The charms of Granada
My fondness of Granada ensured that I visited at least once a year thereafter, and looking the pictures it's easy to see why.
Much like the city itself, the elegant, understated and wonderful Alhambra draws the eye.
Yup, it really was that warm!
Granada also happens to be at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada - encompassing a multitude of 3,000m-plus mountains - which make for perfect hiking territory in summer and fertile skiing country in winter. Just below and to the south are the whitewashed, sun-kissed villages of the Alpujarras. They appear to cling to the edge of the surrounding mountains and were made famous by Chris Stewart's excellent Driving Over Lemons.
The higher Alpujarran villages of Pampaneira, Bubión, Capileira and Trevelez - standing at least 1,000m above sea-level - are well-connected via a coach route from Granada and make for an excellent excursion should time permit. Indeed, such is the appeal of Bubión that 25 per cent of the permanent population aren't Spanish nationals. The higher altitude takes the edge off the searing Spanish summers, and winter-time frost and crisp mountain air provide the perfect panacea from the scorched plains.
