Memories of Alhambra

A few weeks ago we were invited to explore some of the Andalusia region of Spain; it was a slightly last minute trip for us and we already had made plans for a birthday trip that would be right on the heels of this one, but envisioning loaded orange trees and sunshine for the weekend, how could we say no? So off we hopped to Malaga and then down to Granada and a few places in between with a friendly lot of fellow photographers and 'grammers for a most enjoyable weekend. The weather wasn't quite as warm on the weekend we visited as one might hope, but there was the much promised sunshine and enough orange trees to keep us happy for months. Our favorite stop on the whistlestop tour of the region had to be the Alhambra. Located in Granada, it's a palace and fortress complex that was on the shortlist to be named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Why it didn't make the list is a mystery for me, because around every corner there's something beautiful happening in those walls. We visited first thing in the morning so we had the pleasure of exploring and photographing some of those corners in relative quiet before the crowds; one of my favorite areas was the Courtyard of the Palace of Charles V. Filled with golden morning light, marble columns, and a dramatic staircase built for fairytales. But while that structure was palatial it paled in comparison to the details covering the walls and ceilings of the other buildings within the fortress. From stalactite vaulting to intricately carves and tiled walls there's almost too much detail to absorb. We went a bit snap-happy with the photographs in an attempt to capture some of the beauty forever, but it truly is a place you need to see for yourself. We also didn't have enough time to explore the gardens, so this is only a scratch at the surface of what the Alhambra has to offer.