As I knew I had to get up at stupid o’clock today to catch an early train, I prepared this post before going to bed. So by the time you read this I will (most likely) be sitting on a train heading to Jaén. All part of summer research for my trip planning biz, but also part holiday. I’ve never been to Jaén – the olive oil capital of Spain! – and so booked a few days away. After this the only Andalusian province I won’t have visited (yet) will be Almería, but I reckon I’ve got enough knowledge and info to at least get started. As you can see on the map (click on it to find out more about Jaén on Andalucía.com) the province of Jaén is just north of Granada, about a three-hour train ride from Sevilla. After arriving in Jaén city I’ll catch a bus up to Baeza and stay there one night, then I’ll be in Úbeda for two nights, and after that one night in Jaén city before coming home on Friday afternoon.

At first I’d booked two nights in Jaén city thinking that, being the capital city and all, it would have more going on. But various Twitter pals convinced me to change my travel plans and spend two nights in the smaller, and apparently more charming, Úbeda. It was all very last minute and at first my hotel in Úbeda told me they had nothing available for Wednesday, but then miraculously they did, so that all worked out. I also got way more tapas bar recommendations for both Baeza and Úbeda – and next to nothing for Jaén – from Twitter pals, which also swayed my choice. Also I just like saying OO-bay-da.

Follow AzaharTravels and AzaharTapas on Twitter for updates!