episode #5 Andalucia - One Summer in Europe | One Summer in Europe

episode #5 – Andalucia

Posted on 03. May, 2009 by Ryan in Previous Episodes

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After a few days in the capital of Spain, it is time to leave Madrid and head deeper into Spain culturally and geographically: the region of Andalucia. We discover a wonderfully rich area full of exciting atmosphere and dramatic history that many people consider to be the most appealing part of Spain.

We highly recommend a 4-5 day journey through Cordoba, Sevilla, and Granada as a perfect side trip between Madrid and Barcelona. Many are in love with sensual Sevilla, but quite a few of us adore feisty and proud Granada even more.

On this episode, I talk about:

getting rid of Melissa back in Madrid (just kidding, she’ll be back next show)
why everybody should get beyond Madrid and Barcelona in Spain and consider visiting Andalucia
background info on Andalucia, a region once part of historic Al-Andalus, controlled for centuries by the Moors from Africa
how Al-Andalus prospered as one of the most advanced and wealthiest parts of Europe, until the Christians gradually reclaimed territory over the centuries during the Reconquista
spending a day in Cordoba, visiting the amazing Mezquita
sampling the lively atmosphere of Sevilla, including the largest Gothic church on earth
visiting Granada to see the mysterious and legendary palace fortress “Alhambra”, along with the still-present Moorish cultural influences
other places in Andalucia to visit if you have more time/interest: Malaga, Cadiz, and Tarifa as well as British Gibraltar and Moroccan Tangier (1 hour ferry from Tarifa)

TRANSPORT IN
RENFE (Spanish rail system)
AVE (high-speed train Madrid to Cordoba and Sevilla)

ACCOMMODATION
Cordoba (One Summer in Europe hostel and budget hotel (”hostal”) search)
Sevilla (OSIE search)
Granada (OSIE search)

SIGHTSEEING
La Mezquita (extraordinary mosque/cathedral of Cordoba)
The famous patios of Cordoba
Cathedral of Seville (3rd largest in world, resting place of Chris Columbus)
Alcazar (old royal palace/gardens of Seville)
Alhambra (the treasure of Granada)
Capilla Real (resting place of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand & Isabella)
Teterias (Moorish tea rooms of Granada)
Tapas in Granada (free with a drink purchase!)
One Summer in Europe (other miscellaneous sightseeing activities in Andalucia)

TRANSPORT OUT
RENFE (Spanish rail system)

So after a wonderful detour through Andalucia for a few days, we stop our southernly advance and turn around to head back east toward Barcelona, another simply great city to visit on our one summer in Europe…Melissa time to get a move on!

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