The Alhambra is always a highlight. It's just difficult to put into words exactly what it is to someone who has never seen it before. It is, as several people throughout the day mentioned, the kind of place you could easily spend several days in, and never take the same picture twice. We met Rosa at the entrance to the Alhambra, and started into the fortress grounds right away. The group being gardeners, we decided to hold off on the Generalife gardens until after visiting the palaces, so that we could have more time. So we began our visit with the Alcazaba fortress and the old city, first crossing over the original aqueduct that brought water from 6km up the mountain directly into the palaces. The Alhambra is a site in constant renovation, and Rosa explained as we saw the archaeological dig the problems they have had in balancing everything. We stopped in a small shop to get a first hand explication about how the Moors made their intricate inlaid wooden objects from a local craftsman before heading through the Portal de Vino into the most visible part (from the exterior), the towers and the fortress. From up top on the towers you have a panoramic view over the city of Granada, tucked in beneath the Alhambra and rising up the Albaicin on the other side. But the true treasure of the Alhambra awaited us in the Nazrine Palaces.
Rosa led us through the Nasrid Palaces expertly, and not just because of her obvious knowledge and passion for what she does. The Alhambra receives over 8000 visitors a day, and the palaces are not usually a sea of tranquility for people. But as we walked through the various rooms, she kept up away from the large groups and made the whole experience much more intimate than otherwise would have been possible. There is little one can say to explain the beauty of the palaces, even having been there before. It is truly one of those magical places.
After a quick return to the woodworker's store and a stop for coffee, we entered into the Generalife gardens. The gardens, which used to be used primarily for food, are beautifully maintained. And it's easy to imagine life in the summer palace, with it's spectacular central garden and fountains.
After saying goodbye to Rosa and heading back into town, we stopped again for a quick spot of tapas and then to freshen up a bit at the hotel. We met again at 4 to go over to the Cathedral and Royal Chapel, burial site of the Catholic Monarchs and their children. A visit to the Renaissance Cathedral and a stop by the spice shops followed before another stop for
churros con chocolate. As all of us wanted churros, the waiter brought us a "half a wheel" of churros along with the chocolate. It took a surprisingly short period of time to polish it off (admission: I am fairly certain I ate most of the wheel) and once more we returned to the hotel to rest up for dinner. Tonight was the
ir de tapas night, bouncing from one tapas bar to another to sample a selection of plates. As we began early by Granada standards for a Friday night (we met at 8:15 to get started), there wasn't much problem in finding places. Three hours, 5 restaurants and an evening full of laughter later, we called it a night.
For more information or for help planning your private guided tour in Spain, contact
The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.
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