If you get the chance, then come to Granada, Spain! Here the Spanish & Arabic worlds overlap beautifully in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

The highlight of any visit to Granada is visiting the Alhambra that towers over the small city.

The Alhambra was initially only a fortress known as an Alcazaba (Arabic for “Citadel”); but, Muhammed I Ibn Al-Ahmar who founded the Nasrid Empire in 1238 added the royal residence. Eventually, Granada ended up being the last Muslim strong hold in Spain.

On 2 January 1492, Queen Isabella & King Ferdinand vanquished the last Muslim sultan & took control over Granada & the Alhambra. They were living in the Alhambra palace when they granted Columbus the funding for his historic voyage on which he discovered the New World.

The palace is a blend of Christian & Muslim influences. The architecture & gardens reminded us of our visits to Iran & India.

We had a lovely hotel in the old town.

The city has a nice mixture of places to eat with Spanish & Arabic cuisine.

In Granada’s Sacramonte neighborhood, the Flamenco dance originated over 500 years ago.

We went to the Zincalé flamenco show which has been hosted by the Cordoba family for generations in a traditional cave home.

In this show only the women danced. The men sang & played the guitar. Their rhythmic tap dancing would have put Michael Jackson’s dancing to shame.