25 hours of travelling non stop and I arrived at the most beautiful train station I have ever seen. Jerez train station was apparently designed by Gustave Eiffel, the man that designed the Eiffel Tower. I say ‘apparently’ as I was told by a local but can’t find any information on the internet about it. The beautiful coloured tiles were certainly a nice welcome after such a long journey. I had arrived quite tired from my long journey, I don’t think it helped that the bed on the overnight train felt more like a park bench so I really didn’t get that much sleep. David, the owner of the place I stayed at suggested I went to the Arab Baths to recover (www.hammamandalusi.com). It couldn’t have been more perfect.
The 18th century palatial town-house has been beautifully refurbished using traditional stucco, tiling and carving techniques. I booked in for a 2.5 hour session thinking there was no chance I’d survive that long, I felt sure I’d get totally bored in the water for an hour and a half. Cut to an hour later when one of the masseurs had to wake me up from my deep slumper in the warm pool! I was then taken for an exfoliation, all over mud masque, hair wash (at which point I was so relaxed I thought my head was going to snap off my neck as I had no strength to hold it up!), a lovely cup of ever so sweet mint tea and finally a massage. What 25 hour train journey?
Jerez is a city in Andalusia famous for its sherry, flamenco and Andalusian horses. I did try a glass of Fino at the Feria and I can’t say it was exactly to my taste, but everyone else seemed to be enjoying it! I also saw a great little Flamenco show (not put on for tourists) and visited the beautiful Andalusian horses at the stud farm (www.yeguadacartuja.com). On Saturdays they do a very interesting tour (where I learned that they artificially inseminate the horses and don’t do it naturally so the horses don’t get damaged!) followed by a show with dressage, free running colts etc.
My accommodation (http://www.lafondabarranco.es/EN/Welcome.html) could not have been more perfect. It is very central, beautifully furnished and with a lovely little roof terrace where breakfast is served. David, the owner, was so welcoming and gave loads of good advice and local tips.
I really enjoyed my stay in Jerez, it was certainly a good introduction to my first stay in Andalucia.
The 18th century palatial town-house has been beautifully refurbished using traditional stucco, tiling and carving techniques. I booked in for a 2.5 hour session thinking there was no chance I’d survive that long, I felt sure I’d get totally bored in the water for an hour and a half. Cut to an hour later when one of the masseurs had to wake me up from my deep slumper in the warm pool! I was then taken for an exfoliation, all over mud masque, hair wash (at which point I was so relaxed I thought my head was going to snap off my neck as I had no strength to hold it up!), a lovely cup of ever so sweet mint tea and finally a massage. What 25 hour train journey?
Jerez is a city in Andalusia famous for its sherry, flamenco and Andalusian horses. I did try a glass of Fino at the Feria and I can’t say it was exactly to my taste, but everyone else seemed to be enjoying it! I also saw a great little Flamenco show (not put on for tourists) and visited the beautiful Andalusian horses at the stud farm (www.yeguadacartuja.com). On Saturdays they do a very interesting tour (where I learned that they artificially inseminate the horses and don’t do it naturally so the horses don’t get damaged!) followed by a show with dressage, free running colts etc.
My accommodation (http://www.lafondabarranco.es/EN/Welcome.html) could not have been more perfect. It is very central, beautifully furnished and with a lovely little roof terrace where breakfast is served. David, the owner, was so welcoming and gave loads of good advice and local tips.
I really enjoyed my stay in Jerez, it was certainly a good introduction to my first stay in Andalucia.
RSS Feed