Summer, the season of the year to enjoy the sun and the beach, but for those of us who live near the beach, it is also a good time to discover magical places inland and this year, we decided to return to a very special place, and also to discover new places.
Last year, with all the trials and tribulations of Covid, we took our honeymoon four months after our wedding, and it was a glorious holiday, two weeks touring Andalucía, spending 2 nights in most places, but 3 nights in the Hotel Jerez and Spa. We had booked a double room, and informed them it was our honeymoon, and they upgraded us to one of the best rooms in the hotel, ground floor with a terrace that led out onto the pool.
We loved it there so much we decided this summer to return to that hotel but staying there for 5 nights. This year we only had one week away, so we broke the journey there with a night in Antequera, and the journey back in Lanjarón, both towns that we had not visited before.
In Antequera there was no parking at the hotel, so when walking from the car park I saw what looked like a good tapas bar. So as soon as we had checked in, we returned, and it proved to be right. It was one of those bars you wished you could pick up and transfer to your hometown. The atmosphere was fantastic, and the food delicious. They were closed that evening, so we decided to go to a Chinese restaurant, only to find that it was just a takeaway! Returning to our hotel, we had a meal there, sitting outside with a few drinks, a good meal and a welcome breeze, and chatting about the next day, and where we would go when we were once again in Jerez de la Frontera. The next morning, we had an extra bonus as, on returning to the carpark we found we were entitled to go to the roof, where there were fantastic views over the city.
At the Hotel Jerez and Spa, we were delighted to have the same room as the previous year, but this stay would be different, as we had visited most of the tourist sites the previous year. We had a day in Cádiz and lunch in Chipiona, but most of the time was spent finding new restaurants and tapas bars, which we did, and which we enjoyed greatly. Apart from that we swam in the hotel pool and enjoyed a massage in the spa.
Soon it was sadly time to start our way homewards, stopping a night in Lanjarón, which is situated in the Alpujarra, in the Sierra Nevada and is famous for its spring water. Such a different place to both Jerez and Antequera, as it is a mountain village, with stunning views. There were quite a few hotels, a few cafeterias and many shops selling baskets and bags.
We had one more stop on our way home the next day, our favourite Mexican Restaurant, Las Patronas in Agua Dulce. Then it was home, back to our five dogs and a return to the normal daily routine.
It’s always lovely to get away, but also good to get home and see family and friends again, and to start thinking about next year’s holiday.
Add comment
Comments