Just back from a lovely quiet week away, or that was the plan.... firstly half the Spanish Navy arrived in the bay for three days - 6 warships...... and Christian Bale decided to choose San Juan as a location for his new film 'The Promise' did we see him? im afraid not, too much security, from our apartment we could see the set location and the production base. Still San Juan remains a beautiful spot with some great weather for this time of the year.
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Granada and especially the Alhambra keeps pulling us back, it changes by the seasons and is a great contrast to the coast at San Juan, some photos of our visit below Easter is as good a time as ever to visit San Juan, lovely weather, plants in bloom and an opportunity to get away from the city and slow down the pace of life for a week. Here's what we saw and makes us keep coming back... Not sure when these photos were taken though they show how Aguilas was a formidable port and resort in times gone by. Some features such as the castle and windmill clearly visible. We found them gracing the walls of the 'Instituto social de la marina' in the port when we were checking out their lunchtime café. (credits to the Instituto and hope they don't mind them being copied) Calahorra is just off the A-92 on the way to Granada from San Juan (as long as you take the southern route - E15 - Sorbas - Tabernas etc) closest large town is Guadix. The backdrop are the Alpujarras with snow capped summits. Calahorra has a realy cool and quite unique castle. One of the first Italian Renaissance castles outside Italy, it was constructed between 1509 and 1512 on the site of a former Moorish fortification. (read more here http://bit.ly/1EbkA3J courtesy of Andalusia.com) Anyway we've passed this quite a few times and had to stop this time. A short drive off the motorway and leaving your car in the town it's a short walk up the hill. Really quite unique! forgot to add if you want a full tour the castle only opens one day a week so best check the website or guides.
Granada is two and half hours drive away and with an early start well within a days visit. This would be our third time to the Alhambra, with such beautiful gardens there is always something different to see each time. Seven euros to see the palace, grounds and gardens is pretty good value (you can pay more for the Nasrid Palace) and its recommeded to book tickets in advance. www.alhambradegranada.org - especially during high season). Must see places are 'generalife' with its patios and gardens, the watch tower with great views over the Alhambra and the city, Garden of the Partal and the Charles V Palace.
Late October and a week of sun and mid 20's cant be bad. They say that this is one of the driest parts of Spain and we can see why. Early and late in the year bring a few clouds, low sun and beautiful evenings. A few photos below from our visit.
Just 4 hours drive down the coast we visited Malaga on our way home this time. Staying in the old town just minutes from the cathedral, Alacazar and good eating. Semana Santa over the Easter weekend in Aguilas, pretty much the whole town comes out to see the processions around the town. |
AuthorsWe are Phil & Karen. This is our apartment and a great place to come to for a different climate and change in the pace of life. If you visit we hope you enjoy it as well. Archives
October 2015
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