This past week, we packed our bags and left Extremadura for a tour of Andalucía, the southernmost autonomous community of the peninsula. After an early start, we reached Cordoba by early afternoon. We had a couple of hours to explore, shop, and eat lunch before we visited La Mezquita. This mosque-cathedral is an incredible architectural and artistic reflection of Cordoba’s history and its occupation and rule by both Muslim and Christian leaders. After visiting La Mezquita, we bid farewell to Cordoba, packed back onto the bus, and continued onto Granada.

During our first morning in Granada, Dr. Owens, who had lived in Granada for two years, gave us a walking tour with stops for souvenir shopping, a churro snack, and pictures and lunch at the mirador de San Nicolas. After exploring for the rest of the afternoon, we headed to a traditional Flamenco show in the caves of the Albaicín neighborhood. On our way out of town the next day, we toured La Alhambra, an expansive Arab palace that was later taken over by the Catholic monarchs. Its lush gardens, exquisite carvings, and vibrant tiles cover nearly 26 acres of land. During our tour, our guide explained the symbolism of the various works of art and the findings of the archeological digs that are scattered throughout the grounds. After a long afternoon of walking, we travelled to our final stop, Seville.  

The morning after arriving, we headed for the Cathedral of Seville, which is the third largest cathedral in the world. When we arrived, we headed straight for La Giralda, a historic minaret that now serves as the cathedral’s belltower. After taking in the views, we continued to wander the expansive cathedral, admiring the stained-glass windows, the various chapels, and Christopher Columbus’ tomb. I spent the rest of the day in Sevilla exploring and visiting other sites, such as the Plaza España, Torre del Oro, and la Alcazar. Just like that, our Andalucía trip was complete, and I took off for a weekend in Barcelona before returning to Trujillo for our final week of classes.