Posted by admin | Posted on 02-02-2011
Category : Art, Spain - Malaga
Tags: alhambra, deal, dolls, granada, malaga, moorish, museum, picasso, wonders
When the Moorish King of Granada decided he deserved an outstanding palace he sent his best architects to Malaga to copy the Moorish Alcazaba…. that is how the Alhambra was born!!!
Most of our clients stopping in Malaga during a cruise will call me so to go and visit Granada and the Alhambra…. Granada is worth the bother of the almost 2 hours drive each way but…. Malaga is a GEM
And Malaga not only is the city that houses this wonderful Moorish Alcazaba and gardens but it is also the city where top Spanish painter Pablo Picasso was born. You may enjoy reading an article today on the New York times with some information on Picasso, the Picasso Museums in the city (two… its birthplace house-museum and the family museum), tapas places offering great deals and other wonders of the city.
One of the not to be missed if visiting Malaga is the wonderful Doll House Museum. It is located at Alamos Street number 32. This museum is a miniature dolls house museum. This private collection comprises over fifty hand-made, unique models, most of which date back to the 19th century. Particularly outstanding is the 19th century Andalusian collection, as well as dolls from the middle of the century and a model freight train. The houses on display run from the oldest exhibit, an 1850 Majorcan house, to a 1970 German dolls house.
Posted by admin | Posted on 01-02-2011
Category : Friends, Spain - Cuenca
Tags: authenticity, deal, parador, Spain, unesco, world heritage
If you want to explore a wonderful historical city without tourists and feel the authenticity in this 21st century you should take the new high speed train and go to Cuenca.
The historical fortified city of Cuenca has been awarded the World Heritage designation by the UNESCO for its wealth of monuments. Cuenca is located between the Júcar and Huécar river canyons.. Its historic centre looks out over rocky canyon walls in the heart of the Cuenca Mountains. The Cathedral, Casas Colgadas (Hanging Houses) and cobbled streets charm all Spanish people that visit as well as the most hardened traveler. A former Dominican convent houses the Cuenca Parador Hotel, where to rest and enjoy the region’s most traditional recipes. Also as most of you know the Paradores always guarantee a good deal… the best quality at the better price.
The way the city “hangs” from the rock is spectacular. The view from the Parador (former San Pablo convent) is stunning. From the Parador you can walk to the city center in 5 minutes by taking the San Pablo Bridge suspended over the Huécar Canyon. The “Casas Colgadas” or hanging houses are excellent examples of the traditional architecture. They are currently home to the Spanish Museum of Abstract Art that, together with the Antonio Perez Foundation are a not to be missed. The museum houses one of Europe’s better collections in the genre.
Our good friend Andrew Ferren wrote an article on Cuenca at the New York Times last week. Don’t miss reading it: http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/travel/30overnighter-cuenca.html?ref=travel
