GOODBYE GRANADA HELLO CORDOBA

Spain has something unique & special amidst it's myriad of accommodation for travellers.  It made a very smart decision to transform historic & run-down buildings of significance into Govt run Hotels.  Parador de Granada is one & I have wanted to stay here for a looooooonnnnnnnnggggg time!  It is a treat to be in the Alhambra complex itself, but even more so, to be constantly aware of the historical significance of the building & site we are staying in. It's like being in a museum!

After the Conquest, Queen Isabella had this former Nasrid palace destroyed & then gave the site to the Franciscans. They proceeded to build their monastery around & on the remains. When Isabella died, it was her wish to be buried here.  The irony...to me...is that she was buried underneath what is now the last remains of the Nasrid plasterwork of the former palace!  Years later her remains were removed to the Capilla Reale .

From our bedroom window we could see the General Life Gardens, a view I'd be happy to wake up to every morning!

Before we left we spent some time wandering around the Hotel & sat in the gardens listening to the birds & the gentle blur of tourist voices on the paths below. It was bliss before a long train journey!

Leaving Granada we had KILOMETERS of spotty hills out our train window, predominantly carefully planted olive trees.

Cordoba was our next destination & another 're-visit'.  We came here as a day trip from Seville on our visit 10 years ago & I had a particularly bad experience in the Mezquita, so I wanted to return & see it in a calm & peaceful frame of mind! 

Our Hotel was a 10minute walk away from the historic centre & along the way, we enjoyed the sunny nature of traditionally painted houses of white with mustard yellow trim.

We reacquainted ourselves with the layout of the land, revisiting old friends like the Roman bridge & water wheel.

It was the first night we felt up to trying Tapas...even if we were earlier to eat than most...our jet lag is gradually abating!  What wonderful taste sensations! We dined on mushroom croquettes, goat & chickpea stew, ratatouille with fried egg & our absolute favourite, deep fried aubergine in a sauce of Pedro Ximenez & sesame seeds.  We washed this down with our favourite...Rioja & then were given a glass of Pedro X to try . As a result...I can now confirm....we've become sherry drinkers! Chilled & raisiny it was an elixir with which to end the meal.  I was licking my lips all the way back to the Casa!!