Close your eyes and imagine radiant windswept beaches, a thick trunked palm tree swaying lazily above your head, handcrafted ceramic bowls of plump juicy olives to your side and a tall glass of Fino sherry gracing your lips. You sip, sigh and smile. Despite the heat, you revel in the sound of castanets clicking away as regal Andalucian horses prance past your table in wave of glory. Relaxed and satiated, you lean back and smile. Welcome to Andalucia.

Andalucia is the home of quintessential Spain, the place where you’ll encounter impromptu and rustic jam sessions in corner bars, white washed houses overlooking crystal blue waters, women dancing Flamenco in the street, and notwithstanding, copious amounts of food and wine. It’s in this most southern region of Spain that you’ll visit the Alhambra in Granada – a UNESCO heritage site, art galleries in Málaga, Sherry houses in Seville,  nature preserves around Ronda and gorgeous beaches in Marbella.

For the nature lovers among you, nearly 20 percent of Andalusia is contains nature preserves, which constitute approximately 30 percent of the protected territory of Spain such as: Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, La Sierra de Grazalema, Los Alcornocales and La Doñana. The Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park covers the entire region, measuring over 10,000 hectares and considered one of the most protected areas in Spain. Green, gorgeous, vast and intoxicating, pack your hiking boots and compass! Those of you who quiver at the word “beach”, will also find over 800 km of some of the most stunning beaches in Spain. Most of these are considered “wild”, far from bustling city centers, which make them all the more enticing to lay upon as your feet sink deep in white sand.

As for food, think seafood! Surrounded by water, you’ll find a large diversity of sea creatures cooked in every way you can imagine. You can also find ample amounts of mussels, shrimp, squid, large prawns, calamari and sardines. And let’s not forget one of our favorite Andalusian dishes, salmorejo, a creamy, cold soup – similar to gazpacho – consisting of tomatoes, bread, oil, garlic and vinegar (preferably PX). The garnish, small bowls brimming with Jamon Serrano and diced hard-boiled eggs. It’s incredible, especially when paired with with a glass of sherry.

The wines of Andalucia – Sherry being its most famous – take a little time and patience to fall in love with, but oh are they delicious! These wines vary dramatically from bone dry Finos and Manzanillas to rich and nutty Olorosos, all made with the Palomino Fino grape. Dessert wines, on the other hand, are also made from Pedro Ximenez or Moscatel grapes. Hence, for every type of palate, you’ll find a style that meets your needs, and explore you will!!

Below find our current list of recommended culinary experiences to be enjoyed in and around Cadiz.

ANDALUCIA FOOD & WINE TOURS

 The All Inclusive Sherry and Culinary Tour of Jerez

This multi-day tour will take you and your taste buds on a remarkable journey through the Sherry Triangle of Southern Andalucia during the week of Vendemia – the harvest of the Palomino, Moscatel & Pedro Ximenez grapes. This is not a guided tour. This is an intimate experience with people who live here in Sherry Country. We are going to share with you the best we know.

Book Now: Full details and itinerary of this gastonomic tour in Jerez

Andalucian Cooking Tour

The tour takes place in La Sierra de Aracena, famous for Jamón Serrano and Chestnut forests, stunning natural beauty and total tranquility. This unique 5 day tour will highlight Spanish cooking, walking through unspoiled nature and exploring a vast number of small stunning little pueblos dotted across Andalucia.

Book Now: Full details and itinerary of this gastonomic tour in Huelva (Andalucia)

Andalucia Gourmet Walking Tour

This 5 nights/6 day tour will have you stay in some of our favorite boutique hideaways along the route of Mr Henderson’s Railway in Andalusia, as well as the prestigious Hotel Reina Cristina in Algeciras and the Reina Victoria in Ronda. You will walk through Los Alcornocales natural park, visit the hilltop fortress town of Castellar de la Frontera, discover local villages, swim in crystal-clear waters in an inland gorge, and top it off with a private discovery tour of the iconic Andalusian town of Ronda.

Book Now: Full details and itinerary of this gastonomic walking tour along Mr Henderson’s Railway

You can also check out our gastro-tourism in the rest of Spain, including wine tasting in and around Barcelona!