The Alhambra, Granada, Spain

Fantastic Sheila..on my wish list! I guess October would have been beautiful there, but November a little risky.

My, isn't that beautiful!

Thank you Karen and Sue. I think the good thing about going in November was that it wasn't crowded :)

Fantastic to see it again! Last time I was there the Wisteria was in full bloom cascading down from the walls. The Moors architecture was full of life compared to the somber Christian influenced architecture don't you think? Representation of the human form was forbidden though you will see a few ceiling frescos with human figures made after Christian occupancy commenced. Have you visited the great leather shops in the old Jewish quarter? The adjacent Generalife is worth a visit too. If I did not have to earn a living which required me to reside in the USA I would have never returned back home and lived somewhere in Andalusia. Thank you very much for this brought back some great memories!

Thanks for this wonderful blog. L'alhambre is somewhere I have always wanted to visit, but I understand you have to book a timed entry in the tourist season it is so busy and popular. Did you have too? November sounds good.

So beautiful and intricate. How very special to have been able to visit this wonderful building as well as escaping gloomy skies here! Well planned Sheila!

Thank you Chris!

Thanks very much Siris - I'd also always wanted to visit. Yes, we bought a ticket in advance online for 4pm by which time I was exhausted(!) but they were Very Strict and kept everyone to their exact entry time. In fact, while there, we realised that visitors could buy 'on the day', but maybe that's easier off season.

So glad, Loosestrife, that this brought back great memories for you. We had a beautiful sunny day, and it was lovely to see a 'golden' roof and the reflection of the blue sky in the pool in the centre of the royal palace. Yes, we wandered around the Generalife too: roses in bloom and wonderful views :)

You had a very special short break Sheila and to be able to visit such a beautiful building as well ,I do enjoy mini breaks it makes the winter less dull especially if like you you find some sunshine .. good luck with growing the seeds :o)

Thanks Amy - you are right. The winter will seem a little shorter now!

It is always wonderful to take these mini holidays to break the winter. We visited The Alhambra when I was stationed in Europe. We flew to Malaga and rented a car for 3 weeks and did the circle Malaga-Granada-Cordoba-Seville-Gibraltar (Stopping at neat little places on the way) then stayed on the sunny (but cold and windy) coast for 10 days. I have some nice (but distant) memories from that trip. Thank you for bringing them back Sheila .
The Moorish architecture is truly amazing.
Hope you will get a tree going from the seedpods... a reminder of your trip.
Wonderful and very special Happy Birthday gift. I yours....my best wishes to you Sheila.

Thanks Klahanie. A 3 week trip in the area sounds brilliant . . . we exhausted ourselves by doing Malaga - Granada - Seville - Malaga in 5 days! Worth doing though :) And thank you for your good wishes.

A short trip to Southern Spain I can only dream of...and an orchard of lemon trees. Thank you Sheila for sharing your trip. The Alhambra is exquisite - an intense labor of love.

Thank you Paul - I feel lucky to have had the opportunity for this visit (in fact lucky to live in Europe where there are so many treasures within reach). Exquisite is a good word to describe the artistry!

:))

Lovely blog, Sheila. You had a super break. The Alhambra looks amazing. Good luck with the bonsai!

Thanks Susanne - good to see you!

Thanks, Sheila! I must try to find time to look in - it is so good to catch up with everyone ?

Thank you Sheila.