"The Spanish Soul" Andalucía by jorgejuansanchez

If you only have time to visit one of the 17 spanish autonomies, then, do not hesitate, go to Andalucia! the most historical, exotic, pleasant and beautiful part of Spain. Andalucia is a work of art, is a land unique in the world.
In this territory we preserve a living folklore, old traditions, flamenco music and dancing (do you know guitarist Paco de Lucia?), delicious gastronomy and wines, the Caliphate route, the Washington Irving route (the first north american ambassador in Spain, who wrote a book called Alhambra Tales), the Feria de Sevilla and Feria del Rocio, the 3000 years old legendary Kingdom of Tartessos, and etc., etc., etc. Indeed, Andalucia is rich in every cultural aspect beyond imagination.
I will list you below the eight Andalucia provinces and my suggestions to visit:

ALMERIA is famous for the beaches and its fortress, called Alcazaba, in its capital. From Almeria city you can catch regular ferries to Melilla, a spanish enclave north of Africa.

GRANADA was the last territory held by the muslims invaders until 1492. Its main tourist attraction is the Alhambra, a marvellous palace constructed during the XIII century by Muhammad I. In Granada cathedral you can admire the mausoleums of the Catholic Kings, Isabel de Castilla and Fernando de Aragon. In front of the Alhambra lay the charming quarter Albaicin (UNESCO Patrimony), with spectacular views of the Alhambra, in particular in the night, when it is illuminated. A good restaurant in Albaicin is Kiki, where you can try a bull tail dish.

MALAGA is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and in its capital you can visit the museum dedicated to this genius. Marbella has one of the best andalucian beaches, while if you want to visit something exotic, then go up to Mijas, in the mountains, and hire a burro-taxi. Ronda, further up in the mountains is one of the most spectacular villages of Malaga, especially its stone bridge and the first spanish arena for bullfighting.

CADIZ city is known as La Tacita de Plata (the silver small cup). In the past, about 3000 years ago, Cadiz was called Gadir, the oldest European city, and was founded by Phoenicians sailors from Tiro, in Lebanon. The carnival of Cadiz is considered one of the most important and humoristic in Spain.

HUELVA has its Costa de la Luz, with lovely beaches and fishing villages. In Palos de la Frontera, origin of the Columbus travels, you will see a monument dedicated to this great explorer.
Other highlight in Huelva is the Donana Natural Park, the greatest in Europe, while if you want to go to Sevilla by an original way, then take a boat in Sanlucar de Barrameda along the Guadalquivir River.

SEVILLA city is the eight wonder of the world! Strolling around the labyrintical streets of Barrio de Santa Cruz is something that you will never forget. By the way, in the Barrio de Santa Cruz, in the Plaza de los Venerables, you should have lunch in the restaurant El Hostal del Laurel, with motives of Don Juan, and jamones (ham pig legs) and garlic hanging from the roof as decoration. The Sevilla cathedral is a treasure and in its interior you can visit Columbus tomb and Goya and Murillo paintings, and the more braves should climb up to the Giralda, one of the Sevilla symbols, for great views of the city. Finally, for a romantic night, go to the Kiosk de las Flores, in Betis street, besides the Guadalquivir River bank, and ask for pescaditos with La Ina wine.

CORDOBA walled city has an old synagogue (today a museum), a walled quarter with the second greatest mosque of the past (only after Meca in Arabia), today converted in christian cathedral, and the beautiful museum dedicated to the artist Julio Romero de Torres. Furthermore, Cordoba is the birthplace of some of the most famous philosophers of the world, such as Seneca, Averroes and Maimonides, and in Cordoba city you can admire their monuments.

JAEN is the olive oil world capital. Interesting historical towns in this province are Ubeda and Baeza. Jaen capital has an imposing castle and a cathedral containing Jesus Christ relics.

with an Andalucian beauty

This picture was taken in Bodegas Tio Pepe, in Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz Province.

• Pros:Joy of life, beaches, excellent food and wines, sunshine...
• Cons:unfortunately workless people have to migrate to other parts of Spain
• In a nutshell:you find culture and beauty together