Escape to the Alpujarras and Costa del Sol

Mum at the entrance to our apartment, and chimneypots of Capileira

From Granada, we hired a car (a little Opel Corsa) and hit the open road. Our destination? A couple of days relaxing in the Alpujarras, part of the Sierra Nevada range. I'd read about the Alpujarras about 2 years ago, when I read 'Driving over Lemons' by Chris Stewart. It was nice to finally see the area, after enjoying reading about it so much. I even managed to pick up an autographed copy of the book for €5.

Alpujarran views - left from our terrace, and right, the view down the valley near Orgiva

Our apartment in Bubión, the middle of three villages in the picturesque Poquiera valley, had a lovely terrace looking into the valley, and an almost constant supply of ripe (and some almost ripe) cherries. I've since found out that Rachelle and Tom stayed in the exact same apartment when they visited Bubión!We spent the time there wandering the little villages, siesta-ing (as one should definitely do when in Spain), reading and just generally relaxing. It was a great bit of time out - particularly since it was also my birthday - I've now reached the ripe old age of 25.

Whitewashed streets of Bubión

A little whitewashed church with a fabulous view of the Alpujarras

Leaving the Alpujarras, we had to drive down some crazy roads where lane markings weren't to be taken at face value, before hitting the Mediterranean coast, and driving along to Málaga. The scenery along the coast was just spectacular - the blue sea, the white towns, and the mountains in behind. After we couldn't get a booking on any trains to Madrid that day, speaking with some Renfe staff who seemed rather reluctant to help us, and finally finding bus tickets, only to find that there were no free lockers to store our luggage, I was all set out to hate Málaga. But once I actually got out and wandered around, I really liked the town.

The Alcazaba of Málaga

Finally, a free attraction - the Alcazaba, not as extensive as those in the other Andalucían cities, but a really pleasant maze to wander around, with views out over the sea, and the Costa del Sol, and a beach on the Mediterranean. We also had a great dinner by the cathedral. Patatas bravas has been one of our Spanish staples. Yum!

Playa de la Malagueta - Málaga's beach on the Costa del Sol

Málaga's gardens, and the Playa de la Malagueta

Overall, our time in Andalucía was fabulous, exceeding any expectations I may have had about what I'd find there. I can't wait to go back some time!

Boating at the port of Málaga, and a little church, San Pedro

Summer in Sevilla

Tiling in the Alcázar of Sevilla

From Córdoba, we headed to Sevilla. A real highlight of the Andalucían trip, Sevilla has everything! We stayed in the old town, full of winding narrow streets. Sevilla is not a city to head out without a decent map, there is no kind of grid system here! The Sevillianos are a fun loving people - there always seemed to be something happening, and it is one of the homes of flamenco, tapas, bullfighting, and captures the spirit of the Andalucían people. During our time here, we visited the Reales Alcázar, the former palace, which is full of beautiful tiling, plasterwork and gardens in the Islamic style, and also the cathedral.

The gardens of the Alcázar


Left: Relaxing in the Alcázar, Right: Elaborate courtyards in the Islamic style of the Alcázar

When building the cathedral, they said "Let's build such a cathedral that for hundreds of years they will be taking us for lunatics!" and it certainly is big. Thankfully, they maintained the beautiful Giralda, formerly the minaret of the mosque which once stood here, the Giralda is now the cathedral's belltower. We climbed up here for the spectacular views over Sevilla. As one must do when in Sevilla, we attended a flamenco performance. This performance was three people, the guitarist, the singer and the dancer. It was a really enjoyable night - fantastic music. We were sorry to leave Sevilla, but ended our visit in style, with an appointment at the Arab Hammam - the Arab baths for some pampering! Fantastic!

Left: the Giralda, and right: the view from the top of the Giralda, toward Plaza del Toros - the Bullfighting Ring

Islamic style courtyard and fountain amongst the maze that is Sevilla, and a flamenco dancer

Going Gaudi in Barcelona

La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's as yet unfinished cathedral masterpiece

From what everyone had told me about Barcelona, I half expected my cash, bag and camera to be ripped off me the minute I set foot in the place, but not so it seemed... I managed to complete my stay in the place with all my belongings in tact. Always a good start for a Spanish trip!

Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya, one of the more separatist oriented areas of Spain... and they don't speak Spanish, they speak Catalan. It's a fabulous city - full of unique architecture, history, and great shopping, not to mention the food!

Here I am on the Barcelona waterfront, and Spanish meats for sale at the Mercado

During our time in Barcelona, Mum and I checked out all the main Gaudi sights. Antoni Gaudi is a famous architecture, whose knowledge, insight and understanding of architecture resulted in buildings and structures, that are not only unique in appearance, but also aim to make the best use of light and materials. One of his main focuses was on using the lines out of nature - rarely is there a straight line in a Gaudi structure. Between La Sagrada Familia, the still unfinished, but entirely unlike anything else cathedral, La Pedrera, and Parc Guell, we were constantly inspired by what we saw.

The lizard of Parc Guell, and the terrace of La Pedrera, a Gaudi apartment building.

These are two of the many Gaudi attractions in Barcelona

We also took the furnicular up to both Montjuic - the former political prison that was spruced up for the 1992 Olympics, by creating a massive hillside of parklands, overlooking the Barcelona waterfront on the Mediterranean sea, and the hill of Tibidabo, looking over Barcelona, with a fabulous church at the top. We also ended up with an extra day in Barcelona, which saw us visit the Picasso museum, which show's the artist's development from his first works as a child in Malaga and Barcelona, on to the Blue period, the Pink period and the Cubism phases - a great insight into the development of the great Spanish artist.

And of course, no trip to Barcelona would be complete without a walk down Las Ramblas to the Waterfront, followed by some tapas and sangria. Yum!