Next stop Córdoba! I have to admit, I’m not one of those Hurry up and see a million places in one trip type of travelers. It’s very easy to get caught up in the need to see everything mentality, but is it enjoyable? Memorable? Or do you feel frazzled, rushed and not remember one place from the next? This is why I’m not a fan of tour group style vacations, with a different stop every 24- 48 hours.

Flexibility is key for us. I choose my key destinations very carefully so we can stay typically 3-4 days in each. I look for a spot where it’s easy to do day trips if we desire.

Córdoba was an easy day trip from Seville. Roughly 45 minutes by train and definitely worth visiting. Train travel throughout Europe is generally very easy and affordable. Much easier than dealing with car rental as many places do not have easy parking or do not allow cars within pedestrianized city centers. The site www.renfe.com will give you the train schedules and ticket prices throughout Spain. I prefer to purchase our tickets in advance through the website only because.well…type A . Most tickets can also be purchased at the station.

During the Golden Age from the 8th-11th centuries, Córdoba was the most populous city in Spain with a thriving Jewish population. It is said that between 5 and 10,000 Jews lived in Córdoba prior to the 1492 expulsion by Isabella and Ferdinand. The most well known was the scholar Maimonides. A tour through the ancient Jewish quarter is filled with culture and history of his time.

Probably the most famous site in Córdoba is the incredible, and I mean stunningly incredible Mezquita. This ancient place of worship began as a Mosque, with construction beginning in the 700s AD. Most of the architecture in Southern Spain is strongly influenced by the Moroccan and Arabic styles. The examples of this in the Mezquita are just incredible.

After the Christians took over Córdoba during the Reconquista in 1236, the Mosque was converted to a Roman Catholic Church. Most mosques were destroyed and churches built on their sites. However the Mezquita was deemed too beautiful to be destroyed, so it was converted and a Roman Catholic nave was inserted into the Mosque itself!

If you do visit Córdoba, I recommend a short small group walking tour to take full advantage of the wealth of history there. I found and booked our 2 hour tour through www.tripadvisor.com.

Well my friends, that’s enough history for now!

Next stop will be Granada…my favorite of this trip! ❤️

Ciao for now..