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Potatoes in Spain (2) - the Andalucian trip report

Potatoes in Spain (2) - the Andalucian trip report

Old Apr 29th, 2007, 02:59 PM
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Potatoes in Spain (2) - the Andalucian trip report

If you followed my earlier thread I hope this title makes sense.

Thankfully we arrived home safely from our six days in Andalucia. Straight forward boiled or mashed potatoes were not easily found but luckily my doctor sent me on the trip with special nutrient supplements that had the right amount of carbs. So, mealtimes started with me having the ‘special drink’ and then having something light e.g. a salad whilst my wife FULLY enjoyed the local food. I wasn’t one bit jealous though as I was very pleased that we managed to get there bearing in mind the nightmare weeks before the trip.

I was sure then I was not going to be well enough but I was determined to go. Boy, was I determined. Only needed to consult a doctor once (in Seville) and his number was given to me by my own physician should I need some treatment. And I did.

Anyway, enough about me and more about the trip. The vacation was arranged and organized for us by a Spanish-based tour agency that listened to our requirements and built the trip around those. It needed to be brought forward by 3 weeks for medical reasons as I have more treatment due to start again next week but they planned the changes and the whole trip superbly and not once did any of their arrangements go wrong. They even had emailed all the hotels (only one couldn’t accommodate us do to the change in our dates) in advance of my special dietary requirements and explained exactly what I would need for breakfast. Each hotel came up with the goods too!

Our first night was in London where we tried our best to recover from jet-lag and the next morning we flew to Malaga. Waiting on us there was our taxi to drive us straight to Granada. The trip took almost 2 hours and the weather was dull and wet but that didn’t matter. We were finally in Spain and in the city we had so much looked forward to visiting during the long winter months.
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Old Apr 29th, 2007, 03:00 PM
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Our hotel there was the Casa del Capitel Nazari which is located in the most historical part of the city in the area right below the Alhambra. The hotel is a converted 16th century Renaissance palace, personal and charming with original beams, tiled floors and internal Andalucian courtyards and we loved it. Find their website and check out their rates. Unbelievably economic rates. The rooms are small and quirky which we loved and all had A/C, mini-bar, TV etc. Very, very pleasant and filling breakfast and coffee on tap all day and night.

The remainder of the first day we just explored the medieval Albaicin district where the hotel was located. Great shopping opportunities, plenty of restaurants and the whole area make you very aware of how old and important the city is.

On the morning of our second day we enjoyed very much a 2 hour guided tour that had been arranged for us by the tour operator. The young guide almost re-retraced the route we had done ourselves the previous day but this time we learned so much of what we had strolled past the day before. In the afternoon we visited the Alhambra. Again we already had a reservation courtesy of the tour operator.

I’ve traveled to many places in this world but the Alhambra left me stunned. I don’t think I have ever walked through such beautiful gardens and the crowing glory, the Nazrid was breathtaking. I cannot think of a better word to describe it. We were fortunate that the sun had appeared just as we arrived at the Alhambra and stayed with us for the rest of that day. That in itself almost added a special magic to the Alhambra, its gardens and the spectacular views of the city.

That evening we ate at a small restaurant close to the hotel. Well, I drank my supplement but my wife assures me the food was beautifully cooked and was delicious. Maybe we were lucky in finding the restaurants that suited our budget but not one we ate at was disappointing or too expensive. We averaged between 40 and 50 euro for two for dinner.
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Old Apr 29th, 2007, 03:02 PM
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Our taxi collected us promptly the next morning and we caught the train to Seville. With all our train trips on this vacation, the tour operator had provided us in advance with the rail tickets so we already knew what coach and what seats we had to find. The journey took close to 3 hours but was enjoyable. It is the first time I have ever been on a train where the conductor handed out books to everyone about the railways which included short stories and poems all railways related. Also, everyone was given free ear-plugs that when connected up allowed us to listen to some very pleasant music. All this in tourist class too!

When we arrived in Seville the first thing that hit us hard was the heat. Even in very late April it was very hot. The second thing that hit us was the colorful traditional outfits worn by both men and women as this was the week of the Feria. That festival followed us around all over the city those two days and the colors and atmosphere were wonderful. For us, it was so unusual to see such fantastic horse and carriages all day and night throughout the city. We felt very fortunate we had visited the city at their special time. Again, out pre-arranged taxi was waiting for us to transport us to our hotel.

Our hotel in Seville was the Montecarlo which is a converted gentrys house in the very centre of the city. It has an internal Andaluz patio and is located near to the river and just a 5 minute walk from the cathedral. Again we loved our hotel. Perfectly chosen as per our wishes, another quirky hotel and our room was perfect. Again, find their website and check their rates. I can assure you this is such a value-for-money hotel; unbelievably rated at the lower end of the usual price-scale. Out room had A/C, T/V and one of the biggest bathrooms we found on the trip. Great breakfast with waiter service too.

We arrived in Seville at 2.30pm and already had bullfight tickets arranged for us and that started at 6pm. We had a quick exploration of the surrounding area before heading off to the bullring which was no more than about 8 minutes from the hotel. The heat, tightly packed crowds of folks and the general ‘heavy’ atmosphere of the place made this my worst evening. I began to feel ill after about 55 minutes and we had to leave. The symptoms I had before leaving home had returned.
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Old Apr 29th, 2007, 03:03 PM
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I called the physician whose number had been given to me back home and he kindly visited the hotel and gave me an injection which helped a lot. In a way I regret not being able to last the whole 3 hours at the bullfight as the atmosphere was different to anything I’d experienced before but it just was not to be.

I should mention it was our first ever visit to a bullfight and now, for me I really CAN comment about whether or not it is a suitable thing to see. I will not go to another but that’s my decision. It is an important part of Spanish culture and I would never insult my hosts by criticizing it.

Day 2 in Seville started with a pre-booked walking tour of the city which was marvelous. The guide was superb and I loved the way he delivered it. We traveled to all of the important city centre historical locations ending in the ancient Jewish quarter. If you ever visit Seville you must go there. A maze of little streets, lots of restaurants and all-in-all an aged and beautiful part of the city to visit.

In the afternoon we had nothing arranged so spent it strolling through the streets, taking lots of rest to have a coffee and in the early evening we again ate in a local restaurant. The cost this time around was only 35 euro and, my wife tells me, the meal was wonderfully tasty. That brought a smile to my face….not. I had had such bad nausea since the injection the previous evening that I could hardly bear the smell of it.

The next morning our taxi took us to the station to catch out train to Cordoba. This was an express and took only about 40 minutes. This city was a little disappointing for me and I still can’t figure out why.

Our hotel here was the Gonzalez which is a converted palace and the ancestral home of the Cordoban painter Romero de Torres. It is located in the medieval juderia of Cordoba, just 40metres from the Mezquita. Another quirky little hotel also exactly as we had requested. Big rooms with all the usual facilities and again, amazingly good rates. The lady on reception though could do with a few months in a charm school. She was not exactly the most welcoming but, hey, we were only there for one night.
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Old Apr 29th, 2007, 03:05 PM
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We spent about 3 hours or so in and around the Mezquita. It was very interesting. Dark and dull internally but still interesting. I think. To be frank, perhaps Granada and the Alhambra spoiled us as I expected more of the ancient Mosque and the town itself that I found to be full of little shops selling cheap to produce but expensive to buy tat.

If we had to do it all again then I think a day-trip from Seville would be enough. The worst meal of the trip and the most expensive was in Cordoba. Perhaps that also helped cloud our thoughts on the place.

The next morning we found our seats on the train that was taking us to Malaga for one night before returning to London to catch our flight home. I thought the scenery our train passed through was spectacular on the 2 hour journey. Again, books and headphones were provided free by the railway crew.

Arriving in Malaga just after lunch our pre-arranged taxi drove us straight to The Hotel Larios, a boutique hotel in the very centre of old Malaga. The hotel is decorated in Art deco style and is the favourite haunt of Malaga’s famous son, Antonio Banderas, when in town.

A very modern hotel and very different to those we had stayed in on our trip but its location and style were superb. Very, very nice and efficient staff, huge bedrooms, stylishly furnished with possibly the biggest bedroom TV I’ve ever watched. I would go back here in an instant.

We really only had an afternoon and evening in Malaga so we started off by walking down towards the sea and along to Malaga’s own little beach which was quiet but very pleasant. From there we walked back to town, passed the castle on the hill and straight into Malaga Old Town.

Again, plenty of old streets to wander around which we did for a few hours before finding a restaurant for dinner. This time it was in the more modern part of town, and very, very good.

Malaga surprised me. I liked it a lot. The major streets are closed to cars, it felt like a working town, but it was surprisingly refreshing, stylish and enjoyable.

After a very peaceful sleep our taxi collected us and quickly delivered us at the airport. The flight back to London was on time, we connected without a problem and now we are home.

Many times in the last 8 weeks I thought I would never make this journey but I did. We did. Every single minute of it was a joy. Now all I have to do is start planning another trip. It might be Andalucia again – I would not hesitate to return.
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Old Apr 29th, 2007, 03:17 PM
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Thanks so much for sharing this trip report. I am sure there are many who followed your story before you left and who will be glad to hear you made the trip to which you were looking forward so much. It sounds like a fun and active trip. A real testament to perseverance.
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Old Apr 29th, 2007, 03:43 PM
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i am so glad you were able to fulfill your dream of this trip.

It sounds like you were well prepared and hhad superb organization to make it all flow.

You have written a very smooth, easy to read report.

Thanks for sharing, and i hope you are feeling up to another jaunt soon!

I have taken note of your hotels as it is always fun to try new places.
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Old Apr 30th, 2007, 03:31 AM
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Joe, I am SO delighted you managed to take the trip. I know you have had a very difficult few months with your health and for that reason I am very, very impressed you fulfilled your wish.

I loved reading your trip report too - well done!

You take a lot of care of yourself and I hope the next phase of treatment works out Ok for you. Get more vacation planning started!!!

love milley
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Old Apr 30th, 2007, 03:55 AM
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Thanks for the report. Please, check your bills and post the names of the restaurants, especially the Cordoba and Malaga ones.
Regards.
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Old Apr 30th, 2007, 05:00 AM
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Hip hip Hooray! You made the trip ... fairly safe and sound...and you have a great time. Lovely report!
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Old Apr 30th, 2007, 05:27 AM
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I am delighted that your trip went well and I also very much enjoyed reading your great report about this very beautiful part of Spain.

You said you would get to Europe and you did, despite such serious and recent health problems. I’ll never complain about a headache again when travelling in too much sun!

An inspirational post and I thank you for that, sir. I am sure folks here who love Europe so much, will fully understand your determination to visit despite your difficulties.

Well done Joe and best regards to your wife who updated us not long after your treatment began. Make sure you now take some time to rest, reflect on your trip and start planning another.

Kind regards,

bill
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Old Apr 30th, 2007, 08:16 AM
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Joe, you did it !!! I'm soooo glad to hear from you. Great trip report, I hope next time you will be able to try the food and enjoy it as much as your wife did
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Old Apr 30th, 2007, 04:52 PM
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I remember your initial post, and am so glad you have posted a trip report. Sounds like a great trip!

Thanks--and congratulations.
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Old May 1st, 2007, 12:15 AM
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Thanks to everyone for your messages.

We had a great trip and there are no regrets about doing it. I think our next will be to Greece so at least I've now another schedule to start planning.

Josele, I am sorry but all our meals were paid for in cash and we didn't keep any bills. I apologise but I coulnd't even give you any names of the restaurants we used. I'll remember to take note of those when I do my NEXT report.

I need to get sleep but my body-clock has gone nuts. Ah well, at least it's great to say that I'm suffering from jet-leg!!!!!

Joe
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Old May 7th, 2007, 06:33 AM
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Terrific report. It sounds like you had things well under control in that it was well prepared.

I think that many people can learn from you too. In addition to your great attitude re your medical situation it is clear that you approach Spain with a positive and open minded outlook.

Look forward to hearing about Greece!


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Old Jan 5th, 2009, 04:11 PM
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