Two words. Fairytale Town. That’s all that I need to describe Segovia, a historic city, about 100 km north of Spanish capital Madrid.
It was definitely love at first sight. The moment I laid my eyes on it, I was immediately transported to another era as if I were in a lovely dream or back in my childhood when I used to look at my fairytale books and get a yearning to be in a place with the same kind of Castles and Palaces as depicted in the books.
We were in Spain and headed back to Madrid after a beautiful and well-rounded trip to Castilla-y-Leon region where I was exposed to a sample of all things that Spain could be proud of – fascinating architecture, unique culture, great wines and amazing food, not to mention the friendly and warm people whose enthusiasm and energy levels seemed to peak long after I was exhausted!
Chaperoned by my cheerful and extremely well-informed guide, Marta Guia, I was now headed for a quick dash to Segovia, a unique gem in Spain’s rich collection of touristic sites.
While driving to Segovia, as the undulating road climbed, I got my first glance of the fairyland, a castle just like the one which is featured in a typical Disney story where the beautiful princess is imprisoned. And I was not entirely wrong, but more on that later.
With its narrow turrets rising high above, the 12th century castle is a fortress that was built with a military purpose in mind and stands on the highest point in Segovia, overlooking not just the city but large swathes of valleys all around. Indeed, Alcazar is one of the highest points in this rather flat land.
Approaching the city, other monuments also emerge on the horizon, with the Segovia Cathedral as well as the Roman Aqueduct being the most prominent.
Roman Aqueduct: Two-tiered wonder
This story is from the November - December 2023 edition of India Outbound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November - December 2023 edition of India Outbound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
La Mamounia is an oasis for travellers
In order to cement its foothold in the Indian market, Moroccan luxury resort La Mamounia, located in the picturesque town of Marrakech, recently organised a visit to Mumbai and Delhi, engaging with top-tier travel industry partners from India. General Manager Pierre Jochem tells India Outbound that the resort, which recently completed 100 years, is targetting the Indian visitors seeking to explore Morrocan art, culture and heritage, besides its captivating beauty.
Africa has come a long way as travel destination for Indians
The perception of Africa as a tourism destination has come a long way in India as travellers from India have gone beyond safaris to discover other elements that make travel to Africa attractive. The change is not just amongst Indian tourists, but destinations have also learnt more about their Indian clients and are taking steps to customise their offer to the Indian visitors, writes Alpa Jani, Founder, Ace Connect, a tourism marketing company.
ASCENIC RAIL TRIP ACROSS BALKANS
A rail journey through the Western Balkans, from Serbia's vibrant capital Belgrade to the culturally rich Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a more tranquil, scenic way to explore the region's breathtaking mountains, lakes and historical towns at a leisurely pace.
Shahnaz Husain's cool tips for skincare during travel
Celebrity beautician and hair care expert Shahnaz Husain tells India Outbound on her secrets for skin-care and hair-care while travelling.
Plovdiv: Timeless jewel in Bulgarian crown
With a history spanning over two millennia, Plovdiv is not only one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, but also a vibrant conduit linking Bulgaria's past and its present.
Navigating Natural Wonders of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
For us city dwellers, even the sound of a cuckoo might seem exotic. So now imagine discovering a vastness filled with shifting dunes and interlaced emerald lagoons.
Explore the Jewel of Southern Spain, Seville
Home to one of the largest historic centres of Europe and three world heritage sites, the stunning city of Seville, located by the picturesque Guadalquivir River in southern Spain, offers tourists an experience rich in history, culture, art, gastronomy and much more.
UPI IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A GAME CHANGER FOR INDIAN TRAVELLERS
Having revolutionised digital transactions in India, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now expanding globally. After tepid beginnings in the immediate neighbourhood, UPI is gaining acceptance in many countries making a win-win for Indian tourists and businesses overseas that are increasingly eager to tap the burgeoning Indian outbound travel market.
Debuting at COP29, can tourism lead march towards curbing carbon emissions?
Tourism will make its debut in global climate change negotiations in the next round of discussions, COP29, that opens in Baku later this month. So far, the discussions have spectacularly failed to produce any notable outcome, besides platitudes and numerous missed commitments. The global tourism industry has a golden opportunity to lead the way and show the world the true path to curbing carbon emissions. But the sector's own record in this aspect is hardly blemishless.
Bintan Island: SEESE
A haven of nature, with thriving flora and fauna, the Indonesian island of Bintan, that is barely an hour away from Singapore by ferry and comes with easy visa regimes, is an ideal extension for any Indian visitor to Singapore, looking to add a touch of wilderness to the experience.
