Springtime In The Netherlands

 What is Springtime in the Netherlands but Tulips? 

Mauritshuis

 I need some remedial history lessons. I always thought The Hague was a building where the Nuremburg war crime trials happened, But no.... 

Cheese, Glorious Cheese!

 We are heading south to the home of one of my most favorite cheeses – Gouda. Fun Fact: The Dutch eat 17 kilos (37 pounds) per person per year. My type of people. 

Art, Art, Art, Canal Ride, Art, Art

I feel perhaps I should start off by mentioning this post will be mostly of pictures that I saw and liked. There probably won't be much else so feel free to go directly to the bottom and leave a comment. If you chose to stay, it will be mini masterclass in composition, light and feeling. Not really but it sounded good when I wrote it.

Culture Shock

 The Smithsonian has a travel program that is quite extensive. One of their offerings is a tour called “A Stay in Holland: An Art History Journey from Vermeer to Van Gogh”. 

Adios Espana!

 I think one of the major reasons people visit Granada is to see Alhambra and it is a very worthwhile sight to see. 

Granada - Might Have Been My Favorite?

 It's off to the one of the most famous cities in Spain – Granada. 

Horses And Mosques and Cathedrals - Oh My

 Cordoba did not just become famous in  the 1976 TV commercial when Ricardo Montalban touted the luxury Corinthian leather for the Chrysler Cordoba. Dare I say, it has a much richer history than Ricardo let on.

Let's Talk Biggest!

 The Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third largest temple in size after St. Peter's Basilica of the Vatican in Rome and St. Paul in London. Another UNESCO site. 

The Royal Alcazar

 We are visiting the Royal Alcazar of Seville. This palace is the oldest royal palace still in active use. While this is a UNESCO site, it is probably better know as the Water Gardens of Dorne in HBO's Game of Thrones. They filmed in the courtyards and pools right inside of the gate.

Party Time

 

Seville – the land of the Moors, Opulent, Baroque, Labyrinths and most of all FLAMENCO! 

The White Villages

 Today we visit the white villages in Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, a global UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The park is know for its deep gorges and green valleys. Unfortunately, it was a rather cloudy day and grand vistas were perhaps a little obscured. 

Bridges And Gorges

 

We leave Malaga and head out into the Andulucia countryside. For some reason, I guess I always thought southeastern Spain was flat, desert like, and beachy. I was definitely wrong. There were lots and lots of very big hills, perhaps we could even call them mountains. 

Malaga

 I'm off to visit Andalucia (said An da lou see ah) in southeastern Spain. This tour should be really interesting as it is going to emphasize Moorish architecture. The group consisted of 14 people, all of the Brits except for an Australian couple and myself. I rather like being the only American, I like meeting all of these people from different countries.