Sevilla and Ronda, The Gems of Spain

The entire Andalucia region of Spain beautiful. The picturesque white houses surrounded by reddish brown dusty mountains is a typical sight in these parts. Two of my favorite places were Sevilla and Ronda, and these cities also turned out to be my favorite in all of Spain. 

(Photo: Royal Alcazar Gardens)

Sevilla holds a lot of history for Spain. The Royal Alcazar is Sevilla's most popular sight, but don't let the idea of a crowd deter you. When I visited, there was barely anyone around. The Alcazar was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen in my life. The tiles, carvings, paintings, woodwork, and architecture of the palace was breathtaking. Every inch of the place had incredible detail and this made it impossible to really absorb the intricacies of the Alcazar. You could easily spend a whole day here. The gardens behind the palace are 4 times as vast, and each new section of the garden transports you to a different country through the style the garden was created. Endless fountains, a maze, benches, walking paths, different plant life, and even peacocks exist! I highly recommend the Royal Alcazar to anyone visiting Sevilla. 

(Photo: inside the Royal Alcazar)

Another must see is the Plaza de España. It's difficult to describe how huge and marvelous the Plaza is, so you'll have to see for yourself. You can take a small rowboat in the tiny canal in between the plaza and the huge half moon shaped building in the plaza, which is a nice way to enjoy the scenery. Otherwise, there are plenty of benches around to soak up the Plaza, but you should really get up close to appreciate the intricacies. Like the Alcazar, there was a lot of detail put into the Plaza de España. D

There's also a great park nearby!

(Photo: Plaza de España)

Ronda is a small town easily accessible by train from Sevilla. Despite its small size, there's plenty to see and do. The famous Puente Nuevo bridge is amazing, but the best views of it are a short walk down the hill. The signs for the viewpoint aren't that obvious so be sure to ask your hotel or hostel reception for a map. There are also ruins of some baths you can visit, hanging gardens, churches, a small museum on the history of Ronda, and the bullfighting museum. Ronda is actually the birthplace of modern day bullfighting so this is a must see! 

 (Photo: Puente Nuevo)

(Photo: moonrise over Ronda)

Make sure to have some tapas while you're visiting Spain. There's a great place called Dos De Mayo in Sevilla where the atmosphere is lively, and the tapas are delicious! It's quick, easy, and very cheap too! You have to go to the counter to order and pick up your food, then pay at the counter after too, so this isn't your typical sit down restaurant. I highly recommend this place!

The Markets, Architecture, and Life in Barcelona, Spain

In every city where I can find a market, I always make it part of my plans to stop and check out what types of goods are being sold. Some markets, like the one in Nice, have a variety of food, handcrafted goods, artwork, and flowers. Others are more specific to just food or just crafts. The Boqueria Market in Barcelona is a food market where the fruit is stacked high, juices are fresh, the fish looks freshly caught, and you'll see more dried pigs legs hanging than you can imagine. The smells and colors in the market are enough to thrill your senses! Make sure to try a 1 Euro freshly blended juice. They are delicious and perfect for a hot day! I especially liked the papaya coconut blend. The vendors making food there also offer some great traditional flavors and are worth trying for a small snack.

This market offered a better variety of food than all the others I've seen, and if you stay long enough you'll get to see some locals quickly go through and pick items out for a meal. It's interesting to see what Spaniards choose to combine for food, as it is very different from a typical American diet. La Boqueria Market is located on la Rambla street, which is a street famous for shopping and food. La Rambla is also known for its live human statues who are on the end of the street side closer to the pier. The statues are great for taking photos with so drop 'em a coin and join the fun.

After you've satisfied your stomach, take a tour through a section of the city. Barcelona can't be seen in a single day so make sure to allow enough time to explore the city. I definitely suggest checking out some of the houses Gaudi designed like casa Batlló, as well as his park called Parque Guell where you'll see the famous ceramic tile lizard and Gaudi's residence. This park also offers a spectacular view of Barcelona! Admission to the park is free and buses run regularly. 

The Sagrada Familia is also a must see in Barcelona, but getting in is a hassle so make sure to arrive very early if you want a tour. The famed church is frequently undergoing maintenance, as it was when I saw it, so the outside of the church may not have the appearance you expect. However, the Sagrada Familia is still architecturally amazing, enormous, and shows beautiful detail everywhere. Go see it! 

A stop in Barcelona wouldn't be complete without a giant Seafood Paella, sangria, and a night out. My recommendation is Port Olímpic. In that port there are plenty of restaurants to choose from, but I especially liked La Fonda. It was perhaps the largest meal I've had on my entire trip for a reasonable price. If you go with another person, share their 15 Euro paella set menu. You get about 7 or 8 large appetizers, plus paella, plus a drink of choice, plus desert of choice, plus coffee. When I went, the waiter offered complimentary lemon liqueur with cakes as well. You won't be able to eat it all, but it was sure a delicious and cost effective way to try a variety of Spanish food. After your meal, there are plenty of clubs and bars at Port Olímpic to dance the night away!