Granada, Moorish Alhambra, and a Roman Bath

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Our final destination in Spain:

Driving through the arid Sierra Nevada foothills

covered in gray-leaved olive groves

we made our way to the sunlit city of Granada

with its myriad of one way streets

making driving a nightmare,

the Moorish stronghold Alhambra,

and a delightful Roman bath

to sooth our travel-weary bones.



Our hotel was an assemblage

of old Spanish-style town homes

with courtyards, stairways, wood beams

in the old town at the foot of Alhambra.



Our first try at the European bath scene.

We LOVED it!

The Roman bath experience

of warm, cool, and hot water pools

and steam room followed by a massage

Exotic with domed ceilings

pillars, candles, Arabic music.

Cool mint tea to hydrate.

Very clean.



Alhambra was the draw to this remote city.

An amazing Moorish stronghold

and Nazaries palace full of Islamic art:

geometrically patterned tiles,

graceful pools and fountains, distinctive arches,

stalactite-like mocarabes hanging overhead,

and peaceful gardens.

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Photos

Alhambra at night
From the roof patio of our hotel room.

Alhambra palace fountains and pools
Just a hair above freezing.

Granada selfie
From the ramparts of Alcazaba

Generalife gardens
A hopeful look at spring in early January.

Alhambra tiles
The geometry was thrilling.