Paynes in Spain

Last week Steve and Diane (Will's parents) came to visit us in Spain! It was awesome to see family and to get to travel around the country with them. They stayed in Ciudad Real for a couple days to see where we live and then the four of us took a road trip to Granada. Will took his parents to see Toledo and Consuegra (where the windmills are) as well, but I ended up having to stay home battling a cold that day. I'm glad they got to see Toledo though - it is so beautiful!

On our way to Granada we stopped in Jaén to have lunch at the Castillo de Santa Catalina, a 13th century castle that's been converted into a hotel and restaurant as part of the state run Parador program (there are a bunch of similar properties all over Spain). After lunch we walked around the castle to see the view of the surrounding lands.

The food at the castle was so good! They even had a whole vegetarian section and gluten-free section - good job Spain! Here's Mama and Papa Payne on the overlook just outside where we ate lunch:

Just a short walk from the castle there is this viewpoint from which you can see the whole city below. Here's me sitting on the base of the cross: 

On the way back to Ciudad Real we stopped again in Jaén, but this time down in the city instead of up by the castle. Here's the view of the same cross as seen from one of the main plazas in the city, you can barely see it way up on top of the hill in the background. Good place to put a castle if you don't want to be invaded! 

Here's Jaén's main cathedral as seen from the castle: 

And up close from the plaza in town: 

We didn't have a whole lot of time in Granada, so we decided to focus on going to La Alhambra, the Moorish palace/fortress that was built in the 13th century and not taken by Christians until 1492 (a big year for Spain, apparently). After the reconquista some Christian rulers started using the Palace for themselves for awhile and then there were a bunch of years when no one used it and it fell into disrepair. Now it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and all around cool place that gets tons of visitors every year. It is impossible to do it justice with photos, but I'll do my best! 

The palace is full of rooms of ornate carvings and tile work. So beautiful!  

   

Here's a view of the trees around the fortress and the snowy mountains way in the background: 

Me and WP from the top of the highest tower: 

The Alhambra is also home to so many little kitties! These ones patiently waited for us to drop some cheese or bread for them to eat. 

The Alhambra was definitely worth the visit. There is so much to see and like I said, photos don't do it justice! Maybe we'll have the opportunity to make it back there when we have other visitors!  

And I'll leave you with this WP classic. Love him!