Farsighted Fly Girl

Andalusia's dreamy Costa Tropical, a collection of beaches and resort towns that hug the Mediterranean coast, captivates all who venture into the area's sunny landscape. For a water reveler like me, the salty air and cerulean sea felt like a European version of tropical paradise. Our first stop was the hilltop town of Motril , which boasts a colorful port filled with fishing boats, lounging  locals and this mermaid. She was the first thing I spied in the port which is fitting, since she seems to be waving a graceful greeting to all soon-to-be-mesmerized visitors.

I'll be exploring the mountains, caves and cobblestone streets of  Andalusia, the independent province of Southern Spain, for a jam-packed week. Courtesy of a media trip sponsored by Turismo De Granada  and Iberia Airlines , I'll witness the splendor of the famous Alhambra Palace, pictured above, as well as other Andalusian cultural hallmarks, including flamenco dancing in caves, tasting fresh fish in chiringuitos, the beach bars that line the Costa Tropical coastline and visiting the white-washed mountain villages of Alpujarra. I'm especially excited about tracing the presence of the Moorish rulers from north Africa who ruled the region for seven centuries and left their mark in the architecture, pottery, food and art. Please stay tuned for lots of posts and photos in the coming weeks!