Snapshots from Spain - Sunset at Las Setas + La Azotea

Along with visiting local markets one of my favorite things to do when traveling is to get a bird's eye view of a new city. In Barcelona there's the Columbus Monument or the hillside fort of Montjuïc, in Venice you can ride up to the top of the Campanile at San Giorgio Maggiore, and in London you can splurge on The Eye or hike up Primrose Hill. In Sevilla you've got two great options. One, if you'd like to take the historical route, is to climb up to the top of La Giralda, the tower at Sevilla Cathedral. Or you can visit the Metropol Parasol!

Popularly known as Las Setas de la Encarnación, or Las Setas (The Mushrooms) for short, the Metropol Parasol is one of the largest wooden structures in the world. Construction of Las Setas was fairly divisive amongst Sevillanos. Many consider the modern architecture an eyesore, not to mention a waste of millions of euros in construction costs. But as an outsider, I enjoyed the interplay of the waffle-y structure with the surrounding multi-storied traditional Spanish Buildings. During the day, the six "mushrooms" provide shade from the scorching Andalusian sun, then, when the sun sets, the structure adds texture and light to the night sky.

Barcelona in Black & White - Wordless Wednesdays

Venice - A Misty Morning

On sunny days Venice sparkles. But when the sun gets high and hot, the island heats up and quickly grows muggy. I preferred days when with a bit more cloud cover. It doesn't take much to make a romantic moment in Venice, but I found misty mornings to feel particularly mysterious. And photogenic.

Wordless Wednesdays - Andalucía by Bus & Train

Snapshots from Spain - Tapas at Las Teresas

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.

Granada - The Alhambra's 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?

London - The Courtauld Gallery & 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.