Cordoba, where cultures come together

Over the centuries, the different peoples and cultures who settled in Cordoba left a priceless legacy of monuments in the streets of the city. If you come to southern Spain, then make a note to visit this destination. This city in Andalusia had all of Europe in awe during the Middle Ages. When you see its stunning heritage, you will understand why.

Its historic quarter has been declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, although the main protagonist is actually the Great Mosque. It is considered the most important Islamic monument in the West, and is doubtless one of the world's most fascinating works of art. Its "forest" of columns, its two-tone arches and its decor, along with the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements of the Christian cathedral built within it make this a unique, stunning architectural site.

Besides the Great Mosque you will find other magnificent buildings in this city. A gentle stroll around the historic centre will take you to the Alcázar (Palace) of the Christian Monarchs, with its beautiful gardens, its Moorish baths, and the Mosaic Room, where you can see the wonderful collection ofRoman mosaics found beneath Plaza de la Corredera Square. Head for the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter where you can admire the beautiful plasterwork of its Synagogue. Also worth visiting are the Medina Azahara archaeological site, the typical Cordoba patios at Viana Palace, the Potro Inn, mentioned in "Don Quixote", the Baroque Merced Convent, Calahorra Tower...

In Spain, enjoying art and culture is an unforgettable experience. In Cordoba too: start planning your holiday and come and see for yourself.

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Travel the halal way and discover... Cabo de Gata (Almería)

http://www.alhamratour.com/index.php/spain#gata

The province of Almería can boast of having the first sea-land park of Andalusia, Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natura Park, with impressive cliffs, small and hidden coves, finde gold sandy beaches and marine depths of incredible beauty, ideal for scuba diving.

You must visit different enclaves within the park, such as the village of Nijar, featuring Mudejar style church, that used to be and old, and walk around its white narrows streets with and Arab layout.

Also, you can visit the mining village of Rodalquilar and the industrial plan of Agua Amarga, as well as Los Genoveses and El Mónsul beaches, in San José.

In the easternmost part of the park, you must aso visit the villages of Cuevas del Almanzora, Garrucha Mojacar, Vera and Carboneras.

Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park comprises unique spaces and landscapes, with the single volcanic origin mountains in the Iberian Peninsula, a coastal strip plenty of dunes, beaches and salt mines, and protected sea mile with rich sea beds.

There are over 100 singular species in this natural park, a paradise for enviromentalists and botanists. You must stand out the abocetas of Autouin seagulls, among others.

Yet another clear example of Cabo de Gata the natural richness is its sea bed that makes of this park one of the most attractive places por scuba diving lovers.

#CaboDeGata #Almeria #Alhamratour #honeymoon #NaturalPark#Mojacar #Mudejar

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Travel the halal way and discover... a tradicional moroccan hamman!

A visit to Morocco would just not be complete without a visit to a Hammam or a ‘Bathhouse’.

A traditional hammam or – steam bath if you like – is the perfect remedy for those seeking a truly envigorating Moroccan experience. The hammam is traditionally a place for men or women to meet and chat whilst being scrubbed clean and massaged. Hammams are a hive of activity and noise, and many exhibit fine examples of Moroccan architecture, with vaulted ceilings, tadelakt walls and elaborately tiled floors.


Leave your things in the changing room and take toiletries into the first ‘warm’ room. This is where you acclimatise to the heat and can collect buckets to fill with water – one cold and one hot. Once accustomed to the heat, move into the second ‘hot’ room to let your pores open and breathe. Move back to the warm room for your cleanse. This is where you coat yourself in oily black savon noir (traditional, 100 percent natural soap made from olive oil) and then use your hammam glove to scrape it – and several layers of your skin – off.

In the Middle Ages, when the Christian Spain was in a period where hygiene was not largely considered (let alone personal hygiene), the Muslim Cordoba boasted more than 600 public bathhouses. Heirs of Roman and Turkish baths, some were humble and economical, others were a luxury. Their walls were tiled and their rooms were separated by arches and columns ; their ceilings were vaulted and contained skylights. They were not only a resting place but also a social and political forum.

Some treaties from that period show the refinement the Andalusians, describing in detail their hygiene habits and the style of their personal likes, such as the use of toothpaste, hair-removing cream, oils and aromatic lathers with musk, jasmine or violet essences. The tradition of the hammam continues in Morocco to this day with very little variation.

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Travel the halal way.... and discover the ALCÁNTARA القنطرة BRIDGE (Toledo)

The word Alcántara comes from Arabic القنطرة (al-qanţarah), which means "bridge". 

The Alcantara Bridge was part of the defensive enclosure of the city of Toledo. Of Roman origin, around the year 788, is constructed as confluence of roads seeking passage to the city from the east, across the Tajo River. 

It was rebuilt under the leadership of Almanzor and, according to its inscription, was completed in 997 by Alef, his son, governor/alcaide of Toledo. 

From that time only retains the spur opposite side of the city, made of masonry. It still has decorative marbles Visigoths.

Later it was restored several times, one of them, the most important by Alfonso X, who built the Moorish tower of the western end and was later modified by the Catholic Monarchs in 1484. In the west side, the bridge has a fortified gate with battlements at its base and crown, consisting of a semicircular arch which included another horseshoe arch, and decorated with the statue of San Ildefonso and the shield of the Kings Catholics.

On the east side retains the Alcantara door (Bab al Yayl, means Horse's Gate), of Arab origin, built in the tenth century with significant christians interventions.

The bridge rests on two arches, the largest center, under which flows the River Tajo.

If you want to travel here send a request trip to +Alhamra Tour 

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