eat.repeat

4.16.2014

Wordless Wednesdays - Andalucía by Bus & Train

The Andalusian landscape from Sevilla to Ronda.

A bus ride across Andalusia from Sevilla to Ronda.

Brush fires along the Andalusian countryside, between Sevilla and Ronda.

A craggy mountain seen from the bus, on the way to Ronda, Spain.

An abandoned train station on the way to Cordoba, Spain.

The Guadalquivir River snakes its way from Cordoba to Sevilla.

And a more modern train station on the way to Granada, Spain.

Andalusian hill country from Ronda to Granada.

A white mountain town through my train window, on the way to Granada.

Graffiti seen when entering Granada by train.

4.10.2014

Snapshots from Spain - Tapas at Las Teresas

A sunset walk along the checkered sidewalk near Sevilla's Guadalquivir River.

After a long day traipsing around Sevilla it was so nice to have a place like Las Teresas just steps from my guesthouse. Full of history, ambiance, and some of the best Jamón in the city, Las Teresas is a tapas bar that could only exist in Spain. The restaurant is a bit hidden among the maze of alleys to the north of Seville Cathedral, in Barrio Santa Cruz. It's the kind of authentic spot you always hope to discover when exploring a new city.

Jamón is serious business at Las Teresas tapas bar in Sevilla, Spain.

Granada - The Alhambra's Generalife Gardens

Views of the Alhambra and the city of Granada from the Generalife Gardens.

A trip to Granada, Spain isn't complete without a visit to the city's most famous attraction, the Alhambra. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Alhambra complex is made up of three main sections; The Nasrid Palaces, The Generalife Gardens, and the Alcazaba Fortress. Each portion has its own unique draw. From the stunningly detailed architecture of The Nasrid Palaces, the lovely gardens and water features of Generalife, to the breathtaking views from Alcazaba. Tickets can be purchased for the sections individually, but if you're in Granada why miss out on the total package?

The Court of the Main Canal, a focal feature of the Generalife Gardens at the Alhambra.

Moorish carvings and architecture in the palace of the Generalife at the Alhambra.

London - The Courtauld Gallery & Somerset House

Traffic at a busy London intersection near Somerset House.

There are so many must visit museums in London that it can be overwhelming (and expensive!) to fit them all into one vacation. At the top of my must list is a visit to The Courtauld Gallery. Housing one of the best collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works outside of France, The Courtauld features pivotal works by Manet and Van Gogh. When each painting represents the best of the artist's ouerve, the one or two hours you spend will feel like just a few minutes.

The entrance to London's Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House.

A wide angle view of Somerset House, home of The Courtauld Gallery, in London.

An artist sketches a pair of Degas statues at London's Courtauld Gallery.

Five Things You Must Do When Visiting Venice

A view of St. Mark's Square from across the lagoon on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, easily reached by Vaporetto.

This year Venice's world famous Carnival runs from February 15th through March 5th. I wish I could be in Italy for the 2014 Carnival, unfortunately I'm stuck in frigid, snowy Southern, Indiana. Instead here's a look back at the highlights from my visit, they're a perfect escape from the festive madness of Carnivale! Last spring I spent six days on the island and covered most of the main attractions as well as quite a few lesser known sites. Since the trip I've had some time to reflect on my visit and these five highlights stand out as the most positive and memorable experiences. Of course there are many, many, more things to do and see in Venice, but if you have just a few days in the city here's where I think you should start.

An Italian fishmonger at Venice's excellent Mercato di Rialto.

Snapshots from Spain - A Tapas Tour of Sevilla

Sunset at the Catedral de Sevilla, the plaza is full of people enjoying a mild fall evening.

When researching where to eat in Sevilla I quickly came across Shawn Hennessey's fantastic tapas resource and food tours of the city. I was initially hesitant to sign up for a tour. Not because I didn't think it would be a good experience, but because as a traveler on a budget, it was a significant amount of money to shell out for one evening. So I waffled back and forth the week of my trip, before finally shooting off an email to Shawn inquiring about openings. I got lucky, there was a tour I could join on my very first night in Sevilla. Our little group included a couple, another young lady around my age, and, of course, Shawn. As a solo traveler it was so nice to start my trip off with delicious food and fantastic company.