2003
By Birdways
Travel
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Click on a Circled City to go to that days Itinerary(Circled Cities are where we spent the night) |
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Seattle Washington |
Copenhagen Denmark |
Madrid Spain |
Madrid Spain |
m-m88.gif) Crest
of Madrid |
The
capital of Spain since 1562, is located on the geographic center of the
Iberian Peninsula. Because of its central location and high altitude,
the climate of Madrid is characterized by warm dry summers and cool winters.
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The Puerta del Sol is the heart of the city. This is in theory the starting
point of all roads in Spain (they call it the 'zero kilometer').The square
is also famous because on New Year's Eve, locals meet here to eat one grape
with each of the twelve clock's strokes. The tradition says that if you
are able to finish the twelve grapes before the last stroke you will have
good luck in the following months. |
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Zummo machines make the best orange juice because it doesn't crush the peel. It doesn't extract the oil from the peel. The juice doesn't pass over the peel. |
The Machine |
The Cutting mechanism |
| Bear Statue |  |
This statue weighs almost 20 tons! This statue is sometimes translated as the Bear and the Strawberry Tree. The Madroño tree (which sounds like Madrid) is not native to Madrid. And it is not a strawberry tree. The berries of the Madroño tree are red like strawberries. However they are very sweet and are really not good eaten raw (unlike strawberries), but are only good to eat when made into a jam. |
| Royal Palace | ||
| Palace Plaza de Canovas Del Castillo No. 5 Madrid, MDR 28014 Spain |
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| Prada Museum | ||
| CruzCampo Beer |  |
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Day 3 March 28 |
Took Metro subway (map
of metro) |
El Escorial SpainSan Lorenzo de El Escorial, 49 Km from Madrid by road and 1,000 mts. above sea level, is one of the former royal residences and in this case owes its universal fame to the famous Monastery which was built in there by King Felipe II. |
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Valley of the Fallen "Valle de los Caidos" The monument is an underground church and tomb topped with a 500 foot stone cross, which can be seen from a distance of 30 miles. Franco's impressive, yet controversial monument to the fallen heroes of the Spanish Civil War also took two decades to complete. It is sometimes referred to as "Franco's El Escorial;" Generalissimo is buried here behind the altar. First conceived as a tribute only to the Nationalists, it now includes the caidos (fallen) from both sides of the war. |
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Monasterio de San Lorenzo El Escorial's Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo is surely one of the most imposing architectural sights in all of Spain. Philip II ordered its construction in 1563 and it was completed 21 years later-a remarkably short time, given the massive scope of this granite and slate fortress. The monastery is renowned not only for its austerity and magnitude, but also for its collections of priceless paintings, rare books and the mausoleum where most of Spain's monarchs are buried. |
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Ávila Spain
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At the river Adaja's side at 1630 meters from sea level, Avila is the highest city of Spain and possesses the longest city walls which still today surround the city (with a longitude of 2,526 mtrs, with a medium height of 12 mtrs, and 3 mtrs thick). |
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Saint Vincent's Church is another perfect example of Avila's monuments. |
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Segovia SpainSegovia is a mediaeval city, like Toledo, but with a quite a different feel to it. Its main sights are the Roman aqueduct and the Alcazar, the Disney-like appearance of which belies its sinister past. It is gastronomically important as well - you must try the cochinillo, slow-roasted suckling pig. |
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Roast suckling Pig "Cochinillo Asado" Segovia's culinary claim to fame, roast suckling pig 21 days of mother's milk, into the oven, and onto your plate. (Nothing to write home about) |
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Segovia SpainLocated 60 miles north of Madrid, Segovia is one of Spain’s most beautiful and historically interesting sites, and has been designated a site of global significance by UNESCO While Segovia has many striking buildings and monuments, the most famous is probably the Roman Aqueduct that is still in working condition almost 2,000 years after its construction. Other favorites include the Alcázar, a medieval castle of cut stone built in the 11th century and rebuilt in the early and the Segovia Cathedral, begun in 1525 on orders of the Emperor Charles V and the last major Gothic edifice constructed in Spain. |
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One of the best preserved Roman constructions, the Roman Aqueduct at Segovia
was still in use as recently as 50 years ago. Constructed around AD 50
during the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan out of some 200,400 granite
blocks, the aqueduct was made without concrete and stands due to an equilibrium
of forces. When in use, it carried water from the River Frio to the city
of Segovia over a distance of 16km (ten miles). The portion of the aqueduct
that is above ground is 728m (2388ft) in length and consists of 165 arches,
each over 9m (30ft) high, which are spectacularly illuminated at night.
It is possible to climb a staircase next to the aqueduct to get views over
the structure itself as well as the city. |
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Plaza Mayor The Plaza Mayor is the heart of Segovia. It is dominated by the Ayuntamiento/City Hall, a 1610 granite building. The Iglesia de San Miguel is also in this plaza and here is where Isabel la Catolica was proclaimed Queen of Castilla. |
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The Cathedral of St. Mary is known as the Lady, and it is a great stone temple constructed upon the highest point of the city (at 1,006 mts. above sea level) at the Main Plaza of Segovia. Construction began in 1525, following a late gothic style; and was built after the stripping of the Old Cathedral which was of Romanic style, |
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This castle was built on the site of an old Arab stronghold, and is a good example of Spanish Gothic architecture. The rear façade of the castle has very slim, stone towers that rise high above the merlon topped walls. A fire ravaged much of the castle's interior in the mid-1800s, but it has been completely restored. |
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Salamanaca SpainThis ancient university town north-west of Madrid was first conquered by the Carthaginians in the 3rd century B.C. It then became a Roman settlement before being ruled by the Moors until the 11th century. The university, one of the oldest in Europe, reached its high point during Salamanca's golden age. The city's historic centre has important Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. The Plaza Mayor, with its galleries and arcades, is particularly impressive. |
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Plaza Mayor (main square) was constructed in the 18th century by the architect Alberto Churriguera. Apart from being the heart of the town it is one of the most beautiful squares in Spain build in Baroque style. The building around the square houses the city counsel and inside the square are numerous cafés and restaurants where people can enjoy the atmosphere of Salamanca. |
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The cathedral in Salamanca consists of two cathedrals the old cathedral and the new cathedral. The construction of the old cathedral began in 1140 and took more than a century to conclude. In the beginning of the it was decided that Salamanca needed a bigger and more splendorous cathedral. This new cathedral was build in the same construction as the old one and was designed by the architects Antón de Egas and Alonso Rodriges. Due to the long period of time it took to finish the cathedral (more than 200 years) there was added other architectural styles to the original Gothic plans such as Renaissance elements. |
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West Portal of the Cathedral The cathedral's ornate facade includes an astronaut added by a whimsical restorer in 1993. Causing a furor when it was first noticed, it is now accepted by the locals, who say "After all, he is closest to God." We could not find the astronaut. |
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| Sub Sandwich at Pans and company |  |
David had a Chicken salad sandwich (he did not like it) |
Salamanaca SpainThe province of Salamanca (population 363.000), situated in the South-west corner of Castile & León on the borders with extremadura and Portugal, covers an area of 12,336 sq. km (4,763 sq. m.). Lying on Spain's Northern Plateau (meseta), it forms part of the Duero river |
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The original roman bridge built in the year 89 there are only 15
arcs left made of rustic granite. This bridge was an important part of
the Roman
silver route, which ran from Mérida to Astorga. There exists a newer
bridge, constructed at the beginning of our century, in honor of the one
constructed 19 centuries ago, on which a poster announced: "Attention,
Trucks over 18 tons use the Roman Bridge." |
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Ciudad Rodrigo SpainLittle has changed in Ciudad Rodrigo in the past 185 years. Its walls and fortifications are still intact and the city is a maze of narrow winding streets that would be familiar to the soldiers of the Light Division. |
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Cathedral |
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Plaza Mayor |
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Coimbra Portugal
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| Garden da Manga | |
| Jewish Ghetto | |
| University | |
| Street of Broken Ribs | |
| The Rooster from Barcelos has become a national symbol.
A young man was sentenced to be hanged for a crime he didn't commit. In this case, there was not enough doubt to do the accused any good. The judge received the young man in his own home and even served him a fried rooster. Once again, the man swore he did not commit this crime, and, probably inspired by his two favourite saints, he suddenly lifted his right hand's two swear fingers and exclaimed: "Honourable judge, by the Virgin Mary and the Holy John, I once again swear that I am innocent. If I lie, the rooster on that tray will stay where it is, but if I am telling the truth, it will rise and crow". In the same instant, the rooster was in its earlier feathers, standing up and crowing so it was heard all over Barcelos. The young man was immediately released. |
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| Ponte Santa Clara | |
Hotel Astoria A glorious 1926 hotel which has been beautifully restored to its original charm and atmosphere. Featuring delightful public areas furnished in the original Art Deco style, the hotel offers wonderful views over the University, the cathedral and the river Mondego. |
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Condeixa Portugal |
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This, the largest and most extensively excavated Roman site in Portugal, was on the Roman road between Lisbon (Olisipo) and Braga (Bracara Augusta). There is evidence of Roman habitation as early as the 2nd century BC, but it was under Augustus, from about 25 BC, that Conimbriga became a substantial town : baths, a forum and the aqueduct have been uncovered from this era. The finest buildings, however, date from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, and they provide a vivid image of a prosperous city. At Conimbriga is one of the largest houses discovered in western Roman empire. This opulent villa, known as the Casa de Cantaber, is built around ornamental pools in superb colonnaded gardens, with it´s own bath complex and a sophisticated floor heating system. A set of ducts did the heat transport below the massive floor. Some of the fine mosaics in the museum probably came from this huge residence The
Romans arrived in the 2nd Century A.D., conquering the Celtic inhabitants
and establishing a city that grew, flourished, and then fell victim to
barbarian invasions until Conimbriga's residents fled to nearby Coimbra
in 468. Archaeologists estimate that only 10 percent of the city has been
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Câmara Municipal da Nazaré PortugalSee a 360 degree view of Nazaré Nazaré is an old fishing village. In the old days, before the new harbour was built, the fishing boats were pulled on to the beach by oxen. Going out to sea they were pulled by hand to the surf until a favourable wave would take them out. Nazaré is divided in three parts, Pederneira, the old city centre, Praya (meaning beach) and Sitio, built on a a rock 110 m. above the old city. You can get to Sitio by funicular or by car, following the signs to Marinha Grande. From Sitio you'll have a wonderful panoramic view over Nazaré and it's beach. The Nazaré beach is considered one of Portugal's most beautiful |
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These wines are aptly named Vinho Verde (Green Wine) as they are picked early and drunk young. |
Women with 7 Petticoats The tradition was that women would wear 7 petticoats because in the winter it would get very cold and they would wander the beaches waiting and watching for their husbands to come home from fishing. They could use some of the petticoats to wrap around their shoulders or over their heads as scarfs. Also, traditionally if you were a widow you wore black for life. So while walking around town or sitting on the beach, these women in full but only knee-length during the summer skirts and very traditional looking scarves and shoes and such will walk by. |
Sintra Portugal
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Palácio da Pena, or "Castelo da Pena" as it is more commonly
known, is the most complete and notable example of Portuguese architecture
in the Romantic period. It stands on one of the rocky peaks of the Serra
de Sintra, and blends in a surprisingly fortunate manner with its natural
background of greenery and crags, testifying to the aesthetic potentialities
of the project. |
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Constructed by the Moors in the 8th or 9th Century A.D., this castle is situated on two peaks of the Serra de Sintra, and from its walls there are magnificent views. |
Lisbon Portugal
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Christ looking over Rio Tejo "Santuário do Cristo Rei" On the south bank of the river Tagus, the Cristo Rei, built in 1959, is a 110 metre high statue of Christ from which there is a remarkable view over Lisboa and the estuary of the Tagus. There is also a church and a shop with religious items in the area. |
| Praca dos D Pedro IV |
Lancers Color:
Clear bright pink with a salmon hue.Bouquet: Fragrant, with scents
of fresh berries.Taste: Delightfully approachable style with lively ruit
flavors that extend into the finish.Grape Varieties: A variety of the
best Portuguese grapes. Lancers is the largest selling Portuguese wine
worldwide.Serving suggestions: Serve alone or paired with a variety
of
foods. Lancers goes very well with light meals, Oriental cuisine or
even spicy
foods such as Mexican cuisine. Should be served well chilled. |
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The 25 April Bridge, renamed after the 1974 revolution, is not only Europe’s second-longest suspension bridge but the third longest in the world. Stretching 1,013 metres (3,323 feet), the bridge opened on 6 August 1966 at a cost of US$45 million One of its foundations, with a depth of 79 metres (260 feet) beneath the Tagus river bed, is the deepest of any bridge in the world.
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A supermarket chain in Portugal |
Lisbon PortugalPerched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and with a personality split between Western Europe and Northern Africa, Lisbon is a European city like no other. Portugal's capital boasts as grand a cultural and historical heritage as any other major European city, but also a tumbledown, earthier side that sets it apart. |
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The Castelo de Sao Jorge (St. George's Castle), the name comes from the time of King Joao I ( late 14 century) Before it was known simply as Lisbon Castle. It consist of the former citadel of Alcazar, twelve gateways (seven of which lead to the parish of Santa Cruz do Castelo), the battlements and wall of Barbeca (Barbican) and eighteen towers (eleven of which belong to the fortress, and one, Torre de Sao Lourenco, is linked to the battlements by a long stairway. The building was severely damages by the 1755 earthquake. |
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Rua Augusta (Augusta street) is located in one of the busiest quarters of Lisbon. Closed to traffic, this pedestrianised street has all sorts of shops for all sorts of tastes, flower peddlars, hot chestnuts sellers, street cafés, independent street Artists like the "statue man" or the familiar harmonica player |
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The Alfama is a charming Moorish quarter with narrow, twisting streets that lead from the Tagus (Tejo) river to the 10 towers of St. George's Castle. This is one of the most typical quarters of Lisbon. On its narrow and winding streets you'll find the hidden treasure of Alfama and on its steep stairs you will be able to breathe the soul of Lisbon. Rebuilt by the local population after the 1755 earthquake |
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This counterbalanced tram takes you from Restauradores, just near the Tourism Office of Lisbon, to Bairro Alto, an interesting quarter to look around. Here, you may see S. Pedro de Alcântara garden and a belvedere over Lisbon and the Castle of Saint George (Castelo de S. Jorge) in front. Near by, on Largo Trindade Coelho there is the Port Wine Solar (Solar do Vinho do Porto) where you can taste most of our Port Wines. This is also an area of good antique stores. The Elevador da Gloria brings you from the Baixa up to Bairro Alto. It's better than climbing the stairs! |
| Statue in Largo Trindade Coelho |
Sao Roque Church This 16th-century church, with an adjoining
museum, is in itself a piece of art. One of its most beautiful chapels,
the Chapel of St. John the Baptist,
was lavishly decorated with precious stones and richly painted tiles
during the country's most opulent period. |
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The Carmelite convent of Ours Lady of the Expiration of the Carmo, established for Nuno Álvares Pear tree, started to construct itself in 1393 being concluded in 1423. It is a great monument of the gótica architecture; aquando of the conclusion the church of the Carmo it was the greater of the capital. With the earthquake of 1755 the convent has remained inhabitable, but great part of the church ruíu subsistindo the main façade, the central ship and the two laterals of the body of the church, currently the open sky. |
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The Santa Justa Elevator is a remarkable masterpiece designed by an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel and makes the connection between the Baixa (downtown) and Bairro Alto (high neighbourhood).This almost centenary system (97 years old) is the only vertical elevator for carrying passengers that still exists. It is composed by twin metallic towers, each 45 meters high, a metallic gangway which links it to Largo do Carmo, and a reinforced concrete pillar supporting the gangway. |
Fado at A Severa Restaurante Tipico Fado is an urban song from Lisbon (Portugal) originally brought as a dance to Portugal by African slaves in the 19th century and later recovered by white marginal segments of the society that used topics such as destiny, betrayed love affairs, death and despair as main themes of their music. |
Lisbon Portugal |
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The line begins in Praça da Figueira and finishes on the city limits. Along its way passes through the docks, an area that is now beeing discovered and rehabilitated, and proceeds through the western part of Lisbon, including Belém and the historical sites related with the Age of Discoveries. |
 Lisbons
Transportation Company |
Monument to Discoveries "Padrao dos Descobrimentos" This monument was built in 1960, by architect Cottinelli Telmo and sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), |
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Throughout the night of 7 July 1497, the pioneering Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama prayed in an old mariners chapel in Belém, west Lisbon, for the safe return of his captains and crew from their forthcoming voyage to India. The expedition was a success and a new sea-route to the East was discovered. After his return two years later, the chapel was replaced by the imposing Jerónimos Monastery, where his body now rests. |
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The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Torre de Belém are the supreme architectural representatives of a period in which the Portuguese nation played a leading role, expanding the horizons of both Europe and the world. They were erected symbolically in Belém, which, in the sixteenth century, was the site of the port from which the caravelas and other large ships set sail on the great voyages of the Portuguese maritime discoveries. Today, now that both the port and beach have disappeared, the site has become a pleasant leisure area |
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This is one of the most interesting routes they have for discovering Lisbon and its hills. Starting at Martim Moniz it goes up the hills where Lisbon began. Going through the area of Graça quarter, above Mouraria, passes the São Vicente de Fora Church and the site of the Thieve's Market, and goes through part of the picturesque Alfama. Next it passes near the Castle, descends past the Cathedral and through the Baixa shopping area, goes up the hill again to Chiado shopping area and past the Bairro Alto quarter, known for its night life and Fado houses. After descending the hill and going past the National Assembly, it ascends to Estrela, passes the garden and end at Campo de Ourique quarter. |
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Solar do Vinho do Porto  |
The Port Wine Institute, a public entity created in 1933, is responsible for controlling the quality of the several types of Port Wine and for defending and promoting these wines. Once a wine has been approved by the Port Wine Institute, it acquires the right to call itself Port, to bear the Seal of Guarantee and to a Certificate of Denomination of Origin, both of which are issued by the IVP. |
Évora PortugalThe ancient walled city of Évora rises out of the vast Alentejan plain 62 km west of the Spanish border. It was taken from the Moors in 1166 by an outlaw knight, Gerald the Fearless, who scaled the walls at night on a ladder of lances. Évora later became a popular residence of Portuguese kings, but fell out of favour after Spain's annexation of Portugal in 1580. |
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Cork is the outer bark of the evergreen cork oak (Quercus suber). This variety of oak grows mainly in Portugal, Spain, southern France, Italy, and the Maghreb Cork is sustainable. It is harvested by stripping the bark every nine years. Each cork oak tree provides an average 16 harvests over its 150-200 year lifespan. Cork consists of a tight web of up to 40 million cells per cubic centimetre. The cell membranes retain gas, giving cork its capacity to float, insulate and re-expand quickly after compression. Cork is natural, recyclable and biodegradable. No natural or man-made material replicates its properties. Cork retains unique qualities of flexibility, elasticity and compressibility. Its extreme resilience, impermeability, lightness and insulating efficiency make it ideal for a large number of applications. |
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| Megalithic enclosure of Almendres | |
Roman Temple "Templo Romano" Évora's Corinthian-style Roman temple is popularly believed to have been dedicated to the goddess Diana. Erected in the 2nd century, it was transformed into a fortress during the Middle Ages and even a slaughterhouse in the 19th century. |
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Chapel of Bones "Capela dos Ossos" This macabre chapel are lined with the bones of thousands of nuns and monks laid out in intricate patterns, with a legend at the door that roughly translated means "Our bones are here, we await yours." |
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Praco de Giraldo This picturesque central square is adorned with medieval arches and is an ideal place to relax and do some people-watching. |
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Sagres PortugalThe town of Sagres itself is a small fishing port in the extreme south west of the Algarve and in itself has no particular merit. However the Ponte de Sagres, a rocky wind-blasted outcrop jutting out into the Atlantic is a spectacle to behold. |
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Cape Sagres The End of the World European spice and silk merchants had long been amassing great wealth, but the caravan routes from the Orient were controlled by the Moors and their allies, and were subject to arbitrary whims, tolls, bandits, etc. There were rumours of a fabulously wealthy Christian king named "Prester John" in central Africa, who supposedly controlled a better and safer route. Henry vowed to find him and the new route, but couldn't succeed without sailors to brave the unknown seas and treacherous winds around western Africa. Since none was forthcoming he decided he'd have to train some himself, so he established a navigation and seamanship school near what is now Sagres, just to the east of Cape St Vincent. It was probably the world's first great research and training institute and it earned him a place in history as "Henry the Navigator". |
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Salema PortugalThe small village of Salema lies a dozen kilometres to the west of Lagos, beyond the villages of Luz and Burgau, and is perhaps one of the most unspoilt fishing villages on the Algarve. Narrow cobbled streets wind past fisherman's cottages |
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Sagres PortugalSagres is situated inside the Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina Natural Park, at the most South-Westerly point of Portugal and Europe. |
| Lighthouse at Cape Sagres |
| Fortaleza de Sagres |
Salema Portugal |
Octopus Pots They are commonly collected in octopus pots. These were traditionally made of clay but in modern times they are typically made of plastic or PVC. Octopuse pots are not baited like crab and lobster traps, rather, they provide a seeming safe home. |
Salema Portugal |
Reconquista ruins As soon as the Moors had conquered Spain in 711 AD, the descendants of the Visigoths and the Romans joined forces to try to get the Moors out of Spain again. These Spanish people gradually conquered more and more of Spain, beginning in the north near France and fighting little by little toward the south. |
Sevilla Spain |
Sevilla Spain |
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Cathedral Santa Maria de la Sede The world's largest cathedral, the Santa Maria de la Sede, takes centre stage in the city, its magnificent interior filled with art treasures and works by Spanish artists such as Murillo and Goya. Ferdinand III and Christopher Columbus lie buried here. It is, arguably, the most beautiful building in Seville and you can climb to the top of the spiral ramps for the best view. Adjoining is the Giralda Tower, built as a minaret to call the Islamic faithful to prayer but later converted into a bell tower by the Christians. |
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| Giralda Tower at Cathedral Santa Maria de la Sede | |
| Barrio Santa Cruz | |
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The "Torre del Oro" is an Arab
monument. The 12-sided Tower of Gold, dating from the 13th century, overlooks
the Guadalquivir River. Originally it was covered with gold tiles, but
someone long ago made off with them. Recently restored, the tower has
been turned into a maritime museum, Museo Náutico, displaying
drawings and engravings of the port of Seville in its golden heyday. |
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In 1914, the Spanish architect Aníbal Gonzalez started with the
construction works for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, which partly
took place inside María Luisa park. The new buildings of the Plaza
de España were used as the office of the fair. |
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This posh department store has branches all over Spain (the main branch is in Madrid) and features lots of Spanish-made products, from leathers to linens. |
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Arcos de la Frontera SpainArcos de la Frontera is situated on cliffs high above a meander in the River Guadalete. A typical defensive hill village with cobbled streets leading up to a castle, which was built in the fifteenth century on Moorish foundations. The view from the castle and village is staggering. There is a Parador here, which a good place to take a quiet drink and watch the view in a relaxed atmosphere. |
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| Carrefour |  |
FGs Favorite wine store Vinho Tinto at 1.05 euro a bottle |
Santa Maria Church The Gothic structure of Santa Maria
church is still preserved despite the successive alterations, which
brought the portal, the Baroque tower
and some outstanding features, especially the main reredos and the choir.
A very valuable example of the Gothic period is the 14th Century painting
of Crowning the Virgin in the left hand aisle. |
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Parador
Hotel It was in 1910 that the government assigned the Marquis de la Vega Inclán the task of creating a hotel infrastructure-practically non-existent in Spain at the time-that would house travelers and improve Spain's image abroad.After the opening of the Parador de Gredos , the "Board of Paradores and Inns of Spain" was formed and efforts were channeled into perfecting the original idea and into making use of selected historical-artistic monuments and beautiful landscapes for the establishment of new Paradores. |
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A soup bowl of gazpatcho, the celebrated cold vegetable soup of southern Spain. Included in this time-honored delicacy are onions, cubed bread, hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, cucumber and bell peppers all finely chopped. One can also add to the gazpatcho the garnish of one's choice. |
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Benaojan SpainBenaoján, situated at 565 metres above sea level, extends its houses over the small valley of the Montejaque brook, from the foot of the Sierra de Juan Diego up to the Guadiaro river which comes out at the Barriada de la Estación. Although most of the district’s lands form part of the Guadiaro valley, the sierras (Juan Diego - 1,298 m. and Palo - 1.041 m.) which dominate the municipality’s landscape are narrowly joined to the mountain complex known as Sierra de Libar and through it to the Natural Park of the Sierra de Grazalema, which mainly extends through the province of Cadiz. |
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Spain’s most spectacular prehistoric art. Approximately seven miles from Ronda lies the archaeological enclave that was discovered in 1905 by the Bullon family. The Cueva de la Pileta has remained a family run historical site and was also declared a national monument. Step into the interior of this cave and step back in time. Guided by a lamp and a guide you will eye superb Rupestrian art donned on the rock interior. |
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Ronda SpainRonda is one of Andalucia's loveliest towns, steeped in history. It
stands on a towering plateau in the mountains of Malaga Province, and
is famous through Spain for the plunging river gorge which divides the
medieval from the 18th century parts of the town. This gorge is known
as El Tajo – The Cliff and is spanned by a stone bridge, which
once housed a prison. Visitors love to peer down into the gorge, to see
the waters of the River Guadalevín.
Ronda sits on a large rock outcroping. Because of the cliffs, Ronda
was one of the last Moorish cities to fall to the Crusaders. |
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Perched high on a rock precipice 150 metres (just under 500 ft) above the gorge below the town sits on both sides of the gorge with the old Moorish town of La Ciudad (literally 'The City') to the South and the newer El Mercadillo (Little Market) district to the North. Three bridges span the ravine, the most impressive being the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) which was built in the 18th Century. This is where most tourist activity can be found and where the most dramatic photos can be taken. |
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Bridge from the 18th century combining the two parts of Ronda. Good views
over the gorge with the Guadalevín river and to the Sierra de Grazalema. |
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The oldest and perhaps the most beautiful bullring of Spain only a few feet from the old bridge. Constructed in the year 1785 in Neoclassical style with a Baroque doorway. |
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Convento de la Carmelitas Descalzas St. Teresa was a Discalced Carmelite nun who became the first woman to
be declared a Doctor of the Church. She experienced almost every phenomenon
peculiar to the mystical state, yet she remained a shrewd businesswoman,
administrator, writer, spiritual counselor and foundress. They keep her
severed hands in this church. |
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Tarifa SpainThere is something very ancient about the place. The fishermen here still use the almadraba method of tuna catching where the boats settle in a circle. This little fishing town was the first point of the Moorish invasion of Southern Spain in AD711.In 1295 Guzman El Bueno defended the town against the invading Moors. According to the local legend, the Moors captured his son and threatened to kill him if Guzman didn't surrender the town. He refused and threw down his sword with which they killed his son. |
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La Linea de la Concepcion Spain
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Rock of Gibraltar with the airport on the right. |
Tarifa Spain |
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| Castillo de Guzman | |
| Sancho el Bravo | |
| Harbour | |
| Old City gate | |
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These hams are a key component in Spanish cuisine, and recent changes in import legislation have begun to make them available in Europe and other parts of the world. Served in thin slices, it makes an exquisite snack; and small amounts add a delightful flavor to a wide variety of dishes such as soups, vegetables, or pasta. Such is the variety and complexity in flavor, aroma and texture, that experts regularly organize tastings in much the same way as with wine. Produced using methods similar to those employed in Italy for making "Parma ham", or in France to produce "jambon cru"; the Spanish variety offers a unique taste experience, with its own special flavor, texture and aroma. |
Day 17 April 11 |
Drove to Gibraltar, took the city bus to Europa Point and waited for it to quit raining. Walked through some tunnels to Parsons Lodge and into downtown. The cable car was not running today as it was too windy, so we took a mini-bus tour of the sights. Went to Upper Rock Park, saw the Barbary Apes, walked through St Michaels cave, and then on to the great siege caves. The mini-bus left us off at the cable car. Walked through downtown had some fish and chips, and walked back to the car. Drove east along the Mediterranean Sea to Nerja. |
Gibraltar
UK Gibraltar was possessed successively by the Phoenicians. Carthaginians, Romans and Visigoths but remained uninhabited till the Mohammedan invasion of the Iberian peninsula in 711 A.D. by Tariq-ibn-Zeyad from whom Gibraltar gets its name, Gibel Tariq (Tariq's Mountain) and the city itself was founded by the Almohad monarch, Abd el Mumin in 1160 A.D. The Spaniards finally captured Gibraltar from the Moors in 1462 and retained it until 1704. In that year it was surrended to an Anglo Dutch force during the war of the Spanish Succession, since when it has remained in British hands. |
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Europa Point is the southernmost tip of Gibraltar, and the home to the lighthouse. |
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Parsons Lodge is a very important military point and played an important role in being one of Gibraltar's defence points. It once housed three 18 ton ten inch rifled muzzle loaders. During the second world war the place under went renovations and was made more modern to again take part in defending Gibraltar. It was built on the old reinforced Spanish walls. |
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The Upper Rock Nature Reserve is a protected area of great natural beauty perched about 1380ft (421m) above sea level on the limestone peninsular of Gibraltar. Its most famous residents are the Barbary Apes, which have lived on the Rock for hundreds of years. According to legend, when the apes leave, Gibraltar will cease to be British. |
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The Apes are a species of tailless monkeys called Barbary Macaques. These Macaques can be found in Morocco and Algeria, with those in Gibraltar being the only free-living monkeys in Europe today |
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A vast underground cavern with an auditorium at the base which is now used to hold concerts. Coloured lighting is used to great effect in the cave and don't miss the giant cross-section of a stalagmite that shows the history of it's growth. |
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Constructed in the sieges of the 18th century, a network of tunnels into
the rock to allow the mounting of a prototype gun (the first ever to be
able to fire downwards). The tunnels you can visit are actually part of
a network of more than 32 miles of tunnel. |
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Airport Runway The road to Spain runs directly through
the middle of the runway and has to be closed when aircraft land and
take-off.Once you got through customs you get to
walk across the airport runway. If you don't see any cars crossing
with you, do look for the crosswalk
light and verify the way is clear with no planes landing. |
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Nerja SpainThe town of Nerja is located in the Spanish region of Andalucia on the Costa del Sol. Nerja has become a popular tourist resort in recent years whilst managing to avoid the skyscraper development and mid-summer madness which now characterizes much of coastal Spain. The resort is at the eastern end of Malaga province, just 50 kilometres drive from the international airport. Nerja, which takes its name from the Arab Narija meaning "abundant fountain", nestles at the foothills of the Sierra de Tejada mountain range and boasts 16 kilometres of coastline with seven beaches within walking distance of the town. |
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Cerveza Pilsen Brewed in Malaga on the Costa del Sol, this alleged pilsner has a slight hoppy nose (reminiscent of socks and grass). It has a bubbly, dry, tinny taste with some hop notes and a touch of sweetness. It is fairly clean in the finish. Fairly dull, but at least it smells vaguely hoppy and is reasonably refreshing. |
 FG
bought some of this in the  SuperSol
for 37 cents a can. |
Day 18 April 12 |
We walked up to the Balcony of Europe and looked out on the Mediteranean Sea. We then drove to Granada attempting to see a castle in a small town until we scraped the side of the car and David was too upset to continue on that route. We arrived in Granada at mid day and found our way through the street barriers to the Macia Plaza, our Hotel at Plaza Nueva. After eating Tomotoe, garlic and olives (Olive Oil too), we walked through the Cathederal and chapel where Isabella and Ferdinand's tombs rest. We finished the day watching the sun set upon the Alhambra from St. Dominicks Cathederal and then walking back to the hotel. Pete had a Spanish Omelette in Plaza Nueva. (Real Spanish omelettes only have eggs, onions and potatoes in them). |
Nerja Spain |
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A must for any visitor to the Costa del Sol is a IX century fortification crowned as the "Balcony of Europe". In the very heart of Nerja, this romantic setting is today the focus of many cultural activities and a popular meeting place. This scenic promenade adorned with palm trees and exotic plants provides an exceptional view of the Mediterranean. |
Granada Spain |
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The statue in this square shows Queen Isabel granting
Columbus' petition to obtain ships and supplies. The statue was built
in Rome in 1892 by Mariano
Benlliure and was originally located in the Paseo del Salón. |
Cathedral As is the case of most Christian buildings in Granada, the Cathedral was built on the site of the former Mosque. The site of the former Mosque has since been replaced by four buildings: the Cathedral, the Royal Chapel, the Sagrario, and the Merchants' Exchange. |
| Los Italianos The ice cream was only OK here. |
Plaza Bib-Rambla The name Bibarrambla mean "Gate of the River" since the square originally stood on the sandy river bank. In Moorish times, festivals and jousts were held here, and later in Christian times bullfights. Unlike the bullfights of today, these were extremely violent and during one which took place in August 1609, 20 bulls killed 36 people and injured another 60. |
Gypsies handing out Rosemary Sprigs Beware the old women with rosemary sprigs. These women will pick you out of a crowd, and approach you with sprigs of rosemary, which is burned during Easter in the processions. If they get you to stop, and they will grab you to stop you, they will attempt a palm reading on the spot. Of course at this point they wish to be paid for their service to you. |
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The square was built to cover up the River Darro which flows underneath in order to create more space in the city. The square soon became one of the most important centres in Granada and supposedly tournaments and bullfights used to be held here as well as public executions. |
| San Nicolas Viewpoint |
Granada SpainGranada is located just at the point where the Sierra Nevada mountains meet the fertile plain of the vega. Behind it are steep mountains and in front there is flat agricultural land. It was first inhabited and grew because it was easy to defend from behind and although it is dry in the summer there is always a supply of water coming from the mountain fueled by melting snow, the rich soil in the Vega provided an ample food source. The altitude is 630 metres. |
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See a Panorama pic of the Alhambra (Big file high-speed only) See a Panorama view from the Alhambra (Big file high-speed only) On a hill overlooking Granada, the Alhambra—a sprawling palace-citadel that comprised royal residential quarters, court complexes flanked by official chambers, a bath, and a mosque—was begun in the thirteenth century by Ibn al-Ahmar, founder of the Nasrid dynasty, and was continued by his successors in the fourteenth century. Its most celebrated portions—a series of courtyards surrounded by rooms—present a varied repetoire of Moorish arched, columnar, and domical forms. |
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Fountain in Plaza del Campillo |
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Of all of the Catholic traditions which are celebrated throughout the year, none is most important than the Passion of Christ or Easter Week, which in Spanish is called Semana Santa o Pascua (Holy Week). All penitentes wear a long white dress cinched at the waist with a horsehair belt. They walk the procession route barefooted with their head covered with a white fabric hood with only eyeholes. The penitente is never seen in public without the hood. This is a private penitence, no one needs to know who is behind the eyes. |
A Penitent action figure that Pete got in Granada. |
Toledo SpainToledo is one of the most important centers of european medieval history.
The first one to report about it was Roman author Titus Livius, who describes
it as a "small fortificated town", and fortification has always
been an important parameter in its history, still evident to today's
tourist for the monumental walls around, and the "Swords of Toledo" gave
to its steel-production world-wide fame. It was capital of Spain from
the Gothic epoch until 1560, fact that explains its really impressive
medieval architecture. Walking through its streets one feels like having
stepped back into the Middle-Ages, but in the best sense of it, and perhaps
you will search your pockets for a few gold-ducats to buy some of Toledo's
fine artisany or just to enjoy of its highly recommandable cuisine. |
| View of city from ring road |
St Martin Bridge (Puente de San Martín) It was finished early 14th century; defensive towers built in 13th and 16th centuries This bridge linked the city of Toledo to the west. An earlier bridge was destroyed by flooding and it is thought that this rebuilt bridge was completed by the early 14th century. Defensive towers are at each end of the bridge. |
| Bisagra Gate |
Zocodover Plaza The large, triangular Plaza de Zocodover is the heart of the city of Toledo. Here you will find shops and restaurants. It's a good place to rest, have a meal or a snack, and watch people passing by. |
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Toledo Cathedral is one of the largest in the Christian world. As far
as Gothic is concerned, it is surpassed only by the cathedrals of Seville
and Milan. It has five naves, but its transept does not project outwards,
as is the case of Notre Dame of Paris and Bourges Cathedral.
Toledo Cathedral, 120 metres long and 59 wide, must be viewed from the
interior, where its grandeur may be appreciated, as the narrow streets
of Toledo do not afford a sufflciently broad perspective of its exterior.
The roof; which in the central nave reaches a height of 44.50 metres, is
held up by 88 columns. The Cathedral receives its light through more than
750 stained glass windows, from the l4th, 15 th and l6th centuries, the
work of the best artists of those times. |
Mariano
Zamorano Sword Shop |
Alfonso VI Gate On the north side of the old city, this was once the main entrance into Toledo. Today it is the only remaining Moorish gate in the medieval walls. Like Sinagoga de Santa María la Blanca and Santiago del Arrabal, it is an example of the Mudéjar style. Because of the proportions of the stonework and the horseshoe arch, scholars date the lower portions in the 10th century. The upper parts are dated in the 13th century. |
Toledo Spain |
Madrid Spain |
Copenhagen Denmark |
Seattle Washington |
out
to the airport to get rental car from National. Drove Northwest out of
Madrid. Saw Valley
of the Fallen, the outside of Monasterio
de San
Lorenzo
and David made sub sandwichs. Drove to Avila to see the Medieval Walls
and storks building nests. Went to Segovia and stayed at the Hostal Plaza.
Had roast suckling pig for dinner.
The
greatest warriors in history, including Hannibal, the Japanese Daimyo,
and the Roman elite, eagerly sought out the sword makers of Toledo and
were not disappointed. Toledo Swords gives you the same Old World craftsmanship
enjoyed by these great warriors!
