We set off from Nice 7 days ago now....a week has passed fast!! It was an early morning rise starting off for the airport at 6:00am. We took our first flight Nice to Geneva then had to wait 5 hours for the next flight to Madrid (the price to pay for taking the cheap flights). After arriving in Madrid we made our way to the main train station to take the train to Cordoba...another 2 and half hours of travel. We arrived in Cordoba almost 14 hours after we started out! We were greeted warmly by Aunty Joan (Chris's aunt) who lives in Cordoba and made our way to the old town were we where staying. Our accommodation was less then 2 minutes walk from the famous Mezquita (mosque converted to Catholic cathedral which retains a good proportion of the Arabic architecture) and from Joan's balcony we enjoyed a wonderful dinner and an enchanting view of the steeple at night.

Our first day of holiday was more relaxing then anticipated, with the fatigue of a week of non-stop activity catching up on us! We enjoyed a slow paced morning with a casual walk through one part of the old city taking in the Mezquita in the daylight. We joined Joan for lunch, with her taking on us a walking tour of the old Jewish section and stopping by with the locals for a vino in one of the bars. The afternoon called for a siesta in Spanish tradition of course before a late night dinner of tapas in one of the little restaurants.

The next day we rose early to catch the free entry to the Mezquita and were not disappointed at the sights within. Following this we wandered through yet another part of the old city down narrow little passages, past yet another church and stumbling upon gorgeous hidden courtyards. Yet again, we had the pleasure to dine with Joan on her balcony after she gave us another guided tour this time of the "new" section of town! After lunch we then indulged in the Arabic baths! The sensual aromas, candle light pools and relaxing atmosphere shared with massages is just heavenly!After this very subdued two hours it was off to dinner at one of Joan's favourite restaurants were we again enjoyed a selection of local Cordoba tapas and a good bottle of red!

Following our delightful stay in Cordoba it was time to bid Joan goodbye and make our way to our next destination - Granada.