Tag Archives: spain

trip planning has begun!

13 Saturday Sep 2014

Posted by in andalucia, azahartravels, travel, trips, work

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map of andalucia

As you probably know I’ve spent a good part of the summer doing research for my latest venture Azahar Travels which, aside from offering lots of information about Spain, also offers a personal trip planning service for people visiting Andalucía. And so there I was this week tweaking this, organising that, and otherwise faffing around with all my research material, all the while wondering when I would properly launch this baby. And then I got an email from a couple who’d taken a tapas tour with me two years ago and who were coming back. And they asked if they could hire me to organise their two-week holiday. How cosmic is that?

Anyhow, I am thrilled. I sent P & G information about the service including fees and they thought it was fabulous. I am hired. And I realise now that I was prepared all along, I just needed this push. Okay, right into the deep end (swim or sink!) but I may have put things off indefinitely otherwise. Even though basically this is the kind of job – not unlike my food tours – that requires constant research and updating. And as requests come in about things I am not familiar with, then I can easily find out. Because I live here! Nothing is too far away, nowhere is totally unknown. So – again like with my food tours – I will learn and grow along with my clients. So excited guys! And I actually love that it’s begun this way. It feels like a natural “next step”. Wish me luck!

jaén getaway

18 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by in spain, travel, trips, work

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jaen getaway
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!

sherry education

31 Thursday Jul 2014

Posted by in travel, trips, wine, work

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sanlucar sherry education
Continuing my sherry education, this time focusing on manzanilla made in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. These three people were very generous with their time and very patient with explaining what makes manzanilla special. Here you can see Nuria (Bodegas Delgado Zuleta – passionate employee), Rosario (Barbadillo – 6th generation family member) and Juan (Hidalgo – 7th generation family member). I’ll be writing much more about my bodega visits on the Azahar Travels blog, but I have to say my 36 hours in Sanlúcar were quite fruitful and very memorable. Also fun! Stay tuned…

jerez getaway

22 Tuesday Jul 2014

Posted by in cats, spain, travel, trips, work

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jerez getaway
So what went from thinking of spending a few days in Granada yesterday somehow morphed into this very impromptu Jerez getaway today. Two nights, three days, all thrown together in less than a few hours. A couple of bodegas have been booked, along with what I hope is a nice hotel, and so off I go mañana. Peter is coming with me and will stay over the first night. Second night he’ll go home to check on the cats (it’s just an hour by train) and will come back early Friday morning. Then we’ll both come home Friday evening. I’m probably being over-protective but it’s hard enough leaving the beasts overnight. Somehow I’d be fine leaving Luna and Loki for two nights, but I worry about Morcilla. Too much, I know. Well. We’ll see how it goes. If I’m feeling more relaxed about this on Thursday evening then maybe Peter won’t go back to check on them.

Meanwhile, it’s going to be three days of sherry research and spending some quality time in Jerez when it isn’t Feria. Looking forward to it!