Granada, Spain

Andalusian poet Manuel Machado described Granada in four words--"Secret water which cries." 

The Alhambra is the last and greatest Moorish palace.  Granada was held by the Nazarids, an ethnic group of Spanish Muslims, until 1492. 

In Tales from the Alhambra, Washington Irving writes: "Such is the Alhambra. A Moslem pile, in the midst of a Christian land; and Oriental palace amidst Gothic edifices of the West; an elegant memento of a brave, intelligent, and graceful people, who conquered, ruled, and passed away."

Water was rare and precious in most of the Islamic world.  It was the purest symbol of life to the Moors.  The Alhambra is decorated with water--standing still, cascading, drip dropping, and masking secret conversations.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a British colony on the Iberian Pennisula.  The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the area.

The King Fahd Mosque was a $20 million gift from the Saudi sultan.  It was finished in 1997.  Gibraltar has over 900 Muslims that worship here every Friday, five times a day.

The Rock of Gibraltar is home to over 200 "apes."  They are actually Barbary macaques, a type of tail-less monkey.  Legend has it that the apes are a symbol of British sovereignty and if they go the British will leave Gibraltar, "That's why we have to feed them". When their numbers diminished during WWII, Sir Winston Churchill gave strict orders that a minimum of 24 should be maintained.


Be careful. They will come after you if they see you carrying food or plastic bags. 
 

Gibraltar is a narrow peninsula.  It is only three miles long and one mile wide.  To enter Gibraltar from Spain, you will need to cross the airfield.

Cabo da Roca, Portugal

"Onde a tera se acaba e o mar comeca" 

"Where land ends and the sea begins."

Luis de Camoes

Cabo da Roca was known to the Romans as Promontorium Magnum and during the Age of Sail as the Rock of Lisbon.

Monument declaring Cabo da Roca as the westernmost extent of continental Europe.  Its location (38°47′N 9°30′W / 38.783°N 9.5°W / 38.783; -9.5) is inscribed on the monument.

Sintra, Portugal

Sintra is just 15 miles northwest of Lisbon.  Portugal's kings would often come to Sintra for the summer.  Palacio Nacional housed royalty for 5oo years up until 1910.  Today it is still used for official receptions.

Sintra is a small town.  It is situated at the foot of a hill.

Obidos, Portugal



Obidos was founded by the Celts around 300 BC.  It was later ruled by Romans, Visigoths, and Moors.  The city name comes from the ancient Roman times and means "walled town."  The aqueduct was built in the 16th century and connects Obidos to a nearby spring.



Obidos is protected by the government from modern development.

The main gate in Obidos has blue and white tiles that depict battles and religious scenes.  Tiles similar to these once covered the walls until an earthquake in 1755 shook them off.



Other tiles found throughout the city...

Obidos wall

Obidos Castle