Granada: In their own words
A few weeks ago I asked readers to tell me about their best vacation ever. Josh and Sarah Roll of south suburban Blue Island made a great case for Granada, Spain. The couple visited Granada in October to celebrate their second wedding anniversary. Here's what they had to say:
Tucked away at the base of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, this ancient city represents the last brilliant light of the once dazzling Moorish empire. For centuries, it was second only to Mecca in its significance to Islam and would later provide the stage for Ferdinand and Isabella's final and fervent consolidation of Christian power.
Blue and white Andalusian tiles adorn gothic cathedrals, and 1,000-year-old fountains still gurgle clear mountain water within tranquil courtyards. From the saffron-based cooking spices to the intricate Moorish stonework, Granada's cultural proximity to North Africa is almost palpable.