Spanish Trip to Andalusia – Easter 2019
23 May 2019 - All
During the Easter holiday, a group of aspiring linguists from UIV-UV were transported to the scenic location of Andalusia in order to further our knowledge on the culture and language of Spain. We stayed in a hotel in the centre of Málaga where we found beautiful shops and restaurants. As well as attending many language lessons, we were also privileged enough to explore the stunning cities of Granada and Ronda.
When we visited Granada, we discovered the breath-taking Alhambra Palace, which dates back to the Moorish occupation in Spain. We were guided through serene patios, pools, orchards and fountains, giving us the opportunity to appreciate its outstanding beauty. It also allowed us to enhance our appreciation of the history of the middle ages in the southern region of the Hispanic peninsula. In the afternoon, after yet another lunch in a sunny terrace, we visited Granada (meaning “pomegranate” in Spanish!). Despite some of us getting a little lost and having to use our Spanish for directions, this busy day was an unforgettable experience.
Near the end of the trip, we visited the spectacular mountain tops of Ronda, linked by Puente Nuevo, which connects the old and new towns over a magnificent gorge. The Bull Ring of the Royal Cavalry of Ronda captivated our attention with artefacts and paintings showing the culture and history of bullfighting; brightly coloured costumes and stunning posters decorated the halls in the museum section. Led by our guide, we also explored the town and saw the spectacular views stretching across the mountains. At that point some of us could not resist the temptation to spend our money on postcards!
Adding to the excitement, we were also kept busy with activities throughout. The “Death-Trap Gondola” (as we named it!) in Benalmádena leading up to the mountain was particularly memorable; the views from the top of the hiking trail to the Mediterranean coast provided excellent group selfie opportunities! Another highlight was the flamenco performance. Although perhaps a slight culture shock at the beginning of the energetic routine, it was so entertaining and really fun. It was a great end to a day which was topped off by a late night trip for ice cream!
I would really recommend this memorable trip to anyone, even if they are not taking Spanish GCSE. As well as really good lessons and lots of practice at speaking, the places we visited were so enjoyable and we all had such a good time.
Eleanor (LV) with comments from UIVs and LVs