I’ve heard such great things about the Alhambra and really want to go. That’s too bad that all the tourists detracted from it though.
Your photo of tostados and tomate just brought back happy memories of breakfast in Spain for me! That’s my favorite to eat in the morning there, and seeing it is convincing me I need to try and recreate it at home very soon!
Rosemary Kneipp
February 5th, 2015 at 8:26 pm
I, too, had heard many great things about the Alhambra. I hope you won’t be disappointed as I was!
I’m not sure I’d eat tostados and tomate in France, but I like the way that do it in Spain.
Doesn’t read like an entirely happy excursion? Most of Spain of course is very cold in the winter and one wonders in the Alhambra how its original Moorish inhabitants stuck it out with so little in the way of protection – and come to that, with so little privacy. The same question arises in the Mughal palaces of India where although cold is not a problem the acres of beautifully-decorated interconnecting space and absence of any furniture seem distressingly uncomfortable. But what we’re seeing are really only empty shells, the rich fabrics and curtainings and accoutrements have long since vanished and if we can transpose those imaginatively the picture would look quite different. Driven from Grenada, Boabdil it is said looked back on his lost paradise and wept. The Alhambra is perhaps the most exquisite example of ‘Arabic’ architecture in the world and the “repetitiveness” is actually part of its charm, worldly symmetry in imitation of heavenly order. The grand palace put up next to it by Carlos V by comparison looks lumpish and pompous.
Rosemary Kneipp
February 5th, 2015 at 8:29 pm
When we booked our trip on 31st December, Andalusia seemed very promising! I think I’ll have to stop looking for sun and a bit of warmth in February in Europe.
I really do think the Alhambra must be more attractive under a blue sky and at least 10°C! The warmer rooms were smaller and on the upper levels, it seems. The Alhambra has been so remodelled over the years that it probably doesn’t look anything like the original, even though I am sure it is the most exquisite example of Arabic architecture in the world.
Anna Grigorova
February 4th, 2015 at 4:10 pm
I am so glad,Rosemary, you were able to enjoy Granada and Alhambra!
Looking forward to read your new impressions.
After my bad flu,we managed to travel in November.For me Sicily is a wonderful place to explore and we visited 8 towns during two weeks.
Rosemary Kneipp
February 5th, 2015 at 8:30 pm
I think November must be a better time for travelling than February – I’ll keep that in mind!
It doesn’t sound like you had the greatest day at Alhambra, Rosemary. The gardens there are high on my ‘must-visit’ list – I guess they would be quite lovely in Spring and Summer but no doubt there would be even more tourists then!
Rosemary Kneipp
February 5th, 2015 at 8:32 pm
No, Carolyn, not the greatest day at the Alhambra, although I had been looking forward to it. Make sure you go when the weather is fine and warm enough to enjoy it – and don’t come down with the flu first!
Incidentally, as regards a bit of warmth and as an Australian who’s never acclimatized to a European winter, when the rest of France was freezing Nice and Menton were like Paradise in February. With a bit of luck of course …..
Rosemary Kneipp
February 7th, 2015 at 5:01 pm
You know, I keep looking at the photos posted by Phoebe from Lou Messugo who lives in Nice, and telling myself the same thing. That is the place to be in winter. I don’t know why I try to go any further.
[…] am, with people having a break from the office. Tea or coffee, freshly-squeezed orange juice and a tostada (toasted bread) spread with tomato pulp and olive oil, butter or just olive oil are always offered. […]
[…] We get up very late and have a full breakfast, including tostadas, which we were introduced to in Grenada in January. By the time we’re finished, it’s after twelve and we are due at the local […]
The Alhambra in particular looks amazing.
But disappointing inside!
I’ve heard such great things about the Alhambra and really want to go. That’s too bad that all the tourists detracted from it though.
Your photo of tostados and tomate just brought back happy memories of breakfast in Spain for me! That’s my favorite to eat in the morning there, and seeing it is convincing me I need to try and recreate it at home very soon!
I, too, had heard many great things about the Alhambra. I hope you won’t be disappointed as I was!
I’m not sure I’d eat tostados and tomate in France, but I like the way that do it in Spain.
Doesn’t read like an entirely happy excursion? Most of Spain of course is very cold in the winter and one wonders in the Alhambra how its original Moorish inhabitants stuck it out with so little in the way of protection – and come to that, with so little privacy. The same question arises in the Mughal palaces of India where although cold is not a problem the acres of beautifully-decorated interconnecting space and absence of any furniture seem distressingly uncomfortable. But what we’re seeing are really only empty shells, the rich fabrics and curtainings and accoutrements have long since vanished and if we can transpose those imaginatively the picture would look quite different. Driven from Grenada, Boabdil it is said looked back on his lost paradise and wept. The Alhambra is perhaps the most exquisite example of ‘Arabic’ architecture in the world and the “repetitiveness” is actually part of its charm, worldly symmetry in imitation of heavenly order. The grand palace put up next to it by Carlos V by comparison looks lumpish and pompous.
When we booked our trip on 31st December, Andalusia seemed very promising! I think I’ll have to stop looking for sun and a bit of warmth in February in Europe.
I really do think the Alhambra must be more attractive under a blue sky and at least 10°C! The warmer rooms were smaller and on the upper levels, it seems. The Alhambra has been so remodelled over the years that it probably doesn’t look anything like the original, even though I am sure it is the most exquisite example of Arabic architecture in the world.
I am so glad,Rosemary, you were able to enjoy Granada and Alhambra!
Looking forward to read your new impressions.
After my bad flu,we managed to travel in November.For me Sicily is a wonderful place to explore and we visited 8 towns during two weeks.
I think November must be a better time for travelling than February – I’ll keep that in mind!
So sad that the day was so dismal in all ways. No new post this morning. Do hope you haven’t succumbed to the flu again.
Yes it was dismal and disappointing. I began a new post last night but in the end, didn’t get it finished.
It doesn’t sound like you had the greatest day at Alhambra, Rosemary. The gardens there are high on my ‘must-visit’ list – I guess they would be quite lovely in Spring and Summer but no doubt there would be even more tourists then!
No, Carolyn, not the greatest day at the Alhambra, although I had been looking forward to it. Make sure you go when the weather is fine and warm enough to enjoy it – and don’t come down with the flu first!
[…] ← Sunny Spain and the Alhambra […]
Incidentally, as regards a bit of warmth and as an Australian who’s never acclimatized to a European winter, when the rest of France was freezing Nice and Menton were like Paradise in February. With a bit of luck of course …..
You know, I keep looking at the photos posted by Phoebe from Lou Messugo who lives in Nice, and telling myself the same thing. That is the place to be in winter. I don’t know why I try to go any further.
[…] am, with people having a break from the office. Tea or coffee, freshly-squeezed orange juice and a tostada (toasted bread) spread with tomato pulp and olive oil, butter or just olive oil are always offered. […]
[…] We get up very late and have a full breakfast, including tostadas, which we were introduced to in Grenada in January. By the time we’re finished, it’s after twelve and we are due at the local […]