1. Granada: Alhambra and Generalife Tour
Journey back to the days of the Moors in Spain on a walking tour of Granada, and see the city’s two most iconic monuments in one of its most historic neighborhoods. Learn the history of the palatial city and Royal House, and why it was declared a National Monument in 1870. Enter the vast complex of the Alhambra and hear about its great influence and importance in the history of Spain. Get essential information about the architectural styles at the Alhambra, including the beautiful Gate of Pomegranates. See the monument to Washington Irving, who lived in the palace when he wrote Tales of the Alhambra. Walk past the Pillar of Charles V fountain, erected in 1554 along the route that leads to the main entrance of the Alhambra. Admire the diverse architectural styles inside the grounds of the palace, such as the Islamic motifs of the courtyards and the fountains and water features of the Generalife. The Generalife (Architect's Garden) was the summer palace of the Nasrid Emirs, and is one of the oldest surviving gardens of the Moors. Admire the Jardím de la Sultana (Courtyard of the Cypress) and Patio de la Acequia (Court of the Water Channel) with its long pool framed by flowerbeds, fountains, colonnades and pavilions. Discover an exquisite example of the medieval Persian gardens of Al-Andalus.