Hello all...

I'm planning to be in Spain in the middle of MArch (17th-28th). I've visited Spain before but would like to do something a little different this time. I spent a couple of months in Italy and thanks to slowtrav.com I was able to see the real Italy (Thanks again to Bill Thayer)...

My plan is to take the fast train down to Sevilla then visit Vejer and/or Arcos de la Frontera... anyone have any other suggestions as far as lively, colorful and fun small towns in Andalucia? With great food and wine perhaps?

Also, I'd like to visit either the Duero area or The Rioja area? Any way I could give myself a wine tour in just 2 or 3 days?

I'd appreciate any suggestions. Feel free to ask me anything about Italy (Umbria, Toscana, Lazio)...

Ciao a tutti!
Nancy

Hello Nancy:

Jerez is one point on the Sherry triangle near Arcos. It also has a very lively flamenco scene (usually after midnight). If memory serves there is a flamenco festival sometime in march.Numerous sherry bodegas there.
The other two points are Puerto de Santa Madaria and Sanlucar de Benameda. The Osbourne bodega in Puerto is worth a visit. Puerto itself is a small city which at first glance seems unremarkable but does grow on one. the El Romerijo chain is a good place toget seafood to go or to stay.
My favourite sherry, La Gitina,(a manzanilla) is aged in Sanlucar at the bodega of the same name. Ask at the tourist office for bodegas that offer tours on the day. Try tapas at any of the places on the plaza - Casa Balbino has an extensive menu.

Although not a great fan of sweet sherries a glass of Pedro Jimenez grape variety for dessert tastes like liquid raisins.

A word about March. Easter is the 27th so Santa Semana is the week before. If travelling at that time be sure to have reservations beforehand for both the AVE and hotels. Sevilla will be packed.

If you head to Vejar you may want to take a short trip to Baelo Claudio, a remarkable small Roman site on the coast, at the town of Bolonia. There are two family-run restaurants just outside the gates near the beach that provide good meals at reasonable prices and friendly service.

Now for the Rioja! Logrono is the chief city in the area and most of the region, and their bodegas are in easy reach.
This is the DOC site: www.riojawine.com/en/menu.htm . Haro and Sto Domingo de Calzeda are two centres in the Rioja Alto. At Sto Domingo you can see the church with the chicken coop inside it which commemorates a miracle on the Camino Frances. Try out some Navarrese wines also. Ochoa is my favourite.

Our favourite town in the area is Estella (Estrella or Lizarra on some maps).Just outside of town is the Irache bodega with its wine fountain for pilgrims along the Camino.

If you are travelling to the Duero I suggest that you sample some of the wines around Villafranca del Bierzo. Bierzo wines are not routinely seen in North America because they are meant to be drunk when young and do not travel well.

Buen Viaje
Dennis

Hello again:

I forgot to include the sherry DOc. it's www.sherry.org .
Dennis