Maybe it's the fact the the great Spanish artist El Greco lived and worked here from 1577 to 1614. One of his masterpieces, "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz," is housed in the Church of St. Thomas and represents an artist's search for meaning of life and death. There's a house in the old Jewish quarter named for El Greco, though most authorities now say he didn't actually live there. But he probably walked these streets.

Even today, walking through the old city, along narrow winding streets, through the old Jewish section, past the Alcazar that dates to the time of El Cid, feels like a meaningful journey through both time and space.

Ronda: City of the gorge

A ravine 300 feet wide and equally deep divides the old and new sections of Ronda. The two are joined by the Punte Neuvo (New Bridge) that was built between 1755 and 1784.

That sort of sums up Ronda: What was new is old again.

This picturesque little town is located in southern Spain's Malaga Province, famous for its "white towns," little enclaves situated on the hilltops and filled with sparkling whitewashed buildings.

The gorge is clearly the defining feature of Ronda. From either side, you can look down to see the River Guadalevin. The bridge once housed prisoners, and I couldn't help but wonder what that view would do to you day after day.

The old section of Ronda has a Moorish past that is reflected in the many tiles used in the city. In fact, because of its impregnable position, Ronda was one of the last Moorish bastions, not falling to the Christians until 1485.

On the "new" side of town, you find something that is very Spanish: the country's oldest, and said to be most beautiful, bullring. Bullfighting is not my thing, so I maybe was less impressed by this than the other sites the town has to offer. But I know a national symbol when I see one.

Seville: City of the ages

The rich, fertile area of Andalusia has labored under the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Visigoths and the Muslims before becoming part of Spain.

Under Julius Caesar, Seville represented the brightest and best of the Roman Empire.

In 712 the Muslims took over, and Seville reached heights of civilization and enlightenment not seen in the Dark Ages that settled over the rest of Western Europe.

After it was conquered by the Christians in 1248, Seville became a gateway to the age of exploration. Amerigo Vespucci and Magellan sailed from its great river harbor, and the city flourished with New World riches that were brought back.

Eventually, however, the river silted up and the Spanish empire faded, but still Seville captured the imagination. It became the backdrop for Byron's "Don Juan," for Bizet's "Carmen," and for Rossini's famed barber. It became known for its flamboyance, flair and flamenco dancers.