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Saturday, 21 February 2015

Granada - an unexpectedly romantic spot.

Say Granada, and most people think - Alhambra! Well, apart from those less cultured souls who immediately think,' Coronation Street', or begin to tell you about the rust bucket of a Ford they once owned back in the day when, to quote the incomparably brilliant Douglas Adams, 'digital watches were thought to be a pretty neat idea'.

Generally  speaking though, the city of Granada is overshadowed by the fame of its premier tourist site - The Alhambra. This is a pity, because it is a truly wonderful city and possesses all the necessary prerequisites of places like Paris, Rome or the Budapest that prompt copywriters to reach for that most overused adjective - 'romantic'. Why do I think so.....

1. Shady boulevards and stylish squares.





2. Cafe-culture.







3. An intriguing mix of architecture.











4. An intriguing mix of locals.





5. A stunning setting.







The icing on the cake for us was a visit to the Hammam, an Arabic inspired spa. This is not something that we would ever have booked for ourselves. So well done to Jackie - Gill's sister, who booked us a spa session as an inspired 60th birthday pressie. 






The atmosphere of the place really does recapture the exoticism of  the original. Afterwards we felt totally relaxed, but shattered. I assume that alternately relaxing your muscles in the hot baths and steam room, then 'refreshing' yourself in the cool pool, exercises every muscle in your body. So although you have not done anything more strenuous than dunking yourself like a human teabag it feels at the end that you have had a workout that is physically challenging, but wholly relaxing. It must be very good for you.


The result....an early night

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