Seat of power: the historic Alhambra, backed by the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains, overlooks Granada in Andalusia, Spain
I wish I could say that what I laid my eyes on was a hidden gem, a perfect secret for a big reveal. I fear, however, I’m going to disappoint and deliver only a cliché—somewhere we all know is famously beautiful, but somewhere I had never had the good fortune to visit before. The place in question is the Alhambra in Granada, Spain.
We were staying in the Parador, right in the heart of the palace, which was converted from Franciscan convent to a hotel back in the 1940s. I had only been able to book a meagre room online, but, on arrival, we were offered the chance to upgrade to a suite with a view. Normally, I wouldn’t fall for this trick—hotel rooms, in my book, are for sleeping in, not lingering—but something told me that, in this instance, it would be worth the wallop of extra euros.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 03, 2024-Ausgabe von Country Life UK.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 03, 2024-Ausgabe von Country Life UK.
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Put some graphite in your pencil
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Dulce et decorum est
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It's the plants, stupid
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Pretty as a picture
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Sweet chamomile, good times never seemed so good
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All I need is the air that I breathe
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My art is in the garden
Monet and Turner supplied the colours, Canaletto the structure and Klimt the patterns for the Boodles National Gallery garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.