http://backpackpodcast.com One Summer in Europe - For those who wonder, for those who wander... Sat, 17 Dec 2011 23:34:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Welcome to One Summer in Europe, the backpacking Europe podcast. Join restless backpackers Ryan and Melissa on this ongoing podcast series as we simulate an extended budget trip around the must-see destinations in Europe, while offering real-world advice to help you create your own European travel adventure. We encourage listener questions and feedback to incorporate into the show, so listen in and tell us where you need help. Ryan Stuckey and Friends clean Ryan Stuckey and Friends questions@backpackpodcast.com questions@backpackpodcast.com (Ryan Stuckey and Friends) © 2009 Rakasa Worldwide, Inc. One Summer in Europe - the backpacking Europe podcast backpacking europe, backpacking podcast, europe podcast, travel europe, hostel, europe trains, summer in europe, europe itinerary, budget travel, http://backpackpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/valid-rss.png http://backpackpodcast.com http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/05/episode-5-andalucia/ http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/05/episode-5-andalucia/#comments Sun, 03 May 2009 00:46:43 +0000 Ryan http://backpackpodcast.com/?p=187 http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/05/episode-5-andalucia/feed/ 0 Alhambra,Andalucia,Backpacking Europe,Backpacking Europe Itinerary,Backpacking Podcast,Budget Travel Europe,Capilla Real,Cordoba,Europe on a Budget,Europe Podcast,Europe Railpass,Granada 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 peopl... 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! Ryan Stuckey and Friends clean