| Andalucia is probably one of the most archetypal or | | | | the list has to be the palace of Real Alcazar in Seville |
| stereotypical of all of the semi autonomous regions | | | | also. |
| that make up Spain. | | | | Next on our whistle-stop tour of Andalucia has to be |
| Once described as where bull fighters meet beaches, | | | | the provincial capital of Cordoba and "La Mezquita". |
| flamenco, white villages meet cave houses and all | | | | Once arguably the most important city in Europe, this |
| intermingled within a whole plethora of gaudy | | | | fact is emphasised by the architectural splendour of |
| festivals! | | | | "La Mezquita", the Grand Mosque. Along the coast |
| From religious processions to tapas and sherry, all | | | | we find the historic port of Cadiz, said to be Europe's |
| forms of culture and life can be found in Andalucia. | | | | oldest port and Cadiz still manages to retain some of |
| Andalucia comprises of eight provinces which stretch | | | | its aura of mystery. |
| across southern Spain from the deserts of Almeria to | | | | If we then take a look at some of the more |
| the Portuguese border in the west. Bisected roughly | | | | regionally based attractions there is Ronda, one of |
| down the middle by Spain's longest river, the | | | | the largest of the so called white villages of Andalucia |
| Guadalquivir, Andalucia is connected to the rest of | | | | scattered throughout the region. Ronda is built on a |
| Spain via a pass called the "Desfiladero de | | | | huge tablet of rock spectacularly split in two by the |
| Despenaperros". Contrary to popular belief the | | | | Tajo Gorge. It is alleged that Ronda is the birthplace |
| highest mountains and peaks on the Spanish mainland | | | | of the modern approach and style of bull fighting. |
| are in Andalucia's Sierra Nevada. | | | | The coastal region is more commonly known as the |
| Andalucia more than possibly the rest of Spain has | | | | Costa del Sol and here you will see everything from |
| had its fair share of invaders though out history and | | | | some of Spain's most exclusive resorts where multi |
| the majority have left their mark on one shape or | | | | million pound yachts can be found in abundance and a |
| other. The Romans build cities in this most southern | | | | short way up the coats you will find some of the |
| of Spain's provinces which they called "Baetica" | | | | more fun packed and lively of Spain's more family |
| amongst which Cordoba, the regions provincial capital | | | | orientated resorts. For the more culturally inquisitive |
| and Seville are perhaps the best known. | | | | amongst us, in Andalucia you find Baeza and Ubeda |
| After the Romans, the Moors lingered longest in | | | | and some of the finest Renaissance architecture to |
| Andalucia and left examples of some of their finest | | | | be found in historic settings anywhere. |
| architecture in "the Mezquita" in Cordoba and of | | | | To the west of the province you find the vast |
| course the amazing and elegant palace of "the | | | | wetlands and the delta of the Guadalquivir where one |
| Alhambra" in Granada. Arguably, Spain's busiest | | | | of the world's most important wetland reserves for |
| beaches are to be found in Andalucia within the | | | | Wildlife and birds especially is to be found - the |
| Costa del Sol and one of Europe's greatest and most | | | | Parque Nacional del Cote Donana. |
| controversial oddities, Gibraltar is found at the | | | | Finally, as has been mentioned earlier on in Andalucia |
| western end of Andalucia. | | | | is to be found Spain's highest mountain range, the |
| At the top of the list of places to visit in Andalucia | | | | Sierra Nevada. Europe's second highest mountain |
| has got to be the Moorish Palace of Alhambra in | | | | range after the Alps, the Sierra Nevada has the |
| Granada. 1,300 years worth of heritage and elegance | | | | distinction of providing the continents southern most |
| encompassed in stone! Next up has possibly got to | | | | skiing resorts! |
| be the Cathedral and La Giralda in Seville. Where | | | | Funnily enough, unless you haven't managed to get |
| Christendom meets the Moors, where triumphalism | | | | the drift there is an enormous amount to do and |
| and heroism meets mysticism, it is all here. Next on | | | | places to see in Andalucia and it is well worth a visit! |