Askari Sailing: Spain

Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Merida Spain

Merida gets the smallest of mentions in most Spanish guide books, however it is the city with the most Roman ruins out of anywhere in Spain, as such it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We found it far less touristy than the other places we had visited on this trip and the ruins were so interesting.

Tour group photo at Temple of Diana Merida

You can't do a road trip in Spain without seeing many Toro's

My interesting fact of the day is these bulls (Toro's) were initially advertisements for brandy however they are now such a symbol of Spain and there are more in Andalusia than anywhere else in Spain.

A lake on the way to Merida - made us think Bonnie Doon!

Roman Bridge in Merida - still in use

Alcazbar Merida

Acueducto de los Milagros - dates back to first century AD

Roman aquaduct Merida

Roman Circus - used for chariot racing

Remains of Roman Amphitheatre - standing here you can try and imagine what gladiators would have been thinking

Gladiators would have entered this gate

Roman Theatre Merida

Roman theatre Merida

Roman Theatre - still in use today what a shame we didn't get to see a performance

View of Merida Square from our hotel - very Spainish

Beautiful Temple of Diana by night

Friday, September 23, 2016

Cordoba; Spain

It was less than 2 hours drive from Granada to Cordoba and with only one night booked in a hotel there we got up early, grabbed a coffee and tostada then hit the road.

We literally dumped the car and bags and then set off to see the sights as soon as we arrived. We called into the tourist office for a map and being in a bit of a hurry I asked they guy if we only had time to see the Mezquita or the Alcazar which would he pick and he just gave me a look and said we have to see both with almost a tut- at the time I thought he was just being a bit parochial but oh yes he was right and I am now embarrassed to have asked such a question.

First stop was Cordoba's famous Mosque Cathedral, otherwise known as the Mezquita and I have to say we were overwhelmed. It is huge and so beautiful; basically a mosque with a cathedral inside and the islamic and christian symbols just seem to work so beautifully together - maybe there's something the world should take note from this stunning piece of architecture. The original site was a church that was destroyed to build the Mosque, when Cordoba was the capital of the Moorish Kingdom of Al-Andulus and at that time this was one of the biggest mosques in the islamic world. Then when the Christians reconquered the area in the 13th century, the cathedral was built inside but the rest of the building was left - this was the age when Christians, Jews and Muslims lived side by side.

Mezquita and Roman Bridge

Being silly - No wonder the tourist officer had no time for us!?!

One of the many doors to the Mezquita

There are 856 columns inside Mezquita that remain from 1293 originally

This area shows both aspects side by side

Stunning double arches of the Mezquita -amazing engineering for that time

Cathedral area in the centre of Mezquita

Jewish quarter of Cordoba

Roman ruins in Cordoba

Lovely tapas lunch before the next part of the tour

Next stop was the Alcazar of the Christian Kings, a castle which includes beautiful gardens which are moorish in design with ponds and fountains. We really enjoyed the gardens but the buildings were quite interesting too.

Alcaza de Cordoba gardens

Statues in the gardens of the Alcazar

We returned to the hotel exhausted and met Lee & Andrew for a cocktail on the roof terrace. We quickly all agreed this was the perfect place to relax and ordered burgers and wine with this view.....

View over Cordoba from the roof bar at our hotel - wow!

We had such a fun night without having to walk anywhere and were totally looked after by this fabulous bar man who invited Andrew behind the bar to select his own drinks.

Andrew is best friends with barmen all over the world

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Granada - Alhambra Palace

I have had Alhambra on my list of places to visit from the moment I learned of it, oh so many years ago. So when we planned a road trip in Spain this was my number One. Then when we had a plan and found out all tickets were completely sold out, including all tours I don't mind admitting there was a bit of a sulk! Andrew, my hero, would not give up so easily and spent an hour searching all avenues until he found a tour a night - omg so excited we booked 4 tickets even before we had a hotel or confirmation Lee & Andrew were coming too. Now I just want to explain my honey does not do tours, any tour I have done is on my own, so seeing him in line complete with ear piece was quite something; although that did not compare to the beauty of the Palacios Nazaries at night - seriously special.

Very happy to be in Granada with a view of Alhambra

View of Alhambra from Albaicin

Lonely Planet describes Alhambra as "Granada’s – and Europe’s – love letter to Moorish culture, a place where fountains trickle, leaves rustle, and ancient spirits seem to mysteriously linger. Part palace, part fort, part World Heritage site, part lesson in medieval architecture, the Alhambra has long enchanted a never-ending line of expectant visitors. As a historic monument, it is unlikely it will ever be surpassed – at least not in the lifetime of anyone reading this."

I can't beat that in my own words or pictures but it was just wonderful, despite the amount of tourists.

Alhambra - Convent of San Francisco

Sunset from Alhambra

After our tour we went for an fabulous Moroccan meal; although post tour the boys were a bit sad that it was Alcohol free - ooops but the tagine was just yum. Next day we took in the other sites to Granada, including a glass of sangria and shopping for spices galore....