9 days in Spain

We just returned from a wonderful 9 day trip to Spain. For someone whose knowledge of Spain was only limited to knowing it's delightful cuisine consisting of Tapas and Paellas, the trip was a real education in history and culture of Spain. A country that underwent multiple conquests from Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, Jews and Muslim rulers with each civilization leaving it's distinct mark in the architecture of the forts and palaces built at that time. Alcazar in Seville, Alhambra in Granada and Le Mezquita in Cordoba are fine examples of that. This comes in sharp contrast to urban life in Barcelona which is way-more more westernized, fun-filled and throbbing with life and activity. Here's how we divided our time between Barcelona and the more historical districts of southern Spain:

1. Day 1 - Barcelona
Took leisurely walk along La Rambla, the most famous street of Barcelona for getting a good taste of it's friendly and lively atmosphere. This pedestrian boulevard lined with cafes, bars, shops and ethnic restaurants is usually buzzling with activity well past the midnite. Next, stop was the the old Gothic Quarter consisting of narrow, winding streets, quaint little plazas and wonderful structures from the city's golden age. Also visited Port Vell , Barcelona's old port at the bottom of La Rambla with a lovely view of the harbor and the water.

2. Day 2 - Barcelona
We took the Bus Turistica to visit all of Antoni Gaudi's (one of Spain's most inventive architects) landmark architecture creations. This included the Casa Mila' (La Pedrera) - an apartment complex built by Gaudi that is highly inspired by natural elements like light, water etc; La Sangrada Familia - a neo-gothic cathedral inspired and designed by Gaudi that is still under construction after more than 100 years since its start and the landscaping work at Park Guell.The highlight of the day was inarguably the spontaneous dance performance by the locals in Park Guell.

3. Day 3 - Fly to Seville
We visited the magnificient Cathedral Barcelona in the Old Gothic Quarter, ate lunch at a local street side cafe on La Rambla and left for Seville, Andalucia's biggest and most exciting city. We reached Seville in the evening, checked into our hotel and took a stride along it's quaint, winding streets and lovely squares lined with flowers and orange trees. The highlight of the day was the Flamenco dance show at a local bar called Los Gallos in city's most characteristic square called Plaza de Santa cruz.

4. Day 4 - Seville
We visited the two main attractions of Seville namely the Cathedral (and the Giralda) and the Alcazar palace. The cathedral in Seville is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and overall 3rd largest after St. Peter's in Vatican and St. Paul's in London.

5. Day 5 - Drive to Granada
We drove 3 hours from Seville to reach Granada. Visited the downtown, Plaza de Nuevo and St. Anne's Cathedral. We took a late nite bus ride to Albayzin (country side) and went up to St. Nicholas's square on the hilltop to catch a spectacular view of the Alhambra in the moonlight.

6. Day 6 - Alhambra, Granada
This fortress come palace is looks like something taken off from an exotic fairly tale book. From outside, its red fortress dominate the Granada skyline from its hilltop perch. Inside the Alhambra, you're in for a treat, especially in the marvellously decorated and carved emirs' palace , the Palacio Nazaries. It is considered one of the most impressive Muslim building work in Europe with its intricately carved stone and marble walls and wooden ceilings.

7. Day 7 - Drive to Cordoba
The day was dedicated to the magnificient Le Mezquita, this unique structure comprising of 16 the century cathedral built over an ancient mosque. You see the harmony between the original Islamic structure and the Christian alterations made thereafter. The highlight was the delicately carved prayer niche called mihrab whose arch is superbly decorated with mosaic flower motifs and inscriptions from the Quran.

8. Day 8 - Drive back to Seville
Visited the Plaza de Espana in Seville and took the flight back to Barcelona.

Well that marked the end of a wonderful trip to Spain and life is back to it's gruelling routine.