Spain again!

Their trip began in Barcelona (part 1 of their story), after which they traveled to Madrid then on to Granada. After spending time in Granada, Grant and Linda (N-24)left for the southern coast of Spain. One benefit of taking a touring vacation rather than do it “on-your-on” are the side benefits that can take place. En route, their tour guide took them to a local, home-hosted lunch and then to a sturgeon and trout farm where they sampled smoked sturgeon. In the afternoon, they visited Malaga and enjoyed a panoramic tour around the city. Highlights included Picasso’s home, plus the unique streets and squares, and Roman theater. Next stop – Torremolinos.

Torremolinos served as their base for 3 days. Once a sleepy little fishing village, it has now become one of the major tourist spots in Spain and is now the gateway to the Costa Del Sol region. With over 4 miles of white sandy beaches, visitors can enjoy 300 sunny days a year so if you want to escape the dreary winter days of Illinois…

(Photo provided)

This was also their jumping off port for Morocco. A day trip took them to Tangier and a taste of the Northern African country’s culture. The markets are full of unique gifts and pastries. Some other friends bought leather ottoman footstools at very good prices on their trip to Morocco. They were just the outer leather of the ottoman so they are compressible. Or you can mash them into a FedEx box and send them home! Fill them with your favorite stuffing when you get back and voila, a taste of Morocco. To top your trip off, what could be more exciting than a camel ride? Tricky at times but memorable. And, what could be even more memorable than seeing the “Pillars of Hercules”; i.e.the Rock of Gibraltar on the European side and Rock Moses on the African side during the ferry ride back. A great day trip!

What would a trip to Spain be without a bullfight! Well, maybe seeing where the bulls were bred and raised for the ring and learning more about the controversial topic. This was part of the stop in Ronda, one of the most visited and beautiful cities in Spain. The city is divided by a 300-plus deep gorge with a stone bridge spanning the two sides offering a stunning view of the surrounding countryside. It also has a history of being a lovers-leap. The bridge connects the old portion of the town built during the Moorish times to the newer section from the 15th century; newer being relative.

Next stop, Seville, but first the drive through the countryside was sometimes breathtaking in its own right. Stopping in Cordoba, they visited one of the most unique cathedrals in the world. Cordoba, as have many other towns and cities in the area, was once controlled by Romans, then Moors and finally Christians. The Great Mosque of Córdoba is a prime example of the latter two. 
Built from 784-786 AD, the Mezquita, or Great Mosque of Córdoba, incorporates architectural designs and variations inspired by indigenous Roman and Christian structures. Later the mosque was extended with more domed bays, arches, intricate mosaics and a minaret, making it one of the four wonders of the medieval Islamic world. After the Christian reconquest of Andalucía, a cathedral was built in the heart of the mosque. Much of the original structure remains today and is recognized as a World Heritage Site.

Seville, the capital of the southern Andalusian region, offers many other wonders to behold. Visit the Plaza de Espana, the Alcazar palace complex, the Gothic Seville cathedral where Christopher Columbus is buried and the former Jewish quarters. Being the capital, Seville is a large city and with its history, you can spend days touring the area. It also offers public transportation to make travel easier. Seville is also home of the flamenco dance so don’t be surprised if your tour takes you to a flamenco show and you may even get asked to participate, so wear your dance shoes and take your castanets!

Leaving Spain, the tour guide took them to a ranch in Portugal owned by a friend. There they sat down to a home-cooked meal and were introduced to the Lusitanian horses raised on the ranch. They also learned about the cork trees in the area where the bark is harvested only once every 9 years. Then on to Lisbon.

A city over 3,000 years old, the oldest in western Europe, Lisbon has lots of secrets, some known, some unknown. Its existence pre-dates London, Paris and even Rome by centuries. The Tower of Belem, at the entrance to the port, was built as a fortified lighthouse on a small island and acted as part of the cities defensive system. It was also the starting point for many explorers of the new world and is now designated as a World Heritage site. They also visited Jeronimos’ Monastery and sampled the pastel de Belem, a custard-like pastry made by the monks. These are the main tourist spots but with a city this old, there are numerous other sites to visit. They explored the Hill of Chiado and rode the Gloria funicular, a tram that goes up and down the side of the hill. Dinner was at a palace built in the 1600s, the Casa do Alentejo, where authentic Portuguese meals are the specialty of the house.

After a very full, long tour, you need a retreat, right? Well, how about the summer retreat of the Portuguese Royal family? The medieval palace in Sintra is known for its extensive collection of Spanish-Moorish tiles. Originally built in the 10th century, most of that palace was destroyed during following conquests and by a major earthquake in 1755. Portions were rebuilt, but in a different architectural style than originally. There are also new additions as the “residents” changed. What king or queen doesn’t want it to reflect their own taste? As such, it has had permanent residents for over 500 years. Now a national monument, it is also a major tourist site.

The drive back was along the ocean and included stops at the resort city of Cascais and at Estoril, home of the famous Casino and Palace Hotel and finally, you’re back to the real world. There are many more things to see and do, but this is a full plate for the 2-week trip. If you go, enjoy the trip!

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