Tapas Hopping

We all knew that eating Tapas was something on the "must do" lists when going to Spain. I always just thought that Tapas was a word for appetizer type portions of food that were shared amongst a group of people. I was never a real fan of them because you get a few bites of a lot of things that you are sharing with everyone but it doesn't feel like you had an actual meal. We were all in for a BIG surprise with a whole new definition of Tapas in Granada!

Granada is known for their Tapas Bar scene. Here's how it works...You choose any of the many Tapas Bars along the street and have a seat. Everyone orders their drink of choice (usually Sangria with our group) and then free, yes FREE food comes out. Sometimes it is a predetermined dish decided by the chef and sometimes you get to choose from a little menu what food you would like to enjoy, totally Gratis! We fell in love with this concept verrrry quickly!! Every day around 3-4 in the afternoon it turned into "Tapas Time"

First taste of Sangria

And first taste of Tapas!

Our Failed attempt at Tropical Sangria

 

Tarter Sauce LOVES Tapas Time!

 

Not liking having to pay for Tapas in Seville!

Soo delicious!

Cute little place we found in Seville

Kendall had planned to take us to a certain restaurant for our last night in Granada. But after a little deliberation, we decided a night of "Tapas Hopping" would be better! We ate and drank our way through Granada, stopping at 5 different Tapas Bars. We each took turns paying for a round, so at the end of the night we had spent only 10euros apiece, had 5 drinks, and full bellies! It doesn't get much better than that!

Monica was really excited for Chinese Tapas at stop #1...

Dissapointing Sangria at "White Linen Napkin Est"...stop#2...

 My new friend

Mom in the street, giggling at Aunt Lynnie, somewhere between Bars 3 & 5...

We finished up the night back at Kendall's favorite place D'Quadros with some of her school friends.

 



We had soo much fun and it was the perfect way to spend our last night in Granada!

 Tapas...I love you!

La Alhambra

Perched up on a hill overlooking the city of Granada sits Spain's most toured destination, La Alhambra or "The Red Fortress." It is a vast and impressive combination of Palace and Fortress built by the Moors and sprinkled with some Catholic Monarchay influence. It was originally built by the Arabic Moors in the 1300's, and later taken over and turned into more of a Palace residence in the 1500's by Charles V. Our first encounter with this UNESCO World Heritage Site was from the top of a neighboring hill, where we sat sipping sangria as the sun set on this incredible view.

 

 

 

 The next morning we were picked up by our tour guide for an official tour of the Fortress. The first stop...Kebab King for a Kebab Picnic!

 

To give us fuel for the climb...

 

Once we made it to the top it was time to tour the massive grounds!

 
 

 

 

A visit to the Palacio de Generalife: The summer palace away from the hustle and bustle of the neighboring fortress.

 

 

 

 

and finally to the main part of the Fortress.

 

 

 

Inside is the sight that is believed to have been the place where Christopher Columbus came to ask Queen Isabella for money to fund his exploration to the New World. So we had to re-inact it obviously...

We made a quick stop at the Palace of Charles V...

Where legend has it...Your spouse/future spouse will cheat on you if you stand directly in the center...

The tour concluded with a climb to the top of the Fortress's defensive tower with an incredible view of the city and the Sierra Nevadas.

 

Granada in a Nutshell

Before Kendall told us she would be studying there, I had never even heard of Granada. It is a smaller city in the southern region of Andalusia, sitting at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Due to its close proximity to Northern Africa (only about 14km across the Strait of Gibraltar), Granada has a heavy Arabic influence. Granada was the last stronghold of the Moorish Occupation before they were pushed completely out of Spain back down into Northern Africa. During their 700 year rule, the Moors definitely made their mark on the land, especially in Granada. Its beauty and architecture is like no other city in Europe!

 

 

 

 

 

Our 4 days in Granada consisted of:

Sipping lots of Sangria...

Relaxing and getting rid of Jetlag at a Turkish Bath...

No pictures were allowed inside

Having a wine picnic in the park while K was in class...

 

Attempting to Salsa Dance...

 

Visiting an ancient Fortress/Palace...

Joining K's School Hike...

to Granada's Catholic Cemetary...

 
with an incredible view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains...

 Shopping in the Old Jewish Quarter, The Albaicin...

having dinner with Kendall's Incredible Host Family...

and lots and lots of Tapas!!

We had such a great time following like little duckilings behind our wonderful tour guide! We were so impressed with how great K has adapted to her new "home" and especially the language! Thank you for a wonderful visit in Granada Kendall! We are very proud of you!