Andalusia is the best known region of Spain and warmest region in Europe.
Within this diverse land live more than seven million people. Most live in the major cities such as the eight provincial capitals of Almeria, Cordoba, Cadiz, Grenada, Huelva, Jaen, Malaga and Seville.
Distinctive architecture, sun-drenched resorts and eclectic small towns dot Andalusia, a dry, mountainous region of southern Spain that exhibit significant evidence of its Moorish occupation.
Spring and fall bring balmy temperatures, ideal for visiting Spain with its white-washed hill-towns, Moorish palaces, orange blossoms, sequined Matadors, flamenco dancers, carnivals, wave-pounding beaches and sherry.
Wherever you go there is an enticing array of unique places to stay, from historic town mansions to charming country retreats, many of which are state-run paradors.
There are more bars than in any other European country, serving some of the finest seafood and Sherries.
Nowadays, Andalusia is one of the principal European holiday destinations.
Despite the modernization of Andalusia, within just a few minutes from the cities or the coast, it is possible to step into a true Spain village and sample a taste of real Spain.
Andalusia is the “mother” of the Spanish folklore which is probably best known abroad: here you will live the magic of flamenco and bullfighting in their most authentic style, and myths like Don Juan and Carmen were born here.
MALAGA
With a population of half a million, Malaga is the second largest city in the south.
Most of the cities I visited the mode of transportation to see the city is by walking and Malaga was no exception. The streets were all narrow and filled with stones of every size and shape. Watch your step at all times, especially looking upwards at the tall buildings and churches.
We visited a few of the interesting churches and museums in the elegant central zone. This city was the birthplace of Picasso and now has a new museum, housing an important collection of work by the city’s favorite son.
Picasso’s birth house is located at Plaza de la Mercid 15. The building is now home to the Foundation Picasso. The larger and more famous Picasso Museum can be found at Palacio de Buenavista at Calle San Augustin, filled with 155 of the artist’s masterpieces.
The spotlight is expected to shine on Malaga for some years to come since Malaga City Council submitted a bid to the European Union requesting the title “European Capital of the Year” in 2016.
GRANADA
Granada’s extensive history of its towns and villages, the variety of artistic styles in its monuments, render culture one of the keys to the identity and the major tourist attraction. Here you will find the extraordinary and well preserved Alhambra, the most exciting, sensual and romantic of all European monuments. It was the palace-fortress of Nasrid sultans, rulers of the last Spanish Moorish kingdom, and with its construction Moorish art reached a spectacular and serene climax.
It is a massive castle built over many centuries to include gardens, fortifications and sumptuous palaces. The goal of this undertaking was an Arabic attempt to create heaven on earth.
The Alhambra, considered by some to be one of the 10 wonders of the world, is Spain’s most visited monument and one of the most brilliant jewels of universal architecture.
Famous American writer and former ambassador to Spain, Washington Irving, took up residency in the palace in 1829. It was here that he penned his best-selling “Tales of Alhambra” which focused world attention on Granada and conjured up a romantic image of Andalusia which persists to this day.
CORDOBA
In the south east of the province of Cordoba, besides the fertile plains and set in a circle of mountain is the place where olives flourish. Olives are the main crop of this region and Spain is the world’s largest olive producer.
Our visit to seventh generation family-owned Nunez de Pardon Organic Extra Virgin olive oil manufacturing plant was exciting and enlightening. Their unique processing of this oil preserves the flower of the oil. Many awards have been won by this olive oil.
I was able to snap a dramatic picture of the process, where olives actually look like glistening jewels. A delightful olive oil tasting and lunch was provided.
Cordova is also home to a fabulous Mosque, which is the third largest structure in Islamic world. The prayer hall is filled with almost 500 slender columns and arches with a marble floor. During Arab domination (711-1263) Cordoba was the artistic and cultural center of the “Al-Andalus” empire.
SEVILLE
This Andalusia capital is the third largest city of Spain and very popular among tourists thanks to its unique ambience and its great monuments.
Seville has three important monuments and an illustrious history, as well as Don Juan, Figaro and Carmen!
A walk around Seville is a journey through time. Its narrow streets, its squares and its magnificent monuments reveal the secret of its charm to the visitor and the importance of history.
The Cathedral, built on the site of a Moorish Mosque, is the third largest in Europe. It was built between 1401 and 1507 as a vast, rich and harmoniously balanced blend of Gothic austerity and Spanish flamboyance. One of highlights of Cathedral is visiting Christopher Columbus’ tomb.
Another grand attraction is The Museum of Flamenco Dancing, which sits in the historic heart of Seville. The state-of-the-art museum has very interesting exhibits and chance to learn flamenco dancing from the best. Flamenco is a passionate and seductive art form, mysterious and misunderstood culture that has been in Andalusia for nearly 500 years and today flamenco has thousands of aficionados worldwide.
CARMONA
We ate lunch “Carmona-style” at the Parador de Carmona in the outskirts of Seville. It looked more like a fortress than a parador! Foundations of the hotel date from the 14th century and was last renovated in 1998. We ate at a big table and sampled their specialties: Carmona partridge with vegetables, Carmona spicy spinach and codfish pies.
JEREZ DE DA FRONTERA
We learned about sherry and did some tastings at the Valdiva and Villa del Duque Winery, where the “Magic of Sherry” spectacular amazed the visitors.
The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art show of dancing horses was one of the highlights of my journey through Andalusia region. This riding school is comparable to the world-famous Riding School in Vienna. (Advance tickets are required.)
This city is also famous because flamenco singing began here. We attended the conference on history, origin and evolution of flamenco, route of the greatest flamenco personalities of the Andalusia flamenco territories. It took place at the Casino Club in the Main Square. A tapas dinner in the casino followed the performance of singing and dancing by the best Spanish singers and dancers. The crowd showed gracious appreciation with thunderous applause.
SPANISH LIFE-STYLE
Spaniards throw themselves whole-heartedly into dining, shopping, attending soccer matches; spending a day at the beach, flamenco singing and dancing and spectator bullfighting.
The Andalusia’s love their regional cuisine, one that has become an art and praised by dieticians. Spaniards take their ham seriously and pay for high quality. In 1862 Trevelez cured ham won a national food competition and Queen Isabella granted Trevelez the right to stamp royal crown on his ham. There are even several museums of ham.
After the horse show we ate at El Faro, where I saw the famous hams hanging from ceiling of the bar.
Daily life in Spain differs in one major way. Mealtimes are very late. Seville lies claim to inventing the famous tapas, that little Spanish meal. Tapas are snacks, canapés or finger foods. They can be anything from a chunk of tuna, cocktail onion, an olive skewed on a long toothpick to meat with sauce served piping hot in a miniature clay dish.
Bread is always on the Spanish table and is used to mop up sauces. Spanish lunches are always large! Courses come one at a time, so pace yourself, 
The last stop on the way home from an evening of fun might be the Churro stand. Churros are fried pastries, somewhat like doughnuts in the USA. Fresh Churros piping hot and sprinkled with sugar are best eaten with hot chocolate. What a wonderful Spanish tradition!