The Alhambra (meaning ‘red fortress’ in Arabic) is an ancient palace and fortress built by the Moorish rulers of Granada in southern Spain (known as Al-Andalus when the fortress was constructed), occupying a hilly terrace on the southeastern border of the city of Granada.

Granada - Copyright: Phil Wiley 2005

Once the residence of the Muslim rulers of Granada and their court, the Alhambra is now one of Spain’s major tourist attractions exhibiting the country’s most famous Islamic architecture, together with Christian 16th century and the later additions of the ornate gardens that can be seen today.

In the warmer months the Alhambra can become so full of tourists that the Palace (full of art and antiquities) closes it’s doors quite early. They only allow a set number of visitors inside per day, so if you arrive later than midday you could be locked out. You can still enter the grounds, and walk the walls, but you won’t get to see many of the treasures.

Granada from Alhambra
Copyright: Phil Wiley 2005

My suggestion is to get there no later than 11am. If you’re staying in Granada be aware that it’s quite a hard walk from most of the tourist hotels so, unless you speak Spanish and can find the right bus (and bus-stop) it’s probably best to get a taxi.

The Palace of Charles V, within the Alhambra, was erected by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor in 1527. Its most westerly feature is the alcazaba (citadel); a strongly fortified position. The rest of the plateau comprises a number of palaces, enclosed by a relatively weak fortified wall, with thirteen towers, some defensive and some providing vistas for the inhabitants.

Completed towards the end of Muslim rule in Spain by Yusuf I (1333-1353) and Muhammed V, Sultan of Granada (1353-1391), the Alhambra is a reflection of the culture of the last days of the Nasrid emirate of Granada. It is a place where artists and intellectuals had taken refuge as Christian Spain won victories over Al Andalus. The Alhambra mixes natural elements with man-made ones, and is a testament to the skill of Muslim craftsmen of that time.

The literal translation of Alhambra “red fortress” derives from the colour of the red clay of the surroundings of which the fort is made. The buildings of the Alhambra were originally whitewashed; however, the buildings now seen today are reddish.

The first reference to the Qal’at al Hamra was during the battles between the Arabs and the Muladies during the rule of the ‘Abdullah ibn Muhammad (r. 888-912). In one particularly fierce and bloody skirmish, the Muladies soundly defeated the Arabs, who were then forced to take shelter in a primitive red castle located in the province of Elvira, presently located in Granada. According to surviving documents from the era, the red castle was quite small, and its walls were not capable of deterring an army intent on conquering. The castle was then largely ignored until the eleventh century, when its ruins were renovated and rebuilt by Samuel ibn Naghralla, vizier to the King B?d?s of the Zirid Dynasty, in an attempt to preserve the small Jewish settlement also located on the Sabikah hill. However, evidence from Arab texts indicates that the fortress was easily penetrated and that the actual Alhambra that survives today was built during the Nasrid Dynasty.

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1. The Alhambra in Granada Spain

Sightseeing in Paris is a must for any traveller. For those of you out there who love to get out and see the sights on a trip you can’t go past a visit to Paris.

When you go sightseeing in Paris you get the whole deal – there’s culture, authenticity and that little snap of individuality.

I traveled from a place called Flers the French countryside to Paris by train. The first thing I saw when I walked out of the Montparnasse train station when I arrived was the breathtaking sight of the the Eiffel Tower looming straight ahead of me. Needless to say this just fuelled my already burning desire to go sightseeing in Paris.

Sightseeing in Paris is sightseeing on a whole new level; there is the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc Di Triomph, The Louvre, Napoleon’s Tomb and so, so much more.

My sightseeing in Paris began at the Eiffel Tower. This 116 year old structure which graces the Parisian skyline stands at 324m high and is a favourite stop for tourists from all over the world. For just under 4 euros you can walk up the 1665 stairs or catch the glass lift all the way to the top to get one of the best city views you will ever see.

copyright:Phil Wiley

My travels then took me to The Louvre – an absolute must for sightseeing in Paris! Based in the former Royal Palace, the Louvre Museum showcases the very apartments that Napoleon Bonaparte lived in, still in their original state. Given the long history of the Louvre, the glass pyramids which mark the entrance of the museum at the end of the Tullieries gardens seem in stark contrast to their surrounds. The Louvre showcases around 35,000 works of art including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and many other famous works from around the world. The place is so huge that it is estimated it would take five and a half weeks of non-stop looking for someone to see everything within the Louvre’s walls.

When sightseeing in Paris you also can’t go past a visit to the Moulin Rouge. It is expensive to go in, but well worth the experience if you can afford it!

… kate wiley

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When I tell people that I’m from Australia they automatically assume that I live in Sydney. In fact, I’ve noticed that plenty of foreigners seem to completely associate Australia with Sydney, kangaroos and that’s about it. They’ve got it all wrong! If you want to experience the real Australia, you need to do a farmstay, mate!

You can’t go home and say you truly experienced Oz unless you go on a farmstay during your holiday, and believe me, there are plenty around. In fact, farmstay is a booming part of Australia’s tourism industry.

If you go on a farmstay you’re guaranteed to make new friends, get great photos and experience a way of life that you’ll find nowhere else in the world.

Of all the farmstays I know of one comes to mind that stands out above all else for brilliant hospitality and an awesome, genuine experience. I have been to Myella Farmstay at Baralaba, Queensland twice, and I had the time of my life both times.

On a farmstay, no matter where it is, you get the real deal. I can guarantee you that you will get the bluest sky you’ve ever seen, with some of the reddest dust you’ve ever seen. That makes for for a sunset like no other you’ve ever seen followed by a majestic night sky studded with the brightest stars you ever saw.

This is definitely true at Myella Farmstay.

When I went there I had no idea what I was in for. Having been twice now, I can’t wait to go back! Hosts Lyn, Olive, Peter and Ken are some of the most genuine people I have ever met and they have done a marvellous job of opening their family cattle station to travellers from all over the world. Believe me, Myella Farmstay is good old Aussie country hospitality at its best.

At Myella, and no doubt many other farmstays as well, expect to spend your days horse riding, riding motorbikes and helping out around the property. I read on one of the Myella brochures once that you will leave sore and dirty, but very happy… how true that is! If you don’t like getting dirty then don’t go to a farmstay… when I showered the water washed out of my hair tinged red and I was cleaning red dust out of my ears for a while there, too!

And yep, I was sore too… during my farmstay I was assigned to a buckskin horse called Rebel. He had a bit more go than some of the other horses (i’m a horse girl from way back and have my own horses) so I was up for a bit of fun. At Myella Farmstay everyone is assigned to horses according to personality and ability – and I’ve got to give it to them, because they usually get it spot on. I had an absolute ball riding Rebel, but even though I ride all the time I was so sore on day two after several hours in the saddle on my first day at the farmstay. On day two I got the opportunity to give him a go at barrel racing – a real eye opener given that I’m a dressage rider, but sooo much fun!

Between all the great farmstay activities take the opportunity to do a bit of washing, play games, go into Baralaba or go for a dip in the pool.

At the end of the day there’s nothing quite like sitting around the campfire with a few coldies (Australian for an ice cold beer) chatting to your new mates and sharing stories. Then its to bed to do it all again the next day, and believe me, it will be one of the best and most welcome night’s sleep you’ll ever have!

Aussie country hospitality is legendary… so why not experience it for yourself on a farmstay?

Kate Wiley

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I really want to learn French. I mean really. I went to France recently and was starting to do quite well at it – my daily progress on speaking French really ignited an interest in the language and the culture for me. I can’t wait to go back!

I am reasonably well traveled for a 22 year old. I have been to many countries on various continents, often having no clue how to speak the native language. My most recent trip has encompassed Thailand, England, Spain and France. I used to learn French when I was in primary school. Like most kids I knew, I hated it. Over the years however, my extensive travel has engrained a love of travel and languages in me and I can speak bits and pieces of lots of different ones.

My experiences have taught me that if I want to learn French, the quickest way to do it is to go to France and immerse myself in the language and culture.

For the five weeks I was in France it was my mission to learn French to the highest level I could. Okay, so I’m not fluent, but I sure learned a lot! When you find yourself completely surrounded by people that don’t speak English it’s amazing how much of their language you can pick up.

I started out knowing that bonjour means hello and that was about it! After a week of trying to learn French by listening and talking to people I knew a lot more and could ask if someone spoke english and make a purchase in a shop with a degree of confidence. By the end of my five weeks I could (and still can!) explain that I am a vegetarian and order a salad without egg, ham or cheese with fries and a drink. I can hold a basic conversation and get the general idea of what is being said to me.

If you really want to learn french, or any language for that matter, they key is to immerse yourself in the langauge and culture as much as possible.

I had a great time trying to learn french in an immersion situation and when I drove over the border into Spain… yep, you guessed it! I accidentally started speaking French to the Spanish! Oops!

… Kate Wiley

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