Cordoba

Gorgeous weather in Cordoba, and taking the train over from Sevilla was easy and quick. It was such a beautiful city in a very different way to Sevilla, with much more Moorish influence in the architecture of the old town buildings. There is a beautiful courtyard filled with trees and high arches, and the outer walls have many beautifully decorated recesses.

Wandering the streets is easy, and relaxing - taking a walk along the Rio Guadalquivir provides good scenery, despite the slightly suspicious-looking water. There is curious mix of more Romanesque architecture along the river, with the Puente Romano and ruined millworks, and a restored gate.

I had a leisurely lunch in a beautiful restaurant along the old town, so leisurely that the Alcazar closed before I got there!! Albeit, it closed at 2pm, outrageously early, but in a way I was secretly pleased because it gave me an excuse to come back soon!

Cordoba is also filled with green parks and sparkling fountains, it's great taking your time wandering around and lying in the sun. There were also lots of market stalls set up on the sunday in the series of parks Jardines de la Agricultura, Jardines Diego de Rivas and Jardines de la Victoria. I resisted shopping though in favour of the Jewish quarter which was a twisting maze of cobbled narrow streets, overshadowed by balconies dripping with flowers. Another great wandering area!