We arrived in Granada at our hotel with just enough time to change clothes and then head back out to dinner.
It would be a fun night of laughter, good food, lots of wine and beer and music. Our entertainment would be a group of Tuna Musicians. No not fish 🙂 The restaurant was the El Coso. Lots of bulls heads were around the walls. Guess where we were? Yes the Plaza de Toros one of 3 bullrings in Granada. It was built in 1928 and it was the third bullring built in the city. So that explains the bulls head’s around the restaurant! The bullring can hold up to 12,000 people.
Back to our dinner. The food was amazing and of course I was catered for. Entree was salad and cold meat, main – steak and vegetables with gluten free bread and dessert was a chocolate cake. The wine flowed all evening. The Tuna musicians were funny and entertaining.
Tuna musicians started back in the 12th century and originated in Spain and Portugal. It was a way of University students to get money and food. The traditional dress would be similar except for the sash that would be in the color of the faculty – such as mathematics or law. The traditional clothes would be a tight waistcoat, pants, sash, and cape. The instruments were a tamborine and guitars or even an accordion.
The next day our tour of Granada was to be the Allambra and the Generalife Gardens. It was Easter Sunday and these were closed off to the public. Our guide said they would take a chance to see if they could get in as we had booked tickets. A few of us decided not to go with the tour of chance and just wander around the general area where the hotel was. Sometimes it is nice to just slow down and enjoy the now. Muriel and I wandered down the street from the hotel and the gardens nearby. From our room you could see the caves in the hillside that the gypsies used to live in. It was outlawed for them live in them but some have made the caves small restaurants. Although as we drove out of the town you could see some have defied those orders.
Caves amongst the ruins in Granada
When the group returned they said they couldn’t get into either place – something about the tickets were wrong and parts were closed due to Easter. Glad we didn’t bother.
The view over Granada from the restaurant in the hotel was amazing.
Unfortunately we didnt see much of Granada so maybe one day we can head back there and stay a few days.
Lunch was to be in a little village called Alfarnatejo, population of around 400.
Alfarnatejo Spain
Alfarnatejo is a village in the north of the Axarquia region of Malaga, surrounded by a stunning mountainous landscape. The Chamizo, Gallo and Vilo mountains surround this pretty village.
A view of the mountains surrounding Alfarnatejo Spain
Alfarnatejo dates back to Moorish times and it once had a Moorish castle which is now in ruins. Today it is a typical Andalusian village: charming, friendly and very welcoming.
One of the residents thought of a way of bringing money and people to his village. He organized tours and lunches with major tour companies such as Scenic. We would be shown a typical home from the early days, sample some wine and almonds and then have lunch in one of the homes.
Part of the original house
We would be divided into two groups with ours being a gluten free meal. The food was amazing and we even sampled home made grappa. Wow knock your socks off. You dont need to speak Spanish or English as good food, good company and lots of wine and smiles and hugs says it all.
Our host for lunch in the village of Alfarnatejo Spain.
It had been an amazing few hours in the village of Alfarnatejo Spain. Once travel is allowed again please do visit and enjoy some wonderful hospitality.
Our next stop would be Cordoba where we would stay again just one night.
More photos will be on Instagram.
Travel and Lifestyle with Bree 
I live in Portugal, and I can confirm that the tuna groups are quite popular here too! You often see them performing in the streets. Granada is quite a lovely city; I hope you get to go back one day and see the Alhambra. It sounds like your tour company was not that well organized.
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yes we saw them in Portugal as well. Thank you I hope so too. It was Easter unfortunately and things were so different. Our tour was good it was the silly guide who wasnt organized.
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Beautiful photos! Haven’t had a chance to explore this side of Spain yet!
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Thank you, I hope you do one day.
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I loved Granada and one day I hope to get back to the Alhambra again but damn that place is tricky to figure out tickets and get sorted once inside – you really need 2 days to see it all. The cave houses are amazing and all over Andalucia as well some are now luxury palaces in the Almanzora Valley.
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Hi ladies, a lovely experience seen through your eyes. Particularly the Gypsies cave. Very interesting. Thanks again. 💜
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Lovely photos, Bree. I especially like the view looking out over the city. Thanks for sharing your travel memories. We just canceled a trip to Alaska–hopefully next year! #MLSTL
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Thank you Christie. Yes lets hope next year for our holidays xx
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So many interesting stories from your holiday and I’m loving the photos too. I’ve never heard of Tuna musicians before so I’m feeling a little bit more educated now!
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊
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Thank you x
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I agree Bree, sometimes it’s good to slow down and not rush about when doing so much sightseeing! What a great place and so full of history 🙂 #mlstl and pinned
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I’m not using Instagram at the moment but have made sure I’m following you. As I’m an intermittent reader I haven’t seen you mention the virus so wonder how that’s affected your travels. I haven’t seen much re Portugal but know Spain was hit pretty hard!
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Thank you for sharing your trip and photos in Granada. What great panoramic views you had from your hotel restaurant. Cordoba is one of my favourite cities in Spain. Look forward to hearing your thoughts.
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Thank you for sharing your visit to Spain. I will be looking for your continuing journey. I love getting ideas for future travel and looks like I might have to add Granada and Alfarnatejo to my bucket list!
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Thank you for stopping by. Oh yes these places are a must.
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What a fun time
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We have Tuna Musicians here in our part of Spain as well. They are so much fun! I´m sorry you didn´t get to visit La Alhambra as it is amazing, but something for the next time you come to Spain. I look forward to your report on Cordoba. #SeniSal
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Whereabouts are you in Spain. Tuna musicians are fun for sure. Yes I think we need to go back to Spain 🇪🇸
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