The canals are what make Venice so unique, and the structures, sites and multiple modes of water transport are just interesting. It is so hard to believe that some of the buildings are 800 years old, although most are a couple hundred years younger.

Venetian Gothic. A little Byzantine, Moorish and a smattering of Europe. Quite lovely.

St. Mark's Square - that well photographed area seen in so many movies and travel magazines, usually packed wall-to-wall with tourists.

Thankfully, Venice decided to limit cruise ships and their sizes so people can still come and enjoy the square, and actually move around. Even locals come now - something they have not done for decades.

St. Mark's Basilica, St Mark's Campanile or bell tower, and Torre dell'Orologio or The Clock Tower are all the most recognizable features.

St. Mark's Campanile - the bell tower - stands apart from other structures in St. Mark's Square. Originally built in the 12th century it was a light house to guide ships into the Venetian harbor. This is the reconstruction from 1912 - the other collapsed in 1902.

The Clock Tower, or Torre dell'Orologio, is an amazing. Built in 1496, it has been keeping time for centuries.

The time display has both Roman and Arabic numbers.

Twice a year, on Ascension Week and Epiphany, four Magi join the 2 Moors on top who ring the bell on the hour.

The figures emerge from the clock face and bow to the Vergin Mary above them.

Such a lovely city, and so much to see.

As we strolled around, or rode the vaporetto (city water bus), we took pictures of some of the other sites in the city .

Ever wonder how and where those famouse gondolas are made? One of the last boatyards is in the Dorsoduro neighborhood. Squero means gondola boatyard.

This boatyard dates from the 1700s. Only about 10 gondolas are made each year, but many come in monthly for maintenance.

This is a working boatyard. They do not do tours, and do not want people trying to access the shop, rap on the door, or otherwise interrupt them as they work.

We took our shots from accross the canal.

Located in Parque del Oeste, this temple was constructed in Egypt in the 2nd century BC.

In the 1960s, when Egypt planned the Aswan Dam, UNESCO sent out a plea to help preserve the temples and structures that would be swamped by the new lake.

Spain was one of the countries who helped, and in gratitude the Egyptian government donated this temple to Spain.

It is not a large temple, but well worth seeing.

Retiro Park is one of those large, lovely public parks in Madrid.

Inside are some very unique pieces of history, as well as lovely paths and gardens to stroll through

As we walked around Madrid we saw a number of very interesting sites, including ancient walls, monuments to various events, and a number of street performers.

Performers dress in elaborate costumes and stand around in parks so you can take pictures with them. We watch a few arrive, bring all their costume parts, and then laboriously put it all together.

Unique and rather fun

The Neo-Romanesque crypt of the Almudena Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena) in Madrid, Spain, is beautiful. It is probably the loveliest crypt I have ever seen.

. The crypt opened in 1911 but was originally a church built in 1868. The cathedral was built on top starting in 1883.

One of the things we noticed was the abundance of fresh flowers placed on numerous gravesites. NIce when people remember their deceased loved ones.

This palace was built between 1738 to 1755. It is the largest palace in Europe. It has 1,450,000 sq feet of floor space and contains 3,418 rooms.

The royal family no longer lives here, but it is still used for state functions and dinners.

We left Madrid and took the train down to Cordoba. I think I like this place best. It has all those fun, narrow winding streets, lots of places to eat, and a plethora of history.

Our hotel, Balcón de Córdoba, is in the middle of the city near the Mosque-Cathedral. It had a lovely courtyard and since it has only 10 rooms you are never lost in a crowd.

Spanning the Rio Guadalquivir is The Roman Bridge.

Built by, yes Romans, in the 1st century it was probably part of the road to Cadiz.

When the Arabs conquored the area, they did some additional construction.

In the 12th century the Calahorra Tower was built at the southern by the Caliphate to protect the bridge.

In the 1570s the Puerta del Puentem or Gate of the Bridge built.

If it looks familiar it's probably because it was in Game of Thrones.

As we were enjoying the Roman Bridge, we heard a band playing. Not melodic, heavy with drums and horns.

I taped a bit of it, so look at the bottom and enjoy!

As we strolled back to the northern end and the Gate of the Bridge - which is the entrance to the large square in front of the Mosque-Cathedral, we saw the source of the music.

They played for well over an hour, and after the performance I asked who/why. They were happy to tell me it was in celebration for Saint Raphael, patron saint of Cordoba who saved the town from the plague

One of the most famouse, and oldest structures in Cordoba is The Mosque-Cathedral. This site has had some sort of religious building on it since the Roman times.

A temple to the Roman God Janus was replaced by a church when the Visigoths siezed Cordoba around 570.

The Umayyads came and established the the first Islamic dynasty who ruled in in the the late 700s.

When the Muslims were driven out the mosque became a church again, eventually growing into what is today Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption.

At least after they plunked a church on top of the mosque they had the good sense not to rip out the beautiful interior. Spectauclar

The tower was a minaret when this was a mosque, then became a bell tower in the 16th century.

That fell during a quake in 1589, and the one we see today was built.

During excavation to expand the town hall in the 1950s, the ruins of a Roman Temple were found.

Most of the original pieces are gone, a few in the museum.

The walls, foundation and a few other areas are original but the columns are reconstructions done sometime after the temple was discovered

The Caliphal Baths built in the 10th century. They were expanded and in continuous use into the 1300s, when they were coverd up to make a square. In the ensuing centuries they have been uncovered, reburied, and recovered several times. In the 1960s Spain declared them a Cultural Heritage Site which led to the museum which opened in 2006

As with most of the major construstions in Cordoba, this was once Roman, then Visigoth, then more construction by the Caliph, then finally the Fortified Palace of the Spanish.

There are Roman mosaics, Arabic arches and gardens, high towers for protection, and beautiful architectual features.

The grounds are extensiive and wandering around can take hours, but well worth it.

One of only 3 well preserved Medieval sysnagues remaining in Spain, this sits in the Jewish Quarter of Cordoba.

Built between 1314 and 1315, it was in continuous use until Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492.

After that it was used as a hospital, infants school, and hermitage.

As with most buildings in Cordoba there is a strong

You know I have to include local street scenes.

All those little streets meandering off main drags, little cafes, shops - all add up to the feel of the town.

Cordoba is just a great place to stroll, shop and stop for a coffee at a little table in an out of the way plaza.

Continuing our southward trek through Iberia, next stop is Granada.

As with the rest of Spain, so much history to see. We started with The Arab Baths, with 500 years of history.

Then we wandered over to the Cathedral of Granada which sits on the site of the Great Mosque - sure sign Christianity was in charge now.

Then The Royal Chapel. Such a lovely place, full of buriels of well known (Isabelle & Ferdinand) and the less well known.

Our hotel, Casa 1800, was up a small street, and then down a very narrow alley - not unusual in these old towns

Granada has a lot of large squares, and it is quite busy. We were near the old section, with great views of The Alhambra

Yes, the moment you have all been waiting for. The Alhambra.

Probably the reason Americans know about this ancient fortress/palace is from Tales From The Alhambra by Washington Irving.

Yes, the Headless Horseman author. He was ambassador to Spain, and in 1829 published his compilation history of the Alhambra, complete with builders, leaders and tales attached to it.

The Nasrid Palace is probably the most photographed, and for obvious reasons

Beautiful, about the best word to describe it.

The intricate plaster work from the Moors, the Renaisance features from later rulers, the unique courtyards, there is nothing like it.

The Alcazaba is the fort that protects the Alhambra.

It is at the western tip of The Alhambra.

Naturally, there were other fortifications on this hill, but the basis for what we see today began in the 13th century.

Once the Christians took over, much fell into disrepair. Thankfully Spain has done an extensive dig and restoration where applicable so we can enjoy walking around and climbing to the tops of towers

The Moorish Quarter is one of the oldest parts of the city of Granada so off we went.

It prides itself on streets not much changed since the old days, and we can attest to the heartiness of the locals.

Up, up, more up, then down, around, up, down, around, repeat. Did I mention up?

Getting in your glutes work is easy here, and well worth the burn.

After wandering around some we headed for the high point, Mirado de San Nicolas or Saint Nicolas Lookout.

On top is an active mosque, a church, vendors, and a nice restaurant to while away the hours.

Having worked our way down the Iberian Peninsula, last stop is Gibraltar. Yes, The Rock

To give a flavor of it, some shots of monkeys, harbor and the Rock.

After Spain lost the War of Spanish Succession, Gibraltary was ceded to Great Britain in perpetuity under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713

It's position means it has been attacked numerous times, and it is riddled miles of tunnels used for defense and refuge.

Yes there are monkeys. Barbary macaque to be exact, probably brought over by the Arabs, but no on is really sure.

They are cute to watch, but hold on to your goods because they do steal.

Occasionally the come down to the town, and it is not uncommon for them to get into hotel rooms - so lots of signs to close windows and outside doors.

So much to see up on The Rock, and so much history.

The Great Siege was 1779 - 1783 when France and Spain tried unsuccessfully to take Gibraltar from England. They figured the English were busy fighting the Colonies (us) so why not?

St. Michaels Cave has a long history. Ancient stories said the gates to Hades were here. Recent discoveries of two Neanderthal skulls attest to humans visiting it for 40,000 years.

I can say one thing, someone here has obviously been to Ruby Falls.

This is just one of the many batteries built here over the years.

This battery was built to replace a watchtower that was supposed to give troops a view of the Spanish port of Cadiz.

Guess what. They could not see Cadiz from the tower any more than Sara Palin could see Russia from her house.

The British started enlarging the tunnel system in response to the Spanish Civil War and the rise of the Nazis.

The civilian population was evacuated leaving only the garrisons.

Four new underground reservoirs were constructed to provide water for the 16,000 troops living here as well as a hospital, bakery, vehicle repair shop, ammunition and everything else an army needs.

The site has known multiple fortifications as early as 1160. These were destroyed when the Spanish re-conquered Gibraltar from 1309-1333.

The Tower of Homage is the main feature.

A rebuilt tower dates primarily from about 1333 AD when Abu'l Hassan recaptured Gibraltar from the Spanish.

On another occasion, the Count of Niebla attacked the castle, was captured by the Medieval defenders and his body was suspended from the walls in a barcina, a net for carrying straw.

Well, I said there is a lot of history here.

When we visited Le Pere Lachaise in Paris we discovered cemeteries are interesting and worth visiting.

It was orginally consecrated in 1798 as Southport Ditch Cemetery. Although the battle of Trafalgar happened in 1805, the cemetery was not renamed for many years after the famed sea battle.

With al the lush vegetation, nice little paths, and quiet atmosphere it is more like a garden.

Europa Point is the southern most tip of Gibraltar. Naturally there is a lighthouse. Also a lovely mosque and church.

We stopped in London for a couple days on our way home, and as usual managed to get in a few fun things.

As always, we looked for an old pub with cask ale. Yum.

We located the infamous pump that started the cholera epidemic in 1854 - great history there - and the work of John Snow, one of the first anesthesiologists and founder of epidemiology.

And not least the Brunel Museum, dedicated to the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He and his father designed and built the first tunnel under the Thames.

Every tunnel since then, from new tube stations in London, New York and the Chunnel are possible thanks to him.

Another of those fun tours of London underground tube stations.

Baker Street was the first underground transport system.

Constructed under the streets of London, it opened in 1863 and cut a 90 minute journey to 20, and helped relieve some street congestion.

It is an amazing feat, from providing safe rapid transport to how air movement was facilitated so folks didn't die from carbon monixide underground.

OK, so we huge fans of The Tube. Anyone going to London should ride at least a few of the lines - and Mind The Gap!