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SPAIN is a treasure chest of unforgettable scenery. Separating Spain from
France, the snow-capped Pyrenees offer breathtaking views. In the north, the
winding rivers and lush, green forests of Galicia present a picture not usually
associated with Spain, and in complete contrast to the Moorish-influenced south,
Galician culture traces its routes to a Celtic origin. Everywhere are reminders
of Spain’s rich and varied past, from the Alhambra in Granada to Don Quixote’s
windmills in La Mancha.
The Spanish capital is a vibrant, atmospheric city; rich in cultural sights.
Pride of place belongs to the city’s three superb art museums. The Prado, The
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia and The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. The
Royal Palace in Madrid dates from the mid-18th century. There are more than 20
rooms open to the public, exhibiting priceless tapestries, paintings, carpets,
clocks, furniture, silverware and porcelain. The armory has one of the most
valuable collections in Europe, mainly from the 16th century. Madrid’s most
historic square, the Plaza Mayor, is enclosed by arcades sheltering a variety of
craft shops, restaurants and tapas bars. It was completed in 1617 during the
reign of Philip III. The popular center of Madrid is the famous square, the
Puerta del Sol, the main shopping district and hub of the city’s nightlife.
Madrid’s most accessible green space is the Retiro Park. A former royal retreat,
its attractions include a boating lake and summer concerts. The Casa de Campo,
west of the city center, is a huge open space with a swimming pool, tennis
courts, a jogging track and a zoo with aquarium.
Andalucia is a mountainous region in the far south of Spain, rich in minerals
and an important center for the production of olives, grapes, oranges and
lemons. Andalucia (Al-Andalus) was the last stronghold of the Moors who first
arrived here from North Africa early in the eighth century and were finally
expelled in 1492. The Arab architectural legacy is an important reason for
visiting the region, especially the three great cities of Córdoba, Granada and
Seville.
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The regional capital is Seville, one of the largest cities in Spain, bearing numerous traces of the 500 years of Moorish occupation. Seville is the romantic heart of the country, the city of Carmen and Don Juan; its cathedral is the largest Gothic building in the world and has a superb collection of art and period stonework. Christopher Columbus is buried here. The cathedral bell tower, known as the Giralda from its crowning weather vane, was originally a minaret and observatory. Of great importance is the Alcázar, the palace-fortress of the Arab kings and one of the finest examples of Mudéjar (Moorish) architecture, mostly dating from after the Christian re-conquest. Seville’s other sights include the Alcázar gardens, the evocative neighborhood of Santa Cruz with its white-washed houses and tiled patios, and the Torre de Oro, part of the Arab fortifications and later said to have been covered with gold leaf imported from the Americas.
Granada’s outstanding monument is the Alhambra, the palace-fortress built by the Nasrid rulers in the 13th to 14th centuries. The highlights include: the Palacios Nazariés, its halls, courtyards and loggias decorated with painted enamel tiles, delicately fretted arches, stalactite vaulting, marble sculptures and stucco ornament; the Alcazába, an 11th-century hilltop fortress and the Generalife, the gardens of the summer palace. Across the river from the Alhambra is the atmospheric Arab quarter of the Albaicín. The main sights here are the Arab baths, the Renaissance Casa de Castril and the Church of San Nicolás from where the views of the Alhambra and the surrounding countryside are outstanding.
Nerja is on the seashore some 50 kilometres from Málaga on the N340 coastal highway, and marks the eastern tip of Málaga’s Costa del Sol. Once a sleepy fishing village, the town now has a population of over 12,000. Nerja boasts 16 kilometres of beaches with powdery sand and sparkling clear water. All major water sports are available here, including water skiing, scuba diving and sailing. Flanked by a dramatic mountain range, Sierra Almijara, to the east, the old quarter of the town is still virtually unchanged with narrow, winding streets, whitewashed houses with wrought iron terraces overflowing with geraniums, on which a canary can sometimes be heard singing...
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