Tag Archives: Sevilla

On with the whirlwind adventures through Spain

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”.

The Mushrooms of Sevilla

We went exploring throughout the old quarter of Sevilla. We came across a very unique structure, called the Metropol Parasol. It is also known as “Las Setas de Sevilla” which translates as the mushrooms of Sevilla.

Las setas de Sevilla in the center of Sevilla, Spain

View from the base of the Metropol Parasol

We walked along the base of the Metropol Parasol exploring the large structure.

The Metropol Parasol in Sevilla Spain

This project to create the Metropol Parasol was by the german architect Jürgen Mayer, and is the largest wooden structure in the world.

Shelley at the base of the Metropol Parasol, in Sevilla Spain

The Metropol Parasol has different levels, each one with interesting things to see. On the underground level we came across the Antiquarium Museum. It was created to allow people to visit the archaeological remains that were found during the early excavations for the Metropol Parasol.

Shelley in front of the museum in the lowest level of the Metropol Parasol in Sevilla

The Roman ruins on display are behind a large glass, which gives the appearance of an aquarium.

Roman ruins on display at the Antiquarium museum in the Metropol Parasol in Sevilla.

After checking out the Roman ruins we took the Elevator to the third level. On that level there is a restaurant with seating which provided great views of the city.

View from the sitting area of the restaurant

We walked around the restaurant and came to the 26-meter-high walkway which crossed over the top of the parasol.

Walkways on the top of the Metropol Parasol in Sevilla, Spain

We walked along the walkway enjoying the views of the skyline.

Ray and Shelley on the 26-meter high walkway of the Metropol Parasol in Sevilla

Shelley on the 28-meter high walkway of the Metropol Parasol

The parasol is quite interesting and you were able to look down through the structure to the ground below.

View of the people below through the structure of the parasol

We walked around the parasol enjoying the different views of the skyline. It is an impressive size 150 by 70 metres (490 by 230 ft) and an approximate height of 26 metres (85 ft).

Image of the Metropol parasol from the sky

The Metropol Parasol was a very unique wooded structure and we enjoyed exploring the different levels of it.  It was one of the highlights of our trip to Sevilla.
“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Flamenco show in Sevilla

When we were Sevilla we decided to go to a traditional flamenco show. After doing some research we decided to go to the “Casa De Flamenco” which is the only show in Sevilla that is totally acoustical.

We had excellent seats and had a great view of the stage.

View of the stage from our seats.

The performance began with the guitarists “El Perla” and the singer “Emilio Florido”  coming out on stage. They began with a guitar solo and then Emilio doing a song before the dancers joined the performance.

Flamenco dancers in the Casa de Flamenco in Sevilla.

The flamenco performers of the Casa de Flamenco.

The four performers were spectacular and entertained us for two hours. The acoustical performance was very intense and was set in an intimate environment. The limited amount of spectators and the small venue made the atmosphere almost magical. Everyone was mesmerized by the spirit and emotion of the traditional Flamenco. It was a very enjoyable and a unique experience.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”