From Valencia to Granada…
After the five hour drive and some gas station oranges, we arrived in Granada and explored. We hit up some of the same places I went when I visited in January including a tapa place on the top of a beautiful vista of the Alhambra.
The next morning we headed to the Alhambra. I took more photos because I charged my batteries the night before (something I didn’t do on my first visit) and enjoyed seeing the city through the eyes of my mom.
After, Granada, we arrived in Marbella, which was unfortunately chilly and cloudy and not the Costa del Sol hotspot I imagined.
We walked around the quaint town, my mom tried garbanzos at a cute café and we poked our head in some shops. We then headed to the beach, where the tide was high and the wind was strong. The weather wasn’t great outside, but it was nice inside – just in time for the spa circuit. It was a great treat to spend time on a bed of bubbles, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room etc. and recharge for the second half of our trip.
From Marbella we drove to Tarifa by way of Gibraltar.
“Welcome to the rock”
In Gibraltar, we walked around and explored the rock. Walking was a huge mistake. You can get a bus tour for the same price, which eliminates a lot of unnecessary walking. Good to know for the next time I head to Gibraltar.
Monkeys are absolutely everywhere. As I was taking pictures, one jumped on my head. After I got the classic Gibraltar photo with a monkey, I passed him off to a little boy as we continued our trek to the caves in the rock.
St. Michael’s Cave
The caves were used as a hospital in WWII and Neanderthal skulls were found here. Eventually it was turned into a concert venue.
Walking through the monkeys back down to the town, we explored the very British town (It is still a British colony and you show your passport to go in and out). It’s a good place to buy cheap perfumes and liquor. We had some food at a British pub, rested our legs and then headed to Tarifa.