Day Trip: Ronda, Spain

While researching where we wanted to go when we first started thinking about a trip to Spain we stumbled across photos of Ronda and immediately knew we wanted to work it into our itinerary somehow. As it turns out, Ronda is a 1.5-2 hour bus ride from Seville, so we were able to make it happen pretty easily.

 

As the bus entered Ronda and made its way to the bus station we kind of started questioning why exactly we wanted to go to Ronda. It wasn't quite the charming old town on the cliffs we had pictured. Then we walked a few blocks and saw this:

Church built in 1585.

And a few more blocks and we saw this:

And then we remembered. :)

Despite the amazing views, though, lunch became our first priority. After some quick iPhone research we ended up in a little plaza with plans to eat at a certain restaurant. Of course it was closed. So we chose another place across the plaza. Let's just say it was very authentic, we had no idea what we were ordering, and we chose poorly. At least Parker was a fan of the fountains and running up and down the ramps in front of the church.

 

After lunch we headed back towards the cliffs. There was a trail that started in one of the parks and wound around, over a bridge, and into the old part of the town. It was so breathtaking. Absolutely freezing and windy, but breathtaking. :)

The start of the trail. Ronda is the birthplace of modern Spanish bullfighting thanks to the Romero family.

Before we could follow the trail, P had to dance.

Notice that walkway that juts out over the cliffs.

Family selfie :)

Puente Nuevo



We had a snack on the patio of the restaurant to the lower right (and I had a confrontation with a very angry Spanish waiter who I think was accusing me of attempting to steal an orange. Still not sure what exactly happened there. Another waiter was a lot nicer and noticed P's love of oranges and gave us one when we were leaving.)

When we got back to Seville we set out for another late night dinner. It was probably in the upper 50s, which felt pretty nice to us, so we opted to sit outside. The waitress asked if we wanted a heater and seemed surprised when we declined. We noticed several times during our trip that although we thought temperatures were decently pleasant, the locals were always bundled up (I'm talking babies in snow suits) and sitting under heaters if outside. Anyway, at El Pasaje we ordered a ridiculous number of tapas including the best pork, mini hamburgers, and foie gras. And yes, P played on the iPad, but he also watched the trucks and bicycles and dogs that passed by and he pushed his stroller all the way back to the hotel.

Seville, Spain: Part One



We started our time in Seville with a visit to the Cathedral and Giralda (100m high bell tower).



The Cathedral is the burial site of Christopher Columbus.

To get to the top of the tower you have to ascend 35 steep ramps. P ran the entire way. My legs were burning by the time we reached the top. The child is seriously the Energizer Bunny.

The views from the top were incredible.

The ring in the center of this photo is the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza (Seville's bullring and the oldest in Spain)

There was an orange grove in the Cathedral's courtyard. 

P found a good use for all the stray oranges and small fountains.

We had lunch at Bar Giralda, a restaurant in the plaza right behind the Cathedral and tower.

I spy Keith and Parker.

Then we wandered through streets and plazas until we eventually reached Plaza de Espana and Maria Lusa Park.

This plaza/fountain was right outside our hotel.

Plaza de Espana

Maria Lusa Park

As soon as we reached the plaza and park we got caught in an unexpected downpour (again. and this time with no umbrella). We decided to rent a two person canopy covered bike, which kept us dry but ended up being a ton of work for Keith since I couldn't reach the pedals and safely hold P in my lap.

Once Keith showed Parker how to ring the bell he didn't stop. I'm not sure if there's some sort of etiquette, but if there is we definitely breached it in regards to that bell. Oops.

When the rain stopped we walked around the park, but we really weren't all that impressed. 

So we headed back to the Plaza de Espana. 

Curving around the Plaza de Espana is a massive building, covered in tile work, built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition.

 

 
 

After sufficiently exploring we thought we'd head back to the hotel via the river for a nap.

Our terrace

Later that night we went to a flamenco show. Parker wasn't allowed, but Keith and I were able to switch out halfway through the show so we both got to experience it. The realities of traveling with a toddler. ;) P didn't seem to mind, though. He had a ball running the streets.

After experiencing flamenco we pushed our luck a little bit and went to dinner at Casa Roman, a traditional tapas bar. I ate quickly since we had a whiny, wiggly little man, so I don't remember much about the actual food, but the restaurant itself was pretty charming, don't you think?

On our way back to the hotel to call it a night we walked past The Cathedral. Beautiful (despite the bad iPhone pic). Can you tell yet why I Seville is competing for my favorite place? :)