Photo: © corolanty - iStockphoto.com
On a journey of discovery
The temperatures in the hot south of Spain are now becoming more pleasant. Time for a journey of discovery ...
The sweet scent of oranges is heavy in the steep valleys of the Alpujarras. Here, in the southeast of Andalusia, the climate is ideal for citrus fruits. Throughout the hot summer, they have stored the sunlight in themselves. So they now exude their intense aroma in the beginning of winter. Only when the nights are cold, the fruits turn yellow. For the farmers, this is the sign to start harvesting. Until March, they will pick the juicy-sweet oranges from the trees.
Orange trees in every garden
If you come to the south of Spain, you will be accompanied by oranges at every turn. Traders offer the fresh harvest and orange trees seem to stand in almost every garden.
Even in the courtyards of the Alhambra they are to be found. The palace on a cliff high above the city of Granada is not far from the Alpujarras - and is an absolute must for any Andalucian traveler. Since the Middle Ages, the beauty of this structure has captivated visitors.
Two hours' drive further northwest Andalucia is Cordoba, the ancient capital of the Muslim Moors, who also built the Alhambra. At the heart of the city is the Mezquita - a huge prayer hall that used to be a mosque and later had a cathedral built into it.
Today Seville is the capital of Andalusia s . Stroll through the narrow streets of the old town and down to the river Guadalquivir. You should not miss a visit to the cathedral, before you enjoy a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice the next morning and then open up to the beautiful Ronda.
