“Those Who Haven’t Seen the Alhambra, Haven’t Seen Anything”

I was able to live out this old Spanish saying this past weekend, in Granada.  Friday, after classes, a few friends and I hopped on a bus and traveled some three hours to see the Alhambra and everything Granada had to offer.

Let’s rewind a bit.

My friends and I chose Granada because we thought it would be an easy “practice run” in preparation for our future trips.  Little did we know that no matter how close or far a location, how expensive or inexpensive, planning a trip required LOTS of work. And I mean A LOT. There was a time, last week, when I began thinking being a travel agent was my full time job. Everything from booking transportation to hostels to activities needed meticulous detailing. Nonetheless, it was an informative crash course in adulthood and traveling.

Back in Granada, CR, AJ and I settled into our hostel at 10PM on Friday night.  We picked an ideal location just seconds away from the Alhambra Palace.  Afterwards, we took a long walk (downhill) in search for a late dinner. On our way up (a very large, steep hill), we noticed how fortunate we were to be lodging right on top of a mountain, overlooking all of Granada.  The lit-up town was beautiful from where we were standing.

 The next morning, our group was reunited for an early morning tour of the Alhambra.  With very few people roaming around the palace at 9:30AM, we pretty much had the palace to ourselves for five solid hours. 

The Alhambra, in all its magnificence was much more of a colossal edifice than we had imagined. Starting off in the Nasrid Palaces, we made our way through the Mexuar, Comares and Palace of the Lions – each built in three different time periods by various Muslim rulers. Next, we explored through one of the oldest parts in the Alhambra, Alcazaba, an area used for military purposes in the 14^th and 15^th centuries.  Here, we climbed up the Round Tower and the Watch Tower (each with calculated heights enhancing the strategic location of the Alhambra) and allowed ourselves to enjoy the breathtaking view.

After making our way through the luscious Generalife (plant life), we headed toward Plaza Nueva, the center of Granada.  Bubbling with life and personality, Plaza Nueva was the nucleus of diversity and artistic creativity.  Displaying handcrafted tile mirrors, carved wooden pieces and intricate jewelry, the stores and people of Granada retold the age old story of how Muslims, Christians and Jews lived in harmony under Muslim Rule. 



HI MOM! This is the closest I got to the Court of the Lions since it was closed for restoration.

Aside from visiting the Alhambra, I had the opportunity to visit the chapel where Queen Isabel and King Fernando are buried, shop in Espana’s most high end stores and enjoy the most delicious FREE tapas (a tradition throughout Granada), all weekend long.