Jerez de la Frontera (or simply Jerez) is Andalucia’s fifth largest city with a population of just over 210,000. Having visited a few times now it still, to me, has a small town feel particularly in the old town around Plaza del Arenal and the impressive cathedral and Alcazar. Jerez makes up one of the …
Spring in Andalucia
Spring in Andalucia is a special time for a visit – even though the summer temperatures haven’t yet hit their peak the locals are finally ready to shrug off their winter woollies, something they do like clockwork as soon as the clocks go forward. Read on to find out why spring in Andalucia is such …
The Roman Ruins of Baelo Claudia
Baelo Claudia, which dates back to the second century BC, is one of the most well-preserved Roman sites in Andalucía. With its enviable position between Bolonia beach and the pine forests of the Parque Natural del Estrecho on the Costa de la Luz, the city built its wealth on tuna fishing, fish salting and the …
How to make Pan con Tomate
Pan con tomate is a traditional Spanish breakfast, and my favourite way to start the weekend is by heading out for breakfast in one of our local cafes. Wherever you are in Spain you’ll find a version on the menu of almost every bar and café, although it may have a different regional name (it’s …
Winter in Andalucia
After the scorching heat of summer and the mild temperatures of autumn, winter in Andalucía always takes me by surprise. In fact, I’m writing this while wearing my fleecy onesie that makes me look like a giant teddy bear and hugging a hot water bottle! Don’t let that put you off considering a low season …
My 2020 Travel Review
2020. Definitely the strangest year I’ve ever experienced (and that’s an understatement) which means it probably seems a pointless exercise to write one of my annual travel reviews. At the start of the year I made the decision to quit my job so I could concentrate on my blog, with the plan being to spend …
My favourite ways of learning Spanish
When I first moved to Spain I thought that I would have no problems learning Spanish. My favourite subject at school was French which I studied until I was 18, and I also speak some Italian, so I thought this would give me an advantage as they’re all Romance languages. Not really the case at …
Autumn in Andalucia
Autumn in Andalucia is a welcome relief from the scorching temperatures of the summer months and, now that I’ve lived through five long hot Spanish summers, I have to confess to a newfound appreciation for autumn and all that it brings. If you’ve never been to Andalucia in autumn, here are just five good reasons …
Things to see and do in Tavira
Tavira in Portugal’s Algarve region is just 25 kms from the Spanish border. Tavira sits on the banks of the Rio Gilao and, thanks to its proximity to Spain, its Moorish influences are very much in evidence as you walk around the town. It didn’t take me long to realise that Tavira is insanely pretty …
Tips on getting a job after travelling
Your gap year is over and you need to think about getting a job after all your travelling . Don’t panic, help is at hand! As a HR Manager in my non-travel blogging life (and author of a book about finding and keeping a job you love), I’ve seen thousands of CVs over the years …