Combining the influence of two of our favorite countries (Morocco and Spain) Granada is a unique melting pot of cultures, religions, sights, sounds, and smells!
La Alhambra
If you do nothing else while you are here, visiting La Alhambra is #1! It was the most beautiful excuse to spend a half day just walking the grounds and learning about the history. “The Red One” as it is translated is made up of three different parts:
- Alcazaba – Made up of three towers, this is the part that fortified La Alhambra. It’s been said that this is where Christopher Columbus was granted permission to sail and eventually discover America.
- Nasrid Palaces – Living quarters to the King with baths, administration rooms, and the harem.
- Generalife – Constructed as a leisure place for the King and other officials to get away from affairs of the palace. Basically the fanciest summer home you’ve ever seen.
Generalife at the La Alhambra
Taking in the overwhelming smell of the gardens brought back strong memories of my Grandmother, Ge. Calling her an enthusiast of all things flora and fauna doesn’t even begin to describe her love for things beautiful and bright. I think about her a lot as we travel, all of the pictures I would send to her and then schedule a FaceTime to excitedly give her all of the details of what we’ve seen.
For a woman who didn’t travel much, she lived vicariously though ours. She continues to motivate me to see more of the world, to be open, to be tolerant, and to be introspective. An uncanny ability she had given the times and circumstances in which she grew up in.
I consider myself incredibly lucky to see so much of this world and hope that even though not everyone can right now you get a little slice from reading my blog 🙂
Strolling Around Granada
It’s such a great sized and balanced city here. Equal parts historic and modern, as well as tourist and local. Our Airbnb was about a 10 minute walk from the hustle and bustle of the main squares and restaurants which was the perfect combination of close enough to the action but still quiet.
The architecture is beautiful with fountains and squares, and just about everywhere you turn you can find a little glimpse of La Alhambra.
And of course, we couldn’t leave without having several bowls of Gazpacho, which Granada is famous for. One thing we sadly didn’t get a chance to do was a Flamenco show in the caves of the gypsy quarter of Sacramonte.
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Traveling During Covid-19
Dave and I have an uncanny ability to travel during crisis. We were in Cairo just three weeks before the revolution in 2011, Catalonia during their fight for independance from Spain in 2018, and Hong Kong last year during the protests. But Covid-19…? That’s new territory.
It’s actually turned out to be a silver lining. No crowds, no lines, and no tourists with selfie sticks in the background of your photos! We’ve had the ability to take in and appreciate the attractions we visit without being pushed along or distracted by other people.
Pre-covid, you had to reserve tickets MONTHS in advance for the La Alhambra, we were able to walk in at our leisure and enjoy every minute. And the ability to take photos showcasing the beauty without being dotted with other travelers was a nice surprise.
We’re off to Seville next and cannot wait to see the city after many recommendations from friends!
From Abroad With Love – AG
