CITY IN THE HILLS: Granada, Spain

Sunsets on the white city nestled in the mountains. A shadow cast over it by the great Palace of Alhambra. Guitar and booze and feet swinging over the edges of balconies.

Beautiful homes painted white, scattered on top of each other and glued together by winding cobblestone streets. Greenery sticking out in the corners of windows, vines trying to overtake each wall and crevice. Merchants splayed out with their goods in the streets and hills of the city. South American vibes... the old part of the city has a far less "European" feel than other cities in Spain. If you do one thing in Granada, you have to dine at one of the small restaurants overlooking the Darro Valley and Alhambra Palace. Standing before this valley was like something out of a dream. Have you ever seen something that made you almost have vertigo just to look at it because you know it's so vast, and if you were to jump right into it you'd fall for hours? I had a moment like this when I saw this valley for the first time.

Friends gathered to watch the sun set over the small city; the roofs of the buildings glazed over with bright orange and the dusty haze that sat in the sky from the winds of Africa dissipated with the passing sun.

The gardens of the Alhambra Palace were on the verge of being lush because the weather is just growing out of winter. We were told that in the coliseum within the palace music concerts are held because the acoustics are so wholesome sounding, and ballet shows happen in the gardens during summer!

Everywhere we walked we witnessed a classic day in Europe filled with smoking cigarettes and talking over tapas for hours outside in the bright sun. Even late into the night people remained outside socializing, never ceasing! I think people here could pick one restaurant and sit there for at least four hours and not realize how much time has passed; the culture is so rich with endless conversation and very relaxed dining.

10/10 my favorite city in Spain thus far and I only had the opportunity to spend 2 days there, I could have spent a week! This is on my list of places in Europe to return to for sure.