Spain's former capital is worth more than a day trip
Take in the art at Hospital de Tavera
Don't like monuments and art? Better skip Toledo, which has them in spades. This Renaissance palace, built by a cardinal for the needy, is a whopper. The architectural highlight is the symmetrical double courtyards, while a wealth of paintings includes masterpieces by El Greco, Tintoretto and Zurbaran. Cardinal Tavera's marble tomb is a sculptural work of art too, with no sign of humility other than a little memento mori skull tucked under his pillow. See fundacionmedinaceli.org
Admire El Greco paintings
Toledo is associated with El Greco, the 16th-century painter whose works seem astonishingly modern. You can see quite a few of his paintings in Toledo, and all are odd and electrifying. The church of Santo Domingo Monastery where the painter is buried has top examples including the altarpiece Assumption of the Virgin showing Mary springing from her tomb like a jack-in-the-box. El Greco Museum (in a house where El Greco never lived, despite claims) has several superb later works. See museodelgreco.sacatuentrada.es
Fill up at Confiteria Santo Tome
If El Greco's elongated, hollow-cheeked saints make you peckish, take a break from gloomy painted art and indulge in happy edible art instead. Toledo nuns are said to have invented marzipan – which is disputed – but Toledo has certainly produced it for centuries. Santo Tome, in business since 1856, is Spain's best-known marzipan maker. You can devour biscuits, pastries, cakes, sweets and marzipan fruit filled with lip-licking goo. Like El Greco's saints, you'll soon be in heaven. See mazapan.com
Take a hike to Mirador del Valle
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In this old town of closed-in alleys, you'll want to get beyond the walls to admire Toledo's fabulous setting above the Tagus River, dominated by the whopping Alcazar, or fortress. This viewpoint is a 40-minute walk from Puente Nuevo bridge just below the fortress, but outlooks are fabulous all the way. Sunset and twilight are the most atmospheric. The lazy option is a taxi to nearby Parador de Toledo for a cocktail on the terrace. See paradores.es
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The Age
19 hours ago
- The Age
Spain's former capital is worth more than a day trip
Walk five minutes south of the monastery, past one former synagogue – Santa Maria La Blanca, reputed to be Europe's oldest – and you arrive at another. The magnificent carved wooden ceilings and plasterwork walls of El Transito blend Mozarabic decorative influences. Constructed in 1355, El Transito houses the Sephardic Museum, which accounts for Toledo's long Jewish history. You'll find good information sheets in English and the museum has some especially beautiful ceramics. Pause afterwards in the synagogue's small memorial garden. See Take in the art at Hospital de Tavera Don't like monuments and art? Better skip Toledo, which has them in spades. This Renaissance palace, built by a cardinal for the needy, is a whopper. The architectural highlight is the symmetrical double courtyards, while a wealth of paintings includes masterpieces by El Greco, Tintoretto and Zurbaran. Cardinal Tavera's marble tomb is a sculptural work of art too, with no sign of humility other than a little memento mori skull tucked under his pillow. See Admire El Greco paintings Toledo is associated with El Greco, the 16th-century painter whose works seem astonishingly modern. You can see quite a few of his paintings in Toledo, and all are odd and electrifying. The church of Santo Domingo Monastery where the painter is buried has top examples including the altarpiece Assumption of the Virgin showing Mary springing from her tomb like a jack-in-the-box. El Greco Museum (in a house where El Greco never lived, despite claims) has several superb later works. See Fill up at Confiteria Santo Tome If El Greco's elongated, hollow-cheeked saints make you peckish, take a break from gloomy painted art and indulge in happy edible art instead. Toledo nuns are said to have invented marzipan – which is disputed – but Toledo has certainly produced it for centuries. Santo Tome, in business since 1856, is Spain's best-known marzipan maker. You can devour biscuits, pastries, cakes, sweets and marzipan fruit filled with lip-licking goo. Like El Greco's saints, you'll soon be in heaven. See Take a hike to Mirador del Valle Loading In this old town of closed-in alleys, you'll want to get beyond the walls to admire Toledo's fabulous setting above the Tagus River, dominated by the whopping Alcazar, or fortress. This viewpoint is a 40-minute walk from Puente Nuevo bridge just below the fortress, but outlooks are fabulous all the way. Sunset and twilight are the most atmospheric. The lazy option is a taxi to nearby Parador de Toledo for a cocktail on the terrace. See
Sydney Morning Herald
19 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Spain's former capital is worth more than a day trip
Walk five minutes south of the monastery, past one former synagogue – Santa Maria La Blanca, reputed to be Europe's oldest – and you arrive at another. The magnificent carved wooden ceilings and plasterwork walls of El Transito blend Mozarabic decorative influences. Constructed in 1355, El Transito houses the Sephardic Museum, which accounts for Toledo's long Jewish history. You'll find good information sheets in English and the museum has some especially beautiful ceramics. Pause afterwards in the synagogue's small memorial garden. See Take in the art at Hospital de Tavera Don't like monuments and art? Better skip Toledo, which has them in spades. This Renaissance palace, built by a cardinal for the needy, is a whopper. The architectural highlight is the symmetrical double courtyards, while a wealth of paintings includes masterpieces by El Greco, Tintoretto and Zurbaran. Cardinal Tavera's marble tomb is a sculptural work of art too, with no sign of humility other than a little memento mori skull tucked under his pillow. See Admire El Greco paintings Toledo is associated with El Greco, the 16th-century painter whose works seem astonishingly modern. You can see quite a few of his paintings in Toledo, and all are odd and electrifying. The church of Santo Domingo Monastery where the painter is buried has top examples including the altarpiece Assumption of the Virgin showing Mary springing from her tomb like a jack-in-the-box. El Greco Museum (in a house where El Greco never lived, despite claims) has several superb later works. See Fill up at Confiteria Santo Tome If El Greco's elongated, hollow-cheeked saints make you peckish, take a break from gloomy painted art and indulge in happy edible art instead. Toledo nuns are said to have invented marzipan – which is disputed – but Toledo has certainly produced it for centuries. Santo Tome, in business since 1856, is Spain's best-known marzipan maker. You can devour biscuits, pastries, cakes, sweets and marzipan fruit filled with lip-licking goo. Like El Greco's saints, you'll soon be in heaven. See Take a hike to Mirador del Valle Loading In this old town of closed-in alleys, you'll want to get beyond the walls to admire Toledo's fabulous setting above the Tagus River, dominated by the whopping Alcazar, or fortress. This viewpoint is a 40-minute walk from Puente Nuevo bridge just below the fortress, but outlooks are fabulous all the way. Sunset and twilight are the most atmospheric. The lazy option is a taxi to nearby Parador de Toledo for a cocktail on the terrace. See
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Overseas stars lure tourists Down Under in new push
Australian celebrity Robert Irwin, English television cook Nigella Lawson and other international stars are tempting tourists to the land Down Under. Shots of these celebrities set against iconic Australian landscapes are part of the federal government's newest tourism push to attract travellers from five countries. Advertisements featuring Chinese actor Yosh Yu, Ms Lawson and Japanese comedian Abareru-kun will air in their home countries, while Steve Irwin's son will become the face of the American campaign and wellness advocate Sara Tendulkar will star in ads broadcast in India. This $130 million push builds on Tourism Australia's Come and Say G'day campaign, which launched the lovable animated mascot Ruby the Roo. "Traditionally tourism campaigns have leveraged one famous face across every market but for our latest campaign Ruby will be joined by well-known talent from five different markets to showcase personal lasting memories of a holiday to Australia," Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said. "These international stars combine with local talent ... to create bespoke invitations for five markets." Since the resumption of international travel, the domestic tourism industry has grown with the number of international arrivals expected to reach a record 10 million in 2026 and 11.8 million in 2029. More than 700,000 jobs and 360,000 Australian businesses depend on tourism. The teaser for this campaign was first launched in July during the prime minister's trip to China. Chinese travellers remain Australia's second biggest cohort of tourists behind New Zealand, figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show. "Tourism is the lifeblood of so many communities right around the country and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs," Tourism Minister Don Farrell said. "The previous campaign struck a chord with visitors, with Ruby the Roo bounding into the imagination of countless guests, encouraging them to book a holiday down under. "I know this iteration, featuring popular talent like Robert Irwin, will be a smash." The advertisements will go live in China from August 7 on TV and online. Australian celebrity Robert Irwin, English television cook Nigella Lawson and other international stars are tempting tourists to the land Down Under. Shots of these celebrities set against iconic Australian landscapes are part of the federal government's newest tourism push to attract travellers from five countries. Advertisements featuring Chinese actor Yosh Yu, Ms Lawson and Japanese comedian Abareru-kun will air in their home countries, while Steve Irwin's son will become the face of the American campaign and wellness advocate Sara Tendulkar will star in ads broadcast in India. This $130 million push builds on Tourism Australia's Come and Say G'day campaign, which launched the lovable animated mascot Ruby the Roo. "Traditionally tourism campaigns have leveraged one famous face across every market but for our latest campaign Ruby will be joined by well-known talent from five different markets to showcase personal lasting memories of a holiday to Australia," Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said. "These international stars combine with local talent ... to create bespoke invitations for five markets." Since the resumption of international travel, the domestic tourism industry has grown with the number of international arrivals expected to reach a record 10 million in 2026 and 11.8 million in 2029. More than 700,000 jobs and 360,000 Australian businesses depend on tourism. The teaser for this campaign was first launched in July during the prime minister's trip to China. Chinese travellers remain Australia's second biggest cohort of tourists behind New Zealand, figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show. "Tourism is the lifeblood of so many communities right around the country and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs," Tourism Minister Don Farrell said. "The previous campaign struck a chord with visitors, with Ruby the Roo bounding into the imagination of countless guests, encouraging them to book a holiday down under. "I know this iteration, featuring popular talent like Robert Irwin, will be a smash." The advertisements will go live in China from August 7 on TV and online. Australian celebrity Robert Irwin, English television cook Nigella Lawson and other international stars are tempting tourists to the land Down Under. Shots of these celebrities set against iconic Australian landscapes are part of the federal government's newest tourism push to attract travellers from five countries. Advertisements featuring Chinese actor Yosh Yu, Ms Lawson and Japanese comedian Abareru-kun will air in their home countries, while Steve Irwin's son will become the face of the American campaign and wellness advocate Sara Tendulkar will star in ads broadcast in India. This $130 million push builds on Tourism Australia's Come and Say G'day campaign, which launched the lovable animated mascot Ruby the Roo. "Traditionally tourism campaigns have leveraged one famous face across every market but for our latest campaign Ruby will be joined by well-known talent from five different markets to showcase personal lasting memories of a holiday to Australia," Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said. "These international stars combine with local talent ... to create bespoke invitations for five markets." Since the resumption of international travel, the domestic tourism industry has grown with the number of international arrivals expected to reach a record 10 million in 2026 and 11.8 million in 2029. More than 700,000 jobs and 360,000 Australian businesses depend on tourism. The teaser for this campaign was first launched in July during the prime minister's trip to China. Chinese travellers remain Australia's second biggest cohort of tourists behind New Zealand, figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show. "Tourism is the lifeblood of so many communities right around the country and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs," Tourism Minister Don Farrell said. "The previous campaign struck a chord with visitors, with Ruby the Roo bounding into the imagination of countless guests, encouraging them to book a holiday down under. "I know this iteration, featuring popular talent like Robert Irwin, will be a smash." The advertisements will go live in China from August 7 on TV and online. Australian celebrity Robert Irwin, English television cook Nigella Lawson and other international stars are tempting tourists to the land Down Under. Shots of these celebrities set against iconic Australian landscapes are part of the federal government's newest tourism push to attract travellers from five countries. Advertisements featuring Chinese actor Yosh Yu, Ms Lawson and Japanese comedian Abareru-kun will air in their home countries, while Steve Irwin's son will become the face of the American campaign and wellness advocate Sara Tendulkar will star in ads broadcast in India. This $130 million push builds on Tourism Australia's Come and Say G'day campaign, which launched the lovable animated mascot Ruby the Roo. "Traditionally tourism campaigns have leveraged one famous face across every market but for our latest campaign Ruby will be joined by well-known talent from five different markets to showcase personal lasting memories of a holiday to Australia," Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said. "These international stars combine with local talent ... to create bespoke invitations for five markets." Since the resumption of international travel, the domestic tourism industry has grown with the number of international arrivals expected to reach a record 10 million in 2026 and 11.8 million in 2029. More than 700,000 jobs and 360,000 Australian businesses depend on tourism. The teaser for this campaign was first launched in July during the prime minister's trip to China. Chinese travellers remain Australia's second biggest cohort of tourists behind New Zealand, figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show. "Tourism is the lifeblood of so many communities right around the country and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs," Tourism Minister Don Farrell said. "The previous campaign struck a chord with visitors, with Ruby the Roo bounding into the imagination of countless guests, encouraging them to book a holiday down under. "I know this iteration, featuring popular talent like Robert Irwin, will be a smash." The advertisements will go live in China from August 7 on TV and online.
