Cars For Casa Entry Form Final: Fill & Download for Free

I guess you mean Chihuahua State, for the state capital, also named Chihuahua does not sit on the border with the U.S.You have several options to cross into Mexico through Chihuahua from the U.S:Chihuahua is Mexico’s largest state and shares a border with two U.S. states, New Mexico and Texas. This border alone is several hundred miles long. Only the Texas part is formed by the Rio Grande, called Rio Bravo in Mexico. Both names are misleading. The river is neither big nor wild!From New Mexico, you can come in at the Antelope Wells crossing. This is in the southwestern corner of New Mexico, and the road from Deming, New Mexico into Casas Grandes, Chihuahua touches some of the more remote areas. There is basically nothing there but the U.S. border station and a few ranches. The road going over is unpaved, but you can make it in a passenger car.Once you cross into Chihuahua there, this is what you will see for the most part.Maybe better to cross over at Columbus, New Mexico! This town is known for having been raided by Pancho Villa, the famous Mexican revolutionary back in the 1910’s. The town is basically not much, a few blocks with rather austere buildings and lots of dust. The Mexican counterpart is called Puerto Palomas; not much more, maybe a bit more dust and better burritos.Once you leave the tiny place and you head south, your windshield will be filled with this view.This is one of the largest dry lake beds of all of Mexico. From here, you can either head east for good hour to meet Mex 45 to go south, or you go west and get to the road leading to Casas Grandes. Do not try to drive onto the dry lake. It is some 60 miles long and the dust can come up all the way to the floor plate of your car.Next opportunity to cross into Chihuahua is at the Sunland Park (N.M.) San Geronimo (Chih) crossing. Still no river in sight! This is where New Mexico ends and Texas begins, right at the outskirts of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez. While Sunland Park has seen its fair share of development, San Geronimo is still just an outpost, mostly. You might want to look at the huge Foxconn plant there. Otherwise, the road takes a beeline south to the already well-known Mex 2 and looks like this:Want to have a look at Juarez? After all this desolation, you might be ready to see the town, notorious for drug war violence:Yep, that’s it. Rather uneventful, right? This is one of the roads that leads south into Mex 45 “Panamericana” from the three border crossings within city limits.The central one, called Free Bridge is - well- toll-free! At the other two you will be charged a modest toll. Going into Mexico is easy, usually no delays and no questions asked. But you should fill out the Tourist permit at the port of entry, certainly if you want to head further down than Juarez. Please heed the sign “No firearms allowed in Mexico” on the U.S. side. Prepare for some long wait heading back, though.Tranquil housing section of a typical middle class neighborhood in Ciudad Juarez. As a tourist, you have nothing to be afraid of from the cartels. Unless you come “on business”. Ciudad Juarez is a non-touristy busy town that mainly lives off of light manufacturing in some 250 assembly plants owned by large international corporations. People are open-minded, friendly, rather outgoing and usually quite well-educated. I have lived there for 21 years.Back to nature-shots! Finally a view of the Rio Grande! This is east of the Presidio/Ojinaga crossing, from Texas into Chihuahua. Very mountainous terrain in an otherwise rather unimpressive rural setting.Going south from Ojinaga you will wind up in Chihuahua City in a few hours. Shortly after crossing, stop at “Peguis Barranca” and stare down into that hole. A 1000 ft canyon, carved by the Conchos River that comes out of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Most of the water in the Rio Grande downriver from Presidio to about Del Rio, Texas is actually from Rio Conchos.This is a historical picture. So no personal messages please :D.I was 28 back then. Now it’s almost twice as many.

I know this answer is very long but please take at least 15 minutes of your time to read. It is a very well organized and made itenary.DAY 1BarcelonaOur Spain road trip starts in BarcelonaThis epic Spanish road trip starts in the Catalan capital - Barcelona. If you've arrived with your own car, our advice is to park it up for a few days at the nearest underground car park as you won’t be needing it around town. If you plan to hire a car, don't bother picking one up until day 3. While there is ample parking around the city, much like most of Spain, getting around on foot or using the relatively cheap metro system is a lot more convenient and relaxing.Having checked into your hotel and dropped your bags off, it's time to go see what this crazy (in a good way) city has to offer, so head on down towards the Plaça de Catalunya at the top end of Las Ramblas. If you're staying some way out, hop on the metro and head for the Catalunya stop on Line 1 (red) or Urquinaona on Line 4 (orange).Las Ramblas & the Gothic QuarterThe two streets and the wide promenade in-between are the true heart of Barcelona. Street artists line the street eager to do a caricature of your face alongside street dancers, human statues and various other forms of entertainment. Walk down halfway down Las Ramblas until you get to the Liceu metro station and turn left into the Gothic Quarter. This is an ancient part of the city which forms the main part of the Old Town along with el Raval the other side of Las Ramblas.One of the first things you’ll see is the Barcelona Cathedral. This majestic dark stone structure is a beautiful example of fine Gothic architecture and seems to be off the tourist radar making the visit that much more peaceful.Port Vell and La BarcelonetaAs you wander around the twisting streets of the area, head towards the sea and with any luck you’ll get to Port Vell. This marina used to be the busiest trade port of the region and today serves as a yacht harbour.Here you’ll see a large brick building which houses the Museu d'Història de Catalunya and you should definitely go and see what's inside as this museum gives a somewhat unique perspective on the region’s continuing fight for independence and the history of the region's relationship with other parts of Spain. For a spot of late lunch just before you go into the museum, you can't do much better than walk into the small Barceloneta district right behind the building. Here you'll find a large number of bars and restaurants with all manner of Catalan tapas on offer.Don't miss out on Barcelona's fabulous dining scene and pick from a multitude of outstanding restaurants dotted around the city for your dinner. The majority of these are located within walking distance of Las Ramblas with a few further afield. If you fancy some fish and a romantic table in the cool evening sea breeze then return to Port Vell and pick one of the dozen restaurants serving the freshest seafood in town.DAY 2BarcelonaSpend a day in BarcelonaYour second day in Barcelona is perfect for a stroll around town taking in some of Gaudi’s most famous sights. The key sights are relatively close to each other and there is a great deal to see along the way, so we'd recommend walking although the metro is easily available if you're feeling lazy.Begin the morning in style and find a traditional café on your way to Passeig de Gràcia. As you make your way through town, you will notice that most street crossings in Barcelona form octagonal squares and these are the best place to equip yourself with some bakery produce and fresh orange juice. If you're staying near Las Ramblas, you can indulge yourself in one of the famous crêperies.Casa MilàThe first stop on your route will be the Casa Milà on Passeig de Gràcia. This infamous apartment building was designed and built by Gaudi. Just as impressive on the inside as the outside, it’s worth going in to see the layout of the skeleton-like structure and get a good view of Barcelona from the wavy rooftop.La Sagrada FamiliaOnce you're back outside, head down Carrer de Provença. Keep going in a straight line over the Avinguda Diagonal and you will very soon see the Sagrada Familia. This truly unique Gothic Cathedral is still under construction with decades' worth of work yet to be completed, but nevertheless, this is one of the most staggering Cathedrals you will ever see. The amount of detail on the façades is astonishing and everything from the interior decoration to columns, towers and the naves is unlike any other in the world. It's worth sitting down in one of the nearby coffee shops for a moment or two to take in the magnificent sight and do a spot of people watching as busloads of camera-clad tourists are unloaded from an endless stream of buses.Park GüellYour next stop is the infamous Park Güell which is just a short walk up the Carrer de Sardenya. This relatively small and uniquely bizarre green park is free to enter so be prepared for crowds if you plan to visit over the weekend. Everything from the asymmetrical houses by the main entrance through to a large pagoda inside and everything in-between was born in the mysterious depths of Gaudi's brain. Indeed, he used to live in one of the houses on the Park's grounds and frequently relaxed here himself.Your lunch options are fairly broad as a number of great restaurants can be found on the streets all around the Park. Alternatively, you can learn from the locals and stock up with some local Ibérico ham, light bread, some olives, cheese and whatever else your heart desires and have a picnic in the warm sunshine somewhere within the park.Mount MontjuïcAs the afternoon passes by and dusk approaches, it’s time to head over to the last sight of the day - Mount Montjuïc right across the other side of town. The walk will take about an hour and a half although the metro option is fairly straight-forward with a direct line from the Lesseps stop nearby to Poble Sec? at the foot of the Montjuïc Park. Be sure to climb to the top of the hill where a number of monuments built for the Olympics are dotted around the green park. The views over the city of Barcelona are to die for and you can spend a few minutes figuring out where you've walked and finding your hotel roof.On your way down, make sure you pass the Montjuïc Fountain and stop by to watch a water and light display which takes place every half an hour starting from 19:00 - it's worth it. Note that the shows don't happen Monday to Wednesday, so plan your route accordingly. By the end of the display you will be ready for a hard-earned spot of relaxation before freshening up and heading out to town for a hearty steak.DAY 3Barcelona > Montserrat > Valencia265 milesDrive from Barcelona to Valencia via MontserratThe first thing to do in the morning after having sorted out your breakfast is to get yourself into a car. This is a road trip after all so wheels are required! Get your car out from the underground car park or collect your pre-booked hire car from one of the offices around town. Once you've loaded your luggage and set up the navigator, drive inland to the Montserrat Monastery.This secluded establishment is perched atop a picturesque mountain in-between two peaks and is unbelievably beautiful. Home to Benedictine Monks, you will see stunning interior decorations and a number of highly prized religious relics. You have a choice of driving up the mountain and parking close to the Monastery or parking at the bottom and taking the train. The train provides great views down the mountain and of the Monastery itself, so that's our preferred option. Beware that if you choose to park at the top, you will still have to walk a fair bit uphill to get to the monastery.Road from Barcelona to ValenciaThe drive to Valencia is a fairly long one and the main road is a toll road which will take you there in around 3 and a half hours. If you want to stop for lunch along the way, your best bet is to stop in Tarragona soon after you get to the coast on your way south. The majority of other towns along the route are fairly uninteresting with a score of high-rise hotels lining the shore and a distinct lack of restaurants and views. Tarragona, however, is an ancient city rich in history in culture. A decent range of restaurants in the town centre will offer plenty of choice before jumping back on the AP-7 on your way to Valencia.As you arrive in Valencia, you will notice that the city’s Old Town is strikingly different to the rest of the city that has built up around it. The city centre is confined by a river to the west and a long green park that also used to be a riverbed before the river was diverted in the fifties. As with most Spanish cities, vast numbers of affordable underground car parks are provided, so find one near your hotel and dump the car for two days as you won't be needing it for getting around.DAY 4ValenciaSpending a day in Valencia Old TownWith only one full day to be spent in Valencia, you really ought to get yourself out of bed at a reasonable hour and head into town for some traditional Valencian breakfast. Make your way towards the Mercado Central in the heart of the city and stop in a café along the way for a couple of churros (traditional doughnut-like food) and a coffee or a large glass of blood orange juice.The town of Valencia is miraculously unpopular with tourists. Compared to most other Spanish cities, you will rarely see a tour guide leading a stampede of visitors observing the world around them through a camera lens. The only ones who make it this far away from Granada and Barcelona can typically be found in a queue outside the Oceanogràfic first thing in the morning which is exactly why the best time to go is later on in the day.Valencia's historic centreValencia is one of the most beautiful old Spanish cities. Its Old Town is full of narrow streets criss-crossing through a mix of architecture from across the centuries. The market is one of the oldest in the country and sells a wide range of predominantly edible produce. Our top tip is to try the dozens of varieties of ham and stock up with your favourite along with any other snacks of your choosing for a picnic later on in the day.Once you've purchased everything you want and are ready to move on, exit onto the Plaça del Merkat and pay a visit to the Lonja de la Seda across the street. This old building functioned as a Silk Exchange and the free entry is a definite bonus. There is little inside other than the beautifully decorated walls, floors, ceilings and carved columns and it is fascinating to see the sheer difference between the two historic trading hubs only yards away from each other.To round off the morning, walk the short distance towards the Valencia Cathedral. This beautiful and to a degree austere structure can be tricky to find as unlike most cities, the Cathedral is closely surrounded by buildings on all sides making it hard to find in the Old Town maze. The Cathedral is known for holding the most likely true Holy Grail - the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper. make sure you pay the €2 to climb up the Cathedral's tower as the views that open up over the city and the busy harbour are truly stunning. It's quite a walk to the top, so make sure you've done your stretches before racing up the 205 steep steps to the top.Jardín del TuriaThe Cathedral is only a stone's throw away from the Jardín del Turia. This vast green belt around Valencia's Old Town used to be a river until the source was diverted following a flood in 1957. Today this park has everything from a roller skating park to football pitches and large chess sets. This is presactly (we love this made up word) why you bought the picnic ingredients at the market earlier on in the day.The gentle walk down to the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències will take you around 45 minutes, so you'll be able to pick the best spot for lunch on your way. The great combination of the park's chilled out vibe away from the humdrum of the city and the smouldering Valencian sunshine will make for a great meal alfresco.OceanogràficThe Oceanarium is located on a large and relatively new site called the City of Arts and Sciences. The entrance is easy to miss as it is relatively small with almost the entire structure buried beneath the ground. Tickets are expensive, but well worth it as this is one of the best and largest marine parks in the world. One of the highlights is a long tunnel through a tank with various species of shark swimming alongside swarms of multicoloured fish. Dolphin shows are held regularly, so check what the schedule is when purchasing your ticket. Closing times vary, with 18:00 during the winter and as late as 24:00 during the summer months.Once you've haddock a whale of a time it's time to find a plaice for dinner (just couldn't resist the op-perch-tuna-ty for a fish pun). Your best bet is to head back into town and go towards the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. There is a very broad selection of restaurants in that part of the Old Town with a large number of them specializing in fish which you absolutely must try given that it's the local speciality.DAY 5Valencia > Granada327 milesDriving across the Sierra Nevada to GranadaThe drive down from Valencia to Granada is almost a mini road trip in itself and involves following the coast south to Alicante before heading west and going over the snowy peaks of Sierra Nevada to Granada on the other side. This sounds like an ominous route with dangerous mountain passes aplenty which will take you all day. The truth, however, is the complete opposite. Once you leave Benidorm in your rear view mirror (we're not pretentious, but it's really not worth stopping for), and head past Murcia, you will suddenly notice the eery silence. Given that the next 70 odd miles are pretty much an empty desert on a mountain plateau, nobody other than you seems keen to drive along this route.This complete absense of other people is perfect for a relaxing drive in some of Spain's most fantastic scenery. Contrary to any fears you may have had, the road is straight and great for driving. The snow-covered mountain peaks form a gorge-ous backdrop and all you have to beware are the occasional crazy Spaniard trying to break the world speed record on his way to Andalucia. Now we obviously do not condone speeding, but you're guaranteed to be pleasantly surprised by how quickly you get to Granada - just be careful to slow down for the two speed cameras on the way which are clearly signposted by three separate signs each indicating exactly how many metres separate you from a €400 speeding ticket.We know that you might have already had more picnics on this trip than you did over the course of the last decade, but we promise that this is the last time we suggest having one. Every now and then you'll come across a rest area by the side of the road which often coincides with a Mirador - a great view of some beautiful landscape. Take your pick of the pit stops and park up to have your lunch at one of the wooden tables designated exactly for this purpose.Arriving in Granada can be a little complicated if your navigation doesn't work well with narrow one-way streets. Parking garages are widely available and you'll probably find that your hotel will be able to securely park your car for you at a significantly cheaper price than any of the neighbouring multistoreys. Get your bags out, give them your keys and enjoy the evening in this awe-inspiring city. We recommend a walk around the compact town centre towards Plaza de las Pasiegas. Here you will find a quaint and unassuming little restaurant offering a number of quirky dishes. Try the crunchy pankaces made with tiny prawns.DAY 6GranadaVisiting the AlhambraWho said that you can’t mix culture with a road trip? Spain has culture in abundance so you simply can’t ignore it! The Alhambra is one of Spain’s most famous tourist attractions and the majority of your day will be spent visiting the various sites around this old Moorish palace complex. Be sure to book your tickets in advance (see the Alhambra page for details) as during peak season the limited daily allowance can be sold out for weeks ahead.There are buses that can take you to the Alhambra entrance, but the walk up the hill is not strenuous and will make for a pleasant 20-minute stroll. Equip yourself with a gigantonormous ice cream on the corner of Plaza Santa Ana with flavours ranging from marshmallow to kiwi fruit and head up the Cuesta de Goméres through the park at the foot of the Alhambra walls.Once you've made your way to the Alhambra's main entrance at the far side of the complex, head right past the queue of ticket hopefuls to one of the yellow machines, insert the card used in pre-booking and walk straight in with your freshly printed tickets. Pay attention to the time you selected for entering the Nasrid Palaces and be there around 25 minutes before this time to join the queue. Other than that, take your time to take in the various sights and take pictures of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the sprawl of Granada beneath you from the Alcazaba at the front of the fortress.Spend your time relaxing in the evening. If you want a taste of typical local food, head for Calle Navas right in the centre of the Old Town. This narrow street is home to dozens of small family-owned restaurants serving all mannner of Andalucian and general Spanish cuisine. The tables in the street are great as the cool breeze and night sky will are a perfect compliment to your bottle of Rioja.DAY 7GranadaExploring Granada’s Old TownYour second day in the city can be spent wandering around the medieval streets and seeing more of the ‘real‘ Granada. There are a number of distinct areas with the west part predominantly devoted to typical high street shops. The area around the Cathedral has a large number of restaurants - so study the menus on your way around to pick out your evening meal.The north side of the Cathedral has a large spice stall offering every spice you've ever heard of and then some - this can be an attraction in its own right! Once you're done smelling the various beens and roots, visit the Cathedral itself and the adjacent Capilla Real. These grand buildings are an archetypal example of southern Spanish church buildings - rich in history with elements of the Moorish muslim faith making their way into traditional European architecture.Once you’ve done your sightseeing, head up the Calle Reyes Católicos towards Plaza Santa Ana - the town’s main square directly beneath the Alhambra's walls. Pay attention to one of the city's highlights - the green man traffic light at all pedestrian crossings. This green man is like no other with a very unique moonwalk impression indicating when it's safe to cross the road.Walking through the AlbayzínFrom Plaza Santa Ana, walk past the Church onto the Carrera del Darro. This stret runs next to one of Granada’s rivers which is home to a large feline colony which you can spot roaming through the shrubs. A little further along is a small square to your right with a few restaurants which offer a great opportunity for lunch. With stunning views all around, get yourself the fritto misto - a selection of various fish and seafood in batter.The Albayzín is the quarter that runs uphill from this street on the opposite bank to the Alhambra. Take your time to wander this ancient part of Granada and check out the vast number of small artesan shops selling anything from unusual metal work to traditional Moorish clothing. If you head all the way to the top, the Mirador de San Nicholas is a great place to see the city of Granada and take some stunning shots of the Alhambra.DAY 8Granada > Malaga > Benahavis135 milesDriving from Granada to MalagaOnce you have retrieved your car after breakfast, it is time to plough on with the road trip and make the short journey towards Malaga. Once again, you will find mostly empty roads until you get close to the costas. You will know you're close to the city once the road suddenly dives down at a steep angle and lush green vegetation appears in the place of the arid rocky landscape.As you descend towards the sea, you’ll notice that the weather on the coast is a mild in comparison to the hot inland Andalucia. If you don’t notice this the first time round, you definitely will when you visit Cordoba. As you're passing right through Malaga, you might as well stop and have a wander. The two forts overlooking the city are the best place for a quick break. The Alcazaba is the best preserved Moorish fort in Spain and feels like the Alhambra's little cousin. The Castillo de Gibralfaro is set slightly higher and also offers brilliant views of the city and the Costa del Sol.Spend a few hours in the city of Malaga itself. This historic settlement is worth seeing in its own right with cobbled streets and countless restaurants surrounding the Malaga Cathedral. With tourists often passing Malaga by in favour of the Costa del Sol's many other attractions, take advantage and have your lunch overlooking the marina with the sun directly above your table.The white village of BenahavisGetting to Benahavis is relatively straight-forward. There are two main roads running along the coast - the toll road AP-7 and the free A-7. The free road is more than good enough and takes a much more scenic route along the coast which we would highly recommend for going up and down the costa. It also benefits from frequent exits allowing you to stop along the way when you see a spot you like the look of.The village of Benahavis is set in the Sierra de las Nieves mountains rising up from Marbella. With only a 10-minute drive separating you from the beach, you benefit from staying in the culinary capital of the Costa del Sol away from the huge package holiday hotels built on top of each other in the large resorts down below. The peace and tranquility will make for an enjoyable few evenings and the choice of great food will make you want to come back time and again.DAY 9Benahavis > Nerja > Marbella > Puerto Banus > Benahavis173 milesDrive along the Costa del Sol to NerjaDay 9 is perfect for seeing what the Costa del Sol is all about. After a late lie-in, get in the car, put your windows down (and roof if you’ve got a convertible) and head down towards the sea. Turn east along the coast and make your way past Malaga to the town of Nerja. This beautiful town takes a prime spot on the Andalucian coast and is steeped in history dating back to pre-roman times.One of the main sights is a set of caves discovered in 1959. These natural caves were home to some early humans and neanderthals with skeletal remains found throughout the linked caverns. Only part of the system is available to tourists with a display of the archaelogical finds inside ranging from natural rock formations to prehistoric fossils and paintings.The town itself exhudes charm from every stone and offers great views of the coastline from the elevated Balcon de Europa - a viewing platform built on top of the Nerja cliffs. Two old cannons standing here remind you of the town's historical past and the benches are a great place to enjoy a morning ice cream.Marbella's Old TownA late lunch is a good idea in Andalucia as dinner is traditionally eaten late on in the evening. It’s therefore a good idea to hop back in the car and make the return trip down the costa to Marbella. This famous resort is well-known for its beaches and countless hotels, but the Old Town is great for a midday stroll. Park up underneath Paseo de la Alameda and cross the road to get into the historic part of town. There is a broad selection of restaurants with tables on every square, so take your pick and have some lunch here. A number of shops sell everything from furs (no, really) to beach accessories.Puerto BanusAfter having passed through Marbella, it’s time to head to Puerto Banus only minutes away up the coast. This is Costa del Sol’s playground of the rich with ridiculously expensive yachts matched with an equally elaborate display of supercars parked next to them. Restaurants and shops here will sting your wallet and the parking charges are insane. Your best option is to head out along the N-340 and rejoin the main road that goes along the coast. Turn off at the first exit and turn around at the rounadbout heading back into Marbella. As you come off back onto the N-340, take the first turning right onto a narrow lane running towards the sea, then turn right once more. You can park your car here for free for as long as you like and have access to one of the best beaches in the area with a great beach bar.Puerto Banus is a mere 200 metres away, so you can stroll along at your leisure to have a closer look at how the other half live and inspect the exotic automobiles. Spend the afternoon and early evening relaxing on the beach with the odd cocktail thrown in before making the 10-minute trip back up into the seclusion of Benahavis. To complete the day’'s road trip, freshen up and make your way through the narrow streets to select your restaurant for dinner from the dozens vying for your attention. Note that with many visitors coming from resorts up and down the coast, going later can mean a less busy and more relaxed atmosphere.DAY 10Benahavis > Estepona > Casares > Ronda > Benahavis96 milesDriving to CasaresToday shall be the day of the Mirador. This spanish word encompasses everything we like about driving up into the Andalucian mountains as there are frequent labelled roadside stops allowing you to take in the magical views.You could break tradition and set off before having breakfast to get down to Estepona. This relatively quiet resort town has a number of cafés and bars on the seafront where you can pause and indulge in a couple of waffles covered in chocolate sauce. Be sure to fill up the car before heading off the main road and up towards Casares as petrol stations off the coast are few and far between.You will love Casares from the moment you first see the town as you turn around the mountain. The neat white houses with brown roofs are dazzling and there is something distinctly special that makes Casares stand out from the other 'white villages' dotted around Andalucia.Park your car up and head towards Plaza de España which is the focal point of this small community. To get some great views, make your way up the narrow street next to the Virgin del Rosario Chapel and keep heading uphill until you reach an old fort at the top. If you walk a bit further along, you will come to a viewing platform set above a sheer cliff face from where you are likely to see a number of falcons and kestrels up close and personal. In addition, the views over the town below are picture-perfect.See the Ronda bridgeOnce you’ve got your snaps and feel that you've seen all there is to see in Casares, it’s time to hop back in the car and make your way further inland to the majestic town of Ronda. This unique Andalucian town is placed on top of two plateaus with sheer rock cliffs down to a river valley below. The scenery is spectacular from every angle and the town itself is a real marvel too.Parking can be troublesome, so grab any spot you see once you get near the centre. Large underground car parks are available further out, but are a fair walk from the centre. The main attraction of the city is the Puente Nuevo - the newest and most striking of the town's three bridges across the Guadalevín gorge. This unbelievably beautiful structure took 42 years to complete and is one of Spain's most famous sights. The view that opens up from the top of the bridge is impossible to describe and pictures do not do it justice - it's just one of those places that you have to see for yourself.Once you've gotten over the quiet gurgle of the river below and the amazing views, it’s time to pay attention to the rest of the historic town and there's definitely a lot to see. The ancient cobbled streets are home to a number of museums and a bullfighting ring which you can visit. In addition, there are a number of restaurants which would be perfect for a late lunch. A few restaurants on the south side have rooftop or terrace seats with views over the gorge and the bridge which can make your meal a lot more romantic.Once you feel the need to get back and relax by the pool through the late afternoon, it's a comfortable drive along a stunning road through the mountains which comes out almost directly at Benahavis. Your last night on the costa ought to be celebrated with a couple of cocktails and a fantabulous dinner in the calming sea breeze.DAY 11Benahavis > Gibraltar > Cadiz > Seville211 milesRoad trip – Spain’s south west cornerDriving from Benahavis to Gibraltar is fairly straight-forward until you get to the narrow streets of La Linea de la Conceptión on the Spanish side of the border. Here, you will undoubtedly join a huge queue waiting to enter. Many people choose to park up and walk in, but with the main part of town fairly far down, we'd recommend waiting in the queue which moves along swiftly enough and driving through. Make sure that your passports allow you visa-free entry to Gibraltar as it is outside the Schengen zone.There are two distinct parts to Gibraltar and you can choose how to split up your morning. The main town is a throwback to England of a few decades ago which is a very unique cultural experience. You will notice a lot of expensive cars and shops selling watches and jewellery for the wealthy beneficiaries of Gibraltar's favourable tax system. The town itself however is more shabby chic than flamboyant complete with red phone boxes dotted around.For the more adventurous types, the Rock is a popular destination with a cable lift taking you to the top to explore this large park. At the top you’ll find the remains of an ancient Moorish castle with a series of linked tunnels below called the Galleries. Look out for enterprising monkeys which populate the area and are particularly keen on anything shiny they can get their hands on.The ancient city of CadizOn your way up to Seville, you absolutely must stop off at Cadiz. This radiant city is the oldest in modern Europe with history going far back into pre-roman times. The main part of the city is located on a thin strip of land stretching out to see with a stunning yellow stone Old Town centred around a Cathedral. Oddly enough, Cadiz attracts virtually no tourists whatsoever, so you are free to roam at your own leisure and visit some genuine Andalucian shops and cafés without having to distinguish them from tourist traps.You absolutely must visit the Cathedral and climb up the tower to get a great view over the town and surrounding water. The Panorama from the top of the Poniente will leave you breathless and give you the opportunity to plan your route towards the Santa Catalina castle. The walk is along a narrow route coming off the beach and heading several hundred metres into the sea towards the fort built to protect the city from English attacks. While you can't enter the venue which is used for social events and concerts, the walk itself is a great way to chill out in the cool of the Atlantic waves, get a great view of the city and have a swim in the locals' favourite relaxation spot.The final stint to Seville will take you just over an hour and you should comfortably arrive in time to unpack, find a place to park your car and scour the surroundings for a great restaurant. We would highly recommend finding Calle Mesón del Moro for some of the best restaurants in town although beware that some of these may be fully booked on Friday & Saturday nights.DAY 12SevillePlaza de EspañaSeville is a large and very beautiful city. Its grand architecture and wide streets are more reminiscent of major European capitals than Andalucia, but it is definitely one of the most gorgeous places in Spain. There is a lot to see around town, so get yourself out of bed at reasonable o'clock and head down to Plaza de España. This vast open space was built in the 1920s in the middle of the Parque de María Luisa in time for the 1929 World Fair.The large exposition building is now chiefly used for Governmental functions, but you can still go up the grand stairs for a better view of the square and picture taking. The square itself is a semi-circle with fountains in the centre of a large paved area. The perimeter of the Renaissance-style square is lined with Province Alcoves named after each of Spain's regions complete with a mosaic depiction of each province.Seville’s AlcazarThe Alcazar is probably Seville’s best-known attraction famed for its unique fusion of Moorish and Christian architecture. Originally built as a mudéjar fort, it has been converted into a Royal Palace and comes complete with stunning internal courtyards, romantic baths and grandiose apartments. Along with the Jardines Reales Alcazares gardens around the back, this palace is guaranteed to leave you speechless.Seville CathedralLast but not least on your long excursion around the city is the Seville Cathedral. Only a few yards away from the Alcazar, you might want to have a spot of lunch before going inside for which we would recommend crossing to the other side of the Cathedral square and stocking up on traditional local black squid paella on Calle Argote de Molina.The cathedral itself is a masterful example of Spanish gothic architecture and is the third largest church building in the world. The interior’s opulence has traditionally been a symbol of the wealth and power of the Catholic church, so you simply must go in and take in the sight for yourself. Note that much of the altar and surrounding parts were completely rebuilt at the turn of the 20th century after the main dome collapsed in the 1888 earthquake, but despite this, the Cathedral remains staggeringly beautiful.The Cathedral's main tower – the Giralda – is a converted Mosque Minaret which explains its unusual look and construction. This symbolic tower rises to 105 metres above the ground and is the best spot to have a look at the city of Seville from a dizzy height. Much like many other medieval Spanish cities, the tower is the tallest accessible spot in the heart of the Old Town and the views more than justify the climb to the top.DAY 13Seville > Cordoba > Seville178 milesDrive from Seville to CordobaOn we go with the last leg of our Spain road trip. If you thought that Seville is hot during the summer months, wait until you get to Cordoba. The city boasts Europe's hottest summer climate and you will feel it hitting you square in the face as you get out of your air-conditioned car after the short trip east from Seville. The city centre is fairly compact, so your best bet is to drive towards Avenida de la República Argentina/Paseo de la Victoria and park on the street.Mezquita de CordobaThis unique cathedral is one of the most staggering you will ever see. Built on the site of a grand Moorish mosque, La Mezquita defied tradition and incorporated much of the Mosque's design into the Cathedral structure as the city functioned with two religions living side by side for centuries. The very centre of the Mosque was transformed into a cathedral nave and an altar and this unique mix of religions and cultures make the Mezquita one of the most surreal sights in the world.Walking around the center CordobaThe ancient city of Cordoba is surprisingly unlike any of the other major cities in Andalucia. The ancient Moorish influences are considerably more evident with very narrow streets lined in low-rise buildings and shops sprawling out outside at times looking more like northern Africa than Spain. Be sure to pass through the Jewish Quarter with beautiful white-washed houses set out in an impossible maze.Cordoba used to be Europe's biggest city in the early medieval period and was Spain's capital during the days of the Roman Empire and this vast historical importance means there are dozens of sights and museums dotted around town. Many of these focus on archaeology although there are other culture-based ones such as the Casa de Sefarad in the Jewish Quarter portraying the life of the Jewish community in the city throughout history.Spend your last evening in SevilleAt the end of your day out, hop back into the car and return to Seville for the last night of your road trip - Spain has been well and truly conquered. If you feel like treating yourself, Seville has plenty of outstanding restaurants. If you fancy some traditional local cuisine, look no further than the Eslava in San Lorenzo with the town's best choice of tapas. For something a little bit more exotic, try the Az-Zait - the food here is fantastic, but it is also one of the more pricey options around.ToledoDay 13 – TolFor great views of the city, there are a number of viewpoints lining the circunvalación (ring road). You can walk from one of the city's two fortified footbridges to the other in about an hour, but although the views across the gorge are superb, the route runs along a main road (there is a pavement), so unless you crave exercise, you should take a taxi.Toledo has two principal landmarks: the monumental Gothic cathedral, crowned by a 100-metre spire and the palace-fortress of the Alcázar - home of Castilian kings .It would be possible to spend hours in the cathedral, so packed is it with important works of art. Its sacristy alone contains paintings by Zubarán, Van Dyck, Goya, Raphael, Bellini, Titian, Vel&aacutelsquez and Rubens, as well as 18 El Grecos. And behind the golden gates of its choir, blackened with iron to disguise their value from Napoleon's troops when they occupied the city, is some of the most remarkable 15th-century woodcarving in existence.Also visit the exquisite Santa María La Blanca which was built as a synagogue in the 12th Century by Moorish craftsmen, ostensibly because they were the only artisans in Toledo. It contains 28 white octagonal pillars with intricately carved capitals supporting a succession of horseshoe-shaped arches and was subsequently converted into a church by the Knights of Calatrava, and used as a stable by Napoleon.MadridDay 14 – Tol – MarPrado Museum - One of the greatest museums in the world, the Prado displays superb works by Spanish masters such as Velázquez, El Greco and Goya, but has wonderful Italian and Flemish collections, too, with paintings by Raphael, Titian and Tintoretto, Bosch and Rubens.Reina Sofía Museum - Pablo Picasso’s great masterpiece Guernica draws the biggest crowds at Madrid’s vast modern art museum, but there is a lot more to see, including excellent works by Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró and Antoni Tàpies. International artists include Georges Braque, Julian Schnabel and Richard Serra.Royal Palace - The opulent 18th-century palace stands on a strategic site with views across the countryside. Used for official events, it is crammed with paintings, sculptures, tapestries and antiques. You can also visit the Royal Armoury and the Sabatini and Puerta del Moro gardens.Retiro Park - Originally the gardens of a royal palace, the Retiro is now Madrid’s main park, with a boating lake, cafés and exhibition venues. Particularly popular with locals on Sunday mornings.MadridDay 15 – MarPlaza Mayor and Los Austrias - Get a flavour of Madrid’s history in the Plaza Mayor, which dates back to the 17th century and is framed by red-brick buildings and slate turrets. Then wander along to the Plaza de la Villa, the oldest square in Madrid. Walk down to Cava Baja, which traces the line of the old city wall and is now lined with tapas bars. Then go past San Andrés church and through to Plaza de la Paja, where the medieval atmosphere contrasts with the lively vibe at the pavement cafés.Real Madrid Bernabéu Stadium Tour - On a self-guided tour of the stadium, you walk down the players’ tunnel and out on to the pitch, visit the Presidential Box and have a look at all those trophies up close. Madridistas big and small will be in heaven here.Descalzas Reales Monastery - With a rich royal heritage, the Descalzas Reales dates back to the 16th century and contains an astounding collection of works by artists including El Greco, Titian, Rubens, Velázquez and Zurbarán, Pedro de Mena and Pompeo de Leoni.Debod Temple - More than 2,000 years old, this Egyptian temple was given to Spain in thanks after Spanish archaeologists helped save Abu Simbel from flooding when the Aswan Dam was built. It stands on the western edge of the city centre and is a romantic spot to watch the sun go down.DAY 14SevilleThe last day of your stay is likely to be cut short by the need to get to the airport or get started on your drive back home. If you've hired your car in Barcelona, all major car hire firms have depots right by the airport, so make your way straight there. If you have a bit of time to kill before leaving, make sure you go and wander through Calle San Pablo and the surrounding streets for a bit of shopping and some great cafés. If you head to the Puente de Isabel II, you'll get some good views of the river and the Isla M´gica Theme Park to the north. Cross the bridge and check out the large market on the right for a great choice of cured meats and other traditional produce to bring home with you to remind you of your lazy trip along Spain's Mediterranean coast!Thank YouHope this helped you to shape your plan of visiting Spain.

This is a little off your subject but I think you might be interested in an Arizona rancher’s letter to several Arizona newspapers.LIFE IN APACHE ARIZONA - CHRISTMAS 2011To: Arizona Republic ; Sierra Vista Herald ; Green Valley News ; Nogales International EditorialSent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 7:56 AMSubject: Christmas in Apache, ArizonaBy Ed AshurstApache ArizonaI believe story telling to be an art form, certainly verbal record is the oldest form of recording history and recognized by historians worldwide. There is an old adage among those who love to tell a good tale, "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story." And yet there are times when the truth is even more fantastic than exaggeration. What I write here is the truth, plain and simple.I reside on, and manage a large cattle ranch in the far southeastern corner of Arizona. I've been here for 13 years and in that time frame have become far too familiar with the illegal trafficking in human beings, marijuana and other illicit drugs. Some have called it "the wetback culture" or "America's border problem". Lately it's been taking steroids.The recent murder of Robert Krentz by an illegal alien has received massive amounts of publicity worldwide. I live on the ranch bordering the Krentz ranch to the east and north. I can see the Krentz home looking out of my front door approximately 10 miles away. The day after Rob's death I was involved in tracking the outlaw into Mexico. I saw the outlaw's footprints where he crossed the border fence. I mention this to say I feel that I'm qualified to speak about current border issues.My home has been broken into twice. My son's home has been broken into also and between us we have had between twenty and thirty thousand dollars worth of stuff stolen from us including two ranch pick-ups, a four wheeler, 9 firearms (including a loaded AK 47) cash, jewelry all of our credit cards, driver's license, etc. A guest house here on the ranch has been broken into so many times we quit counting... many times we haven't even called the Sheriff's dept. The Cochise County Sheriff's dept. has no less than fifteen reports on file where I've called for assistance dealing with an outlaw illegal alien.Several months ago, not long after Rob Krentz's death, Fox news (channel 10 in Phoenix AZ) contacted me and expressed interest in coming down and doing a news story about me and the problems myself and other ranchers in this area have had in recent months with illegal outlaws. To prepare for my interview with Fox, I asked for assistance from six other neighboring ranchers and businessmen. All of these men are prominent men in the community, tax payers, business owners and individuals who have the best of reputations. Together we made a map of the area which covered from the southeastern corner of AZ going west about 20 miles to the silver creek area, and going north about 30 miles to the area around the towns of Portal, AZ and Rodeo, N.M. On this map we made marks recording violations to United States law committed by illegal aliens. We did not use government statistics (we wouldn't know how to get them) but recorded incidents that we knew had happened first hand, many of which we had witnessed. We tried to record only the incidents that have happened in the last several years.The sum total of what we recorded is this:The arrest or capture of 40 illegal in one bunch - 40 (we didn't bother with the countless smaller groups)Loads of Marijuana found and captured - 213Dangerous encounters with illegal aliens - 132 (assault, burglaries, forced entries, etc.)Dead illegal aliens found by civilians - 16High speed vehicle chases between dope haulers and law enforcement - 14Illegal aliens spotted with firearms - 12Fires started by illegal aliens - 9Over 1000, 000 acres burned with the cost to taxpayers of $40,000,000. One fire near Portal AZ in June of 2010 cost $10,000,000. to fight (forest Service estimate)Outlandish incidents - 4Example: One bachelor in the Portal area was burglarized around 100 times. He finally took all his valuables and put them in a steel vault and welded the door shut. He then moved out of his house into a shed hoping the illegal aliens would leave him alone. They did not and he finally abandoned his property. Another outlandish event was when outlaws stole a brand new Caterpillar motor grader on the Geronimo Trail east of Douglas, AZ and drove south through the border fence never to be seen again. The grader belonged to Cochise County Hwy Dept.Financial losses to private sector - $100,000,000.00 (losses in real estate value, personal property, etc., losses in wildlife habitat - immeasurable)Last but certainly not least, the murder of Rob Krentz, which is right in the center of our map.Let me put this in perspective. The area I'm talking about is an area that covers approximately 17 or 18 townships with only 20 miles being adjacent to the US - Mexico Boundary. Within this area, there is a population of perhaps 600 people, 90% of which reside in Rodeo, N.M. or Portal, AZ, 30 miles or so north of Mexico. No less than 80% of the people in this area have been burglarized or otherwise molested by illegal aliens. This area is about half as big as the Diamond A ranch or Babbitt ranch in northern AZ, both of which I've been employed on.I'm sorry to report that this, in my opinion, is the small part of the story. The Mexican-American border has taken a dramatic change for the worse in the last several years. Those of us who live here see it first hand. As early as February of 1999 Sheriff Larry Dever warned me and others at a town hall meeting at the Apache School that the Sinaloa Cartel was moving into the Douglas-Agua Prieta area (Rob Krentz was at this meeting). The cities of Nuevo Laredo, Coahila, Cuidad Juarez, Chihuahua, and other border towns south of Texas have been controlled by outlaws for years. There is virtually no law enforcement in those places. The law is the law of the jungle. Until the last two years it seemed that Agua Prieta and Nogales were safer places but that has dramatically changed in recent months.I am personally acquainted with 2 Mexican men, that I know to be honest and trustworthy, who have been involved first hand with Mexican outlaw terrorist acts. One witnessed first hand an execution of several people in broad daylight in Juarez. Several weeks later his daughter witnessed an assassination in Casas Grandes, Chihuahua no less than fifteen feet from where she stood. The other man is a legal Mexican green card holder (who was employed by the Krentz family for years) whose nephew was murdered by cartel members in Sonora. At night people in Douglas are hearing machine gun fire from Agua Prieta south of the border fence.The Sinaloa Cartel is now putting a stranglehold on Agua Prieta. No more than 2 months ago 8 armed Mexicans were confronted by 2, U.S. Border Patrol agents north of the International Boundary in southeast Cochise County disguised as Federalizes. They were in fact cartel employees armed with assault rifles and automatic pistols. Mexican people that know tell me the situation in Agua Prieta has deteriorated dramatically in recent months. The good people are told to look the other way "or else." Volumes could be written about this subject alone, but I will move on.You could ask, "So what does this have to do with us living north of the border fence?" Plenty! The situation on the border isn't just about a few workers walking north. It has everything to do with big business. Billions of dollars are being made trafficking humans, drugs, and contraband across the International Boundary. The Sinaloa Cartel, headed by Chapo Guzman and others, is reaping huge profits doing business along the border. The average coyote charges $1500 - $2500 to guide an illegal alien north to find work; usually abandoning them a short distance north of the line. A young man willing to pack dope north can make more than a construction worker or a teacher in the U.S. and only work a day or two a week.This is not all south of the line. I could take you and show you businesses where checks and credit cards are not accepted and where very few customers walk through the door, yet the owners live in the largest mansions in town and drive very expensive cars. Could there be some money laundering going on? There are only two industries of any significance in Douglas, AZ: law enforcement (Douglas has one of the largest Border Patrol stations in America), and the illegal trafficking of drugs, people, etc. across the border. These two industries feed on each other, and the powers that be seem happy with the situation. Crooked politicians look good to the public when they clean up drunk driving and prostitution, until you find they own bars and whore houses south of the line. These things have happened!But this, in my opinion, is only the beginning. Chapo Guzman who heads up the Sinaloa Cartel is a multibillionaire. This guy and others like him may be cruel and sinister people but they are also very smart businessmen. They are reaping profits off of the largest tax free unregulated business on the planet. They have so much cash they are befuddled what to do with it all. But they are going to figure it out.There are rumors that Guzman is financing modern, state of the art feedlots and packing houses in Mexico with plans to overtake America as the Western hemisphere's leading beef producer. This is probably only a small part of his plans. Mexico is a nation rich in natural recourses. Petroleum is abundant and the corrupt Mexican government is in control of all of it. Pemex is the only gas station in town. Pemex, because of the incompetent Mexican government, is broke. Chapo Guzman is at war with the Mexican government and has dreams (not unrealistic) of controlling the entire nation. Think of all of Mexico's natural resources in the control of Chapo Guzman! He already has the most profitable business in the world - selling Marijuana to your next door neighbor. Think what he could do with a tax free unregulated strangle hold on a nation of poor people begging to work for practically nothing.Do you think that Chapo Guzman and others like him haven't thought of all of this? Do you think that Guzman isn't laughing all the way to the bank as he watches the evening news and hears how the American Government proclaims that the situation on the border is under control? What is going on in northern Mexico is capitalism in its rawest form. They have an untaxed unregulated business making huge profits and they have no plans of closing up shop any time soon. We here in the U.S. are overtaxed, overregulated and being smothered by increasingly intrusive government that makes it hard to do business in a successful manner. You don't have to be rocket scientist to figure this one out.This has nothing to do with being Republican or Democrat or Latino or White. It has everything to do with being right or wrong. I came from a long line of Democrats. My great uncle was a U.S. Senator for several decades. My grandfather was an attorney, and a Superior Court Judge. I have a 1939 copy of a Time Magazine with his picture when he ran as a Democrat for Congress. The only time in history the U.S deficit was paid off was by a Democrat - Andrew Jackson. John Kennedy announced nearly 50 years ago that America could put a man on the moon and in less than a decade we did it.I am now a registered Republican, but I'm not a Democrat hater. But, how can the president of the "can do" nation of Andrew Jackson's and JFK's party say we can't seal the border? We conquered Adolph Hitler in World War II, but can't seal the border? We put a man on the moon but can't seal a leaking oil well in less than 90 days? While this is going on we tax and regulate American business with a vengeance that stifles the free market system that has made our country great. While Janet Napolitano announces the border is safer than ever, Chapo Guzman and others pack billions of American dollars south to invest in a tax free market with one of the largest cheap labor force on the planet at his disposal!I challenge you to come to Douglas, AZ and drive east on the Geronimo Trail, or northeast on US Hwy 80 to places on the map like Chiracahua and Apache. Or go to Rodeo and Hatchita, NM. Go and search out the 5 biggest cattle ranches in the Apache, AZ area and ask them what they think. Go to Hidalgo County, N.M. and ask the ranchers and cowboys there what they are seeing and hearing. Ask the people who we do business with what they think of our opinions. I challenge you to ask the prominent people in this area, who work hard and pay taxes if they agree with Barack Obama or Ed Ashurst when it comes to what is really going on near the U.S.-Mexican border. Unlike Obama and others I don't have to be surrounded by sycophants to make a statement. I purposefully left out the names of those who helped me with my map and the data I collected when preparing for the Fox interview.In closing I challenge you to look around to see if what I say is the truth. This isn't about a few Mexicans wandering around looking for a job. This is about American civilization going into a time of tremendous change - a building has foundations and walls, maybe the foundation of our country is still strong, I don't know, but the walls have certainly fallen down and the keepers of the house are out to lunch.When you have time, we think you will want to read this. Everyone living in AZ (and elsewhere) should know what is happening near our borders and near our homes.Have a Blessed CHRISTmas