The day started early, with all of us groggily boarding a bus bound for Toledo, an ancient gem of a city about an hour south of Madrid. Toledo isn’t just old—it’s really old. As in, “Hey, this bridge was built in the first or second century BC” old. The city is a tapestry of temples, moss-covered walls, and cathedrals that could probably tell a thousand stories if you listened closely enough.
Our first stop was a vantage point across the river from Toledo, designed to give us a panoramic view of the city’s famous skyline. One small problem: fog. And not the whimsical kind that adds atmosphere. This was the kind of fog that makes you wonder if the city even exists on the other side. Still, we parked, hopped off the bus, and squinted across the ravine, trying to piece together Toledo’s silhouette like an ancient jigsaw puzzle. Slowly but surely, the fog started to lift, as if some cosmic stagehand decided to raise the curtain for us. What emerged was pure magic: a glowing skyline, the river winding below, and even a hot air balloon drifting serenely in the distance. Cameras clicked furiously, and for a few minutes, we just stood there, soaking it all in.
Once we had our fill of the view (and our phones were bursting with pictures), we made our way into the heart of Toledo itself. The weather was unseasonably warm and sunny—definitely not what you’d expect in late November, but we weren’t complaining. The city tour took us through winding streets and into its grand historic buildings. One of the highlights was the Cathedral of Toledo, a jaw-dropping masterpiece of Gothic architecture. I’d toured this cathedral before, but this time was something special. As we wandered through the cavernous halls, we were greeted by the soaring voices of a choir rehearsing for a small mass later that day. Their music filled the space, turning an already impressive building into a transcendent experience. Apparently, they were also practicing for a larger event later in the week—an exclusive, ticketed affair—but we lucked out and got to enjoy the rehearsal for free. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.
After the tour, we loaded back onto the bus, but instead of heading straight to Madrid, we made a stop at a local cooking class where the kids learned how to make traditional Spanish dishes. On the menu: Spanish tortilla (an egg and potato dish), a chorizo specialty, and rice pudding. The kids did a great job, and I have to say, everything turned out delicious—though I think they enjoyed eating their creations even more than making them.
Back in Madrid, the kids had three activity options for the afternoon:
- Visit Real Madrid’s stadium (a dream for soccer fans).
- Tour a museum (for the culture buffs).
- Explore the Royal Palace (led by yours truly).
Naturally, I opted for the palace tour. Let me tell you, the Royal Palace of Madrid is massive. It’s said to be one of the largest palaces in the world—certainly bigger than those in England or France. And unlike many royal residences, this one is still active, with a king who actually holds power. Walking through its gilded halls and impossibly ornate rooms, the only word that kept coming to mind was opulence. Every detail screamed, “We are royalty, and we want you to know it.” It was impressive in every sense of the word.
Dinner that evening was a mixed bag. We started with a bowl of courgette soup (that’s zucchini for us Americans), which was so good I’m already Googling recipes to recreate it at home. The main course, however, was…interesting. A plate of meatballs in some kind of mystery sauce, served with French fries. Not bad, but not quite what I expected after the culinary highs of the day.
All in all, Day 2 was a whirlwind of history, breathtaking views, unexpected musical moments, and, yes, opulence. I’m not sure if anything can top today, but I’m ready to find out.