Finally went to Spain
Sep 18th, 2013, 09:11 AM
#21
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Today we picked up our car at the train station. Our car was an automatic, but much different from what we use here in US. It did a lot of lurching forward- I was relieved that I wasnt the driver- my husband did just fine with it.
In Ronda we parked near the bull ring and headed towards the gorge. It was market day at the local park so we looked around, bought some cheese and walnut cake and took some pictures. The views from Ronda are beautiful- so high up, overlooking the valleys.
We walked to the gorge and took more pictures, then wandered around the older part of town. Enjoyed tapas at a little local place mentioned in the RS book- Bar Lechuguita-ticking off what we wanted from a paper sheet.
From here we drove on to Granada. Originally, we had planned one night in Ronda but cancelled that reservation to stay en extra night in Sevilla. I was glad we did- I didn't really feel that I needed more than a passing through of Ronda.
The drive from Sevilla was lovely, passing many white towns. I had thought about a visit to Arco de la Fronterra also but we didn't have enough time. I hadn't realized that the land in Spain was so dry. It was very much like Greece. Somehow, I had envisioned it greener, like Italy.
We arrived in Granada and were able to find the parking garage near the Cathedral that our hotel recommended. I think the cost was 25 Euros a day- I know- a bit expensive but I really love to have a car.
Love the hotel in Granada, on the Calle Elvira, several clocks from the Plaza Nueva. Probably my favorite of the trip. The name was Hotel Posado del Toro. I believe I got the name from Booking. com. It was clean, cute, wonderful bathroom, a little balcony overlooking the inner courtyard. The breakfast was not huge but certainly adequate- I think we had bread and cheese, yogurt and fruit. (after a while, it is hard to remember every meal- if I don't write it down, it all becomes a jumble!!)
Calle elvira north of the hotel had an almost seedy or gritty feel but everything going toward the plaza was fine. One block from our hotel was a street with many vendors selling pocketbooks, souvenirs, scarves, arab type clothing, etc. It was fun to wander there and I do go there tomorrow to shop for gifts.
Will post this so I don't lose it and continue later.
In Ronda we parked near the bull ring and headed towards the gorge. It was market day at the local park so we looked around, bought some cheese and walnut cake and took some pictures. The views from Ronda are beautiful- so high up, overlooking the valleys.
We walked to the gorge and took more pictures, then wandered around the older part of town. Enjoyed tapas at a little local place mentioned in the RS book- Bar Lechuguita-ticking off what we wanted from a paper sheet.
From here we drove on to Granada. Originally, we had planned one night in Ronda but cancelled that reservation to stay en extra night in Sevilla. I was glad we did- I didn't really feel that I needed more than a passing through of Ronda.
The drive from Sevilla was lovely, passing many white towns. I had thought about a visit to Arco de la Fronterra also but we didn't have enough time. I hadn't realized that the land in Spain was so dry. It was very much like Greece. Somehow, I had envisioned it greener, like Italy.
We arrived in Granada and were able to find the parking garage near the Cathedral that our hotel recommended. I think the cost was 25 Euros a day- I know- a bit expensive but I really love to have a car.
Love the hotel in Granada, on the Calle Elvira, several clocks from the Plaza Nueva. Probably my favorite of the trip. The name was Hotel Posado del Toro. I believe I got the name from Booking. com. It was clean, cute, wonderful bathroom, a little balcony overlooking the inner courtyard. The breakfast was not huge but certainly adequate- I think we had bread and cheese, yogurt and fruit. (after a while, it is hard to remember every meal- if I don't write it down, it all becomes a jumble!!)
Calle elvira north of the hotel had an almost seedy or gritty feel but everything going toward the plaza was fine. One block from our hotel was a street with many vendors selling pocketbooks, souvenirs, scarves, arab type clothing, etc. It was fun to wander there and I do go there tomorrow to shop for gifts.
Will post this so I don't lose it and continue later.
Sep 18th, 2013, 01:49 PM
#26
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Anyway, back to Granada. In the late afternoon, we took the bus from Plaza Nueva to the Albayzin, to go up to St Nicholas church to view the Alhambra. And what a view it was!!! It was magnificent, especially with the snow capped sierra nevada mountains in the distance!! I couldn't take enough pictures. Then we wandered around the Albayzin and had a drink and free tapas at a little neighborhood tapas bar.
I wanted to walk up further to the Sacromonte but my husband was a little leery. He remembers gypsies from his childhood and didn't feel safe but I reassured him that it was okay. We saw the cave homes on the hills and got another beautiful view of the Alhambra as the sun was starting to go down. By now we were absolutely exhausted but found the bus to take us back to Plaza Nueva. After a rest at the hotel, we had dinner at Restaurant Sevilla- and tried paella. Delicious!
Tomorrow, the Alhambra.
I wanted to walk up further to the Sacromonte but my husband was a little leery. He remembers gypsies from his childhood and didn't feel safe but I reassured him that it was okay. We saw the cave homes on the hills and got another beautiful view of the Alhambra as the sun was starting to go down. By now we were absolutely exhausted but found the bus to take us back to Plaza Nueva. After a rest at the hotel, we had dinner at Restaurant Sevilla- and tried paella. Delicious!
Tomorrow, the Alhambra.
Sep 18th, 2013, 02:14 PM
#27
we loved Granada, Debbielynn. DH arranged the trip for my 50th b'day [i think, the memory fades after a while] and we liked it a lot, especially the Alhambra, but the town as well, with the Albercin and Sacramento, and the mountains in the distance.
I also liked the fur coats in shop windows - not that I'd buy one, but it seemed so incongruous when even in November, I was walking round in a T-shirt during the day.
I also liked the fur coats in shop windows - not that I'd buy one, but it seemed so incongruous when even in November, I was walking round in a T-shirt during the day.
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