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Published: November 16th 2011
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GRANADA
6 NOVEMBER - SUNDAY
A rainy day to depart from Valencia, but we have enjoyed this beautiful city. Retrieved our car from the car park, loaded up our luggage, and off we went. As with most European cities, Valencia has many one-way streets. Fortunately, round-abouts are a navigator's (and driver's) friend! But we still had a little time trying to get out of the city getting lost only once. Stopped for directions at a fuel station in the city and the gentleman was most gracious and told us how to get out and on our way.
The terrain changed quite a bit as we drove through the countryside. Valencia is on the Med, and Granada is in the mountains. Lots and lots of orange groves outside Valencia, then olive trees. Sun broke through mid-trip. There are some really beautiful national parks on the way, even with skiing. The Sierras are snow-covered and quite striking. Directions were great and we found our hotel with no problem.
We are out of the Centro, but an easy bus ride away. Again, a great bus system to take advantage of. Ivan, who was at the reception when we checked in, was a
La Alhambra
Delicate plaster work huge help with suggestions for dinner and adding to our list of things to see. We rode the bus to the center and found a great little street with lots of little cafes and bars where we had a great time visiting with the waiters, eating tapas and drinking wine. Back to the hotel and great night's sleep.
7 NOVEMBER - MONDAY
Went online in the morning and booked tickets to see the Alhambra. Earliest we could get was Wednesday, and we are leaving Thursday. Took the bus into town and toured the cathedral. Another WOW of a building!! Afterward, we walked up to the Alhambra see where we needed to go and to collect our tickets. To see the Nazrid Palaces you need an appointment and only have half an hour, (they only allow up to 300 people at a time in there) so you must be on time. Met two ladies from the US on the walk up, and they gave us info on where to go. Found a bus to ride down hill to the Plaza Nueva. Strolled over to an area where there are little cafes toward the old Moorish area. So, here we are, in
El Generalife
One of the gardens in the Generalife Palace an outdoor restaurant, at the foot of the Alhambra. It's dark now and the palace is lit up. To be in this old neighborhood and have this vista is fantastic! And we will be here for 2 more nights. Ancient and old, old and new, Islamic and Christian. Is this real? Are we really here?
Our dinner waiter called and made reservations for us to see a flamenco performance just up the hill. Took a walk, found the cueva, and had a great time. Taxi back to the hotel, as it was late and we would have missed our bus connection.
8 NOVEMBER - TUESDAY
We HAD to find a laundry today. Searched online & found one in a neighborhood near the university. Dropped off our clothes and went to an outdoor cafe (eating again!) and had a coffee & split a pastry. Needed to spend time in the city until clothes were ready at 7 (it's noon), so we took a stroll on Avenida de Constitucion. Lovely city boulevard with lots of trees, flowers and benches. Ended up walking back to the center, and headed for El Corte Ingles, Spain's version of a Dillards/Walmart. They offer everything from
The Sierras
Waiting for the sunset at Mirador San Nicolas groceries and pharmacy to clothing to high end cosmetics. Have gone through almost all my pantyhose and needed more. Also, needed to find an inexpensive corkscrew so we could enjoy the bottle of wine Wolfi left with us.
Spent some time sitting in a plaza near El Corte with a great view of the snow-capped Sierras and just watched the people walk past. Got a little chilly after the sun dropped below the buildings, so we headed for a cafe for some wine and tapas. Earlier we were handed a card with info about an Indian restaurant in the neighborhood, which we will visit for dinner after picking up the laundry. Successful day.
9 NOVEMBER - WEDNESDAY
We are up very early and will be taking a taxi to the Alhambra, as our appointment to see the Nazrid is at 8:30, and we will be accepted (scanned) into the other building that allow one visit/person until 2PM. The photos included here and my description don't even begin to tell you about this place. Seriously! To really learn about it, you need to visit. To learn from home, get a DVD or find a program on television. You can spend more than a day here between the palaces, other buildings, the courtyards and patios, and the Generalife (gardens). We had only a few minutes left by the time we got to the Generalife, and Mike was tired of climbing stairs. (He has done fantastic the whole trip.) So, I went alone up to the palace in the Generalife. Each courtyard and garden was better than the previous. The influence the Moors had on Spain is still evident. The architecture, music, food. We have the early Spanish kings to thank for their interest, as they did not destroy all the Moors had built. Many of the cathedrals have been built on former mosques, they must have been incredible.
Afterwards, we took a bus down to the Plaza Nueva and another up to Mirador San Nicolas. You can see the Alhambra, the Sierras, a lot of the city, and a great view of the sunsets. Had a nice chat with a Dutch couple while we were up there. They were headed down to the cathedral, and we headed back to a pub/restaurant next to the hotel for dinner and an early night. Quite a city, Granada. Hope we can return some day.
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