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London, Morocco and Spain
  • ShaunLC
  • Rosanne Lion-Cachet
  • ShaunLC
  • Rosanne Lion-Cachet

London, Morocco and Spain

A week in London followed by a guided 3 week tour of Morocco and southern Spain - looking forward to family, fiends, good food, new sights, and adventure. Read more
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  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Our AVE to Cordoba. At 300km/h it eats up the distance.Taberna Gongora, where they wear their heart in their sleeve and dead animals on the wallsFried anchovies with lemon, and croquettes - yum! Those anchovies were addictive.Crispy fried eggplant with honey, and rabo de toro (bulls tail) - yum!Plaza de las Tendillas, on our evening walk after tapas down towards the riverThe Mezquita by nightMonument to Saint Raphael Archangel, the patron saint of the cityWalls of the MezquitaAmazing street artist with Spanish guitarThe old Roman bridge of Cordoba

    Hello Cordoba

    April 21 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Goodbye Granada and onto the AVE bullet train to Cordoba. We got in parish, and off to town to try a recommended tapas bar favoured by the locals. Taberna Gongora was amazing, although we were tricked by the huge portion sizes (and the after effects!). We needed a good walk afterwards!
    The moment of the day - an authentic meal at a local restaurant where English was a luxury, even if we did overdo the meal.    Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Puerta de Almodovar, a Moorish gate to the old city
    Old city wallsAverroes, a Cordoban Arab writer and philosopherStatue of Maimonides, a Jewish philosopher, theologian and doctor from the 1100sCordoba Synagogue in the heart of the Jewish quarter, and 1 of 4 remaining old Spainish synagoguesView of the AlcazarThe tower from the old Alcazar (fort)Rescued Roman floor mosaics now on display in the alcazarA Roman burial tombGardens outside the AlcazarGardens outside the AlcazarWalking through the streets of the patios, previously quarters for the kings armyAn abandoned palace, now home to stray cats! An organisation looks after the cats and the house.The old Roman bridge. Not much left of the original as it has been upgraded over the yearsOn the Roman bridge, looking upstream.View from the Roman bridge over the Mezquita, with the cathedral portion prominentView from the far bank over the Roman bridge and Mezquita, with the cathedral portion promOne of our best tapa to date - pork cheeks

    Cruising the streets of Cordoba

    April 22 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Cordoba dates back to the Romans, it was the capital of southern Spain and Portugal. The history is layered with so many cultural influences, a fascinating little city. But it’s hot! Over 30deg today, and summer is not here yet. We had a walking tour through the Mezquita; to many houses with beautiful patios; to the old Alcazar with beautiful gardens, which was initially a Roman customs house on the old river bank, and then later a central location for the Spanish Inquisition hearings; explored the old Moorish city walls; visited an old synagogue; and the old Roman bridge. Tapas to end the day, obviously.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Originally a minaret but now a bell tower, it is an imposing presence over Cordoba
    The orange garden between the bell tower and the mosque-cathedralColumns and arches in every direction!There are around 800 columns, previously more but were removed for the Christian templesGlimpses through to the Gothic templeViews through to the imam's prayer roomAn area where columns were removed for the gothic templeImam's prayer room where he would lead the prayersThe dome above the MihrabThe Tesoro, used for special occasions and processions, held aloft through the streetsOfficially the Cathedral of Our Lady of AssumptionHigh altarThe choirEach tiny detail hand carved in mahogany

    La Mezquita of Cordoba

    April 22 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    The mosque-cathedral is a visually stunning blend of Moorish, Arab and Christian architecture, which reflects the city’s history during the Moorish occupation from the 700s to the 1200s, as well as the Visigoth and Catholic occupations. The sea of pillars holding up the coloured double arches, which then give way to two separate temples (Gothic and a later Baroque) adorned in the usual elaborate Catholic style, was breathtaking.
    Moment of the day - those first few steps into the Mesquita and seeing the sea of columns.    Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Lemon tree trained along the wallPalacio de VianaPalacio de VianaPalacio de VianaPalacio de VianaPalacio de VianaPalacio de Viana

    Patios of Cordoba

    April 22 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    Cordoba is known for its patios, internal courtyards filled with plants and flowers and open to the elements. Rooms of the house surround the patio on 1 or 2 levels, with the patio providing temperature control and a meeting point for family and neighbours. They take their patios seriously, every May the city has a competition for the best. Our visits were early, but we were treated to some stunning arrangements.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    The Roman bridge from the Torre de Calahorra, which was the custom house on the city's only bridge
    Church of San FransiscoJulio Romero de Torres, in the museumHe became famous for painting scenes of everyday woman, over 100 years agoCelebrating patios, in the streetsGran Capitán, celebrated for his military exploits against the kingdom of Granada in late 1400sStreet artIn the Victoria GardensTapas at Taberna Salinas, the garlic mushroom was a taste sensation, followed by suckling pig - yum!

    A free day in Corboba

    April 23 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Left to our own devices we casually enjoyed Cordoba on our own. Main activities were taking a bus tour around the city, then visiting the. Burch of San Fransisco, and the Julio Romero de Torres museum. Our best tapa experience was saved till last at Taberna Salinas, a charming restaurant with super friendly wait staff.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    The Gran Via, the main road in the city. Our impressive 4-star hotel is along there.Our hotel room viewThe view from our hotel rooftop, looking down the Gran Via

    Madrid

    April 24 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    An early start for Cordoba meant we missed breakfast and walked to the train station, witnessing our first in-person sunrise of the trip. As usual the train was superb and we arrived in a hot, bustling metropolis, so different to our experiences since London. Madrid is an impressive and imposing city, full of pleasant buildings on a grand scale. Getting in at midday meant we had time for a walk and a city bus tour before the evening activities.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    The symbol of Madrid, the bear and strawberry tree
    Breakfast with a viewCarlos III in the Puerto del Sol plazaThe Madrid zero km mark in Puerto del Sol, all (ancient) roads lead from hereDaniel our guide discussing El Riojano, one of the oldest bakeries in Madrid dating to 1865Sobrino de Botín, allegedly the world’s oldest restaurant, which opened in 1725Reina Madre pharmacy, operating since 1598Almudena CathedralMass at the Almudena CathedralGoya, looking forward over the Prado museumVelazquez outside the Prado"Art" for sale outside the PradoEl Retiro parkPicnic lunch in the shade at El RetiroThe Great Pond of El Retiro, with row boats on a sunny Friday lunch timeThe Crystal Palace of El Retiro

    Prado Museum and walking tour

    April 25 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    The morning started with an interesting tour by Daniel though the historical highlights near our hotel, including the Puerto del Sol, the old establishments on Calle Mayor, the Royal Palace, looking inside Almudena Cathedral during mass, and then an in-depth tour of the Prado museum. No photos in the Prado, but we saw Goya, Raphael, El Greco, Velazquez, Rubens, and Bosch (The Garden of Earthly Delights).
    Moment of the day - stepping into the Prado and being confronted with masterpieces on a huge scale.    Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Calle Mayor
    Every town needs a churrreriaSan Miguel marketSan Miguel marketOur tapas dinner choiceYum yum yum!!Back at the hotel to find a little extra dessert waiting. I quite like this 4-star treatment.Sunrise, getting ready to head home.

    Last night in Madrid

    April 25 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    A final tapas fling for the last night in Madrid. We walked down Calle Mayor to the San Miguel market and selected a bunch of yummy morsels, then finished off with an ice cream on the way back to the hotel.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain

    Spain highlights

    April 26 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Food.
    Cod fish/bacalau when done well is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Who knew sweet vermouth was as a thing - well it is! Flamenquin is pork loin with cheese, rolled in ham, bread crumbs, and fried - outrageously good! Pork cheeks - wow! Churros and chocolate for breakfast - don’t mind if I do.

    Culture.
    Rich Spainish culture which brings together history, faith, and food. The Jewish, Moorish Muslim and Catholic Christianity brings a fascinating depth to the country, not to mention the Romans before and the more recent development during imperialism, intertwined with a modern country.

    The Mezquita.
    I’ve never seen a building quite like the Mosque-Cathedral in Cordoba!

    Trains.
    Spain knows a thing or 2 about good trains. Travelling at 300km/h in comfy seats is a pleasure.

    Spain in spring.
    Blue skies, cool mornings, warm days, trees, fields and flower beds showing off their colours.

    Passion for their history.
    Especially in the south where Moorish influences are more obvious. Madridians are very proud of their artists.

    Catholic traditions.
    Stepping into the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid during mass and listening to the singing. Arriving in Seville during Easter Holy Week celebrations, with the processions and activities deeply rooted in history.    Read more

    Trip end
    April 26, 2025
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