Throw back from 2018: Avila

I was in Avila in 2 times in 2018, in May then in October. The idea to go there was to visit the mother of my friend, Tere. She lives alone and she would enjoy my accompany. She doesn't speak English, so it was a good moment for me to improve my Spanish too.

I flu from the Netherlands to Madrid then transfer to Chamartín train station, after about 1 hour and 45 minutes train journey, I reached Avila. It is located about 110 km from Madrid to the North West direction. I enjoyed the train journey, passing a couple of small villages and the landscape is gorgeous too. Green, dry and open space with some mountains in the surrounding.

Avila itself is a very old (Catholic) city with a gorgeous Cathedral. If you're familiar with the Catholic Saints, Saint Teresa is one of them, Santa Teresa de Avila. It is the city of her family home and her birthplace. Her home is now converted to a museum.

In Avila, I got a warm welcome from both Tere and also the city architecture. It is a beautiful old city with many churches and old medieval wall (murals). It is a perfect city for releasing my photography hobby.

The cuisine of Avila should not be missed: Chuletón de Ávila (T-bone steak), Patatas revolconas (mashed potatoes with thick fried bacon) and Yemas de Santa Teresa (sweet dessert). But I fall in love with the cookies from there, the best one is the bakery in front of the Cathedral, Chuchi Pasteles. They both look and taste gorgeous. They are perfect to enjoy with a cup of tea!

In this city, I enjoyed the walk around the wall both on the ground level and on the top level. It offers a beautiful open sceneries on the surrounding with mountain in the background. It makes me feel peaceful inside and relax. Walking on the top of the wall, you can be closer to nature, as you can be so close to the magnificent baby bird, Stork. Beautiful pair of red legs, white body, black tail with long and strong beak to carry a baby... :-)

Avila is not a big city, it is a village, but you can also do your shopping inside the wall in a very relaxing atmosphere. I'm still amazed with the number of churches in that village as well.

Relax and cultural village, I named Avila!