• R and R Travels
  • Robin Braithwaite
  • R and R Travels
  • Robin Braithwaite

Europe 2023

A long awaited trip to Europe via Japan.
We'll visit;
Japan, France, Sardinia, Corsica, Spain and England
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  • Flamenco y tapas

    August 25, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 39 °C

    In Sevilla fiery art form comes alive—flamenco. This passionate dance and musical genre embody the spirit of Andalusia. Rooted in centuries of tradition, flamenco weaves a narrative of intense emotions through intricate footwork, soulful guitar melodies, and heart-piercing vocals. Seville, as the heartland of flamenco, offers a sensory immersion into its world. From intimate tablaos to grand theaters, visitors can experience the raw power of a cantaor's voice and the captivating rhythm of a bailaor's steps. In Seville, flamenco isn't just an art—it's a pulsating expression of life's depth.Read more

  • Mercado de Triana, Sevilla

    August 26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    We crossed the Rio Guadalquivir to Mercado de Triana. The market brings together many local fresh vegetables and fruits grown in the region such as oranges from Aljarafe and melons and watermelons From Huelva , there is also a fishmonger, bakery and typical Andalusian culinary delights. Some of the gardeners who sell their fruits perpetuate this family tradition for more than 100 years.

    The gastronomic sector of the market has bars and restaurants that offer the menu of the day with dishes and fresh preparations such as salmorejo soup, croquettes and other typically Sevillian tapas.
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  • Casa de Pilatos, Sevilla pt 1

    August 26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    La Casa de Pilatos is an Andalusian palace in Seville, Spain, which serves as the permanent residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli. It is an example of an Italian Renaissance building with Mudéjar elements and decorations. It is considered the prototype of the Andalusian palace.Read more

  • Casa de Pilatos, Sevilla, pt 2

    August 26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    La Casa de Pilatos is an Andalusian palace in Seville, Spain, which served as the permanent residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli. It is an example of an Italian Renaissance building with Mudéjar elements and decorations. It is considered the prototype of the Andalusian palace.Read more

  • Adios Sevilla

    August 27, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Heading out of Sevilla to Granada by train with a little train picnic along the way.

  • Granada

    August 27, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Arrived in Granada and had a wander around the old town and then dinner downtown. Looking forward to L'Alhambra de Grenade tomorrow.

  • Alhambra tiles, Nasrid Palaces

    August 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Developed by Muslims in their attempt to emulate Greco-Roman and Byzantine mosaics, the tiling technique consists of cutting pieces of monochrome glazed ceramic using pliers or nippers to obtain fragments of different sizes and geometric shapes –called aliceres in Spanish– which are then put into place like a jigsaw one next to another, following a previously established pattern.Read more

  • Carlos V Palace, Alhambra

    August 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    When Carlos V came to Granada on his honeymoon, he fell in love with the Alhambra and the city. He took up residence in the Arab palaces but decided to build his own larger, more spacious palace adjoining the Nasrid Palaces so that he could continue to enjoy them.

    He commissioned the architect Pedro Machuca to design a building befitting a Roman Emperor and work began in 1527. Machuca died in 1550 and his son Luis took over. The project was then continued but most of the major work had by this time been completed.
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  • The Alcazaba, The Alhambra

    August 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    The Alcazaba is a fortress at the western tip of the Alhambra. Its name comes from the Arabic term al-qaṣabah ('the citadel' or kasbah), which became Alcazaba in Spanish. It is the oldest surviving part of the Alhambra, having been built by Muhammed I Ibn al-Ahmar, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, after 1238.Read more

  • La Alhambra de Granada gardens

    August 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Islamic garden design focuses on tranquility and contemplation. There are always elements of water and shade. Aromatic plants are an important feature too.

    The plants and flowers grown in the Alhambra were not just ornamental. Ivy, Laurel, Thyme, Lavender, Sage and Rosemary have been grown here for centuries. Planted for their medicinal properties.Read more

  • Nasrid Palaces, The Alhambra, pt 1

    August 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    There are three independent areas in the Nasrid Palaces (Palacios Nazaríes): the Mexuar, which corresponds to the semipublic part of the palace or selamlik, for justice administration and State affairs; the Comares Palace (Palacio de Comares), which was the official residence of the king; and the Palace of the Lions (Palacio de los Leones), which was the private area of the palace, where the Harem was located. Not only were these areas different because of their functions, but also because of their artistic characteristics. The Comares Palace (Palacio de Comares) was decorated in a typically Muslim way, but the Palace of the Lions (Patio de los Leones) presents Christian influences, probably as a consequence of the friendship between Mohammed V and his Castilian counterpart Pedro I, the Cruel. Read more

  • La Alhambra de Granada

    August 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Today we made our way up to Mirador de San Nicolas to check out La Alhambra de Granada from another angle with the Sierra Nevada mountain range as a backdrop.

  • Dinner - Restaurante las Tomasas

    August 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    With a view back onto La Alhambra de Granada and Sierra Nevada, this lovely restaurant was the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset and an almost full moon rising. Delightful staff, delicious food and reasonably priced.Read more