Granada
Situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, its singular history has given it an artistic grandeur. As it was the last Arab kingdom in Spain, it is also a city with great symbolic value. The city of Granada has been shaped by the hills, where the old districts in the Albaicin and the Alhambra were founded, brimming with steep, narrow streets, beautiful nooks and crannies, and marvelous landscapes. Granada has the Alhambra which is considered to be one of the 10 wonders of the world. The Alhambra is a massive castle constructed over many centuries. It consists of gardens, fortifications and sumptuous palaces.
Washington Irving took up residence in the palace in 1829. He penned his best-selling "Tales of the Alhambra" here which focused world attention on Granada and conjured up a romantic image of Andalucia, which persists to this day.
* Loja
This town, not far from Granada, is outstanding for its historic centre, home to buildings and constructions with great artistic value. Washed by the waters of the Genil River, Loja is ideal for a stroll through its streets, a reflection of the splendour of its past. Loja has a large number of fountains and natural springs to be found in different parts of the town centre, such as its 25-spout fountain, and Fuente Santa, renowned for the medicinal properties of its waters.
* Antequera
Antequera is situated in the famed Malaga province of Andalucia. Its marvellous countryside and its considerable historic importance were not missed by Washington Irving himself, when he said “Everything in this venerable city has a decidedly Spanish seal”. Some of the most important Roman Villa ruins have been discovered here. There are plenty of sights to be seen and it is known for its abundance of places of worship, more than anywhere else in Spain. The famous bullring is worth a look
* Seville
Seville, capital of Andalusia, represents the most intense south of Europe and is above all a colourful and elegant city. Legend has it that it was founded by Hercules. Here we can find all the stereotypes of Spain: bulls, flamenco, religious processions, tapas, fino wines, architecture, art and, above all, a special way of understanding life. Situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir, the river marks the history and the life of the city. In the historic quarter, on the left bank, are all the best known districts, such as Santa Cruz, San Bartolomé, San Vicente, San Lorenzo and El Arenal. On the right bank is the historic Suburb of Triana. Site of the World Exhibitions of 1929 and 1992, these also left their mark on the city.
* Ecija
Also known by the nickname of the “city of towers”, because 11 towers, nine steeples, and a great many churches, palaces and viewing points rise above its houses, Écija constitutes one of finest collections of monumental buildings in the province. Things to see include the Roman mosaic on the ayuntamiento while two of the most spectacular towers are on the Santa Maria church and the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista. The squares, fountains and miradors complete this exceptionally beautiful urban and architectural ensemble.
The Camino de Santiago Route, Andalucia:
The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. The most popular route (which gets very crowded in mid-summer) is the Camino Francés which stretches 780 km. (nearly 500 miles) from St. Jean-Pied-du-Port near Biarritz in France to Santiago. This is fed by three major French routes: the Voie de Tours, the Voie de Vezelay, and the Voie du Puy. It is also joined along its route by the Camino Aragones (which is fed by the Voie d'Arles which crosses the Pyrenees at the Somport Pass), by the Camí de San Jaume from Montserrat near Barcelona, the Ruta de Tunel from Irun, the Camino Primitivo from Bilbao and Oviedo, and by the Camino de Levante from Valencia and Toledo.
Other Spanish routes are the Camino Inglés from Ferrol & A Coruña, the Via de la Plata from Seville and Salamanca, and the Camino Portungues from Oporto.
The network is similar to a river system - small brooks join together to make streams, and the streams join together to make rivers, most of which join together to make the Camino Frances. During the middle ages, people walked out of their front doors and started off to Santiago, which was how the network grew up. Nowadays, cheap air travel has given many people the opportunity to fly to their starting point, and often to do different sections in successive years. Some people set out on the Camino for spiritual reasons; many others find spiritual reasons along the Way as they meet other pilgrims, attend pilgrim masses in churches and monasteries and cathedrals, and see the large infrastructure of buildings provided for pilgrims over many centuries.
Walking the Camino is not difficult - most of the stages are flat on good paths. The main difficulty is that few of us have walked continuously for 10, 20 or 30 days.
Though it takes you through some of Spain's most beautiful cities, your travels will take you through some of the most hot and arid and terrain in Spain - don't do this route in summer! If you want a challenge, this is a great route, but it is not recommended if this is your first attempt at the Camino de Santiago.
The route splits into two at one point, where you can either join the final stretch of the Camino Frances, passing through Astorga, or following a different route, which takes you through Ourense. They are similar in length.
Some of the major cities and destinations on this route are:
* Seville
This is one of the most beautiful cities of Andalucia. A lot many civilizations, cultures and historical events have gone into the making of Seville’s history, making it one of the largest historical centres of Europe today. Legend says that it was founded by Hercules, and the land produced was home to more legend like Bizet’s “Carmen”, Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro”; and the fictional legend: Don Juan.
Seville today is a enchanting combination of the ancient and modern. It is the home of several important monuments- some of which are declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
* Zafra
One of the more picturesque areas is the main square, or the Plaza Grande, which is lined with arches all around it and makes for an unusual setting. This is the first big town after Seville. The city is centred on the 15th century castle which was formerly a Moorish fortress. Today it serves as the Parador of Zafra, the town's most distinguished hotel. There are lots of internet facilities here and many hotels and hostels.
* Merida
This is a beautiful city and an archaeological site. The remains of the old city, which are complete and well preserved, include in particular a large bridge over the River Guadiana, an amphitheatre, a theatre, an enormous circus and an exceptional water supply system. It is a fine example of a Roman provincial capital during the Empire and later years.
There are a lot many good hotels and restaurants here. The main attractions are the Roman Amphitheatre and the long Roman Bridge.
* Caceres:
This is a nice little town on the route. In the oldest section of the proud monumental site, a World Heritage Site, the Old Jewish quarter stands out because of its curled, irregular layout, which combines long steep streets with 220 small squares and recondite places.
* Salamanca
The city is a veritable museum of architecture. All periods and styles are represented here in their most creative expressions. The city's historic quarter boasts important monuments from different periods: Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance, and Baroque. The local spirit revolves around science and culture. A big cathedral, an old roman bridge, a city wall are the main attractions. It also has a huge football stadium, public swimming pool and 3000! (believe it or not) bars and cafes.
*Zamora
The city of Zamora in preserves in its old town an important legacy of Romanesque art, which has earned it the declaration of Historic-Artistic site. Catedral de Zamora and Museo de Semana Santa de Zamora are the main attractions. The city has 18 hotels, 4 of them in the four-star range.
* Astorga:
The capital of the county of Maragatería in the province of Leon offers a rich medieval legacy, the result of its location at the crossroads of: the Pilgrim's Road to Santiago de Compostela and the Ruta de la Plata. Another outstanding feature in the town's streets is a culminating work by the Modernist architect Antoni Gaudí: the Bishop's Palace. Astorga is, also, a good opportunity for enjoying the rich cuisine of this area.
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