La Alhambra & Palacio de Generalife

Oh, quiero volver. Granada is a wonderful place to go, especially if you plan to do a southern Spain tour. The city can be seen within two days, or around 4 to 5 if you want to relax. Granada isn’t that big and I found that out the first day I was there. Many people have the Alhambra and Moorish Market down, as both are major tourist spots. The Alhambra is one of the most visited places in Spain; no wonder considering how much history and artifacts it holds.

It’s recommended that you reserve a ticket online or ahead of time so that it guarantees you a time to go in as well as beating the crowds. The official website says to book at least a month before and I remember I booked the second to last ticket for the end of November. Autumn is usually shoulder season, but there were still many people who had already reserved. I wanted to attend the ‘Generalife at Night’ (castle visit at night!) and they were all sold out for the next two months. It’s amazing and crazy at the same time!

My ticket was for 9am and I had stood in line for the 8:30am entrance and I couldn’t get in! Apparently, you had to wait for your time slot which is basically a really long line with no signs. Good thing the sun was rising and I got some amazing shots! The main ticket gives entrance to several exhibits/castles and you can easily spend a whole day there. I had reserved my last full day in Granada because I wanted to have it fresh in my mind when I left.

The Alhambra has exquisite design and architecture that’s mirrored in other palaces around the area (Royal Alcazar de Seville, Alcazaba de Malaga). They show the enduring history of Moorish influence. I’m not one to give a history lesson, but I can say that walking through the palace halls is an unimaginable way to learn about the past. There’s also guided tours and audio tours available.

The palace has multiple sections, but the one I want to point out today is the Generalife Palace. This is the farthest point from the the main Alhambra complex and it takes you around the castle, past lush gardens, to a beautiful villa that has a dark past. In later research, it was named after the people who were forced to build the structure and confined there. It was definitely interesting to learn and read more about.

On the other hand, Generalife is any Disney princesses’ dream. Located on a hill overlooking the city, surrounded by nature and fragrant flowers, this building has long fountains and arching water fountains. There are many balconies/outlook points to take pictures and just take in the view. The main focus of the building would definitely be the long fountains at the beginning and end of the walk.

It is a marvelous view, isn’t it?

The paths are very easily identifiable and well walked so you’ll never get lost. I would recommend getting there either early or enough time before closure to beat the crowds as well as the sun (especially in the summer). Also, golden hour works well with the landscape!

It was quite chilly in November but not unbearable. I’d say around 40-50F/4-10C when I was there. Remember to bring suitable shoes for the day because there’s lots of walking! The palace is also handicap accessible and very accommodating. If your a cat lover, be on the lookout for some of the furry residents who wander around! I spotted maybe around 3-4 cats within the first few hours I was there.

For the complete address: Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada, Spain

entering through the Justice Gate: Calle Real de la Alhambra, 18, 18009 Granada, Spain

Hope this post was helpful or a good reminiscing for others especially with what’s going on now. If you’ve been or are planning to go, comment below! I’d love to hear details!

Solo Travel

Im the idiot that got lost on a group tour. Yup. That scary fleeting thought that crosses your mind when you step onto a tour bus is now ingrained into my memory forever. It wasn’t in Paris (thank god) but I still went on tours there. (I am still very scarred.)

Follow me on Instagram! @ah.rin.1211

Traveling solo is an extremely scary thing to do if you have never left your own country or like to move in groups with friends. The first time I left, I went to Scotland because they also spoke English and it was close by. Low risk, small city, walk-able as well. I had everything researched and got my trusty portable charger.

Boy, was I in for a party.

I got lost so many times, texted my friend “it’s so damn windy” everyday, and had to walk in snowy streets. Europe apparently doesn’t have shovels.

This trip did teach me a lot of life lessons and let me think through what my life was/is like. For example, many people find it uncomfortable talking to strangers and will absolutely never ask for directions. There are others who hate eating out alone because it seems like others are staring or you’re taking up space at a busy restaurant. Others straight up don’t like walking out alone because they can’t be alone; they need a companion to feel stable. These are all reasonable and I understand why people feel uncomfortable. I have also done all of these things and way more embarrassing things while traveling.

I’ve realised with traveling that there is no way to combat fear except for facing it on. Fear of traveling solo? Buy that ticket and drop yourself onto another continent. You can only think, “well, I’m here now, might as well make the most of it.” As long as you take one step at a time, think with an open mind, and slow down your pace, it will all work out.

So to finish this up, I’ll tell you about that time I got lost. I was in Cotswold that day and it was really nice (which mean the weather was cooperating). I was on the way to Oxford and was handed a self-walking tour which was around 1.5-2 hours long. So here I go, sun shining, adrenaline high, and hopping off the bus. Speed up to an hour and fifteen minutes, I am in the open market and I’m buying a few things before I run back to the meet-up point. I somehow turn one wrong corner and I am so screwed. Everything suddenly looked the same and there was no campus map. So I run into numerous cafes, get right up into strangers’ faces (and one very nice professor), and somehow find the museum where I saw no bus. No bus. It’s 4:45 and I totally missed it. Well. I waited around a while and then decided, hell I’m going to the train station. And all this stress in a place that I had BEEN TO BEFORE. -facepalm-

And mind you, I had no wifi and had only 2G on my phone. So I buy that £27 ticket back to Piccadilly. It was an hour ride and halfway through, I get attacked with messages and to find out that my tour leader was calling me and leaving messages of “HI, WHERE ARE YOU?” and then I realized, “oh shit.” I had actually gotten the meet-up time wrong. Whoops.

I did get back safe and sound and I have a very entertaining story to tell. You’re welcome. The point of this story is that while things do go wrong, don’t be stressed or panicking. It’ll remain a great memory and train you to be better prepared in the future. Also, you you an awesome ice-breaker.

Have a wonderful day!