Spain & Portugal

A long (nearly 2 months) trip to mainly Spain and a bit of Portugal Read more

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Spain & Portugal
Another walk around Valencia
October 28, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
A walk around Valencia. First breakfast at our accommodation. Then to Plaça de l'Ajuntament. Then to see the world's thinnest building La Estrecha de Sombreros Alberto (the width of a window pane) - Joyce even got into the paper!
We then wandered through the maze of the old town, with vibrant street art to Torres dels Serrans - the old gate of the city on what once was the banks of the
Our last stop in the old town was the Turia river, and is now a large green space around the centre of town.
We walked along this park seeing the Gulliver playground (I'll post the Google aerial view) - a fascinating playground for kids to climb on and slide down.
Lastly, to the Cuitat de les Arts i les Cièncias - 4 modernist buildings that look like spaceships.Read more
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Mercat Central de Valencia
October 29, 2024 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
A day visiting the main market in Valencia and then a short walk around town.
Traveler Are they all olives?
11/1/24Reply
TravelerDifferent olives, pickled onions, chilli, and other mixes.
11/3/24Reply
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Spain & Portugal
Another day around the market and Paella
October 30, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Couldn't resist another visit to the market, then out to find our first Paella in Spain.
TravelerEverything seems so normal, where is all rhe damage from the floods weare seeing on tv?
11/1/24Reply
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Spain & Portugal
Driving Valencia to Murcia
October 31, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Car hire company offered us a free upgrade to an EV.. after a bit of hemming and hawing, and an hour's research to make sure I could download and use the charging apps and checking chargers along our route, we went for it.
Now we wished we'd booked the car for a longer time!
It's not a Tesla (it's an Opel Corsa EV), but it's zippy and there's heaps of charging options around And a lot cheaper than petrol.Read more
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Estrecho de la Arboleja
November 1, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
What a find! Just saw a pin on Google Maps and it turned out to be so good!
Close to the carpark. A gorgeous tight canyon, (not a lot of water, so no waterfalls), a bit of caving (a man made tunnel).
Traveler What was the tunnel for?
11/3/24Reply
TravelerWe were told that it used to be used to store food in the cold canyon. It is very long (we needed headlights to navigate it). Starting at the well (and stairs cut into the side of the canyon, crossing three bridges, and ending up near the old ruin
11/3/24Reply
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Spain & Portugal
Walking through the Badlands of Barranco
November 2, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Walking the Barranco del Infierno near Murcia.
There are a lot of canyons and Wayne got a little turned around once or twice. Still, it took us a lot longer than expected, so we turned around half way.and headed back.Read more
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Spain & Portugal
Driving Murcia to Granada
November 3, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
After a bit of shopping in Decathlon, we drove out of Murcia, skirting north of a big storm (and government warnings) to end up in Granada. Took longer than expected as the northern route had slower chargers.Read more
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Spain & Portugal
Cahorros de Monachil
November 4, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
An adventure walk along a well defined path in Monachil. Down a canyon, and then to some beautiful open vistas.
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Spain & Portugal
Rest day and a local walk
November 5, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Didn't get up to much today. Planned a bit more of our holiday and took a short walk out to a local cave.
When we got there we were serenaded with Flamenco guitar and had a chat with the musician. Watched the sunset, then navigated the way back in the dark.Read more
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Walk around Granada
November 6, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Went for a walk through Granada today.
First stop, Basílica Virgen de las Angustias, a beautiful cathedral we wandered into off the street.
Then to Wild Foods for a spot of lunch.
We walked from there up to Sacromonte and to the Gypsy cave houses and the museum there (a lot of the houses are still occupied, by families, or by flamenco bars).
Then we watched the sun set over the Alhambra (one of the largest palaces in Europe).
After pushing our way through the sunset crowd (and seeing an impromptu flamenco), we walked down through the winding alleys of Albaicín.
Finally a progressive dinner, first at a Morrocan restaurant, then at a speciality Vegan Restaurant.Read more
Traveler Very ornate
11/9/24Reply
TravelerHow is your Spanish? Do many speak English or are you having to use your language skills more?
11/9/24Reply
TravelerMy Spanish is definitely getting a workout. Quite a few people speak English (mostly servicing tourists - car hire, tourist information, etc) but there are times where we rely solely on my sketchy understanding of Spanish, guessing the meaning and hoping we were right.
11/9/24Reply
TravelerI've gotten very good at, "Puede tomar una foto para nosotros", "Can you take a photo for us"...
11/19/24Reply
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Spain & Portugal
Spa day
November 7, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
A relaxing afternoon at the Hammam Al Andalus in Antequera.
Comes highly recommended. We did the Midra45 - the baths (medium hot, hot, cold, and steam room), a 15 minute kessa treatment and a 30 minute massage.
Then undid all the good work by a stressful drive to our next accommodation.Read more
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El Torcal de Antequera - Green Route
November 8, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Very dense fog today, but it made for a magical walk around El Tocal de Antequera.
Finally, Joyce said goodbye to her trusty walking stick that has been her walking companion since Ordesa.
Traveler Parting is such sweet sorrow!🥰
11/12/24Reply
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Spain & Portugal
Changing cars
November 9, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
We had to change cars today. The electric Opel Corsa contract ran out today, and although we had the option to continue with it (at a discounted price), we decided to switch to an ICE car. Where we are going next doesn't have a charger in town (and none of our accommodation has had destination chargers). That and it takes 30-45 minutes to get a decent charge, everyday. That takes a chunk out of our day and we usually arrive back late.
So, although we ordered an automatic (car rental companies in Spain seem to book cars that they don't actually have at the time), we are now driving a manual ICE.
We also moved to Antequera. Wayne took a little walk around town at night.Read more
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Spain & Portugal
El Torcal de Antequera - Yellow route
November 10, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
We're back!
We loved El Tocal, so we decided to come back and do the longer "Yellow" trail.
TravelerRemarkable landscape, not what I imagined Spain would look lile. Love the scenic photos and the fact no matter where you are you always seem to find a cave.
11/14/24Reply
TravelerThe floods just keep following you through Spain!
11/14/24Reply
TravelerWe've just left Olvera and are now in Seville. Two nights here then onto Porto (hopefully it won't follow us there...) It was rather fortuitous as the rain over the last two days coincided with being laid up sick in the accommodation.
11/15/24Reply
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Spain & Portugal
Setenil de las Bodegas
November 11, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
A short drive and we are in Setenil de las Bodegas - the houses under the rock.
Beautiful little city.
We are here on a weekday, and a little early. By 3pm, there were busloads of tourists going through every couple of minutes. We'd heard that it's impossible to find parking on the weekends.Read more
TravelerWow. Some people will build anywhere. Many happy returns for your birthday Son. What do you have planned to celebrate your special occasion in Spanish? Love Mum & Dad
11/12/24Reply
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Spain & Portugal
Garganta Verde
November 12, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
A permit only hike, and one of the best near Ronda/Olvera.
Rated as a difficult walk down into a canyon and along the riverbed.
We were quite surprised with how well we did scrambling along the riverbed and walking back up out of the canyon.
Another surprise was the number of Vultures and how close they flew to us. Reminded me of the Great Eagles scene in The Lord of the Rings.Read more
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Spain & Portugal
Olvera
November 13, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
We're feeling under the weather and with the rain, we decided to stay in Olvera.
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Spain & Portugal
Olvera
November 14, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Another wet day. The Caminito del Rey walk has been cancelled. Just as well, as still feeling under the weather and could use another rest day. So we are spending another day in Olvera.
We walked up the hill just behind our accommodation.Read more
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Spain & Portugal
Drive from Olvera to Sevilla
November 15, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Drove into Sevilla (Seville) this morning, returned the car, and after we checked into our accommodation, we took a walk into the old town. We were able to get up to Setas de Sevilla (or the Mushroom, the largest wooden structure in the world) for sunset.
We were settling down in our accommodation, and about 9pm, we heard loud music from the street. Going out to investigate there were about 30 men carrying a steel frame with cement blocks on top. Later we found out we were very close to the church Hermandad de la Macarena. Holy week was coming up, so they were training to carry the Macarena (a statue of the Virgin Mary) in procession.Read more
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Sevilla
November 16, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Loved Sevilla (or Seville). A beautiful city.
A long walk all through the city, starting at Setas de Sevilla and ending at the Plaza de España (our favourite spot).
TravelerLove the architecture
11/25/24Reply
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Spain & Portugal
Flight from Sevilla to Porto, via Lisbon
November 17, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Travel day today. Arriving in Porto to start our Portugal adventures.
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Spain & Portugal
Porto
November 18, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
A night and a day in Porto.
Beautiful little city, lots of vegan options. We didn't stay long.
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Spain & Portugal
Sintra and Quinta da Regaleira
November 19, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
After an early morning bus ride, we arrived in Sintra at midday. Dropping our bags at the accommodation, we took a walk up to Quints da Regaleira.
Regaleira is a palace constructed by António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro. He purchased the land in 1892 and set about building a bewitching environment. He engaged the Italian architect Luigi Manini. Construction started in 1904 and was mostly completed by 1910.
The buildings and grounds are heavy with alchemy, Knights Templar, Masonic, and Rosicrucian symbolism.
The most interesting were the Initiation Well and the Labyrinthic Grotto (yes, we found another cave).Read more
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Peña Palace
November 20, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Peña Palace or the colourful castle was built by Ferdinand II (the king consort) in 1842. It represents 19th-century Romanticism and is one of the seven wonders of Portugal (don't ask me what the other 6 are...)
We caught the tourist bus up in the morning and explored the outside and the grounds (the tourist information office, and several YouTube videos said the inside wasn't worth it).
The castle is amazing and the grounds hid some interesting treats - a bronze statue of a soldier, several Hieronymite monk hermitages (more caves!), and houses and a castle for the ducks!Read more
Traveler A medieval house for a duck
11/24/24Reply
Traveler A medieval fort for the ducks
11/24/24Reply
Traveler A castle for the ducks. (I was expecting a duck with a steel helmet and halberd to come out).
11/24/24Reply
Traveler Another cave! This one a small granite chamber the Hieronymite monks carved into a square room, with a small window and a niche for a religious relic.
11/24/24Reply
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Spain & Portugal
Moorish Castle
November 20, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Directly after Peña Palace, we walked across the road to the Castillo de los Moros (the Moorish Castle).
Founded in the 8th and 9th centuries by the Moors. In 1375 King Ferdinand I ordered the rebuilding of the site.
In 1840 Ferdinand II (the same Ferdinand who built Peña Palace) ordered the restoration of the castle.Read more
TravelerWow, So much history, love it.
11/25/24Reply
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