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Showing posts from April, 2015

Tapas in Jerez de la Frontera

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If you find yourself in Jerez de la Frontera, then you must visit Abaceria Cruz Vieja. It's a tapas bar located in an old grocery store, and in my opinion, it's one of the best in Jerez. It's beautifully decorated, and the atmosphere is great. It is excellent value for money, and the friendly waiters couldn't have been nicer. We sampled various tapas dishes, and even ate breakfast here one morning - the 'pan con tomate' (toasted bread and tomatoes - a classic Catalan tapa) was delicious. At night, we thoroughly enjoyed the delicious jamon with a glass of sherry.  Having visited a couple of times on our time in Jerez (we became regulars during our three day stay!) we went for a quick drink before the wedding we were going to, and were given a sherry on the house - nice to know you can make friends that quickly in your new 'local'! If you miss it, you'll miss out, so if you're planning on a trip to Jerez, and want ...

Travel Photo Friday - Monument to the Discoveries

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When you see it up close, it's breathtaking. The Monument to the Discoveries is located on the northern bank of the Tagus River estuary in the Belém district of Lisbon. It was built in 1960 to commemorate the 500th aniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator. It's 171 feet tall, and shaped like a ship's prow. The monument has 30 statues of people who have played an important role in the discoveries, with Prince Henry at the front leading the way. You can enter the monument, which has a museum, and a rooftop which gives you great panoramic views over Belém. It's easy to reach the monument from the centre of Lisbon - jump on Tram 15, and you can't miss it. There are plenty of other sights that are worth seeing close by, including the Jeronimos Monastery, and the Belem Tower, so you can easily spend a whole day 'discovering' this area yourself!

Flashback Friday: Caves in Guadix

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Today we're returning to Spain, and a fabulous place called Guadix. I came across this cathedral town on a road trip, so it's well off the beaten path in the province of Granada. The scenery in this part of Andalucia is simply stunning, with the Sierra Nevada in the distance, it's just breathtaking. If you plan to stay in this region, then you have to experience the cave district, or 'Barrio Troglodyte' as it's signposted. People live in the caves to escape the summer heat waves, but it's a great experience for us travellers too! If you'd like to read more about the cave hotel I stayed in in Guadix then click back to read my original post  here!

Altapura: An alpine delight

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Altapura is a 5-star hotel in the highest resort in Europe, Val Thorens. It's the largest ski area in the world, so if you love your winter sports, then this could be the perfect alpine setting for you. French hotelier Jocelyn Sibuet, who is behind the Maisons & Hotels Sibuet group, handed the creative reins to her son, and this resort is dramatically different to the rest in the group. It is an elegant place that has quirky, contemporary furnishings.  The hotel is set back from the lively centre of Val Thorens, and is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the exceptional scenery. There are 88 rooms and suites - all beautifully modern but very cosy, with deep carpets, and fur throws.  There are three restaurants to choose from, and the outdoor bar is the perfect place for your aprés-ski. It even has heated parasols so you can enjoy your drink while soaking up the winter sun without getting cold! The spa is huge - and you can even relax in ...