Spain & Gibraltar

Jan 1-5
UA944 ORD-FRA, LH1166 FRA-LIS, LH1173 LIS-FRA, UA47 FRA-IAH

For Christmas this year we spent the time in Toronto and enjoyed the chance to spend more time with friends through the holiday period.  With a full year of travel back and forth to Houston and points beyond, it was very nice to be in one place for almost two weeks.  On New Year’s Eve we flew to Chicago and had a low key evening before heading to the airport on New Year’s morning.  Flights to Lisbon were a steal so we booked our trip there, but actually wanted to see new things so made our way to Seville after landing and were not disappointed.  Seville was a beautiful city with so much history and great food.  Gibraltar was just a little further down the road from Seville, so we took advantage of the opportunity to check out this unique UK outpost.  Before heading back to North America we had one final night in Lisbon.  Unfortunately, it was terribly rainy so we didn’t venture from the hotel. 

Jan 2

After arriving around noon, we spend the afternoon making our way from Lisbon to Seville and head into the city for the evening.

Walking around the river bank

Museo Del Castillo De San Jorge

Looking back at Seville at the prominant Cathedral of Saint Mary

Statue commemorating the bull fighter

Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería -- where bullfights happen

Torre del Oro (Gold Tower)

Placio de San Telmo lit up with a festive light and sound show

More of the building transformations

The 16th century cathedral of Saint Mary

Tower of Saint Mary Cathedral

Jan 3

Although the weather was a little wet, we went through with our plans to visit Gibraltar.  Between the rain, we managed to have some fish and chips and make our way to the top of the Rock.

Looking up at the clouds cover the Rock of Gibraltar

The Gibraltar airport runway, along the only flat land, runs alongside the border with Spain.  With little space to spare, the road to and from Spain crosses the runway.

Pausing on the runway for a picture with the Rock in the background

The busy shipping activity supplying Spain and Gibraltar

Looking down from the Rock to the city of Gibraltar below

Open cavern in St. Michael's Cave within Gibraltar, often used for concerts

Stalactites within the cave

One of the Barbary macaque of Gibraltar

Looking a little intimidating

Some grooming going on...

Looking very serious

The road crossing the runway

Fortified caves protecting Gibraltar

Looking across the runway to Spain

Military tunnels

Runway, no longer acting as a roadway

Great view of plane landing from the Rock

Perspective on the Rock from Spain

We drive back to Seville and have another evening exploring the old center of Seville.

Jan 4

We had one last morning in Seville, for our first daytime visit to the city center, before driving back to Lisbon.

Cathedral of Sevilla

Alcázar of Seville (Castle) gold ceiling

Rain water baths within the Alcázar 

Peacock in the expansive Palace Gardens

Oranges still available in the garden in January

Altar of Iglesias de El Salvador

Cathedral of Seville Altar

View from cathedral tower

Looking back on the cathedral from the tower

Up close with the tower bells

We left Seville midday and started the drive back to Portugal.  After arriving in Lisbon, we dropped off the car at the airport and took the metro to our hotel.

Jan 5

After a rainy night we caught an Uber for our early morning flight to Frankfurt and on to Toronto and Houston.