22 Monday Sep 2014
17 Wednesday Sep 2014
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So okay, I did say that it was fitting to celebrate my 21st anniversary of moving to Sevilla by working (tapas tour!) and I did have a great time with my group, toasting ME at every stop. But I still wanted to do something personal. So as the following day was a “day off” I met my dear friend Edu for lunch and we visited a few places in my old barrio, stopping for wine and snacks along the way. This also seemed fitting, to go back to where it all started. And one of our stops was even where Sevilla Tapas began. It was fabulous afternoon of the old and the new, as we finished off for a last drink across the street from my first home, where Bar Campanario used to be and where La Azotea is now. Perfect.
13 Saturday Sep 2014
Posted in andalucia, azahartravels, travel, trips, work
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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!
21 Thursday Aug 2014
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View from the rooftop terrace of my hotel in Jaén.
Having a wonderful time. Wish you were here!
18 Monday Aug 2014
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.
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