The word is a very exciting place

 So the timing of this may seem bizarre, but I was going to post about it, as I had done on twitter, but with a bit more detail. I had even kept my notepad in which I had made notes on when I originally watched it! So I thought I would finally get round to posting my thoughts. And then I thought why not rewatch the show as well and see who is still good 6 years on. Plus this years Eurovision Song Contest is only two and a bit weeks away, so think of this as some sort of rewatch style post! Also, at the end of the post, I'll reveal my scores, and we shall see if it changes anything! So after Salvador Sobral's victory last year in Kyiv, we are heading to Lisbon. And in true Eurovision fashion, we are treated to a nice sightseeing video to start the show, to let us all know what a beautiful, cultural and most important, tourist friendly places the host city is. I jest, but its a great way to show everyone where their next holiday is. Bear with me, I'm watching on YouTube, and ...

 So it was that time again, the worst part of any trip away from home. The time to go home. After spending nearly 5 weeks in Spain and Andorra, having seen some magnificent sights, experienced some amazing food and events, and getting a dodgy tan, it was time to make my way back home. My original plan had included visiting Madrid too, but I'd run out of time (as I always seem to on these trips, its a recurring theme). My ferry was booked home from Santander, so in a sort of race across the world style, I had to race from Seville to Santander, on what felt like the longest coach ride of my life. I could have caught the train, which would have been faster, but having been travelling for the previous 7 months, (not to mention the 11 months the year before that) I was starting to run out of money, and needed to conserve what I had, especially with rent to pay and I wouldn't get paid until the following month in a worst case scenario. So Coach it was, and it took around 12 hours. I ...

 Ronda is a beautifully easy day trip from Seville, just jump on one of the frequent coaches that travel between the two, and you'll have yourself a really grand day out. Ronda is one of those charming little places where time seems to just stand still. And despite it being a busy little tourist trap, you seem to find yourself alone in many areas of the town Perhaps first stop is to find the bridge. People in the hostel who were going in the opposite direction to me (I think they had come from Madrid, and were on their way to Gibraltar) had said they'd been told in a previous hostel about Ronda, and said they really enjoyed it. Thats the great thing about hostels, you talk to so many different and interesting people, and it gives you ideas and plans as to what is good and not so good. Once I'd googled Ronda, I decided that my final proper day in Spain should be there, before I headed home.  The bridge instantly catches your attention. Whenever you think of a dramatic bridge...

 Hello, and welcome to the third and final part of my time in Seville. In the last post, I teased about showing Seville's most famous site. Its one that I've seen countless times on travel shows, travel blogs, friends photos, and it was an amazing place to visit. It contains the archaeological museum (featured in the last post) as well as the museum of popular arts & traditions. It is the Plaza Epanyol, in the Parque di Maria Luisa. Originally built for a world fair (so already you know its going to be amazing) the park and plaza are Seville's focal point, and it is stunning. The parque is full of wildlife, pons, streams and pieces of art, and it feels like a millions miles away from the hustle and bustle of central Seville. Plaza Espanyol is a beautiful crescent shaped building, full of intricate little details, like the beautiful tiling, the little bridges and the beautiful ceilings. There you can wander around, taking in the sights. Its also home to the Museum of Pop...

 Seville, like any good city, has got a beautiful and very central cathedral for you to enjoy. I know, you probably all have cathedral fatigue by now with this blog, but I just love a good cathedral. These buildings are built to impress, and Seville cathedral is now exception. Fun fact for you, the cathedral is larger that the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul. And that was a building you could get lost in very easily. Also, it was built from scratch, the previous grand mosque had been converted to a cathedral, but was later demolished to make way for the new cathedral. Thats why the bell tower looks so different, it was a minaret, but just converted. Tickets cost 12 euros if booked in advance online, or 13 at the ticket counter on the day. The ticket also gives you access to the Church of El-Salvador. You start by going up into the bell tower, giving you so amazing views over the city. I would advise you to make a note of the time, you are right under the bells, and so at midday I was deafe...