Apr 22, 2013 - CORDOBA - Hostal Lineros No.38

Hostal Lineros No.38 Is the ideal place to stay for a Cordoban 'Mini Break' and at a very reasonable cost. There is no breakfast included but there is a small 'Prep' area adjacent to the main courtyard where you can rustle up a snack if you wish. The design and decor, as you can see from viewing the photographs, more than makes up for the lack of breakfast. Not far along Calle Lineros (left as you exit Hostal) you will find cafes & restaurants to provide breakfast (And meals, snacks & tapas at all times of day). We made our way to Plaza...

Apr 22, 2013 - CORDOBA - Mezquita & Other Places

The Mezquita/Cathedral of Cordoba is one of Spain's most impressive buildings and a major tourist attraction. Featuring several architectural styles and uniting religious elements of Islam and occidental culture. It covers 24,000 square meters and includes 856 columns made of marble, granite, jasper, and other fine materials. The Mezquita is over 1000 years old and took approximately 200 years to build. In 1236 after Cordoba was recaptured by King Ferdinand III and rejoined Christendom, the mosque became a church. The Mezquita is...

Apr 22, 2013 - CORDOBA - Getting There

Make your arrival point in Andalusia the Southern City of Malaga on the Costa Del Sol. From the airport as you leave the arrivals lounge follow signs for 'TREN' (Train) which takes you across the road away from the main terminal. As you enter the train station there are some automatic ticket machines which you can amend to give details in English. Select destination 'MARIA ZAMBRANO'(Remember to select the number of tickets for each member of your party) Make you way down to the platform in the direction of Malaga (NOT Fuengirola) On arrival...

Sep 17, 2012 - Cordoba, Spain: The Land of Don Quixote

Thank goodness, after some confusion about what tour group I was supposed to be with, I was switched to another group (no more terrible karaoke). The main thing to see in Cordoba is the old Jewish center and the great Muslim mosque turned into a Cathedral. Cordoba was the Moorish capital of Spain, and the mosque was built over a Visigoth Christian church with most of the pillars taken from earlier Roman shrines. The mosque was built to hold 40,000 at prayer. After the reconquest of Spain the Christians dedicated it to the Virgin Mary and...

Mar 7, 2012 - Lost...

Interesting day for sure. Got lost walking the (extremely narrow) streets of Cordoba. Then, sure enough, someone stole my guidebook right out of the front of my pack. Never thought that would be taken. Oh well, no big deal. Most of my trip is already planned, so it will only affect sightseeing in a few places near Madrid just before return to US. Also, a comment on flamenco. One of the coolest shows I've ever seen. Two acoustic guitarist strumming along while five dancers come out, one at a time, and stomp those feet like mad. All the while...

Jan 31, 2012 - La Alhambra and Córdoba

Wow it has been a while since I last updated! I planned to update after I visited the Alhambra or after Córdoba so I wouldn't have so much to discuss in one journal entry, but since I didn't get a chance I will still just split up my trips into a couple different entries. I finished my intensivo course and did very well on my exams! Our official last day of class was on Monday the 30th. During this class we just hung out and watched a movie (in Spanish of course) called "Tapas." I really enjoyed it (along with most all of my classmates),...

Oct 6, 2011 - Cordoba

We had a wonderful day in Cordoba today. Setting out before the sun came up to catch the 8.45 train it was nice and cool for the walk to the station. 45 minutes later we were in Cordoba. It was a 25 minute walk to the old city so we decided to have a coffee stop on the way. We had coffee and huge croissants which were delicious. The main attraction here in Cordoba is the Mezquita. A mosque built in 785 over the site We had a wonderful day in Cordoba today. Setting out before the sun came up to catch the 8.45 train it was nice and cool for...

Sep 30, 2011 - Cordoba

The first site we saw on our way to the older part of Cordoba was the Roman Bridge. This bridgesOs 2000 years old. Walking across this bridge was the way we entered the city. The Mezquita is a church with quite a history. St. Vincent's was built by Christians in 570AD. When the Muslims took over the area they built this large mosque on the site of St. Vincents. Then in 1492 when Christianity was declared to be the official religion, the Bishop got permission to build a cathedral in the middle of it. He did not want to destroy it. (Well in...

Sep 1, 2011 - Seville's Alcazar and Cordoba's Mezquita

Today we saw two of Spain's show stoppers, first Seville's Alcazar. It was originally founded as a fort in 913 and was expanded and rebuilt many times in its 11 centuries of existence. In the 1480's the Catholic Monarch, Fernando and Isabella set up court here. This was Spain's golden age and in these rooms historic characters the likes of Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci planned their trips of discovery. We spent a few hours exploring the various rooms and secret gardens before heading for Cordoba for the night. Our hotel is...

Jul 10, 2011 - Cordoba

I have had an interesting time in Cordoba sir far. I have been staying in a six bed dorm with 5 eastern European women in their sixties. The room has no a/c, only a little old fan. Last night, one of the women thought it was a good idea to turn the fan off. It is like a sauna in this room. I don't think I have ever been so hot in my life. I got up and turned the thing back on. I don't care. I'll do the same tonight if I have to. Anyway, aside from this, Cordoba is a lovely town. Most of the streets in the old town are so tiny a car couldn't...

Jun 28, 2011 - People Who Need People!

Some interesting people along the way...... Madrid- 1) the woman who directed us on the bus going to the El Rastro (she too was headed there).. We had the impression she wanted to hang out with while we shopped. Fortunately for us, she made a stop at the cheese store. 2) the elderly man on the bus, directing us to the statue of Don Quixote, telling us about his girlfriend. He always wanted to learn English from her but she only spoke English when she was angry at him. 3) the Metro security guard who taught us how to navigate on the Metro....

Jun 28, 2011 - The cost of traveling..... The experience priceless.

Madrid- *Accommodations- staying with family booked thru the Academia Contacto, 35€per day per person, including a meal. *Average cost -special of the day served until 4:00 included 2 tapas, dessert and a glass of wine12-15€ (water cost more than wine). *Metro- 1€ per ride (any where within the Metro system, per 2hours) *Cafe con Leche- €3 for 2 *Performance of Carmen (combination of ballet, opera & Flamenco -15€ *Bus- 1€ *Prado - 8€, 15€ for guide *Zarzuela- 32€ Segovia- average lunch (special tapas menu) 11€ w/wine! *Train from Madrid...