Córdoba, Spain

The maze of old Córdoba's narrow streets bordered in whitewashed houses and tiny shops contrasts pleasantly with the grandeur of its main sights — the impressive city walls, the Alcazar and the stunning Great Mosque. The latter, known as the Mezquita, rivals even the Alhambra, in the neighboring Andalusian city of Granada, as one of Europe's most impressive sights. Inside this giant mosque is a forest of columns, so perfectly aligned and arranged that they seem to disappear into infinity in its vast expanse. Columbus visited Queen Isabella at the Alcazár de los Reyes Cristianos to request funds for his explorations, and today they house one ...

The maze of old Córdoba's narrow streets bordered in whitewashed houses and tiny shops contrasts pleasantly with the grandeur of its main sights — the impressive city walls, the Alcazar and the stunning Great Mosque. The latter, known as the Mezquita, rivals even the Alhambra, in the neighboring Andalusian city of Granada, as one of Europe's most impressive sights. Inside this giant mosque is a forest of columns, so perfectly aligned and arranged that they seem to disappear into infinity in its vast expanse. Columbus visited Queen Isabella at the Alcazár de los Reyes Cristianos to request funds for his explorations, and today they house one of the finest and most complete Roman mosaics known. The gardens are outstanding. Perhaps the most enjoyable pastime in Cordoba is wandering its old streets and looking for the beautiful courtyards hidden inside many of the buildings. Look into any that are open — restaurants often take advantage of these lovely inner spaces, which are especially welcome respites in the heat of summer. The entire region around Córdoba is cloaked in olive groves, covering layer after layer of hillsides as far as the eye can see.

About the Expert

Lura Seavey is the author of Fun with the Family in Vermont and New Hampshire and she has contributed to several Thomas Cook guidebooks, including Drive Around Catalonia, Travellers Mallorca, and Travellers Barcelona.