Off the beaten tourist track in picturesque Segovia (Photo-essay)

A few days ago, I blogged about venturing off the beaten track in Hong Kong.  Should there be any doubt: Escaping from the crowd is something I enjoy doing, even when touring in parts of the world less familiar to me.  Consequently, when I visited the historic Spanish city of Segovia earlier this year, I found myself loathe to follow the route a tourist office staffer marked out on a map for me (without my asking her to do so).

To be sure, I was unable to resist checking out the exposed section of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman aqueduct or paying a visit to Segovia's Alcazar while I was in the area.  However, I ended up eschewing the opportunity to spend time in the city's cathedral in favor of doing such as going wandering in the areas beyond the old town walls rather than just those encircled by them.

A confession: it was in large part due to my wanting to get better views of the Alcazar then I had been treated to while walking through the old town to it that I decided to descend several meters down to the plain below from the rocky bluff on which the bulk of the old town stands and take a circuitous route back to the part of the city where most tourists were to be found.  Along the way, I got to spend time in areas that were greener as well as quieter than much of where I had previously ventured in Spain, and made that walk feel at times like an actual hike in the country that got the adrenaline flowing and my spirits soaring in a way that I don't think a visit to yet another historic place of worship would have! ;b

The Gothic cathedral which I was content to just view 

from the outside -- so sue me!

Click on the above image and I think you'll understand why I preferred 

to spend a good bulk of my time in Segovia walking around outdoors instead!

Minutes before I took the plunge and ventured

down to the plain below...

A far better view of the Alcazar than one can get from

the rocky bluff on which the old town sits

Solitary angler doing his thing by the river

 Another stunning view of the enchanted looking Alcazar!

 

A quiet, green area I passed by turned out to be 

the old Jewish cemetery

 A view of Segovia old town, including the top of 

its cathedral, from outside the old town wall :)