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- Tower view
We managed a whirlwind tour of the gigantic cathedral on our last morning--a fitting end to a fabulous trip. This shot is from the Giralda (minaret-turned-bell-tower), over the body of the cathedral and the city of Seville. - Giralda and group
As the sun set, we enjoyed a beverage on a rooftop bar overlooking the cathedral. We also pulled off our one group shot of the trip with the help of an accommodating Spaniard. - Carriage ride
A carriage ride was a great way to get the lay of the land and see the major sights of Seville. - Alcazar
It was time for another fabulous castle, so we toured the Alcazar and its gardens and marveled at the intricate tilework. - Churros
Sophie and Jeff took us out for churros in the morning, which we enjoyed thoroughly. - Max at home
We enjoyed seeing Max in his natural habitat. His oral hygiene habits are already excellent, and he only has four teeth! (Going on six.) - Jamon
Our last stop was Seville, and our first order of business there was to buy a whole leg of jamon with Jeff and Sophie. Here they sample the first slices cut by the butcher at El Corte Ingles. - Mezquita-Cathedral
After the Reconquista, when the Catholic monarchy defeated the Muslim rulers, later kings grafted a cathedral right into the middle of the former prayer hall. It's incredibly jarring. - Mezquita-Mosque
This former Moorish Mosque was one of the most amazing sights we saw. - Flat Tire
Our road trip ended with both a bang and a whimper as we busted a tire navigating the tiny twisty streets (and sharp granite curbs) of old-town Cordoba. Here, Bryan puts on the spare to get us back to the rental company. - Hill view
Vineyards gave way to olive orchards as we crossed the mountains. - Meadow
Day Four on the road took us through Castilla La Mancha, where we spotted windmills and briefly intersected Don Quixote's fictional path in our lunch-break town of Tembleque. - Suckling pig
Another key Segovia attraction: the roast suckling pig. They bring it out whole and bang the tender thing into portions with dinner plates. - Castle
The city also features an amazing Medieval castle. According to our guide book, Disney patterned Sleeping Beauty's castle after it, which may be why it looked familiar. - Aqueduct
We were greeted by the remarkably restored Roman aqueduct as soon as we entered Segovia. - Castile y Leon
We left wine country on our third road-tripping day and passed through central Spain to Segovia. Dramatic clouds, light, and occasional rain showers accompanied us. - Grapes
Leslie appreciates some wine grapes. We may have also sampled them. - Vineyards
The countryside was ridiculously picturesque. This shot was taken from the parking lot of an over-the-top museum about wine-growing/making/loving, looking toward the town of Briones. - Wine shopping
Our second day of driving took us from Basque Country into La Rioja, where you are basically required to shop for wine. Bryan picks out three bottles at a little shop in Haro: one Crianza, one Reserva, and one Gran Reserva.