Paradores Andalusië

About the destination: Malaga, the birthplace of Picasso, exudes art from every brick. Considered one of the oldest cities in Spain and Europe, this cosmopolitan port is buoyantly modern yet it hangs on to its vast historic past. The palm-lined Paseo el Parque will take you below Alcazaba, a Moorish palace whose fortified walls enclose fragrant gardens and an archaeological museum. The lofty Gibralfaro Castle crowns a nearby hill, with outstanding views of the sprawling city below. Also worth a visit is the Picasso Museum that, aside from an impressive artistic patrimony, offers educational activities and cultural events. Málaga deserves a good night visit: do not miss a good walk along the harbour where traditional fried fish is washed down with cold beer at chiringuitos (beach bars) and enjoy the illuminated Alcazaba, which watches over the city from Mount Gibralfaro.

About the destination: The Muslim rulers of Granada adored and adorned this provincial capital. Ignore the low apartments of Granada and look up: the majestic clay-red Alhambra palace looms against the Sierra Nevada, Europe’s sunniest ski slopes. And the refreshing coastline is also nearby. The Alhambra, the red one in Arabic, is an Islamic monument of universal fame ad unfaded grandeur, built on a hill covered with splendid woods and gardens. The numerous courtyards and rooms inside the palaces of the Casa Real are among the finest examples of Mudejar art and architecture. Constructed after the Reconquista of Granada to replace the mosque on the site, the Cathedral of Granada is the first purely Renaissance cathedral is Spain. The Royal Chapel, reached by a separate entrance, contains the elaborate tomb of Ferdinand and Isabella, along with Isabella’s splendid private art collecting. South of the Cathedral is the Albayzin, the old Arab quarter, a set of winding alleyways with Moorish-style archways decorating the walls. Granada is famous for its holy week celebrations, which include festivities and processions. For less cultural diversion, stick to the student pubs around the university.

About the destination: Cazorla lies at an elevation of 836 metres on the western slope of the Sierra de Cazorla. It is the entry point and base for visits to the Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, a vast protected area of magnificent river gorges and forests. Spain's second longest river, the Guadalquivir, has its source in the mountains to the south of the settlement.

About the destination: Úbeda is a town in the province of Jaén. This town, declared World Heritage, is one of the most beautiful places in Jaén. Úbeda is one of the few Renaissance jewish cities preserved in Spain. So, not only the Renaissance period has marked their inhabitants’ lives, but also the vestiges of the Muslim and Jewish cultures can be observed on their narrow and paved streets. The Natural Park of Despeñaperros is also near to Úbeda, and it is an interesant place, declared Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO.

About the destination:

De stad Jaén ligt in de gelijknamige provincie in het noordoosten van de regio Andalusië. De stad heeft 112.999 inwoners en ligt in een uitgestrekt landschap overladen met olijfbomen. 25% van de wereldproductie van olijven schijnt uit deze regio van Spanje te komen. De lokale bevolking noemt dit niet voor niets het vloeibare goud. Verder heeft het een belangrijke functie in de regio als universiteitsstad, waardoor de stad een redelijk jonge bevolking heeft en is het steeds meer in opkomst als toeristische bestemming.

Net als de rest van Andalusië heeft ook Jaén een Moorse geschiedenis, welke we bijvoorbeeld terugvinden in het kasteel van Santa Catalina. De regio van Jaén staat verder bekend om zijn grote aantallen kastelen. De stad is gedrapeerd over heuvels en het centrum bevat daardoor veel kronkelende straatjes en steile hellingen, gecombineerd met paleizen in renaissancestijl. Dé bezienswaardigheid van Jaén is echter de enorme kathedraal die duidelijk te zien is in de skyline van de stad.

About the destination: Perhaps nowhere else does Spain’s diverse heritage present itself so tangibly to the visitors as in Cordoba. The Roman Bridge, and scattered pillars and ramparts testify to the city’s importance in Roman times. The Arab occupation brought about its greatest prosperity and for a time Cordoba, with is vast library, was the largest city in the world. Cordoba captures the essence of Andalusia today: White-washed houses along narrow streets hide serene patios, and the strains of cante jondo, a vocal style in flamenco, still resound from time to time. Most sights and monuments are clustered in the Juderia, a maze of narrow winding streets that was once the city’s Jewish quarter. This area lies between the Plaza de las Tendillas, Cordoba’s main square, and the River Guadalquivir. Here visitors will find the city’s symbol, The Mezquita, Great Mosque, which is a mystic wonder; an airy forest of 850 marble, alabaster and stone pillars supports the 425 striped double-decker arches. From the tower visitors can clearly see how the 13th century conversion into a cathedral resulted in an incongruous juxtaposition of styles. Mischievous The Jewish quarter is great for tapas and bar-hopping, while you are at it, try a light, dry fino or a sweet Pedro Ximenez, the most famous local wines. Córdoba has plenty reasons for visiting it. This city invites you to dream: just wander through its convoluted alleys and you will realize you're in a unique place. Do not miss the sunset from the Roman Bridge over the Guadalquivir river. After that you won’t want to go to sleep.

About the destination: Antequera is a Spanish municipality and a city located in the North of the province of Málaga, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. The city presents a cultural legacy that has its origin in the ancient Roman Antikaria, although several sites scattered around the municipality testify that the area was inhabited before. Of its past it retains an extensive archaeological and architectural heritage highlighting the dolmens of Menga, Viera and El Romeral set, as well as numerous churches, convents and palaces from different periods and styles. Of its physical environment highlights of El Torcal Natural Park, famous for the whimsical shapes of its limestone rocks, which make up one of the largest karst landscapes in Europe.

About the destination: Malaga, the birthplace of Picasso, exudes art from every brick. Considered one of the oldest cities in Spain and Europe, this cosmopolitan port is buoyantly modern yet it hangs on to its vast historic past. The palm-lined Paseo el Parque will take you below Alcazaba, a Moorish palace whose fortified walls enclose fragrant gardens and an archaeological museum. The lofty Gibralfaro Castle crowns a nearby hill, with outstanding views of the sprawling city below. Also worth a visit is the Picasso Museum that, aside from an impressive artistic patrimony, offers educational activities and cultural events. Málaga deserves a good night visit: do not miss a good walk along the harbour where traditional fried fish is washed down with cold beer at chiringuitos (beach bars) and enjoy the illuminated Alcazaba, which watches over the city from Mount Gibralfaro.