No trip to Granada is complete without seeing the 13th century Alhambra – one of Spains most celebrated monuments, perched atop the Al-Sabika hill overlooking the entire city of Granada with the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop. The Alhambra is not just a Palace; but also a fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site, a fine example of Moorish art and architecture showcasing intricate details and design characteristics. The highlights of Alhambra-

•The Alcazaba (oldest part of the Alhambra Palace complex, and was built as a military fortress), Courtyard of the lions, Palace of Carlos V, and The Generalife Gardens. During the reign of the Moors, The Alhambra served as the residence of the royal family.

• Stroll through the beautiful gardens of Generalife. I was captivated by the incredible courtyards, lush greenery, orange trees, florals, pools, ornate fountains, and stunning views of Granada and Sierra Nevada mountains. The experience was serene and picturesque. The Generalife Gardens served as a tranquil oasis! It is a must-see when exploring the Alhambra complex. Make sure to book in advance if you want to see the inside of the Alhambra, at least 2 weeks or up to a month in advance. You will also need a ticket for entry to the Generalife gardens.

Pics from Inside: Check out the intricate details

•Albaicín district – Oldest neighborhood in Granada. It’s an old Arab quarter situated on a hill across the Alhambra. Known for its historic monuments and narrow, winding cobblestone streets, small shops, tapas bars and white-washed houses.

• Historic Centre – Top places to see:

• Cathedral of Granada – Gothic exterior Cathedral with a beautiful facade… I did not go inside.

• Royal Chapel – located next to the Cathedral and is the final resting place of Queen Isabella 1 of Castile and King Ferdinand 11 of Aragon.

• Alcaicería – originally a grand Arabian market where merchants sold silks and spices and other valuable goods. Today, it’s hidden through an archway alongside the Cathedral full of small shops. Wander through the narrow alleys and cobbled streets with small shops selling souvenirs, trinkets, leather goods, glass lamps, jewelry and Arabic craft work such as Fajalauza; traditional local painted ceramics.

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Spend a day at leisure in sunny Costa del Sol, coastal town along the coastline of the Province of Malaga. The region is a resort area and world-renowned tourist destination. Stroll along the Bajondillo beach (one of Torremolinos best beaches), great location for unwinding, having fun, and soaking up the sun. You can find beach bars, pedal boat rentals, jet skis, sunbeds, kayaks, and volleyball courts to name a few of the amenities.

•Stroll Calle San Miguel – situated in the heart of Torremolinos, Old Town and the primary shopping hub.The touristy street is lined with souvenir shops, local boutiques, bars and restaurants. The Town center is located a short distance from the beach, you can take the stairs or a lift for a small fee – 50 cents per journey. The bustling street has a vibrant nightlife. Immerse yourself in the local scene at the different bars and pubs, listening to live music and mingling with locals.

• Tour to Malaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. Malaga is located in the southern coast of Spain (Costa del Sol). It is a city with rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture. Malaga is a very walkable city with most of the major attractions and historic monuments close together.

“La Farola ” – The Lighthouse located at the entrance of the Port of Malaga is a beach area surrounded by walking trails, restaurants and bars, and offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea.

TOP ATTRACTIONS:

• Plaza de la Constitucion- A vibrant square in the historic centre, which is a perfect place to explore other historic landmarks and cultural essence. There are many winding, narrow streets and beautiful buildings at every turn. You will find an abundance of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops. You will also see great views of the Malaga Cathedral. The Cathedral is nicknamed “La Manquita”, which means “the one-armed lady”, because only one of the two towers was ever constructed.

•Stroll to Calle Larios – Malaga’s main shopping street filled with high-end stores, local boutiques, and cafes. Calle Larios is an elegant pedestrian street and known as the Fifth Ave of Malaga.

• Visit The Alcazaba of Malaga and Roman Theatre –

The Roman Theatre is the oldest monument in Malaga and lies at the foot of the Alcazaba fortress. The history dates back to the 1st century AD. The Roman Theatre remained hidden underground for many centuries and rediscovered in 1951. The theatre reopened to the public on September 15, 2011; 27 years after reconstruction began. It is an open-air venue (Amphitheatre) used for entertainment performances today. The Roman Theatre in Malaga is considered the most important remaining structure from the Roman Era.

• Visit The Museo Picasso Malaga – the beautiful 16th century Renaissance building showcasing over 285 works donated by members of Picasso’s family- paintings, etchings, drawings, sculptures, and ceramics. You can trace the development of his unique style through the various periods of his life – The Blue Period, Rose Period, Cubism, and the African influenced period. There is also a Museum garden, cafe, and bookshop on the premises.

Thank you for reading my blog… I hope this inspires you to visit Malaga!

Ronda is a cliffside city located in the Province of Malaga, and one of the oldest cities in Spain. This charming white washed town is considered the birthplace of modern bullfighting and home to Spain’s oldest bullring, The Plaza de Toros. Ronda is perched high in The Serraniade Ronda Mountains, straddling the dramatic El Tajo gorge (120 meters deep) and Guadalevin River. The beautiful Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) connects the Moorish Old Town, La Ciudad to the New Town “El Mercadillo “. Orson Wells and Ernest Hemingway were inspired by Ronda’s beauty and spent many summer months as part time residents of the Old Town quarter called La Ciudad. The yellow house in the photo was the residence of Ernest Hemingway.

Some recommendations of top places to see in Ronda.

• Explore Puente Nuevo Bridge- The famous 18th century Bridge is an absolute must see landmark. When looking down from the New Bridge, you will see incredible views of the surrounding cliffs, landscapes, and dramatic views of the “El Tajo ” gorge and Guadalevin River flowing through the gorge.

• Visit The Plaza de Toros – Spain’s oldest bullring is a national heritage site where you will see historic stables and housed inside is a museum, Museo Taurino where you can learn all about the history of the site. There is also an extensive collection of memorabilia – costumes worn by famous matadors, weapons used, old posters, photos, and other artifact on display.

• Alameda del Tajo – Beautiful tree-lined park and Botanical garden with an interesting variety of plants, trees, and five walking paths that lead to balconies that offer some of the most incredible views of the El Tajo gorge and surrounding countryside. Definitely a great photo op from the balconies- stunning landscape views and cliffside vistas. As you walk through the park, you will see lush gardens, fountains, vibrant flower beds and historic monuments and statues:

A.) Monumento a la Dama Goyesca- (Monument of the Goyaesque Lady), a full-scale statue of a woman dressed in traditional Ronda costume.

B.) Statue of Pedro Romero- famous bullfighting matador.

C.) Paseo/Walkways- named in tribute to Ernest Hemingway and Orson Wells. In Hemingway’s novel, “Whom the Bell Tolls “, he gives a graphic description of violence and historical context of the Spanish Civil War where people were thrown from cliffs.

• Stroll through The Old Town – “La Ciudad ” and immerse yourself in it’s historic charm. Wander through the charming narrow cobbled streets where you’ll encounter museums, historic buildings with Moorish, Roman, and Renaissance architectural styles, local shops, patios, restaurants and tapas bars with views of Puente Nuevo. You will also see Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de La Paz, a beautiful church located in a small square next to a school. The church is known as Church of Our Lady of Peace.

• Check out the culinary scene… take a Lunch Break at Restaurante Pedro Romero for traditional Andalusian cuisine and regional wines. The restaurant is Tavern style decorated with bullfighting memorabilia throughout. Great service, food, ambiance!

• Reserve your adventure at Reservatauro Ronda, a breeding farm of fighting bulls and pure Andalusian horses in the countryside. Bullfighting is an important part of Spanish culture and tradition. If you want to learn about Bullfighting, the process of selecting, breeding, and training the bulls and horses, this will be a great opportunity. I interacted with the horses in the stables and walked around the farm to admire the horses and watch equestrians train the Andalusian horses. Reservatauro is a beautiful farm with a mountain view terrace and rooms with tapas and wine tasting- Amazing experience!

Ronda is a beautiful city to visit. Thank you for reading my blog. I hope it has inspired you to visit on your trip to Andalusia.

XOXO,

Rochelle