Granada and Southern Spain

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Southern Spain is beautiful, unforgettable, and I loved all of the places I visited.  At the top of the list is Granada.  Nomadic Matt’s travel blog on Spain gives great tips on the top things to do while there.

http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/spain-travel-tips/granada/

The architecture and culture is ancient and exciting so there is much to see.  The geographic backdrop, and mountains, remind me a little bit of home in Southern California as well!  If you’re younger I would absolutely recommend a hostel like they do in his blog.  They are cheap, clean, and very convenient.

Alhambra

The Alhambra

The top things to do:

Visit the Palace:

Make sure you get inside the palace as well as roaming the exterior.  I have a million pictures of my time at the Alhambra, and, in my opinion, this is some of the best Moorish/Islamic architecture that you can find in the region.  Parts of the palace are unbelievable, and where it’s situated, within the mountains, rivals some of the best European castles that I’ve been to.

Mirador De San Nicolas:

Sunset, sunset, sunset.  Did I say it enough?  Make sure you get there to view something that is right out of a James Bond or Indiana Jones movie.

The Sierra Nevada Mountains:

They are the tallest mountains in Europe.  You have to hike those mountains!  Make sure to make a day trip out of it and join one of the many hiking tours.  You won’t regret it!

The Cathedral:                 

The cathedral is spectacular with it’s Spanish Renaissance architecture.  Dating back over 500 years, make sure you take time to climb the stairs to the top for view of the entire city.

Albaicin:

This area reminds me more of Tunesia and parts of northern Africa than anything else.  If you can, try to take a guided tour of this area and enjoy the ethnic foods ranging from Tapas to other international cuisine.

Flamenco:

Flamenco is dramatic and vibrant.  I would share this experience with a significant other along with a bottle of local red wine.  There is nothing like it and the passion and power of this cultural tradition, that continues today, will get your heart pumping.

San Jeronimo:

Visiting this monastery inspired me as a young author to write about the modern versus ancient world. Enjoy the experience, the beautiful paintings, and impressive stained glass.

In addition to Granada, I would recommend visiting Seville and Cordoba during your time traveling the region.  All three cities have unique culture and charm.

Tony Bilby

Some food tips as well!

Tips for Munich Travel

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Munich is potentially the most beautiful metropolis in all of Germany. Boasting history stretching back over half a millennium while simultaneously showcasing innovative technology in the way of the famed BMW museum, this cosmopolitan paradise beckons hordes of tourists to experience its one-of-a-kind personality every year. Between countless facets of entertainment and the intriguing history prevalent on every street, there is honestly no place I’d rather be. It is for this reason I’ve decided to put together a quick and easy guide so that you may truly take full advantage of the city.

Take Public Transit

I know in America, this can often seem like a foreign (pun intended) concept unless you live in one of the major cities. But the fact is that the public transit here is precise, pristine and quite frankly, nearly perfect. Don’t waste your money on overly expensive cab/car services when a perfectly functional public transit system exists to cater to the city’s inhabitants’ comfort. Clean and on-time, I really can’t say enough, but you get the point.

Visit Museums

So much history beats as the lifeblood of the city, driving the metropolis’s perpetual ambition to improve, which is perhaps evident in the the fact that Munich is constantly on the brink of emerging and exciting technologies. That said, you should pay a visit to the BMW museum. Filled with the latest luxury models and boasting all sorts of technology, the museum actually necessitates two separate buildings in order to house everything it has to exhibit. One space is reserved for a more car-oriented theme while the other area is often used to showcase different artistic creations. By infusing culture and luxury with friendly customer service, the BMW museum has been one of the most enjoyable exhibitions I have ever witnessed.

Take advantage of the nightlife.

Munich nightlife is an absolute blast when you take into consideration the fact that the city is quite young (mean age of 29). This leads to a vivacious electricity that immerses the streets when the sun goes down, as laughs and smiles parade around town in palpable euphoria. This said, do be sure to check out the original Hofbrauhaus bar. This venue is literally over 400 years old and boasts a remarkable atmosphere that is simply unparalleled. Get to know the residents of Munich and mingle with other tourists doing the same as you as you sip some of the most delicious beer available in the country. Although the options are fairly limited ranging from the darker dunkel to a lighter option, there is still something for everyone; and even if you think there is nothing for you, just risk it and give it a chance. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

I hope this helps during your Germanic travels. Godspeed and Guten Tag!

 

Tony Bilby, Beer, Munich, Germany, Travel

Munich Beer

Also, check out this video by viator.com: