Before we take off for Portugal, we wanted to make sure we experienced all that Andulusia has to offer.  We’ve spent the last month in an ancient Moorish village in Andulusia, so we’ve checked the “hang out in the rural areas and get the real experience” box, but we were eager to spend some time in the cities as well.

There is a nice little circle of Andulusian cities, each about and hour or two from the next.  We’re going to start in Granada, make our way north for a quick stop at the Catehdral of Jaen and the spend the day in Cordoba.  After we leave Cordoba, we will head over to the magnificant city of Seville (Sevilla).  From there we go south to the old seaport of Cadiz, head east to Malaga and then retrun to Granada.

Granada

Granada is the home of the massive Muslim fortress the Al Hambra!  We’ll be touring that and then heading to the Arab Baths of “El Banuelo”, the oldest and best preserved ancient Arab baths in Andalucia.  After that we’re headed to the famous markets for some shopping!  We’re also going to explore the beautiful Granada Cathedral and the basilica of St. John.  Then we’re headed up the mountain the the Sacramonte Abbey to take the catacomb tour.  After a quick siesta, we’ll wind up our day (and the night) in Sacramonte for some Flamenco music with the Gipsys!

Cordoba

We’re huge fans of Lindsey Zimmerman from Devour Tours and she’s got a perfect day set up for us in Cordoba that we’re doing to follow to a T!

“Few places hold as much indisputable charm as Cordoba, with its colorful flower-lined streets and gilded remnants of Moorish Spain’s glory days. First a key Roman settlement and later the capital of Al-Andalus, Cordoba was once the most important city in Europe. Its picturesque cobblestone streets hold thousands of years of secrets and stories belonging to each of the three major world religions, and its role as a key player in world history is undeniable.”

We’ll be exploring the Jewish Quarter, the Roman Bridge and of course the national treasures like the Alcazar!  But we’ll also be hitting some local food places that we wouldn’t have found without her!

Seville

We’re going to start our day off on the La Cacharreria de Sevilla (Carlos Cañal location) for breakfast, and the famous Seville Orange Juice. Next we’re headed to the Catedral de Sevilla and Giralda, the final resting place of Christopher Columbus and a beautiful Gothic cathedral built in the 16th century! We’re looking forward to a lesson in history.

Plaza de España is next on the list and then the Royal Alcuzar…

“…the captivating royal palace built in Moorish style, with gorgeous gardens, arches, and fountains. Dating all the way to the 10th century, the compound started as a residential fortress for the Muslim Abbadid dynasty. In the 14th century, the Castilian Christians expanded the fairytale complex and the Royal Alcázar was expanded throughout history to the vision we witness today.”

We’re also going to head over to the gourmet food market, Mercado Lonja Del Barranco and treat ourselves to some of Seville’s Gastronomy! After a siesta, we’re going to hit the city that is the home of Tapas and then dance the night away!

Cadiz

We’re following the one day itinerary of Sighteeing Senorita today and it’s a great one!  She’s got us starting off at and then hiking over to the famous Roman Theatre!

“Dated from the end of the 1st century BC, this is the oldest Roman Theater in Spain and also one of the largest, since it can hold 20,000 people. Head inside if you’d like because the museum and theater visit is free to the public. The tour is cool because you can walk in an underground hall beneath the bleachers.”

Next, it’s the magnificant Cadiz Catedral and then some shopping at the market!

Malaga

Our last of the great cities is the beautiful Malaga.  We’re going to spend the day doing lots of the normal tourist things but I’m most excited about a historical visit we’re going to make.  As many of you know, I have a passion for history and have been teaching on the American Revolution on TikTok lately.  One of the thingns I have been teaching is the massive amount of involvement from other countries and the fact that without foreign intervention there is no possiblity of the revolution’s success.  I recently found out a wonderful story while researching these cities called the legend of “La Manquita…”

“1782 marked the “end” of the construction of Málaga Cathedral. Only the north tower was erected. The south tower, just as it is conserved at present, remained unfinished.  There are countless legends told among the people of Málaga and tourists. They all agree on one thing: work on the Cathedral was stopped due to the sudden lack of economic funds.

The most widely agreed and talked about reason is that part of the War of Independence of the United States was financed with public funds from the city of Málaga.”

….they sent the money to the Americans so they could fight the British!  Amazing!  Ok, I have to check this out!!!