Clockwise from top left: Church, oranges growing on the trees, interesting architecture, sampling an orange (much like Seville oranges it was thick skinned and bitter - perfect for marmalade but not great for eating!)
We stayed in the old district, in the wonderful Hotel Casa 1800, with a view up to the Alhambra. Tickets for the Alhambra can be sold out online months in advance. Ways around it include paying more for either a guided tour (a bit pricey), or a 'Granada Card' (good value) which also lets you into other tourist attractions around the city. We used our cards to visit San Jeronimo monastery and the Cathedral, which was a big hit of terrifying Catholicism. Lots of gold, sculptures of severed heads on plates, and a sheer scale which was awe-inspiring.
San Jeronimo monastery. We weren't allowed to take pictures in the Cathedral, and as I am a goody-two-shoes I refrained where lots of tourists flouted the rules!
The highlight had to be the Alhambra palace. It's like a whole town on top of a hill, the site is absolutely massive and takes hours and hours to get around if you want to see it all properly - there are gardens, palaces, towers, museums, and more. Getting up there involved an incredibly scary trip on a minibus. There were so many of us squashed in that I was practically sat on the dashboard, and so had a good view of the sharp turns and plummeting drops. My knuckles were white by the end.
The series of intricate Nazrid Palaces is restricted to specific time-slots - we got there a little before sunset as I suspected we might get some good views over the city at the end in the evening light.
Utterly gorgeous isn't it?
After all the history and culture - and posh hotels - of Seville and Granada, we headed down to the coast to a little town called Nerja, to more modest accommodation and a relaxed week of eating tapas! I'll share some pics in another post soon.
Sounds unlike anywhere I've ever been! That bus ride has made me feel sick just thinking of it - my nightmare! I like the idea of experiencing such different places in one trip - I guess it's the kind of thing you can do for your honeymoon but difficult to justify for a regular trip! xx
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I was sweating with fear on that bus ride!! Terrifying.
DeleteWell done for not taking photos where they're not allowed - it drives me nuts when people do that, as though the rules don't apply to them. You got fantastic photos everywhere else.
ReplyDeleteAaaah, the Alhambra. It is gorgeous. We walked up to it - a bit of a slog! The Patio of the Lions was being renovated when we were there, which is a shame as I think those lions are my favourite thing in the place. Were there still loads of stray cats beside the river below the Alhambra? When we were there they were all just lolling around, doing their kitty thing.
Yes Mim, the cats were there! I actually picked up a local newspaper and there was a whole article on them, they called them 'The Sultans of the Alhambra', but my Spanish is restricted to menu choices so I wasn't able to understand anything but the pictures!
DeleteI can't believe you walked up there, that's a mission and a half!! x
A lot of them looked like someone's prized Siamese had got into the population, if I recall.
DeleteWe had an early visit to the Alhambra, but it was a jolly sweaty walk. The Moors located their fortress well.
You got some of the same shots I got. It is a spectacular place. I remember that bus ride well : ) Scary. It was even worse on the way back I found in the dark.
ReplyDeletebisous
Suzanne
That looks so gorgeous - I want to go! Great photos (and you both looked fantastic in your last post too!) xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat I wouldn't give to be there now. The crowd sounds like just my type, too.
ReplyDeleteNerja! We had a wonderful week in March there years and years ago, frosty at night and gloriously hot in the day. So many great places to eat and some very lively bars. xxx
It truly is! Could that architecture be any more breathtaking! You guys really picked a dazzlingly lovely part of the world to honeymoon in.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
How stunning! I've never had a particular desire to visit Spain, but you're really making me want to go. Alhambra Palace looks so lovely, I would really like to see it in person.
ReplyDeleteWow! The Alhambra Palace is breathtaking! Gorgeous! The Monastery is crazy opulent! So intense! I love your outfit in your first photo (or what I can see of it). So pretty!!
ReplyDelete