There’s a whole lot more to Spain than the sun, sea and sand of the costas, the fish ‘n’ chips, the English pubs and Irish bars. Here are three guided trip destinations in Spain you won’t forget even if you live to be a hundred and ten, each a luscious visual and intellectual treat. Prepare yourself for some Spanish magic. Let’s travel.
Awesome Alhambra Palace
You’ll find the Alhambra palace, fortress and citadel in Granada, 800 years old and a truly dramatic sight. West of the city, set high on Sabika hill, its strategic value is clear, with fabulous views of Granada, the plains beyond and the distant mountains. The towering reddish walls and towers cast huge shadows on the landscape and at sunset and dusk it is simply breathtaking. In 1984 the site was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status, a well-deserved accolade. This place really is remarkable.
In the same way the Romans left Britain, the invading Moors eventually left Spain. This is the only surviving royal territorial centre of the Islamic Golden Age, whose final dynasty headed the last surviving Islamic kingdom in Western Europe. Surrounded by over a mile of defensive walls, the palace covers an impressive 26 acres and features 30 towers.
The Darro River in its deep ravine lies to the north, separating Sabika from the Albaicín where the invaders lived, now the medieval part of Granada. There’s the lovely Generalife Garden to explore, on the nearby charmingly named Hill of the Sun, farmed with crops and livestock as well as a place of rest for Muslim royalty.
As time went by more fortifications were added. But it wasn’t until the 11th century that the Zirid Dynasty settled here. In 1238 Mohammed the First took a shine to the old fort on Sabika hill and decided to build a new palace there. It ultimately took an entire dynasty of his descendants to complete the grand project.
Towers, keeps and watch towers, warehouses or and barracks, walls and ramparts, the Grand Mosque and public baths, the dynasty carried on embellishing their remarkable settlement through the ages. The Patio of the Lions, Justice Gate, Comares Room and Hall of the Boat followed. Then, in 1492, King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile conquered Granada, unifying Spain under a Catholic monarchy. It marked the end of Islamic rule and the last Nasrid ruler fled.
A powerful desire for change following centuries of oppression followed, with part of the old complex replaced by a Renaissance-style palace, Emperor’s Chambers, Queen’s Dressing Room, a church to replace the mosque, and more. Slowly and steadily the personality of the Alhambra changed.
Roll time forwards to 1812 and the French blew some of the towers off during the Peninsular War. Later in the 1800s repairs began under the instruction of the king, who employed the architect José Contreras, then his son and grandson, to bring the place back to its former glory.
These days, as far as eye candy goes, the Alhambra palace is hard to beat. History oozes from every stone. There are cool courtyards and sparkling fountains, serene pools and intricate carved stonework, stunning tiling and huge palms, misty towers, archways and crenulations, and a series of exotic vistas to die for. Plus the elegant city itself to discover.
Gaudi’s extraordinary Barcelona mosaics
Antoni Plàcid Guillem Gaudí i Cornet, whose name is as complex and lovely as his mosaics, was born in 1852. A naturally talented artist, he studied architecture in Barcelona before taking to mosaic like a duck to water. His long, distinguished career as an architect, designer and creator saw him making countless unique, rule-breaking buildings.
Think Gaudi and you automatically think ‘curves’. Modernist architecture rejected sharp edges and corners in favour of a natural feel, asymmetry, decoration and fine detail. But while it’s loved the world over today, Gaudi’s work wasn’t popular at the time. Many years after he died he finally became recognised and appreciated. Now, at last, he’s regarded as world-class, as Barcelona’s beloved master of Catalan Modernism.
Gaudi’s extraordinary buildings are known worldwide as top tourist attractions. It’d take you a week to see everything he designed and made. There’s Gaudi everywhere in the city along with a choice of really good museums and exhibitions to explore. And there’s an exciting choice of guided walking tours as well as visits to Casa Batlló, Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Milà, Casa Vicens, and more Modernisme creations.
The Sagrada Família is widely recommended as Gaudi’s his masterpiece and Casa Batlló probably comes a close second. In total there are seven Gaudi attractions in the city’s UNESCO designation: Park Güell, Palau Güell, Casa Milà, Casa Vicens, Gaudí’s work on the Nativity façade, the crypt of La Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló and the Crypt at Colonia Güell.
From the outside it’s free to look at the Sagrada Família, Casa Calvet, Casa Milà, Casa Batlló and visit the fountain and pergola at Güell Estate, his magical lamp posts, the mosaic in Church of Sant Pacià and more. Other Gaudi destinations are paid-for – and they can be expensive. You can always see inside for free via online interactive video and VR.
Spain’s dramatic Pyrenees
The Pyrenees stretch more than 250 miles from Navarre through Aragon to Catalonia, a perfect natural border. More than 200 of the mountains are more than 3000m high, making it an experience packed with natural drama and grandeur. In winter there’s skiing, sledging and snow shoe hikes in stunning surroundings. Raft down a river if you like. In summer it’s a hiking haven with endless walks to enjoy including the famous GR 11 route, 500 miles or so of sheer scenic heaven.
Two national parks sit like jewels along the way, the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Mauriciin Lleida and the Ordesa y Monte Perdido in Huesca, rich in wildlife and breathtakingly lovely. Rock climbers love it here, mountaineers adore it, and the views from the peaks of Aneto, Maladeta and Pica d’Estats are some of the finest of all.
Quaint Pyrenean villages await you, with charming local festivals to join in with at places like Navarre’s Roncal valley and Burgui village. Ansó has an amazing Romanesque church. The square in the village of Aínsa is like going back in time. And Benasque, the gateway to the Posets-Maladeta National Park, has the most mountains over 3000m, another visual feast.
The Catalan Pyrenees offer delights like Lleida and Girona villages, each uniquely lovely. There are fine Romanesque paintings to admire in Boí and Taüll and the old quarter in Bellver de Cerdanya village is picturesque beyond imagining. Girona offers Camprodon, whose Puente Nuevo over the Ter river is the ultimate in shareable images. Then there’s the Boi Valley with its UNESCO World Heritage churches, towering peaks and high altitude meadows, alpine forests and glacial lakes.
Visit the village of La Roca on top of its dizzying cliff in the Garrotxa volcanic zone. Go to Ordino, whose summer cable car delivers splendid aerial views. Explore Lanuza on the edge of a beautiful lake reflecting the vast peaks above. And discover Panticosa, a spa town whose pure mountain waters were once thought to cure every ill.
Besalu Bridge is only a day trip away from Barcelona, set in the foothills of the Pyrenees in one of the region’s best-preserved medieval villages. Portbou is set between the foothills and the Mediterranean coast. Medieval Barruera straddles the border between Catalonia and Aragon, in a landscape of wildflower flower meadows, dense forests and enormous snowy mountains… and there’s so much more.
So there you are. Three irresistible Spanish destinations for guided travel adventures. And they’re only the tip of the iceberg in a country as fascinatingly ancient as it is sizzlingly modern. We hope you enjoy the experience!
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