The diverse and politically semi-autonomous region of Andalucía has a population of some 7 million and embodies what is thought of as typically Spanish – an accurate portrait of the place and its people must include the bullfight, flamenco, gypsies, remote white villages, high sierras and mass tourism on endless stretches of beach. The memories you take with you after a visit here will be colourful, joyous, intense and deeply stirring.
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DAY 1
Get into the mood with a day in Jerez: make your way to the Spanish Riding School by 11am for a tour of the stables before the 'Equestrian Ballet' at noon. Have a long lunch accompanied by some chilled fino. Later visit the Cathedral and the Moorish castle before joining the evening paseo (stroll)
DAYS 2-3
Drive to Sanlucar de Barrameda to catch the 10am boat for the trip upriver into the Coto Donana Nature Reserve. Afterwards continue down to the charming little port of Chipiona. Spend the afternoon touring some of the peublos blancos that are scattered across the hilltops and often-sheer crags: head east to Arcos de la Frontera then climb through the oak woods around El Bosque to Ubrique.
DAYS 4-5
Head south through Medina Sidonia to Vejer de la Frontera, with its old Moorish town gates. Spend the afternoon on the endless beach at Zahara de los Atunes, to the south. Drive down to Tarifa and take a whale-watching trip in the Straits of Gibraltar. Afterwards, try windsurfing or go for a horse ride in the dunes.
DAY 6
A day for total relaxation by the beach. In the evening, enjoy fresh cooked fish by the sea.
DAY 7
Head towards the airport for your flight home, via Cadiz for a last late lunch overlooking the port and the clear-blue sea.
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Moorish Palace and Gardens - cooling fountains and streams of water, panoramic views, beautiful architecture, abundance of different flowers, hidden alcoves to sit and relax - go out of season to avoid crowds and imagine its your own.
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Not the most original suggestion but it really took my breath away. We went late in the day after seeing it from a distance as we cycled down from the mountains into Granada and although there were lots of people around it is beautiful and easy to imagine how calm it would be without the crowds. The Moorish architecture, tiles and plasterwork are beautiful and really set the scene for romance and contemplation.
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Friendly restaurant overlooking the Marina in Benalmadena. Serves Argentine Aberdeen Angus beef which rates amongst some of the best I've ever tasted.
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This is one of the most stunning of the peublos blancas, perched right on the edge of the hilltop.
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The 'new' cathedral is impressive viewed from the waterfront.
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Going south from Cadiz city, when you reach Vejer get away from the main road and head for the beach. Canos de Meca is a very small town, barely a street on top of the beach. A famous spot for hipsters in the 70's, it still keeps some of that feeling. Young people hang around at the beaches (one of them nudist) untill the sunset, when you should go to one of the cafes on the cliffside and enjoy the view with a cold beer.
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