Category: Spain

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • The Sanlúcar

    The Sanlúcar: manzanilla sherry, lime juice, olive oil, sugar, egg white, shaken over ice, with hierbabuena & angostura bitters to finish. Pretty much the perfect summer cocktail. And especially perfect when enjoyed at Café Azul on the Bajo de Guia in Sanlúcar de Barrameda at sunset. Cheers!

  • Jerez | Hotel Bellas Artes

    Given its 4-star rating, some nice photos on the website, and a few good reviews/recommendations, the Hotel Bellas Artes turned out to be something of a disappointment. There was nothing wrong with the location in a little square near the Cathedral in the old city, and I’m generally a fan of small hotels (19 rooms…

  • Sherry Tasting in Jerez de la Frontera

    Although I’ve long been a fan of fino and manzanilla, and dabbled a bit in olorosos and amontillados, some of you may remember that just over a year ago I kind of underwent a sherry conversion, which ended up being the inspiration for starting my own Introduction to Sherry tours. I wanted to give others…

  • Madrid | Room Mate Hotel Mario

    Third time totally lucky! This was my third stay at a Room Mate Hotel, and this time it was Mario, the original Room Mate hotel, in the heart of Madrid just off Plaza Ópera. An easy metro ride from Atocha station, I was there within half an hour of arriving in town. Check in was…

  • Archidona | Almohalla 51

    I feel a bit late to the party here as so many people I know have stayed at – and totally loved! – Almohalla 51, which this year was voted Best B&B in Spain by Trip Advisor. So I was thrilled to be invited to spend a night there during my recent Andalucía getaway. I…

  • Antequera | Parador Hotel

      Back in February I won a free night for two including breakfast at the Parador of my choice and had decided to stay at the fabulous castle one in Carmona, but then found out that this wasn’t included in the list of available choices for Andalucía. So I ended up going to Antequera, which…

  • Tío Pepe Returns to the Sun

    Back in May I found out that I’d won one of the limited edition commemorative bottles of Tío Pepe, celebrating the return of the iconic neon sign to Puerta del Sol after a three-year absence. Well, it looked for awhile like I might not ever get it as the delivery company (which shall remain nameless)…

  • Málaga | Urban Living Holiday Apartments

    A couple of weeks ago I booked a two-bedroom holiday apartment with Urban Living in Málaga for a three-day getaway with friends. I shared the apartment in calle Liborio with one friend (our other two friends were staying at another Urban Living apartment in calle Fajardo). The apartment was located on the third floor with…