Spanish City Break by M&M - Seville in Andalucia

As the days go by and inevitably the summer will finish soon, a good memory about the place visited few months ago seems so refreshing......this is how this post could start, but the truth is I sadly haven't put any notes here because so much was going on in my life lately: living the UK, going back to homeland - Poland but to a completely new life in Warsaw.... It's all part of a big journey that life is, isn't it? Here is to all of you guys who's life is like a huge exploration trip!

First of all notes about Andalusia's Seville - surely this is your choice if you are one of those cheeky monkeys that simply just can't sunbath on the beach during whole the holidays. This is for those, travellers, that are eager to turn your city break in Seville into a proper exploration excercise. The way we have chosen Seville as our next destination was asking yourself some simple questions:

- Do I want to lie on the beach or do some sight-seeing (or both)?
- Am I looking for a quiet place in the middle of nowhere or a vibrant and dynamic one?
- Do I want to explore a new territory or rather the country I know a bit already.

Now, obviously these are the basic ones, not including the prices, distance and the time you have for your exploration. But it worked out beautifully for us: we wanted a bit of sight-seeing and 'doing nothing', in a place that is vibrant and full of energy (like us) :) and because we love Spain (especially Southern part), the choice suddenly became simple.

A good idea in that case would be to find a nice, proper map of the city or a pocket directory, just like the one we had. It divides the city for you into 6 sections that you can easily choose and discover during your holidays in Seville.

Seville surprises with the beauty and richness of the architecture

Try to be lost in one of the tiniest streets

Seville is also about mixing the new with the old

Time for lunch! We found this lovely, typical Spanish tapas bar in the centre of the city. It was so different to other places - you can sit here on one of the stairs covered with 'azulas' typical Spanish mosaic

Mario and the Giralda, Seville's amazing tower situated by the Cathedral. It represents various styles and eras so if you are perceptive enough, you'll find them - Renaissance, Gothic,etc. - but also cultures and religions: Catholic, Islamic...

A Tower of Gold - Torre del Oro - where all the gold from the quests was beig kept. Now - just charming building overlooking the River Guadalquivir

Some of the Seville Expo 1992 are still here and can be viewed from the boat. They are now used for commercial purposes and that way the Spaniards prevent the Expo village from demaging. For me it still looked weird to be in the middle of this quiet village that seemed adbandoned

In Seville's full offer of bar, pubs, restaurants and tapas, we chose one place with a traditional Andalucian cuisine. It was loud, crowded but lovely and the wine with the fish (on my plate) and meat (on Mario's) tasted great.
There could be no Spain without football and for Mario it meant visiting Ramon Sanchez Pizujan Stadium in 'our' part of Seville. The trip was just a glance, comparing to for example Manchester United's Standium, but even from the outside (we could not get in because of some constructions going on), it looked fine.

Decorative mosaic in another great place in Seville - the Real Alcazar Palace. It is famous for its azulas all over the place and I ejoyed the most its open architecture with lots of open rooms, gardens and corridors.

Right in the middle of crime scene-this is where the fishes living in that water where fighting for pieces of bread (and sweets!) people were throwing at them. Shocking picture, really. Apart from that - nice place to relax by the water and enjoy the view on the royal gardens.

In the garden - playing hide and seek with Mario

On the Plaza de Espana

Mario and the mosaic Barcelona

M&M - Mario & Marta - us :)

try some local shells with sangria...hmmm heaven!

Seville is great for its bikes - simply hire one of them from the street stops and have a ride!

In the former Expo city - now some modern offices are located there

With the visit to the still-open bull ring

This is how corrida started - as a training activity for the military

The most famous toreador in the world - my Mario! :)

Bull ring from the outside

Flamenco - dynamic, filled with emotions

In the motion...

Five facts about Granada in 5 hours (part 2)

There is lots to say about Granada...to say it's beautiful city is not enough for sure. Together with Mario, we realised that Granada has much more to offer than a typical Spanish weather full of sun.

Interestingly, we had only five hours to get a closer view on this architectural beauty. Not that we were in a hurry because we wanted to, but our bus was uncompromising in that matter.

So, I give you five facts about Granada, Andalucian beauty, together with some pictures for you to entertain and comment (I encourage you to do so).

Fact 1:
Granada's name has used to be Ilbyr, and it comes from prehistoric times. In fact, was then changed to Illibris by Romans who colonised it. After that, the current name came together with Arabs' rules.

La Cathedral - a trait of Arabic times

Mario in the Main Plaza

Fact 2:
Built in 14th C, Alhambra, represents one of the most beautiful complex of palaces and gardens situated by the Sierra Nevada mountains. Truly, its breathtaking wall, towers and labyrinth-shape remains of ancient city are worth-seeing!

A waterfall on the foot of Alhambra

Entrance to Alhambra

a labyrinth of houses (at least what the used to be)

Towers of Alhambra

me in the castle

...and who is the torro?

mysterious walls

Gardens - Generalife

grey tree

walls...

Fact 3: Old Moorish narrow streets are called "medina" and they compose a labyrinth filled with little shops and restaurants. Unfortunately, there was no chance for me to negotiate the prices. You try yourself!

shopping...

medina

narrow streets

Fact 4:
They try to match the old architecture with modern design in Granada streets by giving them nice-looking original lamps

amazing lamp

Fact 5:
Be prepared to here some loud group of young people in your bus in the city centre. Apparently, Spanish temper is still true when speaking about young population. We met a group of 6 people singing and entertaining people in the bus with some happy Spanish songs....so different than traveling in the UK

Mario as a Polish flag
(in the backround: EU, Andalucia, Spain)

A Spanish fairly tale in the heart of Costa del Sol (part 1)

In the south of Spanish Andalucia, in the heart of Costa del Sol, there is a beautiful city of Málaga. The sun is shining there nearly 320 days in the year, where you can do whatever you dream of - swimming, sunbathing, climbing, ballooning, etc... sounds like a fairy tale?

Welcome to Eden...

Well, it should be, because it truly is a wonderful, magical place, full of Spanish taste, Spanish flavours and finally unique Spanish culture. And it is not only paella (a traditional Spanish dish with rice, seafood or chicken) that makes Málaga so tasty. Rather, it is the atmosphere of Spanish history and tradition surrounding you from every corner.

Calle Molina Lario

There are places like Alcazaba, Tearto Romano, Castillo de Gibralfaro, or Plaza de la Constitución, where you can actually feel the spirit of old , romantic times of love and wars,of Arabic rule in this burned of Sun region of Spain.

La Cathedral - La Manquita

Palacio Episcopal

Mario and I could not miss an opportunity like that to once again feel the beating heart of Spain, the country of Picasso, Sangria and fantastic weather!

Teatro Romano

We spent in Andlucia 7 wonderful days visiting those historic places, admiring Málaga and its surroundings, but most importantly - relaxing after hard-working year in the UK.

M&M in the Alcazaba (an Arabic castle with towers)

Absolutely amazing feeling!
Strongly recommended!

Hello from Alcazaba

Malaga city centre with a view on the city's gardens

Mario in the Plaza de la Merced

millions of shells tempting to collect them

ah, wonderful!

Ayuntamiento de Malaga - City Hall

hiding from burning Sun in Mario's flower hat

Spanish people are absolutely crazy about the food - cooking it, preparing but mostly - eating it. Just watch 'Cook's tour of Spain' (Channel 4) to get the idea of how stubborn and knowledgeable Spaniards can be when it goes to cooking.
Jamon is one of the dishes you just need to try when traveling to Andalucia! and forget about the price!

Jamon - a traditional delicates made of ham -
you can only find it in Spain and Portugal

Next on our tour was Jardin Botanico - a unique garden full of exotic trees and flowers from all over the world. It's worth seeing it, even though you need to travel about 20 minutes from the city centre (after taking bus nr 2 towards Sant Jose).
But don't worry - there are always nice Malagian people ready to help and discuss (argue!) the right way of travel.

Mario in the Jardin Botanico - a fantastic garden of Malaga

Una fresa - a strawberry... absolutely gorgeous!

Wild thing!

Speaking about the food before, Sardinas are one of those dishes you need to try! Ask for 'a la plancha' version and you will get one of those below:....

Perfection of taste!

Sardinas - small fishes but big feast

But don't have any doubts - Spain is all about the beaches (playas) to! Even though this year the weather is crazy (as a nice lady told us in our hostel, Las Acacias), we were blessed with a wonderful Sun and wish you that too!

M&M happy and positive as always

found it myself..you can as well!

La Mer...

waiting for waves

larger than life and as sweet as love...strawberries in Spain

Malaga is now aspiring to the role of the European city of 2016 Year.

click for more info

Therefore, some cultural events are taking place in the city, like the I Week of Cultures (below):

I Semana de las Culturas - Peruvian singer

a Bolivian dancing group

Now, tell me, how possibly can you not love Spain?!....