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On this Preview we Visit Granada
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Visit fabulous exotic Granada with “Coachtrips S.L. Granada, the last major city to fall to the reconquering Christians as the Moors were finally driven out of the land which they had ruled for some 800 years.
Granada, more than most Spanish cities, still retains the feel of opulent Moorish Spain. Alongside this romantic culture are the more austere buildings of the new medieval Christian era. Now, what can we see in Granada.
We enter the city via a back road which brings us to a viewing point from which we can see almost the entire city. As we approach the viewing point we pass by the Albaicin district, a district which once upon a time was inhabited by some 6,000 Moorish people, and was home to some 60 mosques. Nowadays the Albaicin is probably the most traditional and romantic part of Granada. Old whitewashed houses, traditional cave dwellings, Moorish style horseshoe doorways, and endless winding cobbled streets which lead to tree lined cobbled squares where the locals gather to gossip over a glass of red wine, young people strum on acoustic guitars and mingling tourists rest in the shade, while they watch this fascinating world go by.
From the Albaicin we sweep down into the noisy bustling atmosphere of the city centre. It is here that our classy, 4* hotel is situated. From the hotel, once we are settled in there are many more treasures to explore. City gates dating back to the 9th century, the massive cathedral on which work started in 1523, yet not completed until 1703. Then you have the Royal chapel where the famous Catholic Monarchs Isobel and Ferdinand were interned. Not far from there you can visit an old Moorish storehouse come guest house. Dating back to the 14th century, this is the only one of its type to be preserved in
Spain. Then there are Moorish baths, hidden up a winding cobbled street, just beyond the Plaza Nueva, and alongside the old humpbacked bridges which straddle the River Darro. One of Granada’s two Rivers. (The other being the River Genil, which draws its waters from the melting snows of the Sierra Nevada mountain range which ring the city.) Plaza nueva and the area behind the cathedral are the natural meeting places for the modern population of
Granada. Also behind the cathedral you have the Alcaceres market area. Traditional leather and silver goods produced in
Granada are on sale here, along with flamenco style dresses and a range of souvenirs to suit all pockets. For the modern minded there is the science museum, with of all things, a very realistic exhibition of the sinking of the Titanic. A full day could easily be spent at this interesting museum.
Amongst the city’s gardens you will find the house and gardens of the academic, poet, and artist, Frederic Garcia Lorca. All this and we havn`t yet talked about the most important reason to visit Granada. The world famous Alhambra Palaces. This collection of palaces is regarded by many as the most important example of Moorish architecture in the western word. Nothing could prepare you for the sheer intense beauty of this fabulous collection of palaces, gardens and military castles built so many years ago by craftsmen whose skills seemed to defy all natural boundaries. Built on a
high point which overlooks the city, the Alhambra also offers you incredible views of the surrounding city and countryside. To fully appreciate this historic treasure, it is important to dedicate as much time as possible to your visit here.
With “Coachtrips, you will be accompanied by a well informed English speaking guide, who will be on hand to help you make the most of this city visit. The well positioned quality hotel provides both comfort, and a base which has all the most important attractions of the city within a few minutes of the front door.
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