Granada | Spain

"Oh Morocco is cool, yea Sevilla is great, but Granada, well, Granada is something else. Granada is really special, you'll see" ~ rental car agent @ the Renfe Station

She was not wrong. In fact she was completely accurate. Voicing her own strong opinion - her statement stuck with me. It was a welcome conversation as we retuned the rental car despite the fact that we were running late. We needed to grab a taxi and check into Hotel Casa 1800 before making our way to Alhambra. We had a ticketed time an hour prior to closing at 8pm. (You have to book in advance, and this was the only time slot we could get while we were here!)

After spending time in the city streets you feel it. Granada is special, something beyond, 10/10, our favorite on this trip. It's not bragging or in your face, it's sneaky stunning and casually hip. 

After our hurried arrival and rush to Alhambra we slowed it all down. We wandered. We ate good food. We leisurely shopped. We drank. We stayed out late. 

Can we move here? That's the vibe. Granada totally gave us "European city we could live in vibes". 

From the bright, clean streets of Centro with unique and pretty fountains in abundance, to the winding narrow pathways as you climb or descend the Albaicin, there's so much leisurely wandering to be had in Granada.

GRANADAAAA we love you so. 

Eat here: Pimienta Rosa | Atelier Casa de Comidas

Drink here: Mama Samba | Lemon Rock | Bar Chaplin | Calle Elvira area | 

Sad we missed: Bar Axia "heart of the Albayzin" (it was closed! situated on a charming old school plaza, looks like a perfect tapas bar stop.) Las Tomasas - originally had a dinner reservation but called an audible as timing / location didn't work out. 

Views: El Huerto | Plaza de San Nicolas

Dinner was a miss here: La Cuchara de Carmela. I guess we had high expectations and none of us were in love with our meals. 

Stay here: Hotel Casa 1800. A really unique hotel tucked in a cave like setting between the exact neighborhoods you want to be for exploring - Albaicin + Centro. A beautiful continental breakfast spread is included. The rooms felt cozy yet elegant. 

Granada - leisure, late nights + fountains. Group consensus favorite. 

Ronda | Spain

We departed Palacio Pinello at 8:30am via taxi to the Santa Justa train station where we picked up a rental car. The drive through the Spanish countryside from Seville to Ronda is outstanding. 

Ronda itself is otherworldly; remarkable bridges, magnificent vistas, and steep cobblestone streets lead you around this dramatic mountaintop town.

This was the chilliest day with rain on and off. We were not experiencing the typical Spanish heat and sun on this trip that's for sure. Under gray skies we discovered all the viewpoints over El Tajo Gorge carved out by the Guadalevin River.

The latter part our afternoon lead us just down the road to Bodega Garcia Hidalgo. Tricia booked a wine tasting which turned out to be a super memorable experience.

A husband + wife team warmly welcome you to their family run winery which also happens to be their home. We took a little tour of the vineyard and wine cellars, and knew we'd be tasting wine of course! What we did not know is that they would have a white linen tablecloth tasting set for each group on their plant filled terrace, serving an exceptional spread of homemade food. 

We were presented with a just baked loaf of crusty bread accompanied by fresh jam, tangy relish, hand churned cream cheese + a luscious pate. Next, plates of local cheeses and cured meats. The tapas were flowing as much as the delicious wine and when she brought out her homemade Spanish tortilla - warm, fluffy and filled with soft potatoes, I nearly lost my mind it was so good!! 

If you find yourself in Ronda and you book a tasting at this winery (which you should!) come hungry! We loved the wine and took home a bottle of red each. 

 Ronda - nothing short of spectacular + a must visit: Bodega Garcia Hidalgo