Amateur Traveler Episode 95: Exploring Andalusia, Southern Spain

Planning Your Trip to Andalusia

• ☀️ Avoid the summer months for travel to Andalusia unless you enjoy extreme heat (over 100°F/40°C), as this is when most tourists visit, especially for beach areas.
• ✈️ Flying into Madrid or Malaga are common entry points, with high-speed trains available from Madrid to Seville.
• 🇪🇸 Spanish pronunciation may be influenced by Mexican Spanish if you live in California, potentially leading to pronunciations like 'Plaza' instead of 'Platha'.

Seville: History and Culture

• 🚢 Seville was a major port for ships sailing to the New World, influencing Latin American Spanish and its wealth.
• 🕌 The Cathedral in Seville is built on top of a former mosque, reflecting the historical Moorish influence in southern Spain.
• 🐎 La Giralda, originally a minaret, now serves as the bell tower for the cathedral and features a ramp instead of stairs to accommodate horses.
• 👑 The Alcázar, a royal palace, showcases Mudéjar architecture, characterized by geometric patterns, mosaics, and woodwork, built after Seville's reconquest.
• 💃 Seville's Santa Cruz neighborhood is considered the birthplace of flamenco, with local venues offering performances.
• 🎬 Movie buffs can visit Plaza de España in Parque de María Luisa, recognized from Star Wars episodes I and II.
• 🐂 The Plaza de Toros (bullring) and the 13th-century Torre del Oro are notable landmarks by the river.

Roman Ruins and White Towns

• 🏛️ Italica, near Seville, is the site of the first Roman city in Spain and the birthplace of Emperors Trajan and Hadrian, featuring floor mosaics and a Roman theater.
• ⛰️ Los Pueblos Blancos (The White Towns) are hilltop towns built for protection, characterized by narrow, whitewashed streets to stay cool.
• 🍪 In Arcos de la Frontera, a cloistered nunnery sells cookies via a 'lazy Susan' system, offering a unique, albeit unseen, transaction.
• 🖼️ Near Ronda, the Cueva de la Pileta features Neolithic cave art and simple calendars, accessible via a farmer-run tour.

Ronda and Granada

• 🌉 Ronda is a spectacular city built on cliffs, known as the home of bullfighting, with a parador hotel located in the old city hall offering stunning gorge views.
• 🏖️ Malaga offers lovely beaches, but be aware of more casual European beach attire.
• 🕌 Granada's Alhambra is a must-visit Moorish palace, known for its architecture, gardens, and water features. Reservations are highly recommended.
• 📜 The Alhambra's preservation is partly due to Washington Irving's poem, which brought attention to the site when it was in ruins.
• 🍲 In Granada's old town, enjoy local specialties like gazpacho, a cold, spicy, and tangy soup perfect for hot weather.

Cordoba and Beyond

• ⛪ Córdoba's Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral) is a unique architectural marvel, featuring a sea of pillars from various older structures and distinctive red and white arches.
• 👑 King Carlos regretted the construction of the church within the Mezquita, despite its potential role in protecting the structure during the Spanish Inquisition.
• 🐎 Jerez de la Frontera, near Cádiz, is known for Sherry wine and Andalusian horses.
• 🇬🇮 Gibraltar is a nearby stop for those interested in a spot of tea.
• 💰 Andalusia is noted as a relatively inexpensive travel destination.