
carries his enthusiasm and self-deception toseen at the Puerta de Toledo, one of the eight
unintentional and comic ends. His partner is Sanchogates set within the city walls.
Panza, a man of low selfishness, who follows inCuenca
blind confidence in all the extravagant hopes andCuenca is situated in the heart of the Cuenca
promises of his master.Mountains, and offers a wealth of monuments for
Toledothose interested in historical architecture. Its
Toledo is the capital of Castilla La Mancha and canhistoric centre of cobbled streets looks out over
be found 70km south of Madrid. Toledo is athe rocky canyon walls and the remains of its old
wonderful city, full of history with one of theMoorish castle. Standing proud over the deep
greatest number of monuments in any Spanishgorge of the Rio Huecar, can be seen the
city. It is also one of Spain's most interestingprotected Casas Colgadas, that house the Spanish
cities, offering a rich cultural history andAbstract Art Museum. Because Cuenca has good
architecture from all the civilizations that haverail links with Madrid, the city has become a
occupied, including the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs,popular day or weekend break for those living in
Christians, Jews and Moriscos. The old city centrethe capital city.
is located on a hilltop and is a myriad of steepGuadalajara
narrow streets that are enclosed on three sidesGuadalajara was founded by the Iberians and has
by the Tagus River. At the very top can beits roots back to the Roman period. It was the
found the Alcazar, a huge palace-fortress built inMendozas in the 15th century who added many
the 16th century. During the Spanish Civil War, theof the beautiful buildings that make Guadalajara a
castle held out against overwhelming Republicanwonderful historic place to visit. Located at Plaza
forces during the famous 'Siege of the Alcazar' inde los Caídos, the Infantado Palace is
1936.Isabelline Gothic in design built for Íñigo
AlbaceteLópez de Mendoza in the 15th century. It is
Albacete is a modern and commercial city, withof great design and recognised as the symbol of
sights to see both new and old. It is a great placethe city of Guadalajara. Inside, Mudejar decoration
to start for excursions to the Lagunas de Ruideracan be seen on the tiles and ceilings and the front
Nature Reserve, and the historic towns ofof the building displays the Mendoza coat of arms.