Granada -A View to Remember

In modern day society it’s sometimes hard not to be a tourist. As I’ve mentioned before all the key sights want you to book tickets in advance for a specific day/time. It’s lovely, therefore, to sometimes just to throw away the guidebook and plans and to take time out to wander at will and that’sContinue reading “Granada -A View to Remember”

Touring Western Europe -Spain- Granada

We arrived by train into the city of Granada on Sunday Afternoon. At the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, but only one hour by car from the Mediterranean coast, it is of course famous for the Alhambra Palace. The Alhambra is one of the most revered monuments of Islamic architecture and one of theContinue reading “Touring Western Europe -Spain- Granada”

Prince Harry-Journalism vs Reality

Phil and I are both avid readers. Here we are three weeks and 4 days into our West European adventure and we haven’t watched television once. This year to date I’ve read 23 books and one of the latest is “Spare”. I had purposely not bought it before we left the UK because I knewContinue reading “Prince Harry-Journalism vs Reality”

More Adventures in Seville

We stayed 40 minutes walk outside of the “old town” within a fairly densely populated area surrounded by Spanish families, in an apartment on the sixth and top floor of a block of flats. Over 65% of Spanish people live in flats because they are more affordable, with reduced living costs, and it has been culturallyContinue reading “More Adventures in Seville”

The Courtyards Festival of Cordoba

We had never heard of this festival before travelling to Cordoba. It takes place every year during the first two weeks of May and before I start getting really excited, about the preparations we saw whilst there, I have to share how historically fascinating it was to learn about how it all began. On DayContinue reading “The Courtyards Festival of Cordoba”

Touring Western Europe -Spain- Seville

On Saturday we took the train from Cordoba and travelled 45 minutes south to Seville and settled into another Air BnB just a 10 minute walk from the main train station but alas 40 minutes walk from the main city sites. Our first adventure into the city began early on Sunday morning visiting the artContinue reading “Touring Western Europe -Spain- Seville”

Touring Western Europe -Spain -Cordoba

Wow! What an amazing place!We arrived yesterday afternoon and settled into our hotel for three nights. Sequestered in the old part of town with cobbled streets, beautiful but varied architecture and an atmosphere of conviviality and somehow tranquility . Our day began with a 15 minute walk from our hotel through newer parts of theContinue reading “Touring Western Europe -Spain -Cordoba”

Exploring the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba: A Symbol of Harmony and Religious Unity

As part of our first day in Cordoba we visited the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba and I seriously cannot even begin to describe its beauty. A beauty that is not only defined by it’s architecture but also by the unity of religion created within.In a world where so many countries have experienced or are experiencing religiousContinue reading “Exploring the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba: A Symbol of Harmony and Religious Unity”

Touring Western Europe -Spain-The Palace of El Escorial

Armed with the Renfe Cercanios Madrid network map I made another attempt at ascertaining what times these trains run and managed to find a Renfe page on line which appeared to be helpful. According to this there was a train from Sol Metro station to El Escorial at 39 minutes past the hour. The sunContinue reading “Touring Western Europe -Spain-The Palace of El Escorial”

Touring Western Europe -Spain- El Retiro -The Best Park In The World!

“The Best Park in the World”As we reached our last day in Madrid and another train journey loomed, we left our Air BnB for our final afternoon under sunny skies and excitedly set off for El Retiro. We had discovered this oasis of activity and tranquillity on our last visit to Madrid and were eagerContinue reading “Touring Western Europe -Spain- El Retiro -The Best Park In The World!”