Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, Segovia, Spain

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The Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso is one of the residences of the Spanish royal family, in the Sierra de Guadarrama, 13 km from Segovia and 80 km from Madrid. The name comes from an old farm of Hieronymite monks who were nearby. Henry III built the first refuge and Henry IV built a shelter and a small chapel dedicated to Saint Ildefonso Bishop and the Catholic Monarchs in 1477 gave it to the monks who used the rural place to pray and to rest giving origin to the village taking the same name. It was Philip II who converted it into a sumptuous palace. In 1718, Felipe V, in love with the place, bought it from the monks and built a palace like Versailles and its gardens. The palace became the summer residence of the Spanish king and his court. Felipe V and his second wife are buried in the collegiate church. Several important episodes in Spanish history took place in the palace. The palace and its addictions are in U-shaped and in its gardens there are trees that are over 300 years. There are two terraces and a chapel (the Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity). Inside, the palace is deeply baroque with beautiful frescoed ceilings and gold painted wood moldings with imposing glass lamps.

Tips

The palace is open to the public. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes to visit the gardens because it is worth it not only for its plants and flowers but also for its fountains and monuments. From Thursday Saint they put the fountains on work at 17:30 on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The eight large fountains are operated alternately, but on May, 30th, July, 25th and August, 25th they work all at once. You have to pay an entrance fee, but on August 25 the admission is free.

Stresa, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piedmont, Italy

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Stresa is a town in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in Piedmont, the Po Plain, Italy. The town, situated 200 meters above sea level, is an important touristic village on the west shore of Lake Maggiore, owes its fame to the nearby Borromean Islands (in front) and is quite famous for its luxury hotels. The Grand Hotel in Borromees Islands is the oldest of them (1861); famous for having hosted Ernest Hemingway. This is an original medieval city that attracts tourism especially from early spring to late fall. Its proximity to Switzerland, also makes it for easy access. Its hills are decorated with beautiful and wealthy mansions further that the luxury hotels that line the lake shore. It also has the starting point for shuttle boats leading to the islands and major cities around the lake. Mount Mottarone is known as a ski resort as busy as the city, in addition, from there you have a magnificent view of the lake and the Alps. The city has two important events; the evening procession and celebreation of the Virgin for Easter and the Musical Week of Stressa and Lake Maggiore which takes place mainly in the city but that counts with some rooms in nearby locations. It is a classical music festival.

Tips

You can arrive there by train, the city is communicated with the line connecting Milan to Lausanne. There is a beautiful walk at the lake with cafes, restaurants and bars. To taste some typical thing, try the Margheritine, flower shaped cookies that were created in 1857 in occasion of the First Communion of Princess Margaret of Savoy who lived in Stresa. Another typical cookie is Reborino, created in honor of the poet Clemente Rebora, with ingredients that had quoted him in his poem. To accompany these delights, nothing like the Stresa Tea, made with herbs and flowers of the region.

Church of San Miguel Archangel, Pedrezuela, Madrid, Spain

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The church of San Miguel Archangel in Pedrezuela, Madrid, was built in the late Gothic style of the sixteenth century, on a rectangular plan. It has two naves separated by semicircular arcs. The use of stone in the outside is remarkable. The windows are high and very narrow and the very square tower is imposing. The church has two fonts from the late fifteenth century. From September 20th to 30th, is celebrated the feast of San Miguel Archangel with daily organized masses culminating with a procession through the village streets and on October 1st, a special mass is celebrated in honor of the dead. The parish offers masses and services throughout the year.

Tips

You can see the schedule of celebrations and masses in the parish website and the calendar of activities throughout the year.
You can reach it by bus; the bus stop is at the exchanger of Plaza Castilla in Madrid.