Ooops Christmas made me forget the most important post of all – the actual Alhambra visit! Full disclosure, the potted history below of this immense site comes mainly from Wikipedia! The Alhambra is one of the most famous icons of Islamic architecture, and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world. The buildingContinue reading “All hail the Alhambra”
Tag Archives: architecture
Cute cave houses
Today we’re taking a trek to see some of the famous Cave houses that are dotted up high in Granada. Most are found in the area known as Sacromonte – sacred or holy mountain. The Sacromonte district is located on the Valparaiso hill of Granada and borders the north-east side of the Arab El AlbaícinContinue reading “Cute cave houses”
All hail the Alhambra
Next we head for a high up viewpoint so we can soak in more of the fabulous exterior of the Alhambra before our visit. Mirador San Nicolas is the most well known as it boasts the best views of the Alhambra. This viewpoint offers a unobstructed and direct view of the Alhambra and is knownContinue reading “All hail the Alhambra”
Granada
Hot on the heels of our Indiana Jones style adventure at the Caminito del Rey we’ve jumped in the hire car and headed to the venerable old city of Granada. Most famous for the incredible Alhambra, this grand old dame is a pretty place full of beautiful architecture and more than a little Moorish charm.Continue reading “Granada”
Villa Carlotta
Villa Carlotta is one of the most famous villas on Lake Como and she is a beauty! Milanese marquis Giorgio Clerici decided to establish his country estate on ancestral lakeside land at Tremezzo. The estate was complete in its initial form by 1695. His great-grandson Anton Giorgio Clerici inherited the family fortune, and completed theContinue reading “Villa Carlotta”
Menaggio
Today’s lake trip is to Menaggio and one of the most famous villas on Lake Como – Villa Carlotta. Menaggio has an elegant lake promenade that winds along the lake shore alongside flower beds and colourful houses. Established by the Romans as a strategic settlement on the Via Regina road, it was fortified with walls,Continue reading “Menaggio”
Varenna
We’re up early and on a ferry over to Varenna. It’s a grey day though so not holding out much hope of good photos. Varenna is a picturesque and traditional village, located on the eastern shore of Lake Como. It looks a little Austrian with the mountains in the background. Varenna’s lakefront, called Riva Grande,Continue reading “Varenna”
St Mark’s Square
Piazza San Marco, also known as St Mark’s Square, is the principal public square of Venice. It is home to some of the most iconic architecture in the city including The Doges Palace and St Mark’s Basilica. The Doges Palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former RepublicContinue reading “St Mark’s Square”
Cruising the canals
Our first day in Venice and we’re exploring the sights of the Grand Canal including the iconic Rialto Bridge. The Grand Canal is 2.4 miles long with an average depth of five metres. The banks of the canal are lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date from the 13th to the 18thContinue reading “Cruising the canals”
Disney houses
Finally we’re off to see one of my bucket list! The traditional Madeiran A frame houses!! Known as palheiro these are highly distinctive, and incredibly cute! Once far greater in number, the majority of these can now only be found in the village of Santana. An A-frame house features steeply-angled sides that usually begin atContinue reading “Disney houses”