| Cordoba is a very interesting part of southern Spain | | | | The Almodovar Castle stands 252m and was built by |
| to book a self-catering holiday rental apartment or | | | | the Arabs in the year 720. It belonged to the |
| holiday villas in Spain for some summer sun. Cordoba | | | | Caliphate of Cordoba and has since housed several |
| is the principal city of its province and the most | | | | monarchs. This royal fortress is worth a visit because |
| important city in Andalucia after Seville. Cordoba was | | | | of its historical value, splendid architecture and |
| founded by the Romans and it became a significant | | | | spectacular, panoramic views. |
| port city used for shipping Spanish olive oil and wine | | | | La Mezquita is a huge, tenth century building in |
| back to Rome. Cordoba also has a strong Moorish | | | | Cordoba which was formerly a Mosque consisting of |
| influence as it was once the capital of the Moorish | | | | several arches and over a hundred columns. The |
| kingdom of El-Andalus and this was when work | | | | architectural design of this stunning building is a |
| began on the Great Mosque or Mezquita which today | | | | mixture of Roman, Gothic, Byzantine, Syrian and |
| is such a landmark of this intriguing city. | | | | Persian influences. |
| Climate | | | | The Cordoba Synagogue is rare because it is the only |
| Holidaymakers who are thinking of visiting Cordoba | | | | one in the Andalusia region and one of only three in |
| and booking a holiday rental apartment or a villa | | | | the whole of Spain. The beautiful interiors and the |
| holiday letting in Spain here will be interested to know | | | | walls are covered with rich white Mudejar style |
| what sort of weather to expect. The months of | | | | decorations and Hebrew inscriptions. |
| June, July, August, and September are the hottest | | | | Flamenco & Bull-fighting |
| summer months. At this time of the year | | | | Those holidaymakers who are staying in a holiday |
| temperatures may reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit | | | | rental apartment or a villa holiday letting in Spain in |
| during the daytime and 64 degrees Fahrenheit at | | | | Cordoba can experience two spectacles which Spain |
| night. Rain is rare in the summer months especially in | | | | is famous for, these are Flamenco and Bull-fighting. All |
| the middle of the season. The following are a few | | | | around the city of Cordoba, particularly near the |
| tips to cope with the very hot summer weather: | | | | Mezquita, are flamenco clubs where you can listen |
| Wear light, loose-fitting cotton or linen clothing. If you | | | | and watch exciting flamenco performances. The |
| are going out sightseeing or walking try to do this in | | | | Tablao Cardenal is a favourite place to see some of |
| the morning between about 9am and 1pm. Carry a | | | | the purest styles of Andalucian flamenco - the |
| bottle of water with you and drink regularly so you | | | | alegrias, the solea and the bulerias. You can even |
| don't get dehydrated. The locals eat lunch late, about | | | | take courses in flamenco dancing and flamenco guitar |
| 2:30 - 3pm and then have a lengthy 'siesta'. You will | | | | if it takes your fancy. As for bull-fighting the season |
| find a good nap, with the blinds drawn, will set you | | | | starts in May, during the Feria de Cordoba (Cordoba |
| up for the evening! | | | | Fair). Both locals and tourists gather in the bullring to |
| Food | | | | watch the experience. There is also a Bullfight |
| When you are visiting Cordoba and staying in your | | | | Museum in the historic Jewish quarter which pays |
| self-catering holiday rental apartment or villa holiday | | | | tribute to the bullfighters of Cordoba and the rest of |
| letting in Spain what sort of local dishes should you | | | | Andalucia. |
| try? Gazpacho and Salmorejo are delicious and | | | | Festivals |
| refreshing cold soups made mainly of pureed | | | | Cordoba also loves its festivals and fiestas and many |
| vegetables and olive oil and are very popular as the | | | | are celebrated throughout the year. No matter when |
| first dish during the hot season. Try some of the cold | | | | you book your holiday villas Spain or your holiday |
| meats and sausages such as Jamon, a type of cured | | | | rental apartment you will most likely experience a |
| ham, chorizo or morcilla (black pudding). Typical main | | | | colourful festival! During Semana Santa (Holy Week) |
| dishes from Cordoba are Bull's tail (Estofado de Rabo | | | | at the end of March the city streets are crowded |
| de Buey) and lamb stew (Cordero en Caldereta). | | | | and are full of extravagant processions. Cordoba is |
| Typical desserts often have an Arabian influence such | | | | renowned for its flower-filled patios that are opened |
| as Alfajores, made of almonds and honey and | | | | to the public for the Patio Festival in May. This is a |
| Pestinos, a sweet fried in oil and covered with honey. | | | | lovely time to visit the city and many people enjoy a |
| Things to See | | | | fino sherry in one of the local bodegas as they stroll |
| There are many interesting places to visit for those | | | | around the city. The Cordoba Guitar Festival takes |
| who are staying in privately rented holiday villas in | | | | place from 6-25th July each year and it includes a |
| Spain or a holiday rental apartment in charming | | | | training programme with courses on classical, |
| Cordoba. The following are just some which are | | | | Flamenco, contemporary and modern guitar building, |
| worth a look: | | | | there are also Flamenco dancing and singing courses. |