The Andalusian Adventure: El Torcal de Antequera

The last item we checked out during our trip was also perhaps the most spectacular. We decided to drive up to El Torcal de Antequera. The funny thing is that we didn't plan to go here at all, and it was a pure coincidence when I was checking my phone that morning when I saw a photo of this mountain range in one of the apps I was using to plan this trip. It was actually the app that I always use to find accommodation, and it just decided to use a photo of this mountain range when it displayed my accommodation in Antequera. I got curious, looked it up, found it, and decided to go there during our final day.

The Andalusian Adventure: The Dolmens of Antequera

We've arrived in Antequera. This is the final stop of our road trip, before we fly out. We spent a couple of nights here, in a secluded five-star hotel outside the city. One definitely has to have a car to reach this accommodation, but I must say, it was well worth it. And while we were there, we visited a few sights within the city. One of them is the dolmens of Antequera.

The Andalusian Adventure: Priego de Córdoba

After exploring the massive fortress of Alcalá la Real, we continued our drive heading towards Antequera. But along the way, we stopped in Priego de Córdoba for lunch, as well as to explore this interesting little hilltop town.

The Andalusian Adventure: Fortaleza de La Mota

After spending three nights in Jaén, it was time to move on. Our final destination was Antequera, but on the way, we stopped in two locations. The first one was Alcalá la Real. There is one major reason why we wanted to see this town, as this town is where a massive castle is located, the Fortaleza de La Mota.

The Andalusian Adventure: Úbeda

After visiting Baeza for the morning, we then drove to Úbeda. This is a short drive away, and our first objective was lunch.

The Andalusian Adventure: Baeza

While we were staying in Jaén, we did a day trip to the surrounding areas. There are quite a few interesting towns nearby, and one of them is Baeza. Baeza is known for having one of the best-preserved examples of Italian Renaissance architecture in Spain. In fact, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for this purpose. So we took the car and drove from Jaén all the way to Baeza, which was approximately a 30-minute drive away.

The Andalusian Adventure: Bagá*

So, while we were in Andalusia, we took the chance to explore the fine dining scene. So since we knew we were spending some time in Jaén, we decided to make reservations in Bagá*. This restaurant is notable for being the smallest restaurant with a Michelin star, or so I am told. Indeed, when we visited, there was only space for 7 diners. And the space was indeed small, just approximately 45 square metres. I am also made aware that the cuisine is more experimental, so I am interested in seeing what that was about. As the last time we ate in a Michelin-starred restaurant was just a few months ago in Berlin, when we dined in Tulus Lotrek*, I was looking forward to compare and contrast the two experiences.

The Andalusian Adventure: Jaén Cathedral

After seeing the cathedrals in Almería and Guadix, we opted to check out a third one, the one in Jaén. This would be the last cathedral we would visit. Yes, I understand that they are architectural wonders, yet after seeing three of these, you'd also want to see something else. In any case, when we were in Jaén, we decided to check this out, and that was nevertheless fun.

The Andalusian Adventure: The Arab Baths of Jaén

After checking out the castle perched on top of a hill, we drove back down, and explored the old city. Jaén is full of one-way streets, and the terrain is definitely not flat. So at some point we just parked the car and walked. And then we stumbled upon the Arab baths.

The Andalusian Adventure: Castillo de Santa Catalina

So we finally made it to Jaén. Jaén is a very intriguing city, and while it isn't the largest, it has a few gems within, not only culturally but also gastronomically. We found our hotel, and as we arrived in the evening, we didn't really explore until the day after. And so after breakfast, we went to the castle, perched high up the mountain overlooking the city.

The Andalusian Adventure: Guadix Cathedral

After exploring the troglodyte cave dwellings in Guadix, we headed back to the town centre slowly. After all, there was a massive cathedral sitting centrally, and it was just too massive to ignore. So we decided to enter and check it out.

The Andalusian Adventure: Guadix

We were driving from Almería to Jaén but we were taking the scenic route. After stopping in Mojácar, we headed westwards toward Jaén, but along the way, we also stopped in Guadix. This town is known for its troglodyte houses that are carved in tuff rocks. So we figured out we spend some time as we were passing by.

The Andalusian Adventure: Mojácar

It was time to leave Almería. After spending two nights, we packed our bags, loaded it in the car, and headed out. By evening, we would be staying somewhere else, in Jaén, which was northwest from where we were. However, we were taking the scenic route, so we took the A-7 heading northeast, towards the other direction. We wanted first to stop in Mojácar.

The Andalusian Adventure: Catedral de la Encarnación de Almería

Places of worship feature prominently in sightseeing trips for the unsurprising reason that religion is a great catalyst for architecturally significant structures. Almería is no different, so when we were there, we decided to visit the cathedral. This one would be the first of several cathedrals we would visit in this trip.

The Andalusian Adventure: Cable Inglés

The fortress wasn't the only item we wanted to check out while in Almería. So after descending the fortress, we explored the town. And fortunately, the weather was very cooperative: it was sunny and not so cold, that it was a pleasure to walk outdoors. So at some point, we found ourselves by the Cable Inglés.

The Andalusian Adventure: The Alcazaba of Almería

After landing in Málaga, we picked up a rental car, and drove to Almería. By the time we reached our hotel, it was already dark, and so we just chilled out for a bit before heading out to find dinner. But the next day, we explored our surroundings. And the first thing we did was check out the Alcazaba of Almería.

The Andalusian Adventure

Spain is a country that I keep on coming back to. Bizarrely enough, as a student many years ago, I actually avoided learning Spanish, simply because Spain was a colonial power of the Philippines. I suppose those considerations are gone by now, that I have nothing against the language, and I keep on coming back to the country. After all, the weather can still be warm in Spain during winter, so that was exactly what we have done last December. When it was freezing in Berlin, we took a week and drove around Andalusia for a week.

Working Remotely in Barcelona: Museu d'Història de Catalunya

The last thing I visited before leaving Barcelona was the Museu d'Història de Catalunya, or the Museum of the History of Catalonia. This museum is by the waterfront, in Barceloneta. It has plenty of exhibits chronicling the history of Catalonia from pre-history to modern times.

Working Remotely in Barcelona: Montserrat

I had a day off during the week I was in Barcelona. So I headed to Montserrat. This is a multipeaked mountain range near Barcelona, but for the most part when people say they are going to Montserrat, they refer to the area where there is a Benedictine abbey, the Santa Maria de Montserrat. That's exactly what I did. I took the train one morning, followed by a yellow cable car, in order to get to the top of the mountain.

Working Remotely in Barcelona: Fundació Joan Miró

I went back to Montjuïc. After all, there's a famous Catalan artist that until now I haven't really paid attention to: Joan Miró. I've seen several of his pieces in the past, yet I just didn't get to visit the museum dedicated to him. So on my day off, I decided to head to Montjuïc Hill to visit the Fundació Joan Miró.