Córdoba, March 4
La Mezquita de Córdoba, España
On Tuesday morning we met bright and early at La Fundación, where I take classes, to board the bus to Córdoba! We will be spending the week traveling through the south of Spain in the region known as Andalucía.
After a 3-hour bus ride we arrived in Córdoba. We walked across a bridge toward the town that was full of light shades of brown and orange castles and buildings. We were given free time to walk around and explore. Afterward we took a tour of La Mezquita, which consisted of unique stone-striped columns that reminded me of Candy Land. Córdoba is the smallest of the cities we will be visiting, but it was definitely a beautiful one to start with.
Sevilla, March 4-5
La Plaza de España
Next we boarded the bus and drove 3 hours to Sevilla, where we spent 2 nights. Once we got there we had a free night, when we explored and went out to dinner at a great Mexican restaurant, Amor a La Mexicana.
The next morning we woke up for a walking tour of Sevilla. We were so excited to have wonderful weather in the 60s and the sun shining down on us. First we went to La Plaza de España of Sevilla and walked around. I LOVE this place. I had been here 4 years ago when I traveled to Spain with a group from my high school, and it was just as beautiful as I remembered it!
After learning about the history of the Plaza, we toured Parque de Maria Luisa, a unique and lush park full of winding gardens and meadows, and La Catedral de Sevilla. We climbed to the top of La Catedral to see the view of the city. That night we went to a Flamenco show at Casa de La Memoria. Flamenco is an important part of Spanish culture, a chance to express poem in the form of song and dance. It was interesting to see what a serious art form it is for them.
I absolutely love Sevilla. Not sure how much of my love has to do with the fact that we had great weather, but I’m thinking that if I wasn’t studying in Madrid, I would want to be there.
Granada, March 6-7
La Alhambra
Thursday morning we got back on the bus to travel to Granada. I had never been there but had learned about it in grade school Spanish classes so was excited to go. Upon arrival we checked into the hotel and went to a group lunch at Mirador de Morayma, a restaurant with exquisite views of La Alhambra.
Next we took a walking tour of Granada with an eccentric tour guide who insisted we also learn how to Flamenco along the way. Once we were done we were so impressed by the beautiful city and decided to climb up to La Plaza de San Nicolaus, which is at the top of the mountain and serves as a viewing point to watch the sun set over La Alhambra. This was one of those PINCH ME beautiful moments. I seriously am enamored with La Alhambra and was so excited to tour it the next day!
The next morning we packed up our bags and spent our last day as a group touring La Alhambra. This was my favorite tour of my time in Europe thus far. Once again we got lucky with the weather and I was taken aback by the beauty of La Alhambra. Beautiful gardens, fountains and stone architecture overlooking mountains that seem to go on as far as the eye can see? I’ll take it.