Gorgeous Granada

Having lived here since 1994, I am ashamed to say that until last week I had never visited the stunning Alhambra Palace in Granada. We decided to spend a few days in this amazing city to really get to know it. I wouldn´t normally spend a full day (or even half a day to be truthful) looking round historical monuments, but I have to admit that the Alhambra is breathtaking. To imagine how this Palace was built all those centuries ago, and the amazing, detail, design and thought that must have gone into it is quite mind boggling. The gardens are beautiful and although there were quite a lot of visitors on the day we went, there was an overwhelming feeling of peace within the walls of the Alhambra. If you haven´t been yet - go. The Alhambra is one of the wonders of the world, and you will never see a better example of Moorish art and architecture. For lunch we decided to try some of Granada´s famous tapas - which were as good as those we tried in Seville. Originally, tapas were given away free with a drink, and this is still the case in most of the bars in Granada. Little dishes of stuffed olives, dates wrapped in bacon (pigs in blankets according to my friend Debbie - but I think she made it up), stuffed squid and tiny glasses of home-made gazpacho were all served up to accompany the cold finos and beers we ordered. Although Granada is inland, we had some of the best oysters we have ever eaten in the city, and four of us shared a plateful of these marvellous molluscs - served on a bed of crushed ice with black pepper, tabasco and plenty of lemon juice. Delicious - and so fresh you could still taste the seawater. Some of the more obscure tapas we tried were - kidneys cooked in sherry with wild mushrooms, devilled octopus, pork marinated in ginger and orange, and a wonderful Spanish omelette with spinach. Great food at great prices. Even the tourist areas of Granada are not overly expensive, and much cheaper than the over-hyped beach bars on the coast. Our accomodation was basic but clean and comfortable, and within easy walking distance of all the city´s main attractions. The perfect time to visit this elegant city is in Autumn or Spring when the sun is still shining, but the temperatures are more moderate than they are in July and August. If you enjoy good food, good wine, good prices and a spot of sightseeing round the Alhambra, Granada is a fantastic destination.