Author: Shawn Hennessey

  • Cádiz | Hotel La Cátedral

    The Hotel la Catedral is a relatively new boutique hotel (just 14 rooms) in a great location just inside the old city and directly in front of the Cathedral. Pretty much everything you want to see and do in Cádiz is just a few minutes walk away. Despite a few specific problems I found it…

  • Sherry Tasting in El Puerto de Santa María

      The thing I like best about all my bodega visits is that everyone involved is so passionate about sherry, a passion I have come to share over the last couple of years, and that even very important people in the business are prepared to give their time to anyone who shares their interest. After…

  • Copa Jerez 2015 National Finals

    Last week I was invited to attend the Spanish finals for the 6th Copa Jerez international food and sherry pairing competition, which will be held in April 2015. I had been at Copa Jerez 2013 and so I was very excited about seeing the finalists in action, preparing and presenting their three-course meals matched with…

  • Vendimia de Jerez 2014

    The Fiesta de la Vendimia (Autumn Festival and Grape Harvest Fair) kicks off today in Jerez de la Frontera with activites for all ages. The programme includes open days and visits to wineries, master tastings, grape stomping, children’s entertainment, concerts, tapas and wine pairing, routes through the vineyards of Jerez, conferences, exhibitions, concerts, competitions ……

  • Jaén | Hotel Xauen

      At the end of my Jaén Getaway I met up with my friend and fellow trip planner Rachel Webb, who lives just outside Jaén city. I’d just got in from Úbeda so she picked me up at the bus station and brought me to the hotel, which was easy enough to access, with a…

  • Baeza | TRH Ciudad de Baeza Hotel

    The TRH Baeza proved to be in a perfect location just inside the old town, and just around the corner from the Paseo de la Constitución – the town’s social centre (we were there immediately after the local feria, and the awnings were still up) – and the local market. The hotel itself, although making…

  • Úbeda | Hotel Rosaleda de Don Pedro

    The Rosaleda de Don Pedro is right in the middle of the old centre of Úbeda, making it a perfect base from which to explore, although it’s a bit of a trek from the bus station. Part of the Sercotel Hotels group of 3-5 star hotels (the Rosaleda has 3 stars) there’s a full range…

  • Sherry Tasting in Sanlúcar de Barrameda

    Hot on the heels of my whirlwind visit to sherry bodegas in Jerez I planned a trip to the home of manzanilla, Sanlúcar de Barrameda. I was curious to learn more about the differences between manzanilla and fino first hand, furthering my own sherry education so I could also better inform guests on my Introduction…

  • Sanlúcar de Barrameda | Hotel Barrameda

    A 2-star hotel with reasonable prices, the Hotel Barrameda is clean, modern and well-appointed. It’s in a perfect location on the central square, Plaza del Cabildo, which is chock full of tapas bars (including the famous Casa Balbino) and cafés, is close to most of the sights, and about a 10-15 minute walk from the…

  • Tapeo Extremo™

    Jeffrey, me and Victor in Málaga I can’t even begin to count the ways that Twitter has changed my life, but this is yet another one. Back in late 2012 my Twitter pal Niamh Shields @eatlikeagirl got in touch with me about joining a new international foodie venture called Chowzter,. At first glance Chowzter didn’t…