Impulsive Christmas Trip

[kermatu]

The kids noticed the hotel had a Chinese restaurant and lobbied hard to eat here.

Payback for Y+

 

[craven morehead]

The kids noticed the hotel had a Chinese restaurant and lobbied hard to eat here. Against one’s better judgment we relented and booked a table. I wouldn’t do it again..

Tse-Yang. The things you do for your kids!

View attachment 153465 View attachment 153466 View attachment 153467 View attachment 153468 View attachment 153469 View attachment 153470

About the only decent thing that was delivered to the table.

View attachment 153471

S#!t for a second there I thought I'd logged on to the wrong post

 

[amaroo]

We came to Cordoba for one reason - Mezquita or more formally Mosque-Catherdral of Cordoba

In the queue to purchase tickets we saw a lady standing around with guide ID ... being the impulsive people we are, a few minutes later we were sorted for guided tour.

The first look of the Mezquita



The guide started in the Jewish quarter



Moses Ben Maimon, or simply Maimonides. I had to google this fellow... born Cordoba 1135 and became a pretty important Jewish scholar in the Middle Ages. He was also an Astronomer and Physician. He ended up in Egypt .... interesting fellow.




Synagogue of Cordoba, built 1315. One of only three remaining Synagogues of this era left in Spain.

 

[VPS]

You know because of you and @OZDUCK I'm planning another couple of weeks in Spain after Christmas this year

 

[amaroo]

More of the streets of Cordoba



Time to enter the Mezquita



This place has a long and very interesting history. The first known place of worship at this location was a Church built in the 7th century. Early 8th century it became a shared location for Muslims and Christians. By the late 8th century it was decided it was a place for Muslims only and they started to build the Great Mosque.

The design has 856 columns - initially they were recycled from various Roman temples. They used an innovative double arch design which allowed for higher ceilings.

Over the next few hundred years it was extended many times.... in the 13 century the Christians took over and converted it back into a church. In the 16th century they went the full monty and built a Renaissance nave smack in the middle of it.

To give you some idea of the size of this place ... (courtesy of google earth)

 

[amaroo]

I’ve seen some great buildings in my travels - this one is a real standout. Absolutely awe inspiring!

The history, using Roman materials, the toing and froing between Christians and Muslims ... this place has it all.

 

[amaroo]

The only other place I’ve seen that comes close to having the same history and grandeur is Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

Can’t help think that Muslims treated the history of that building 1000x better than the Christian conquerors of Cordoba.

Of all the places to demolish something unique and dump another one of these in its place ... oh, what a shame!









I suppose we can be thankful that didn’t destroy the job lot.

 

[amaroo]

Can you tell I liked this one....



We had lunch just around the corner - Casa Pepe de La Juderia

Wonderful meal and flavours.... eat here when visiting Cordoba.



Just like that we were back on the train to Madrid. Excellent day - highly recommended.



Not the best, but is was Tinto



The things you see reading the NY Times, on a train in Spain ... looks good, might have to visit this place.

 

[amaroo]

Payback for Y+

S#!t for a second there I thought I'd logged on to the wrong post

Love Chinese, but not so much in Madrid. I tried to keep it real with the Rioja...

You know because of you and @OZDUCK I'm planning another couple of weeks in Spain after Christmas this year

Awesome! Look forward to reading your trip report..

 

[VPS]

@amaroo I'm not as good as you. I spent 10 days in Spain in 2017 and don't think I even posted a photo - note to self - please try harder

 

[amaroo]

@amaroo I'm not as good as you. I spent 10 days in Spain in 2017 and don't think I even posted a photo - note to self - please try harder

I have 54,000 photos on my phone Trip reports are an excellent tool to select the decent ones into something viewable.

 

[amaroo]

Back in Madrid with some shopping out of way, it was time to eat. Our hotel is located in Salamanca, a great neighbourhood for shopping, drinking and eating.

Around the block from the hotel is Tepic - an excellent Mexican restaurant. We loved it!







The hotel

 

[amaroo]

View from the back of the Prado Museum... we went in, sorry no photos allowed in the Prado.

The Prado is one of those Museums ... been twice now and will go again when next in Madrid.



After the Prado we walked back to Salamanca through El Retiro Park

 

[amaroo]

More of the park...







Our hotel had a Virtuoso benefit of US$200 F&B allowance that we needed to knock off .. we achieved that my having an afternoon snack in the Villa Magna lounge

 

[Flashback]

Did you try the row boats? They're great fun.

 

[amaroo]

Did you try the row boats? They're great fun.

No. But plenty of others were out enjoying themselves in the lovely sunshine.

 

[amaroo]

Our last meal in Spain (for this trip) and it was one of the best. Salamanca is full of great restaurants, once again just a short walk from the hotel.

Ten Con Ten








We had a great couple of weeks exploring Spain - it’s such a fantastic country.

Can’t wait to come back....

 

[ellen10]

Really enjoyed your trip report, your travels, advice and great pictures.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[amaroo]

IB Velazquez lounge Madrid T4S



Nice views from the lounge



BA J MAD-LHR



Club Europe... not the best.





Pretty tasty Rigatoni...

 

[Flashback]

Did you find the wine wall/wine bar in the back corner of the lounge? That's pretty cool.

Thanks for the TR, has given me a few new places to visit in Spain. We normally head over at least once or so a year.