Granada
For centuries Granada has been known throughout the world as the Jewel of Andalucia. The one city in Spain which everyone must see. Surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains. it is to this area that the first humans crossed from Africa into Europe over one million years ago.
Granada was originally built on two hills, the Alhambra and Albaicin, where two and half thousand years ago the Eligyrge settlement was built. Today the Albaicin is a maze of twisting tumbling narrow streets and alleys, with houses piled high one on top of each other and a profusion of plants giving way to views of the Alhambra palace opposite. Each time we walk through this maze we seem to discover another gem and catch an orange falling off a tree.
The two hills are served by a network of mini buses that leave from the Plaza Nueva. Who needs a tour guide when you can spend hours discovering the delights for yourself.
The city itself is a paradise for the explorer shopper and sightseer, with it's narrow streets and hidden gardens and buildings. With an old Arab quarter and the smell of spices and incense you can imagine the time before the moors were defeated.
The University hospital of Juan de Dios built in 16th century is still used today.
Street in the Arab Quarter
The Cathedral Capilla Real iglesia del Sagrario was started in the15th century and owes much of it's design to the Architect Deigo de Silgo who became involved in it's construction in 1528 and brought many innovations into it's design.
Jardines Del Triunfo
For the adventurous the Ski resort of Sol y Neive in the Sierra Nevada mountains offers 60 kilometres of runs. And is open from Christmas to Easter and at nearly 11,000 feet offers cool walking in the summer. This resort is only 50 minutes away from the properties in the Lecrin Valley.
