Spain | Andalucia the Iberian Peninsula

My first time to a European country and indeed it was a great start. The birthplace of Picasso and the excellent view of the Mediterranean makes Malaga, Spain a perfect getaway! I am officially addicted to travelling around EUROPE!!!! I am blaming the travel bug! Thanks to my travel buddy Kak Dahlia and Kelana Convoy - our tour agency we've booked!

Day 1

Estadio Ciudad de Malaga > Fuengirola

All checked in and Hola Espanol!

We took an early morning flight (0640H) to Malaga from London Luton Airport. We flew with EasyJet. Tips: There are few budget airlines in Europe which offers very cheap flights - EasyJet & RyanAir to name a few. The price can be as low as £10!

In front of Estadio Ciudad de Malaga.

The beach along Pasio Maratimo Rey de Espana.

Clear sky and vibrant weather although it's winter!

Naranja everywhere. Apparently Spanish used these as street decoration. 

It was a 3 hours flight and we arrived at Aeropuerto de Malaga at around 1035H LT. Spain is one hour ahead of the UK. Upon arrival, Kelana Convoy representatives were already waiting for us. Our first stop was Estadio Ciudad de Malaga. Then, we continued our journey to our beautiful villa - Villa Mercedes in Fuengirola where we stayed for 5 nights. Before checking in, we made a pit stop by the beach along Pasio Maratimo Rey de Espana. The scenery was stunning and everything looks vibrant. We had a good afternoon nap before heading to the beach again to catch the lovely Spanish sunset. We ended the day with a late supper at this beautiful cafe call Baskin Cafe.

Villa Mercedes - Interior and Exterior.

Enjoying the beautiful seaside view. 

Supper at Baskin Cafe. 

Day 2

Exploring Gibraltar

Gibraltar!

Our convoys.

Gibraltar located at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula is a British overseas territory. It is the entrance of the Mediterranean. With a population of 30,000, this country is solely dependent on tourism, online game, financial services and shipping. It is well known for the rock of Gibraltar which is a major landmark. The road trip took us 1 ½ hours and there was quite a line at the immigration border. Since Gibraltar is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, pound sterling is widely used.

Places of interest:

1. See AFRICA!!
2. Europa Point
3. Upper Rock – watch out for the Barbary Macaques
4. St. Michael’s Cave
5. Siege Tunnels

Pillar of Hercules.

Africa from Gibraltar.

St. Michael's Cave.

Magnificent view in the cave!

Condensation zone. 

Aerial view from Gibraltar rock.

Barbary Macaques.

Siege tunnel.

Tips: When in Gibraltar it is better to go on the Official Road Tour than the cable car. Although the road tour is expensive (£22.50), the tour includes Pillar of Hercules, double entrance to St. Micheal Cave and The Great Siege Tunnel and a drive to the tip of The Rock of Gibraltar.

A welcome board in Gibraltar.

Spanish architecture. 

Gibraltar Square where we had our lunch. 

Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque at Europa Point. 

Beautiful Chandelier in the mosque. 

Europa Promenade.

Trinity Lighthouse. 

Sunset at Europa Promenade.

The view is to die for!

We had a great time in Gibraltar before heading back to our villa and calling it a night.

Day 3

Madinat Al-Zahra > Córdoba

We drove almost 2 hours north to the town of Córdoba. Our first stop was Madinat Al-Zahra. Entrance fee: €1.50. Madinat Al-Zahra is the ruins of a vast, fortified Arab Muslim medieval palace-city built by Abd-ar-Rahman III al-Nasir, Ummayad Caliph of Córdoba, and located on the western outskirts of Córdoba, Spain.

Entrance for Madinat Al-Zahra.

The interactive centre. It's advisable to visit this place before visiting the site.

All around the sites. 

Having Nasi Lemak in Spain. Soooo Malaysian. 

Córdoba, also called Cordova in English, is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. An Iberian and Roman city in ancient times, in the Middle Ages it became the capital of an Islamic caliphate.

Things to do in Córdoba:

1. The Mezquita – Entry fee: €8.
2. The Old City - Roman Bridge (Puente Romano), Calle de las Flores, Synagogue (La Sinagoga), City Wall and Plaza del Potro.

Inside The Mezquita.

Exploring the Old City. 

First time in a Synagogue.  

Calle de las Flores. House of the flowers.

In front of the City Wall. 

Roman bridged and the view.

Day 4

La Alhambra > Central Granada > Sunset

Another early morning rise and it was a 1 ½ hour drive to Granada. Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, the Beiro, the Darro and the Genil.

Our first stop was La Alhambra - a palace and fortress complex. Entrance fee is €14.30 (depending on where you want to visit). Ticket should be booked way in advance to avoid disappointment. Suggested time spent: 3 hours.

In front of the entrance to La Alhambra. 

Places of interested in La Alhambra:

1. Royal complex
2. Court of the Myrtles (Patio de los Arrayanes)
3. Hall of the Ambassadors (Salón de los Embajadores)
4. Court of the Lions and fountain (Patio de los Leones)
5. Hall of the Abencerrajes (Sala de los Abencerrajes)
6. Generalife (Palacio de Generalife)
7. Hall of Justice (Sala de la Justicia)
8. Court of the Council Chamber (Patio del Mexuar)
9. Court of the Vestibule (Patio de Daraxa)
10. Queen's Robing Room (Peinador de la Reina)

All around La Alhambra.

Sightseeing suggestion in Central Granada:

1. Plaza Isabel la Catolica
2. Alcaiceria

Around Granada.

Alcaiceria.

Ending the day with a beautiful sunset on a hill.

Day 5

Sunrise watching > Alcazaba > Castillo de Gibralfaro > Roman Theater > Malaga Cathedral > Picasso's birthplace > Benalmádena > Marbella

It was New Year’s Eve and our last day in Malaga. Kak Dahlia and I woke up super early to catch the Spanish sunrise. After a great breakfast at the villa, we were off to explore Malaga (listed above is what we saw and did). We had a quiet and peaceful new year before calling it a day. Our flight back to London was on the 1^st January 2013. This trip was an amazing experience! Definitely will return someday.

Woke up super early just to catch the Spanish sunrise!

Touring around Malaga. 

All around Castillo de Gilbralfaro. 

Where do you want to go first?

Roman Theater. 

Malaga City Centre.

Kak Dahlia and I with these love birds.

Picasso birthplace!

Having an authentic Malaga lunch at Taberna el Mentidero.

It's not official if you do not try Paella in Spain!

Gambas al pil-pil.

Malaga's local cuisine: Espetos de sardinas!

Lovely sunset view at Benalmadena.

As a Malaysian, an oversea trip will not be completed without a visit to a Hard Rock Cafe. This is at Marbella.  

Street lights in Marbella on New Year's Eve.

Good night Malaga and Happy 2013!!!