19/07/2012 – 21/07/2012 - Sampling the local produce...

We'd heard good things about Spanish wines - the scenery definitely lived up to expectations!

Where are the windmills again?

Our campsite view of Toledo

Headed back into the heart of Spain, where instead of having a rushed experience of Madrid we kept to the more rural towns of Consuegra and Toledo. The former was a windmill breeding ground (see photo), and the latter a home of Spanish kings.  Enjoyed a cerveza at the camping bar looking out at the city as the earth turned away from the part of the sky the sun was in (for those of not up to speed on this terminology, refer http://themelbournetolondondetour.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/140512-dino-spotting.html).

Toledo's art museum

More impressive architecture

Wisely chose against attempting to get the Gorge into Toledo, using buses instead. TGAB (tour guide Annaliza Balfour) was on duty this morning, taking us round the highlights of the Christian, Islamic and Jewish quarters. Managed to grab a bit of famous marzipan, but no time for the El Greco museum.

Just a small starter...

And a light main as well
please!

Almost cultured out, it was time for something a little different... Our stomachs. First stop Burgos, a lazy little town where manchego cheese and cordero asado (slow roasted baby lamb) were not to be missed (although perhaps we didn’t need to do them both one after the other!). We then decided to go for an old favourite, wine. Luckily, we were close to La Rioja, but unfortunately we only got there when the cellar doors were closed. Had to settle for popping the cork on one we’d purchased earlier…

Dinasto Vivanco - now we were talking

Lots of promise, but closed!

Leaving the region without sampling some local produce was not an option, so the next day we headed to Dinastia Vivanco, the most expansive wine museum you could ever hope to visit. Fortunately decided to use the English audio guides, otherwise it would have been a long walk around a variety of wine paraphernalia. Instead, it was a guided walk around a variety of wine paraphernalia – massive difference!

No joke - there were millions of
corkscrews!

By the time we got to the corkscrew section, almost 3 hours later, we were gasping for a drink, and luckily for us one came inclusive of the tour price. We treated ourselves to a variety of tapas as well (not included, but required!), and left well sated.

Marque de Riscal's equivalent of Bilbao's
Gugenheim - just don't try and get
into the grounds or a security
guard will get you!

Key Learnings:

1. A mallet is a necessity when camping in Spain, given the arid ground!

2. Tea in Spain is not standard and is not a safe option to order