Ten-odd Days
traipsing to see the world, our way
Category: Iberian Peninsula
This region includes Spain, Portugal, Gilbratar and Andorra lying in the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe.
My Inexplicably Strange Encounter in Fátima
Our schedule started early in the day, as typical of most guided tours. It didn’t matter that I was sufficiently under the weather to have taken a slow day, or skipped some locations if we were vacationing on our own. A guided tour meant… Continue Reading “My Inexplicably Strange Encounter in Fátima”
The Confusing Existence of Gibraltar
Onward to the rock fortress of Gibraltar! It’s really confusing, because while being located on the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, of Spain, it is under British control. What? Yes, that was my reaction too. In essence, Gibraltar is one of the fourteen remaining British Overseas Territories, remnants of the British Empire.
The Pink Palace Alhambra
And the day has finally arrived! We are finally visiting La Alhambra, the location I consider to be my personal highlight of this trip. While this palace and fortress complex is perhaps not as well-known as Sagrada Familia the iconic landmark of Spain, it can most certainly hold its own with its colourful history, evident from being the second most visited tourist attraction of the country.
To Granada, the Moorish Jewel of Spain
Now, Guadix is one curious town, being one of the oldest human settlements in Spain dating all the way back to the Stone Age. While it lies at an elevation of over 900 metres, most of its inhabitants live underground in cave houses. This is because in general, Andalusians are rather fond of living underground as a means to escape the summer heat, given the semi-arid climate of the region.
Spain’s 3rd Largest City, Valencia
The old town of Peníscola comprises a confusing maze of narrow winding cobbled stone streets with the castle located at the highest point of the town, at 64 square metres above mean sea level. It was built by the Knights of the Templar in the late 13th century, and since then it had undergone several minor alterations.
Of Camp Nou & Port Vell
Having had a total of two days in Barcelona, we decided to break away from the group to explore Camp Nou and the city by our own on the second day. Though not avid fans of Futbol Club Barcelona, the soccer-loving mister felt a compelling need to pay a visit to legendary Camp Nou since we were in the very city.
Barcelona, The City of Counts
Mention this city located on the North-Eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula facing the Mediterranean Sea, and several images come to mind: the Port of Barcelona, La Rambla and Camp Nou. After a short and uneventful transit at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, we landed at Barcelona El Prat Airport on a cloudy, balmy day.
One half of Ten-odd Days - the planning, writing and photo-taking half.
Ten-odd Days 