What can be said about Córdoba that hasn’t already been said? It’s difficult to write any account without sounding trite and predictable.

Although I’ve lived in the Valencia region for over eight years, I hadn’t, up to this point, been to either Córdoba or Seville. A cultural crime some night say.

So this July I jumped in the car and set off on the five hour journey from Valencia to Córdoba, travesing the regional borders of Castilla la Mancha and Andalucia.

I’d read various guidebooks and had a rough sketch of where anda what to expect once there.

Many spanish people thought me crazy (todo loco) for going in July (what the hell, I’m English).

As I drove into cordoba I got a feel for the city. I drove through modern wide high streets and started to realise this is no medieval village but a thriving modern city. The river Guadalquivir carves through it and according to the guidebooks is the second longest river in Spain. I continued on my route to the old town guided by the unerring voice of my satnav.

I booked into the Eurostar’s conquistador hotel which is conveniently located a hop from the mesquita. What I didn’t realise is that the old town is a labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets and one-way systems and, after the monotone voice of my electronic guide had taken me to another dead end, I decided I would never find the hotel car park.

I stopped to ask (the old fashioned way, hoping that my English/Valencia/ Spanish accent would be understood. I finally ended up at a 24 hour parking place on three stories next to the river and accepted the €15 a day charge. I had parking at my hotel, but it was too much stress to find and In many hotels in Spain, there is a charge for parking, so please ask or take this into account when booking. In the hotel conquistador the charge is €12 per day. I walked to the hotel from the car park and in 10 minutes I was at reception and checking in, excited to go off exploring!

After leaving the hotel I armed myself with a paper map (no more satnav!) and a guidebook. The mesquita had to be first! I queued for my ticket and paid the princely sum of €10 entry. Subsequently, someone told me it’s free for the first hour in the morning, but I haven’t checked this. This was my first wow factor! I handed my ticket to the jovial fellow on the door and entered. Inside your camera just can’t click fast enough. Juxtaposed are two faiths and 1000s of years of history. It’s noticeable how the Christian religious symbols are often dark and mournful, whereas the Muslim symbols are colourful full of symmetry. It’s a sight to behold and I would consider €10 to be money well spent.