Iona Napier
Add an extra dimension to your winter sports experience with these other ideas for the Granada area – and one stunning hotel.
. The Alhambra and Albayzin
NO trip to the Sierra Nevada is complete without paying homage to Granada’s most iconic landmark, the stunning Alhambra Palace which dominates the city from its hilltop eyrie.
After a morning tour of the sumptuous Arabic monument and its gardens, wander the streets of the Albayzin, the largely-pedestrianised former Moorish quarter. The streets are lined with teterias serving authentic mint tea and the Arabic pastries are also ‘more-ish’!
The shopping is as good as you’ll find in any Moroccan souk, with exotic home furnishings, clothing and beautifully-crafted knick-knacks.
Here you’ll find some of Andalucia’s most charming hotels where you can truly step back in time.
The tourist train from the Albayzin to the Alhambra, via the city centre, is also worth giving a whirl.
And, as Granada is Andalucia’s main university town, cultural events are high on the agenda.
. The Alpujarras
The inspirational home of author Chris Stewart nestles on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada and in its adjacent valley.
Built by the Berbers after the Moorish invasion of 711AD, the Alpujarras’ tiny mountainside villages with their flat-roofed houses and maze of narrow streets echo those of the Berber’s homeland in North Africa.
The relative isolation of this beautiful, mountainous region has kept it free from over-building and helped retain its typical Andalucian tranquility.
The celebrated trio of Bubion, Capileira and Pampaneira are stunning, while Trevelez is famous for its ham.
Town’s such as Lanjaron and Orgiva are well worth a visit and a sidetrip to this magical region could easily keep you occupied for two or three days.
If you plan to stay over there are some great places to stay but few beat the amazing new b&b Valle de Lunas in Tijola, near Orgiva.
Run by a charming British couple it is oozing style and comfort and sits in the most enviable position with lovely views and attractive grounds.
You might even fancy popping along the road to visit near neighbour Chris Stewart himself.
. Riofrio
Foul-mouthed celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay found what he described as the ‘best caviar in the world’ here and it’s certainly the last word, if not the F-word, for foodies.
Conveniently right next to the main motorway en route to the slopes, you can park up, enjoy coffee in one of the many bars, then head under the motorway bridge to the fish farm where a Finnish company is breeding 30,000 sturgeon from all over the world.
As well as Russian and Iranian caviar, the organic variety favoured by Ramsay takes up to 20 years to create. Even at F-off prices, it’s still the perfect Christmas or Three Kings gift.
