We headed by car to Granada driving along the scenic route. The views and country side were gorgeous. Spain is truly a beautiful country and the landscape changes fairly quickly into something totally different.

We arrived in Granada and stayed in the heart of the city. It was a perfect time to visit because it was Christmas  season and there were lights decorated throughout the city.

We walked and explored some of the main streets of Granada. 

Shelley, Dan, Kathy and Ray in downtown Granada

We walked for a fair amount of time and came to an outdoor area that was converted into an outdoor skating rink. 

Outdoor temporary ice rink in Granada

We watched as people enjoyed skating or tried skating for the first time.  We decided to stop and enjoy some tapas and watch the skaters for a while.

Shelley and Kathy at our table enjoying a tapa and drink

The following day we went to see and explore the Alhambra Palace which is a world UNESCO site. It is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world. We walked up the path leading to the Palace. The views along the route up to the Palace were beautiful.

View of the Alhambra Palace walking up the route towards the Palace.

Once we reached the entrance we saw just how large and wonderful it was. 

The way to the Alhambra area through arched walls along the route to the main entrance.

We entered the Alhambra and walked along the different paths that lead throughout the Palace.  There are gardens located on a raised area that provide great views of the Palace as well as the city below. 

Kathy and Dan overlooking the Alhambra Palace
View of part of the garden in Alhambra
Inside islamic designs inside some of the palace buildings.

We walked through  many of the different buildings in the palace. Some of the buildings were quite unique and  included ornate islamic designs.

Beautiful marble floors inside the Palace
Shelley, Kathy and Dan on one of the walkways in the Palace with the city of Granada in the background
Shelley and Kathy inside one of the courtyards within the palace building.
One of the many water features in the Alhambra palace

After exploring this mazing Alhambra Palace and the city of Granada, we were off to our next adventure in Sevilla.

Sevilla

We arrived in Sevilla and we were immediately impressed by the display of lights that were set up for the holiday season. 

We stayed in the heart of Sevilla and we were able to walk to the major sites. One of our first stops was the Sevilla cathedral which was open and we were able to get inside.

Seville Cathedral

The cathedral was spectacular and we even saw the resting place for the remains of Christopher Columbus.

Inside the Cathedral of Seville
Kathy and Dan inside the Cathedral of Seville

After touring the Cathedral we walked along the streets exploing the area. We came across some beautiful buildings and sites. The streets were wet from the rain and it made everything look like polished marble.

Dan and Kathy on the streets of Seville, Spain

The following day we went to see an authentic Flamenco dance show. We arrived at the building which was located in the heart of the old quarter. We had great seats in the front row. We could feel the emotion and enjoyed the amazing dancing of the Flamenco. It truly was one of the highlights of Seville.

After Seville we went to another great city, Cordoba.

Cordoba 

The city is located near the banks of the Guadalquivir river.  It was once  a Roman settlement along with the historic Roman bridge of Córdoba. This bridge is in the Historic centre of Córdoba, and originally built in the early 1st century BC. 

Historic Roman bridge in Cordoba Spain

We walked across the Roman bridge and were amazed at the size and length of it.  It is 9 meters (30 ft) wide and 331 meters (1,086 ft) in length. 

Kathy and Dan walking along the Roman Bridge in Cordoba Spain.

It was a rainy day and we able to explore the area without large crowds of people. It was a nice pace and very relaxed.  We walked from the Bridge to the Puerta del Puente which means Gate of the Bridge. It was built in the 16th century.  The gateway is located on the site of the previous Roman gates, linking the city with the Roman bridge. 

Puerta de Puente in Cordoba

We walked the streets of the old section of Cordoba, including in the jewish quarter. The streets are very narrow and it was easy to get disoriented and loose yourself in the back streets.

We wandered around for about an hour or so before deciding to stop for lunch.

Tabursa Restaurant and bar in Cordoba.

We enjoyed Cordoba and the final leg of our whirlwind tour of Spain. We headed back to Madrid and said goodbye to our guest. It was a great time and lots of fun but it was time to get back to our normal routine and plan our next adventures.

“Vivimos en un mundo maravilloso que está lleno de belleza, encanto y aventura. Las aventuras que podemos tener no tienen fin si las buscamos con los ojos abiertos”.