Cordoba's great Mosque, dating back 12 centuries, embodied the power of Islam on the Iberian Peninsula. During the 16th century a Cathedral was built inside of the Mosque when the Christians took over the area! It is a wonder! So much of the beautiful Mosque was kept thank goodness!

This is the stairway to our "casita" in Cordoba! What a wonderful experience we had with our host Virginia and her family. The house is 400 years old and is featured in the "Patios of Cordoba" publication. Our accommodations were colorful and we felt we were living in old Spain!

Toledo is perched atop a rocky mount with steep golden hills rising on either side, and is bound on three sides by the Tagus River. The walled town is a maze of streets and shops. Cars can only maneuver on some of the narrow streets. At times we had to jump into a doorway to let them pass! There was a festival on to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi when we were there and the crowded streets were decorated with banners and flowers. We did a day trip from Madr...

When the romans arrived in 192 BC they built their stronghold, the Alcazar, on the highest point of rock. Later the town was held by the Visigoths, in the 8 th century by the Moors then conquered by the Spanish in 1058. Toledo became famous for its school of translators, who taught Arab medicine, law, culture and philosophy.

Wonderful "Tapas" in a great little bar called "Cervantes". These are little appetizers that you snack on during the day! Spanish people eat their large meal at noon then have siesta. Later in the afternoon they have tapas and a late meal at around 9 pm. We snacked on tapas after visiting 3 art museums today then came home for wine and bed.