One word…. Alhambra!
I am so happy our visit to Granada included a tour of Alhambra. The last time I was here I missed out, I wasn’t going to miss out this time. 
Alhambra (“Red One” for the colour of the bricks in the sun) is a palace and fortress nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains and nothing short of magnificent! It’s a city within the city! Although only a short distance from our hotel (literally 1km) it’s a rather steep walk to the grand opening of the fortress.The guide for this adventure, a true historian by the name of Ramon. He was full of clever anecdotes including tales of Washington Irving’s visit to the palace. Though most notable, Alhambra is the palace where Christopher Columbus received the royal assent from Ferdinand and Isabella for Columbus’ famous expedition. The palace is full of influence from multiple religions, including the colourful gardens, even this late in the summer.

The view overlooks the mountains including Albaicin, where the gypsies live. 

In the afternoon, we wondered around the side streets of Granada and settled in for a lunch filled with Rioja wine and lamb skewers- delish! The 34 degree temperature gave a perfect excuse to detour through the cooler, narrow alleys of the Moroccan influenced markets filled with spices, tajines and hookah pipes. I really want one of these lights, just not sure how it would make it home. 

When in Spain, tapas and cava for dinner.