Simplicity Relished

minimalism for the adventurous heart

Barcelona: Architectural Wonderland

We had a special Barcelona experience: we were barely there for 72 hours, and spent Christmas Eve Catalonian-style. I can hardly do justice to Barcelona’s highlights since we only had time for a few stops, but I was absolutely in awe with its architectural flair.

From the Gothic Quarter to Gaudi’s creations, Barcelona is a must-see for architecture lovers. It has a bit of everything: vibrant history, diverse culture, amazing food, high fashion, street performers, stunning cathedrals and ordinary pedestrians. Even with the short amount of time I spent there, I fell in love.

Barcelona spain- an architectural wonderland …Continue Reading

Alhambra Photo Diary & Quick Guide

Oh, the Alhambra. What a gem. No visit to Andalucia is quite complete without strolling the grounds of this magical palace, the last Moorish stand against Christian Spain. I’ve raved about the Moors and their architectural prowess in this post about the Royal Alcazar of Seville, and I don’t feel I need to say more. In this case, the pictures are worth a thousand words.

Before I share the snapshots from our magnificent pilgrimage, however, here are a few tips for your visit. I found the official Alhambra website a bit tricky to navigate, and I hope to answer some of my own questions here.

the alhambra- a photo diary and quick guide

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48 Hours In Seville, Spain

Seville might possibly be one of my favorite towns in Western Europe, and I have been to a handful. Laid back, sophisticated, sunny and romantic, it’s pretty much everything you might possibly be looking for on vacation.

In 2015, we ended up traveling to 5 different continents– and after all that travel, I realized that my favorite activity is wandering. Aaron puts little landmarks on a map app, noting all the cafes, museums, churches and shops we might want to check out in the neighborhood. Then we just meander, taking our time, laughing, investigating, photographing.

If you love our very joie-de-vivre approach to travel, then put Seville on your travel bucket list. Give it 48 hours (or more if you can!), and Seville will satisfy every craving!

48 Hours in Seville Spain- what to do- where to eat- where to stay …Continue Reading

The Royal Alcazar in Seville, Spain

Oh, the south of Spain. Romantic, vibrant, charming and irresistible. Where does one begin? It’s a fascinating part of the world that integrates European, Islamic and Mediterranean cultures all at once.

Our foray into this amazing corner of the world only lasted four days, but we packed a lot in. One of my favorite stops was the Royal Alcazar (Reales Alcázares de Sevilla). It had all the magic of Moorish architecture and Islamic art, but was so much calmer than the Alhambra in Granada. Every square inch of the Alcazar has been beautifully restored; it drips with detail upon detail unlike anything I’ve seen before.

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Winter 2015 Travel Plans… Revealed!

It is strange to be discussing winter when summer continues at full heat here in Southern California. Aaron and I spent some time this weekend making a few more arrangements for our winter 2015 plans, and I’d like to share them with you today!

Over the course of 2 weeks this winter, we’re headed to two different countries. Want to give them a guess?

A few hints about our first country…

  • It was once conquered and ruled by the Moors.
  • Flamenco originates from and continues to be celebrated here.
  • It is in Europe, but did not participate in the First or Second World Wars.

A few hints about our second country…

  • It is on a different continent from the first, but close in proximity.
  • It is home to the world’s oldest university that continues to run to this day. This university was founded in AD 859.
  • Both Spain and France have held this country as a protectorate, and many citizens can still speak French even though it’s not the official language.

winter 2015 travel

Country #1: Spain

We’re heading to the south of Spain and Barcelona for about a week. Aaron and I are getting to visit Sevilla and Granada before joining up with the rest of our family in Barcelona!

In both Sevilla and Granada I’m excited to wander through cobblestone alleys and admire the Islamic influence on architecture and culture. I cannot wait to try real Spanish tapas and wander through the Royal Alcazar and the Museo Bellas Artes.

And of course in Granada we’re going to the Alhambra– tickets are already reserved! This enormous palace is famed for its intricate design and absolutely stunning gardens. I can’t wait to photograph it; images I’ve found on Pinterest already have me inspired!

Finally, we’re spending Christmas in Barcelona! It will be my first time spending Christmas in Europe, and I have no idea what to expect. I am beyond thrilled to experience new Christmas traditions, chaotic as the holiday might be.

In my excitement I created a whole Pinterest board to collect images of Spain in my preliminary research.

winter 2015 travel plans

Country #2: Morocco

As a whole family, we’re going to Morocco! I still have so much to learn about this country and I can hardly believe that I get to be there in a matter of a few months. My fabulous in-laws are planning this trip, and we are more than thrilled to follow along!

We’ll be in Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez, Skoura, and the Saharan desert (hello camels!). Our travels will take us through mosques, palaces, villages, medinas and markets– all of which will be so new to me. I can’t wait to capture it all and hopefully do it justice. Here is my Pinterest board for Morocco!

Related: 6 Tips for Better Travel Planning

*Sources of the first photo, and the second photo.

Have you been to Spain or Morocco? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Disclaimer: Simplicity Relished is a for profit blog. Any company that I collaborate with is chosen by me and chosen because they fit the theme and readership of my blog. Copyright: If you see something you like here, please be encouraged to share it along with a link back to my site. All of the images and content here, unless otherwise noted or linked, is my own original work.