Kim McMahill

Vigo is a city located in the Galicia region on Spain’s northwest coast. One of t he highlights of Vigo is Castro fortress which was built in 1665 to protect the city from the continuous attacks coming from the  British navy allies of  Portugal. This imposing fortress is located atop Mt. Castro and offers stunning views of the city and bay.

Granada is a city in southern Spain’s Andalusia region. It's known for its medieval architecture dating to the Moorish occupation, including the Alhambra is a sprawling hilltop fortress complex encompassing royal palaces, serene patios, reflecting pools from the Nasrid dynasty, and fountains and orchards. Grenada is also home to magnificent Grenada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel of Grenada which is where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were buried.

Cartagena is a delightful port city and naval base located in the Murcia region of southeast Spain. The city was founded by the Carthaginians around 220 B.C., and it boomed during the Roman period. The city boasts many Roman ruins which are easy to visit. One of the most amazing is the ancient Roman theater that was unearthed just 30 years ago in the center of the city. Access to the ruins is through a museum which displays many treasures found during the excavation. Magnificent architecture can be seen nearly everywhere you look, but one of my favorite sites was watching colorful kayaks assemble for an early morning race in the harbor. The scene was serene and I watched until the kayaks sped from view.