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for more exploring.
Our exploration of Spain, which occupies most of the
Iberian Peninsula, focused primarily on the southern regions of the country.
We began touring in the Andalusian capital of Seville.
Here we admired its rich architecture which encompasses both Roman
architecture and Moorish influences along with classic Gothic structures.
We went to the Cathedral to view Columbus’ tomb.
For those of you who are opera lovers, we also went to the university to
see a fine Baroque building that formerly was the tobacco factory of Carmen
fame. We also went to the bull ring also made famous by Carmen.
We next toured Morocco (please see that section) before
visiting the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located on the North African side of the
Straits of Gibraltar. It was a
wonderful return to European culture despite being on the African continent.
We went back to mainland Spain via ferry to Gibraltar.
Gibraltar remains a British protectorate but there are talks about
returning the area to the Spanish. The
Gibraltar residents we met were adamantly opposed to joining Spain as they view
themselves as British. It was
evident in language (English), customs and food.
We next went to the Costa del Sol region.
As in southern Portugal, this area of southern Spain is primarily a beach
resort area. So, we relaxed and
enjoyed 3PM lunches of paella, a truly Spanish treat!
Our next destination was Granada with its renowned
Alhambra. The Alhambra is a citadel
planned in the 9th - 13th century under various Moorish ruler. Truly spectacular!
We then went north to the town of Toledo.
En route we enjoyed the landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha.
Toledo, one of our favorite places in Spain, is the ancient Castilian
capital. It’s ancient city is
truly spectacular! It houses
Moorish buildings, a gothic cathedral and Santo Tome, which boasts of having one
of El Greco’s most famous
paintings.
We ended our trip in Madrid. It’s a beautiful city with lovely plazas and public areas.
We saw many monuments, the parliament buildings and the grand avenues.
A highlight was a visit to the Prado Museum with its priceless art
treasures.
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SEVILLE
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PLAZA DE ESPANA |
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SPECTACULAR CATHEDRAL OF SEVILLE |
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SANTA CRUZ DISTRICT |
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MAIN BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF SEVILLE |
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PLAZA DE TORRES |
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FLAMENCO SHOW A LOCAL ART FORM |
CEUTA
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CATHEDRAL AT CEUTA, SPAIN A SPANISH ENCLAVE ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT |
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15th CENTURY FORTIFICATIONS & MOAT |
GIBRALTAR
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GIBRALTAR AS SEEN FROM CEUTA |
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ROCK OF GIBRALTAR AS WE APPROACH THE COAST |
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LIGHTHOUSE OF GIBRALTAR 14.5 MILES FROM THE AFRICAN CONTINENT |
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ST. MICHAEL'S CAVERNS LIMESTONE CAVERN INSIDE THE |
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MACAQUES OR BARBARY APES OF GIBRALTAR LEGEND SAYS AS LONG AS THE APES ARE |
COSTA DEL SOL
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RESORT TOWN OF TORREMOLINAS WITH THE CITY OF MALAGA ACROSS THE BAY |
GRANADA
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THE ALHAMBRA ("RED CASTLE") ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF MOORISH |
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MOORISH GATE ONE OF THE ENTRANCES TO THE ALHAMBRA |
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OLDEST BUILDING WITHIN THE ALHAMBRA 9th CENTURY CASTLE |
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LAST BUILDING BUILT IN THE ALHAMBRA BUILT IN THE 14th CENTURY; IT TOOK |
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REFLECTING POOL IN THE ALHAMBRA |
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INTERIOR COURTYARD OF THE ALHAMBRA |
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INTERIOR OF ONE OF THE ROOMS |
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CLOSE-UP OF WORK DONE IN |
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ONE OF THE ALHAMBRA GARDENS |
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ANOTHER GARDEN ALL
WATER IS FED BY GRAVITY USING |
TOLEDO
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OLD TOWN OF TOLEDO ON THE LEFT IS THE CATHEDRAL, ON THE |
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900 YEAR OLD ST. MARTIN BRIDGE ONE OF THE ENTRANCES TO THE OLD TOWN |
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FORMER MOSQUE IN THE OLD TOWN |
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BEAUTIFUL NARROW STREETS WITH |
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CATHEDRAL OF TOLEDO PERHAPS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CATHEDRAL IN |
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GOTHIC TOWER OF THE CATHEDRAL STANDING 300' TALL |
MADRID
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MONUMENT TO CERVANTES ONE OF SPAIN'S MOST FAMOUS WRITERS, |
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PRADO MUSEUM |