Madrid Madrid is – quite literally – the center of Spain. It is the second largest city in Europe- both by population of 3.7 million (largest is Berlin) and size at 604 sq. km (largest is Paris). The area has been settled since Celtic times, followed by the now familiar …
Communidad de Leon et Castille: Salamanca Our transportation options from Merida were a 6-hour train with a change, or a 4-hour direct bus. We went with the bus. Which was comfortable, no issues with storing the guitar below, and the bus even had a working toilet! (In our travels, this has …
Communidad de Extremadura: Merida There was no direct route from Huelva to Merida (unless you hired a car), so an evening train to Seville, a night in a lovely hotel near the train station, and a train on to Merida in the morning. Our brief layover in Seville allowed me …
Communidad de Andalusia: Huelva Portugal has an extensive train system. Spain has an extensive train system. It turns out the two rarely connect, so the bus was the best option for the return to Spain. Huelva, Faro’s “sister city”, sits close to the Spanish coast just over the border from …
Comunidad de Andalucia: Cordoba The drive from Jerez to Cordoba took us past many of the vineyards that grow the grapes for the region’s famous sherry. Along most of the main roads, you’ll see “El Torro” – the symbol of Spain, standing proudly (sometimes near Tio Pepi). Cordoba was first …
Communidad de Andalucia: Seville Although Seville is not the biggest city in Spain (it’s #4), it has a very “big” attitude and very big landmarks. The train from Jerez takes just over an hour, and lands you about 2km from the old city. It’s a pleasant walk, fairly direct, and …
Communidad de Andalucia: Jerez and Cadiz I will have to say that the drive from Granada to Jerez was the most beautiful countryside we have seen. Miles of olive and orange groves, with the occasional town or small city (the town of Olvera looked especially beautiful- a glowing town literally …
Communidad de Andalucía: Granada We continued our journey inland to Granada, arriving in early afternoon. Alan had to drive through some very tight alleyways, looking like they might be too tight, but he navigated his Opal across the cobbles and into the very tight parking garage associated with our hotel …
Communidad de Andalucia: Nerja (region of Malaga) About 90 minutes across the southern coast of Spain from Almeria, in a region referred to as the Costa del Sol, you find the town of Nerja. It sits atop rocky cliffs, and is called the “Balcony of Europe” since it juts into …
Andalucia – Almeria Road trip! John and I are continuing our travels into the Communidad de Andalucia – the central southern portion which includes some of the most popular tourist areas of the country – such as Granada, Seville and Cordoba. Our first stop is the beautiful town of Almeria. …