Captivating Cordoba

What better way to take a break, save the shoe leather, have a private and audio guide in the comfort of your your own car. Get a GEM, Global Electric Motorcar, for hire from Blogjects for a mere for 2 hours. The top speed of 20mph is ideal for sight-seeing, the GPS keeps track of where you are, ideal for the less skilled in map reading, and the less mobile, or just for fun. With either the two seater of four seater version, the on-board, touch-screen computer not only tracks you, but also tells you the lastest tourist information on the sites you're passing. Approved by local government and given parking bays by the town hall, it is loved by the walking weary public. That leaves the not so keen, abuse-hurling taxi drivers, who have been heard to yell more than "Caracol," my sons informed me, (they wouldn't go the whole translation. I knew it, but wanted to see if they'ed repeat it to me).

Quick Tips:

Two hours is rather a long time to be driving, and I didn't feel like paying for it to be parked for most of the time. Do your homework and plan the visits, taking in the ones furtherest away. Museum Regina was a good visit, partly free, partly paid, €3. It's a new silversmith museum, with working displays. There was plenty of jewelry for sale, all handworked. It is away from the Jewish quarter, and well-worth a ramble around.

Best Way To Get Around:

Lovely typical Cordobes tiled patio full of plants in pots. It's clean comfortable and only 5 minutes from the Mezquita. For breakfast, you go to one of the oldest taverns in Cordoba just in front of the hotel. There is parking behind, but first you must go into the hotel and get a parking pass. This is a huge advantage, as parking is the absolute pits.

A good way of saving money and a great encouragement to see all on offer is to buy a Cordoba card. This gives you free admission to many places and a percentage off on others. You can buy a 1-day card for 17 Euros, 2-day for 27, and 3-day for 37 Euros. This means you can go back and visit places again, as 1 day of walking around trying to cram everything in is not enough: all becomes a bit of a blur and the magnificence the Mezquita is something not to be rushed. Cards can be bought at Estacion AVE REFE, the train station, as well as other posts round the city. They are also available online and can be sent to your home or collected on arrival. See www.cordobacard.com.

This is a fascinating place, whether you like gardens (like me) or you don't (like my husband and sons.) There are interests for everyone. The whole set-up is dedicated to plant study and is responsible for many conservation projects. Since its opening in May 1987, it has become an important international institution. A recent new addition is the Hydraulic Museum (not my particular favourite part).

This is one of Andalucia's most visited monuments. Not comparable to the splendour of the Mezquita, it's more of an ongoing archaeological dig. Only about one-tenth of the former palatial city has been uncovered. It is a bus ride, 5km, out of Cordoba. Building began in 936 by Abd al-Rahman III. Apparently 10,000 men worked on the site, and when finished, the king and his ministers had 3,750 slaves. After the death of one of his heirs in 1008, civil strife broke out, and only 70 years after its completion, military occupation led to it destruction. It's a look (much by the imagination) at one of the most beautiful monuments in Al-Andalus (Andalucia.) Helpful hints: Closed Mondays Free admission and bus with Cordoba Card 1,50 entry Free to EU citizens