14–15 September 2019 – Granada: Castles, Claps and a Little Domestic Chaos

Our weekend in Granada was the perfect blend of passion, beauty, and a touch of street-theatre drama—some planned, some… less so.

On Saturday, we were welcomed with open arms (and full plates) by Fernando’s extended family for a long, laughter-filled lunch at Jardines de Zoraya. We were seated under a leafy canopy that looked like something out of a Mediterranean wedding brochure, surrounded by dozens of friendly faces, delicious Spanish dishes, and bottles that somehow kept refilling themselves. You couldn’t ask for a warmer welcome.

After lunch, the afternoon rolled into an evening Flamenco performance—intense, expressive, and absolutely electric. The speed, the stomp, the soul... no idea how their feet moved like that, but we were completely mesmerised. It was the kind of experience that grabs you by the heart and leaves your hands sore from clapping.

The next day, we stepped back in time with a visit to the Alhambra. Words honestly fall short—it’s part fortress, part palace, and part jaw-dropping architectural masterpiece. Courtyards, mosaics, intricate arches… you could spend days exploring it and still feel like you've missed something. At one point, I accidentally (but also a little bit on purpose) ended up photobombing someone’s attempt at the perfect selfie—arms outstretched, just the right lighting, dramatic background. It took her a solid 15 minutes to realise I was in the shot the entire time, awkward smile and all. Possibly ruined her moment. Definitely made mine.

Later, Fernando took us up to his family’s residence, perched in the hills with what might be the most unfairly beautiful view of the Alhambra we’ve ever seen. As golden hour hit, we stood there in silence, just soaking it in while the drone zipped overhead, capturing it all from above. A proper “pinch-me” moment.

Our own accommodation, however, was... less serene. While we tried to wind down one evening, the neighbours were staging a full-blown soap opera, complete with shouting, swearing, and the pièce de résistance—her throwing all his belongings out into the street. In the rain. Honestly, we couldn’t look away. Add popcorn and it would've been a five-star show.

Granada gave us unforgettable culture, family warmth, palace views and a taste of real Spanish life—very real, in some cases. And we loved every second of it.