porto: vista della città vecchia
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Ten days to travel across the fantastic Portugal
travel "DIY" with flight from London Heathrow to Malaga and back to port again on Milan Malpensa. the budget and was about € 1200 per couple
From Malpensa to Porto
Here we are.
I want to tell you our experience of this great tour that we did: Portugal and Andalusia in 11 days.
I state all have booked hotels through the site of the TUI and had not had any problems with reservations, except in a case that they will talk about later. The cars have been booked through the site instead of auto-europe that I can only say at this point, a lot of good.
The tour included:
Porto,
Braga,
Tomar,
Fatima, Lisbon,
Sintra, Cabo de Roca,
Faro, Seville, Cordoba, Granada and Marbella (just to take the flight home).
Considering also that we were in 6 (up to Lisbon and later in 4) and that are not people of great pretensions. In fact, the hotels and the hostel were all characteristic and a good price.
But let's go on and we start to celebrate our twenty fifth wedding anniversary. Departure from Milan Malpensa Friday, May 28 at 14.15 with a scheduled flight of the TAP (Edreams flight booked through and paid about 80 € each). For those making their first trip, such as my in-laws, the impact has been traumatic. In fact the plane was an Embraer 145 with 60 seats and then, at first glance, you wonder how will he be in heaven. But I assure you that the flight was a total peace with the crew very friendly and nice and gave us a sandwich, cake and coffee. Well the beginning is wonderful and leaves bode well. The arrival was at
Porto (or Oporto) after about 2.30 of travel. We land and we are already excited ... .. 28 degrees. It's fine. After collecting our luggage (no more than 10 minutes from landing) let out of the car rental office Guerin. Auto Europe has in fact not just a car park and uses of other operators. Precisely for this reason he can apply for competitive rates. We are taken from a van that takes us 5 minutes to the operations center. We deliver what we asked for a 9-seater Ford Transit diesel bus with air conditioning. A word of advice if you are in 5 / 6 people do not take a 7 seater Seat Alhambra kind because it would cost more and travel more inconvenient, but with our 9-seater minibus comfortable even though we traveled 6 suitcases and 6 backpacks. It's around 17 and although
Porto is a city of about 1 million inhabitants is a beautiful chaos. To cross the river Douro and go to our Residence took us over an hour but a little 'was our fault. As a basis we chose the Residence Davillina (http://www.residencialdavilina.com/ overall rating for price / quality 7) which is 50 meters from the metro (which is a tram) Joao de Deus and we are now greeted by very friendly staff. After the usual pleasantries give us our rooms. The rooms are quite large with TV and balcony. The bathroom is a bit 'small, but has everything you need. Above all looks clean and that's what counts more for us. Give us time to freshen up and then off to see just outside the city. In
Porto, but Lisbon as well as for public transport agrees to subscribe. For 3 days. costs 3.70 and the metro-tram we took from us to go downtown was always clean and the last generation. 3 stop at Jardin do Morro and take a ramp that winds for 100 meters, but when we come over, it's almost 20, we enjoy a breathtaking panorama. Below us the Bridge with all Luis II Port and the Douro river running through it. It 'a show priceless. We remain fascinated by this sea air you breathe. It 'now time for dinner but first we must descend to river level, and so began the trek. Trek will be our word these days that will never leave us. The two banks of the river are full of cafes to eat, a bank is an old and the new bank, and we obviously we head towards the first. Here, the cafes are all small and arranged on two floors. The lady who serves us is very kind and patient in explaining the dishes. What the heck we want what we eat in Portugal: Baccalaureate. For here the cod is the national dish and is cooked in 100 different ways. We decide to sample so that the grill. Be careful here because, unlike what happens in Italy, the outline is always included. But before we do bring a bachelor of potato soup that is wonderful. At the end of course, dessert and coffee. And the coffee here is very similar to ours. Thank goodness. We go out that we are satiated and after spending 15 Euros per head ... ... nonsense. We decide to return to the hotel tired but also because you must climb to get back to the bridge Luis II to take the metro. The climb feels it is just an excuse to review Port of night.
Porto and Braga
Breakfast is not very abundant but far enough. It takes the subway and go to visit the Praça de Liberdade. It 's the biggest square of
Porto dominated the bottom of the building (seems more like a church) of the municipality. Just behind it is the Igreja dela Trinidad. Inside, which will be in every church in Portugal and Spain, will be amazed to see the altar and furnishings thereof. A wonderful thing. We return to the Praça Liberdade tracing back then turn right onto Rua dos Clerigos where we see the same name at the bottom of the tower our next destination .. Do not miss the climb of course, the entrance costs 2 € (only about 1000 steps) but from there you can see the entire harbor. Photos and video of ceremony and then go down to see the church attached to the tower. Bella does not even finished all these altars. Once off we go on foot to the cathedral here is called Self. And 'the other place in
Porto you can not lose. Let the self and go to see the Igreja de Santa Clara. We are struggling a bit to find it (it's hidden in a courtyard), but when we enter we are dazzled by the splendor of all that surrounds us. The church is small but all around there are monuments and statues in gold. In the afternoon we take our bus and we aim for the north half
Braga, which is about 45 km. By the ring road we see the football stadium of
Porto, the Estadio Do Dragao, impressive and beautiful as it is done. Here are the highways for a fee and are well maintained. The service areas are located about 40 km from each other and are well equipped and clean. We get to
Braga and immediately pointed at the Monte do Bom José. It 'a beautiful shrine located on the mountain overlooking
Braga and when we understand immediately that the choice was right. In the sanctuary has just finished a wedding and now another one is ready to begin. Even here there is to do several steps to admire the sanctuary from the bottom and be able to capture in our photo album. After our ride back to the van and we return to port, since it's dinner time, but this time to point to the new bank. Here the rooms are built right on the river and come in all shapes (Japanese, Italian, Pakistani, Spanish, etc.).. We enter a room where they make the pizza and I would say that on balance it was not even bad. After dinner, a walk to digest and then back to the hotel.
Batalha - Fatima - Tomar
After breakfast we leave the port and pointed straight south direction
Tomar (250km). The weather was gorgeous and we arrive at around 10.30
Tomar. The castle of the Templars before us and find out that today, Sunday, the foreigner does not pay and so save € 8 each. And 'only to see how these places really seem to be part of a film set. One thing that we begin to see, and we made sure throughout the country, is that the monuments (cathedrals, churches, monuments, etc..) Are held in an exemplary manner within the exterior but are all dirty and blacks. Even when we understand that these things do not fare very well in Portugal in economic terms.
The castle is beautiful and each room brings back the memory of the film Robin Hood or Tom Hanks (The Da Vinci Code). The rooms are well kept and the view from the various towers is really beautiful. We take the opportunity also to make some purchases at the shop of the castle, including a nice bottle of local wine. The same short-lived. In fact, not far away, in the fall, there is a tiny church (closed) with a nice yard and a large shaded balcony and take the opportunity to make our lunch of sandwiches and ... local wine. We would like to stay longer saw the fresh air that we breathe, but just in time to some panoramic pictures of the city of
Tomar Naba crossed the stream, which now continue to
Batalha. The town is a few miles. And we get there in under an hour.
Batalha is known for its great cathedral, but when we remain open-mouthed in front of her majesty. It 's really impressive. Inside are the tombs of kings and that of the unknown soldier. We see the changing of the guard (at 18).
Let
Batalha and we head to our hotel in
Fatima, our next destination which welcomes us with pictures of Pope Benedict XVI recalled that in May the Holy Father's visit to the Shrine.
The choice is the Hotel Regina Hotel (http://www.hotelregina-
Fatima.com/) and when we enter the hall we are surprised by the elegance of it. A real nice 3 star hotel located right next to the great square of the sanctuary. Time to freshen up and go down to make a visit to the yard. We want to take advantage of the right light to take some photos. When you enter the square (as I think even if one goes to Compostela or Lourdes) everything becomes strange. The silence and the atmosphere that involves you from outside or not believers. You look around and realize that not everyone who comes here just to see the sanctuary, but because they seek help in something higher. We round the shrine and enter to see the graves of three shepherd children to whom Our Lady appeared. Back at the hotel we see that the same also has a nice restaurant and then we decide to stop here for dinner. A nice fish soup and steak and as a second boundary, dessert and coffee ... .14 € but we go that we are full (they even asked if they still wanted !!!).
A tour to digest and master the very moment when the procession is that obviously we do not reject.
Fatima - Lisbon
Great breakfast buffet in the morning and leave the hotel at the same giving a great rating 8.5.
We end the tour by visiting the new church at
Fatima in front of the sanctuary. is modern and huge and can accommodate 10,000 people comfortably seated. We went to the capital Lisbon, where, after 150 km, we arrive at lunchtime.
The city is chaotic, but traffic is flowing. From the ring road we see the stadium Sporting Lisbon Jose Alvelade completely covered and painted with white and green company. We arrive at Hostel booked and sincerely feel it is bad. ... This time we messed Damn. Residencial Mar dos Açores is in an area not exactly beautiful, anord the city, which now leaves us perplexed and tells us to stand with eyes open (http://residencial-mar-dosacores.h-rez.com/Residencial_Mar_dos_Acores_Room_information_it . html). The receptionist is very friendly but our concern is increased by the fact that there is only one room available and we have to wait for the other two in the afternoon. We carry all the luggage into the room assigned but the rooms are very small not to mention the bathrooms. There is a shower, toilet, but the sink is as large as that of the dolls. Okay ... be content. Leave your luggage and bring the car in a parking (hence the whole area is a parking disc) right next to the police station. We understand now that there will be traipsing about Lisbon. The city in fact, besides being hot, is full of ups and downs continue. We are moving towards the first nearest metro station and, after being dropped at the station of Rossio, Praça da Figueira we move to where we take the 37 bus to the Castelo de Sao George. The bus is small and on the way we understand why. The drivers are phenomenal as they can lead to these narrow streets and inclines hallucinating. Congratulations. On reaching the hotel we decide to eat something, and given the heat, we decided to ice cream and fruit. After the ceremony tickets (€ 8) enter the castle and now we enjoy the panoramic view of Lisbon with the bridge 25 de April and do Cristo Rei statue in the background. It seems to be the sea is so wide the river Tagus. Due course photos and home video to capture the moment. From various corners of the castle in Lisbon admire almost every corner. In itself, the Castelo de Sao George has nothing inside because there's nothing to visit and so we are going to go out and walk to Largos das Portas do Sol to more riammirare from Lisbon. From this point on the far east, we also see the Ponte Vasco de Gama. It 's the longest bridge in Europe with its 17.2 km length and decided that that our half when we leave Lisbon to head south. For the moment we are content to watch from afar. From here we decide to go and see the Self, the cathedral of Lisbon. There are now nearly 17.00 and so we have little time to look at but once inside, we also understand that time is more than enough. In fact, the self is a real disappointment. Inside is very poor and dark, and then leaves us with a bitter taste. We go out and look obviously you get to the famous tram 28 to make the now famous photo of the tram with the self in the background. Once you have made the usual photos that you take the tram he drove in Praça da Figueira and from there you walk through the Rua Augusta famous pedestrian street full of designer stores to come out in huge Praça do Comercio. The square is really great and close by the river Tagus and many tourist ferries depart from here to visit the bay. It 'now time for dinner and decide to dine in one of the many localiall'aperto that there are in Rua Augusta. We decide for a nice grilled sea bream and the choice is spot on. We must say that the fish know it really cook well.
After dinner we go back to Praça do Comercio square and to see the sights (Castle and Self), lit. ... The disappointment is bitter. The square is completely dark and monuments are poorly lit. Okay .. so we decide to go back to the hotel, take the metro and get off at the stop nearest to it is that Anjos and here we have the first surprise. Some buses and trams run out of them ran to 22.30, shoulder and legs ... then walk the 1km uphill to the hotel.
Sintra - Cabo da Roca - Cascais
After the disappointment of the rooms we also expect the disappointment of the breakfast and instead we are denied because the breakfast buffet is good and plentiful .... better that way. Let's finish quickly and go out and take our bus to the parking lot and head towards
Sintra. There are about 30 km that we walk in the opposite direction to traffic in Lisbon, we note, is really intense at this time of morning. Once in
Sintra is to visit the Palace of Pena and the Moorish Castle. Leave your car in the first parking lot, many continue later, and after the tickets (€ 10 but also includes a visit to the castle) we walk in a park with ponds and greenery. The walk takes about half an hour and suddenly appears in front of this marvel. The Palace of Pena to think about what makes a thousand and one nights. The building has bright colors ranging from red to yellow, to the grenade. Superb is the first word that comes to us to say. Inside you can not do either photos or movies, but let's still do a thing to wear in Italy. In almost every room there is supervision or control you. The rooms are well kept and all the furniture is really in excellent condition. In this case the money is well spent and the visit is truly enjoyable. A tip: if you can see for getting here early (opens at 10) because we have seen that it is a destination for school trips. Even here there is a great landscape. To the west you can see the Atlantic Ocean to the north while you see the Quinta da Regaleira and the Moorish Castle. After visiting the palace awaits us another half-hour walk around to go to the castle. Fortunately, the path is surrounded by greenery and shade, there are 37 degrees.
The castle has rooms to visit, but keeps on walking us to see the beauty of the Palace de la Pena, however, and deserves all the views. After the castle, our next stop is the Quinta da Regaleira but our navigation system will not show us the way we learn. We ask a police patrol stopped at the roadside and, in response, instead of explaining the way, we invite you to follow them. Children have brought us to the entrance with a courtesy impressive. We can not thank them and of course that the question arises: even our brigade in Milan would have done so? We doubt.
The Quinta da Regaleira is a large and majestic villa, which is well worth the visit. Inside the palace there are the drawings (it seems to be the work of an Italian) original which has been built. The gardens are beautiful and under them are intertwined underground passages leading to the major points of the villa. Admire the spiral staircase that descends to 25 meters under the ground and it seems the tower of Babel. Below you access to the basements that are completely dark, but with a small flashlight can go into the adventure.
Gone are the 14 and after leaving the Quinta da Regaleira we stop to eat in a nice fresh salad bar. I have never eaten a thing. In a salad with pineapple, apricots, corn, tuna, shrimp and a sauce that was the end of the world. Beautiful and with this heat I needed. We continue our bus and head west just half the far end of Europe to the west: Cabo de Roca (20 km).
We arrive and the Atlantic Ocean greets us with all its splendor. Water is a beautiful blue-green color and takes a very strong wind. Besides, in this place come from surfers around the world for their developments. Cabo de Roca A plaque reminds us that here: "... where the land ends and the sea begins." At the sight of the sea, our women are beginning to lose patience and we are practically obliged to change our itinerary (return to Lisbon for dinner) to get off the beach below and put your feet in water. The happy satisfied perhaps because we are what we want. We laugh because we wear the raincoats and the beach but there are people surfing and swimming. Get your feet on the sand and it makes us a true privilege. Let's take a stroll along the promenade and then decide to take the coast road to return to Lisbon and see to find a place to eat. We thus arrive at Cascais. The town, known as the Rimini Portuguese, she is very pretty. The streets are clean and everything is very nice. We can imagine that here in August there is an influx of people really impressive. There are a lot of places open and transmit all the pre game World of Portugal. Damn true that in a week starting the World Cup in South Africa but I had completely forgotten (not by me). We choose one of the many and while some of us take the roast chicken, Gaetano and I opt for the grilled sardines. When we bring the pot is big surprise. We expected sardines instead of 10-15 cm at most of these are sea bass. It looks great, the taste even more. Coffee and cake ... .. 13 €. Here too close to digest and enjoy the town, contrary to Lisbon, is illuminated. Let Cascais and the European west coast to return to Lisbon with regret agreeing that this was without doubt the most beautiful day of the old ones so far.
Lisbon
After breakfast our destination this morning includes a visit to the district of Belem. Take the 28 bus directly from the terminal just outside of metro Cais Sadr. The bus runs all along the Tagus and we decide to go down after the bridge 25 Abril. The Tagus is bordered by a beautiful and wide promenade that becomes our path. We admire the bridge and the structure and do the usual photos. To continue to walk the walk and we look at the monument Padrão dos Descobrimentos. The monument was built in 1960 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Conqueror and is a monument to the memory and in honor of all the Portuguese sailors and navigators. Opposite the entrance of the monument, designed on the ground, there is a compass rose (50 meters in diameter) that brings in all the routes discovered by Portuguese sailors and was donated in 1960 by South African former Portuguese colony. This pattern is clearly visible from the monument from where it rises with an elevator (€ 3) and you can enjoy beautiful scenery while watching the bridge 25 abril east, the Monastery of los Jeronimos Belem tower to the north and west . Just the Monastery of Los Jeronimos is our next destination. And not just because we think that all the buses of tourists have gathered here. We enter the monastery we discover in all its architectural beauty, but we decided not to go over because of the short time left. Outside the monastery the next destination is the Tower of Belem, a symbol of Lisbon. It 's a tower stronghold situated almost at the western entrance of the city and was used to monitor precisely the invaders who could enter the Tagus.
We enter the tower (4 euro) and then climb over. Inside there is nothing and maybe the price is not worth what we saw. But anyhow ....
And now is time for lunch and this time decide to sit down on a bench and eat our sandwiches. We remember that we still celebrate the anniversary of marriage of Tony and Renata and what better occasion than this to taste the famous Belem pastries.? The pastry was born in 1837, is renowned throughout the world and you can tell from the row that's out there to which we append too. The surprising thing is that people come out but no .... But inside looks like a hole. Boys inside there are a myriad of rooms lined with tiles. We take our pasta (they cost 90 cents each) and taste it ... .. Oh my, I'm not a big sweet tasty stuff but they deserve a reward particular pasta are so good. Now I understand why this is so renowned pastry and it's all deserved.
We still have a couple of hours prior to accompany Gaetano and Luisa at the airport for their return to Milan and women decide to devote to shopping. ... But because women do not think of something else? After shopping, take the bus to go back and bring our friends to the airport .... Let our friends and brought the van to the parking lot we decided to go sull'Elevador de SantaJusta connecting virtually to the pedestrian Convento do Carmo but we can not visit because it is already closed. For dinner we decided to move to the Plaza de Toros. Just below the arena there is a mall and decide to eat here, where there are ethnic restaurants. At our exit, are about 22.00 and being Saturday, there will be a manifestation of bullfighting and animal rights that are so manifest in a peaceful manner. After dinner, the idea is to go to Alfama area to see the sights in the evening but we have to struggle with the fact that all means (bus, tram) linking to the top end service at 22:30 and we could run the risk of making it walk. Better to let go and start instead to the Hotel.
Lisbon - Faro - Seville
We leave our hotel (total votes for money 5.5) and pointed at
Faro in the Algarve in southern Portugal. Are 280 km and are also quite boring. The highway is wide but there is none. Too bad the same is not close to shore, you could see a nice view. We arrived in
Faro at around 11 and after leaving Tony and the two wives with our luggage to the port I go to the airport to return the van. The Office of the Guerin and just stuck to the same el'addetto, after a quick check, I asked what happened and very kindly leave. Guerin voting to 8. To return to the port of
Faro take a taxi and the driver is in the mood to talk and chat. Turns out that today is a national holiday in Portugal (which is why we have not paid parking in Lisbon!) And that lighthouse is a small town where you have to pay attention. Now you understand why we constantly see the police at the port (in Bermuda shorts and quad bikes) that run along the harbor (exaggerate ... .300 meters). We have to wait until our bus at 15.30 that will lead us in Seville, and so we take advantage in turns to go for a ride and the inevitable 2 photos. At 15 we are heading towards the bus terminal which is right next to the port. The bus arrives at 15.25 and is quite a large tourist bus that will take us for 16 € in Seville. The advice is to buy tickets from the site because, contrary to what one might expect, the bus was full. Tickets can be purchased from 15 days before the site http://www.eva-bus.com and cost 16 euro. It 'the only way to go from Portugal to Andalusia (over the car of course) ... have not thought it strange that a rail link via
Faro and Huelva. All right, let us rest and comfort. Expected arrival at 20.30 to 21.15 because unfortunately become the 10 km from Seville are work in progress.
How to get off the bus we are gripped by the heat (33 ° to 21.15) and walk along the road that separates us from our hostel which is located in the center in a pedestrian area. Hostal Monnet (http://www.hostalmonet.com/) makes us smile just because the receptionist was a polite girl Abruzzo. We now provide our rooms to freshen up and climb. The rooms are very nice with a large bathroom, the only sore point is that breakfast is not provided (missing the very local). We go out for dinner and we immediately notice that Sevilla is a beautiful city with a lively pedestrian area very pretty. We have dinner at a bar in front of the cathedral. Nothing but since that time we did not want to look further.
Seville
Because there is no possibility to have breakfast at the hotel is obvious that the first stage of this day is obviously that of a bar for our cappuccino with brioche.
Seville is a city that wakes up late and we could see this in this very morning. At 9 there is practically no one still around. We take the opportunity to enter the cathedral so that is deserted at this hour. A tip: if you're a few days in Seville rented bicycles and take a tour of the city. Opens at 9.30 Reales Alcares which are practically the royal gardens. Admission is 7.50 but it's worth it to see the influence of the Arabs who have suffered in this area Iberian. In every room we are struck by how well kept all the angles and as the same are processed. After the gardens we get instead patiently in line to visit the cathedral and climb the tower of the Giralda, the symbol of the city (cost € 7) which is open 11 am - 17. Inside the Cathedral is the tomb of Marco Polo as well as other chapels very well kept and full of relics. Then we climb the tower from where we enjoy the view from the top of Seville. Not much to see because the cathedral is a monument that would have been nice to see from above. The Cathedral is right downtown in a pedestrian area and only go where the subway (or tram) and is very pleasant turn it on foot. It 's time for lunch and of course we are in Spain and then ... ... sangria and paella. We eat just behind the cathedral where there are lots of restaurants that offers an embarrassment of choice. We eat very well with 14 € and it is really good.
After lunch we decide to have a good walk to Plaza de Espana and unfortunately, for that matter had not yet happened and where to happen sooner or later, we are the place closed for renovation. What a shame. We wanted for our anniversary tour with the rowing boat. ... However, we can only see it in the arcades and climb the towers. We had not yet found a monument in restoration .... Too bad .. but worth the plaza, and then who comes to Seville necessarily have to see it. From here continue by retracing our steps to go and see the Gold Tower (Torre del Oro), a tower that is located on the banks of the Rio Guadalquivir. Nothing fancy and it is also closed. But more than anything else we walk along the river to get to see the Plaza de Toros. To get to see it cost a mistake and then we surrender and we prefer to see it only from outside. It 's almost time for dinner and so we decided to cross on foot, the whole city with a visit to the Santa Justa railway station to pick up our car. We enter it in narrow streets and picturesque, and after an hour's walk we can get to the train station. So we decide to eat a nice salad bar right in front of the station. After our dinner we enter the station and go to the office of Europcar. Here we decide to take out the insurance that clears the deductible in case of damage (in
Porto was already provided with the Guerin), which are 17 euro per day but definitely worth it. Our car is a Peugeot 308 SW black brand-new (1100 km done) with zonal air conditioning and radio with USB port (so we hear a bit 'of Italian music). However, a real treat, and even the car service was impeccable. The problem of Seville are the parking lots. There are not all outdoors but indoors and cost 17 euro per day. Well, after shooting a bit 'we decided to leave it near the Plaza de Toros, in the morning I'll go get it.
Seville - Cordoba - Grenada
So let our Hostal Monnet (7 votes charged for not having breakfast). As I said the first Seville is a city that wakes up late. At 8 there is no one around and I realize just going to pick up the car. We load luggage and head towards Cordoba. On the highway we stopped to breakfast. The terrain here is very arid and dry today and promises a great day hot. We arrived at Cordoba (150 km) around 10.30 and go immediately to see the famous Mosque of 1000 columns (entry € 4). It 's a classic example of the fusion of Arab-Islamic culture with Christian and we are about at the end of 700. Inside the mosque is very well maintained with a myriad of chapels on all four sides. At the exit we take advantage to turn a bit 'in the alleys and shops there. A recommendation: attention to bags and wallets, because here, but as well in Seville and Granada is full of gypsies.
Then we cross the old Roman bridge over the Rio Guadalquivir, and go to the Tower of Calahorra but it is closed. The heat is hellish, and so we remember that there is an exit of the mall and so we decide to go to eat and enjoy it for refreshment. We continue like this for our final destination: Granada, arise at about 17.00 after 210 km. welcomed by 37 degrees of heat. And to think that you see right behind the Sierra Nevada with snow. In the hotel the first and only snag deals. It booked a single room but there are vouchers in my written 2 for 4 adults. The receptionist then tries to mumble something and can not find a new room and informs us that today the top floor was opened a bar with a view. I forgot the name of the hotel is right in front of the eponymous Los Jeronimos Monastery (http://www.hotelosjeronimos.com)
The hotel has some new and some old woman who has yet to be restored. The rooms are very spacious and the bathrooms are very large so to our satisfaction. The time to leave the baggage that we are on the road again. All shops are closed and there is no one around. ... Damn it's a holiday but as soon as we arrive in the central area but the town is full of tourists and chaotic. We arrived near the cathedral and we see that being the day after the party itself will not open in the morning. Exchange program and then decide to visit it right away (€ 3.5). Way we enter the cathedral that is really big and made of white marble that even bothers my eyes. It 's very beautiful as well as the central altar and frescoes. Leaving the heat is still stifling. So we decide to go back to the hotel to freshen up and prepare for the evening. As you walk the way we understand that the Arab influence is very present here. In fact, many kebab shops are on the bus route as well as the unique Arab music coming out from the houses. After showering, we decided to go to see the new bar on the top floor. The view was really beautiful. It almost seems to be in Rome for the appearance of the roofs. Tonight, the happy hour here just 1 euro. It 's wonderful. We enjoy the warmth of the sunset looking at the los Jeronimos Monastery, the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada snow. After the drink down and go to the restaurant to finish with a nice salad.
Required to come back in a pedestrian area. In fact the city is dressed up with decorations and lights. If it were not for the heat I would say that it is Christmas. After a ride we go back to the hotel.
Granada
Breakfast is the real flaw of the hotel. In fact it is a buffet and the choice leaves no way out. Only cappuccino croissant because there are not but luckily we have some spare us and we take advantage. Since yesterday afternoon we visited the Cathedral in the morning now is virtually free from scheduled commitments. In fact, even visiting the Capela Real does not see our interest (maybe we are tired) and so we decide not to visit. We prefer to walk for a stroll, and so we decide to go see Plaza de Toros and then take a bus back downtown. So we turned a bit 'walking around because we have to be 13 to the entrance of the Alhambra. About. Remember to buy tickets directly from here because it will be impossible. Tickets (www.alhambra.org) have different costs because they are different paths you can take. Budgeted, however, the fact that you will leave half a day. We have purchased them from Italy and once in Granada we have entered into an agency officer of the Service where they Caixa perfecting our ticket vouchers in their own right. So we decided to walk up to the Alhambra. In all, about half an hour but in the shade and therefore can be done easily. There is no way still to go first to see something. The entrance is set for 14 hour and we will enter. Okay ... we buy a sandwich, lunch, and patiently await our moment. The only thing that puzzles me is that, given the large influx of tourists, there is a great bar but just a shack. Finally we get to 14 and find that everything we had read in the book correspond to reality. The Arab-Islamic art merges with that of Europe in a continuous exchange of artistic sculptures. Everything is well preserved and well worth the price. It begins, of necessity, from Palacios Nazaríes, continuing the gardens of the Generalife and the Alcazaba finally where you have a bird's-eye view of Granada, the cathedral and the Sierra Nevada. In the end, it's almost 18, we are very tired because walking was too much.
The women then decided that we should walk down ... why? There are still some goodies to buy .... After disembarking we take the 32 bus that takes us all'Albaicin. Albaicin and a fourth place in the top of a hill opposite the Alhambra. I highly recommend it. In Plaza San Nicolas is a terrace where you can see in its entirety throughout the Alhambra and behind the Sierra Nevada ... almost a postcard that is a must for your collection. We take the 32 bus that takes us back to center and then we go from here in the hotel. We go out after a shower and go back to regenerative center. There is the procession of Corpus Christi and the statue of the Madonna is carried on shoulders with the altar by a very large group of women. The cathedral was brightly lit inside. For our last dinner we decide which of course can only be sangria and paella, and it will. After that, to digest, the usual walk brings us to the streets where there are several schools that perform flamenco. This completes the evening and go back to our hotel because we have to take your car from the garage as the morning after an early departure.