Madrid

After visiting Madrid no less than 3 times prior, we managed to actually spend some time in the Spanish capital before heading home. It felt like the Spanish Sydney compared to the Melbourne we saw in Barcelona. And a Sydney without a harbour. It's big. And there's plenty to see. But there's only so many art galleries and Cathedrals you can see in one trip!

Last, but not least.

Sunset through the grounds of the Palacio Real.

Catedral de Nuestra de la Almudena.

Karen at the Plaza Mayor. All the festive shopping and whacky wigs you could ask for.

Palacio de Communicaciones. Not bad for a post office!

Plaza de la Independencia.

Felicidades! And a happy new year, too!

At the Palacio Real.

Dinner, anyone?

"Drugs?" "Thank you, no, I'm straight." "I meant, are you in here for drugs?"

Sunrise over Madrid rooftops.

Salamanca

Salamanca was a pretty little place. A university town, but big enough to keep you occupied, every way you looked the pedestrianised streets around the university colleges seemed more beautiful. The Oxford or Cambridge of Spain?

And on to Salamanca.

Towards the Plaza de San Isidro.

Plaza Nueva.

Universidad Civil.

An astronaut? Carved into the facade of the cathedral?

Karen and me at the Catedral Vieja and the Catedral Nueva.

Granada

Two things in Granada surprised me: The extent of Muslim influence on its architecture and the quality of our hostel!

Walking the streets of Granada seemed more like walking the streets of Morocco than walking the streets of Barcelona or Madrid. The buildings, the locals, the smells, the sights - they almost didn't seem Spanish. It seemed much, much older and, in some ways, it is.

On the other hand, our hostel couldn't have been more modern or luxurious. Not often have I stayed in a double room that locks with a smart card, has a big screen TV with remote, bar fridge and electronic safe for hostel prices. If you ever end up in Granada, check out The Oasis. Highly recommended.

Oasis. Our aptly named hostel.

From the rooftop terrace of Oasis.

On the streets of the Albayzin.

Markets on Calle Caldereria Nueva by night.

Alhambra at dusk.

The Sierra Nevada from the grounds of the Alhambra.

Alcazaba ruins.

From the Palacio Nazaries through to the Albayzin.

The Albayzin.

Patio del Cuarto Dorada in the Palacio Nazaries.

Palacio Nazaries carving detail.

Palacio Nazaries tile detail.

Patio de la Acequia in the Generalife.

Seville

So we went from the south of Spain to the north of Spain and then back again, but ultimately we ended up in Seville for a few days. With a hostel in the middle of town, we walked everywhere there was to go.

The highlight of the stay, though, wasn't the attractions but rather the crowds that flocked to see the procession for La Immaculada Concepcion (the feast of the Immaculate Conception). Apparently, on the very day we wandered into town, a statue of the Virgin Mary makes her only appearance for the entire year, does a lap around the Cathedral and then returns home not to be seen for another 12 months. And didn't the locals love it.

And on to Seville.

The AVE (now with free headphones)!

Fountain close up.

Oranges with Giralda in background.

La Immaculada Concepcion at the Seville Cathedral.

Karen and the locals.

Choir stall detail in Seville Cathedral.

Seville Cathedral and Giralda by night.

Karen in Barrio de Santa Cruz.

Plaza de Espanya.

Fountain in forecourt of Plaza de Espanya.

Alcazar ceiling detail.

Karen at the Alcazar.

Alcazar tile detail.

Banos de Dona Maria de Padilla.

Alcazar gardens and wall.

Bilbao

With our sketchy travel plans even more out of whack, we ended up in Bilbao after a cross-country excursion. With no accomodation in the middle of a long weekend, we managed to spend 3 nights in 3 different places.

I never would have thought that Bilbao would have offered as much as it did, but it really showed how different the Basque Country is and the level of independence that the locals feel. For a tourist, the drawcard is the spectacular Guggenheim (apologies for the number of photos, but it really is an amazing building) but the city itself was alive with people. Was it the time of year or the city itself? Who knows, but it was 3 days well spent.

Teatro Arriaga by night in Bilbao's old town.


Basque Christmas lights.


There's always time for a beer at the Cafe Bar Bilbao in Plaza Nueva.


Bilbao! Public transport capital (and, did you know, home to the world's most modern subway system)!


Guggenheim reflections.


Karen and the Guggenheim.


Guggenheim entrance by night.


Puppy!


Guggenheim by night.


Guggenheim by night from Ria de Bilbao

Valencia

After deciding to push on from Barcelona, we headed down the coast via train (well, a couple of trains) to Valencia. We'd hoped to stay for a day or so before pushing on to Granada or Seville.

Unfortunately, our travel plans to depart Valencia also corresponded with half the Spanish population heading out for a 5 day long weekend. So we stayed a little longer than expected, and ended up somehwere different afterwards but the hostel sold beers in a vending machine. It wasn't all bad.

And on to Valencia.


First summit in Spain.


What?! More photos?!


Karen at Museo de las Ciencias.


Museo de las Ciencias Principe Filipe.


Museo de las Ciencias detail.


Palacio de las Artes and the Hemispheric.


Time for a nap at the Plaza de la Reina.


Migulete bell tower and Catedral.


Plaza de la Reina at sunset.


Karen and Valencia sunset.


Me atop the Miguelete Bell Tower.

Barcelona

Barcelona was our first stop in Spain and as far as cities go, it was really quite spectacular. Maybe it was just the change from the rain and darkness of Glasgow, but Barcelona is a beautiful place. We ended up staying a day longer than expected (making it 4 in total) and we still managed to miss some of the highlights. Guess that's just an excuse for a return visit.

First stop, Barcelona.


Day one and I'm already annoying Karen with my camera.


But she's still smiling.


Passion Facade of La Sagrada Familia.


Door detail.


I can see yooou.


Sculpture silhouette on Nativity Facade of La Sagrada Familia.


Flying high above Barcelona.


Around and around and around and around...


Nativity Facade of La Sagrada Familia by night.


View from Palau Nacional de Montjuic to Placa d'Espanya.


The two of us!


From Montjuic.


Placa d'Europa in the Anella Olympica.


The trusty Lo-Net helps out again.


Go Kazza!


Crown detail on Monument a Colom.


La Rambla from Monument a Colom.


El Corte Ingles Christmas lights.


Christmas light close up.


The Museo Picasso.


Roman walls.