Luxury self catering holiday accommodation for rent near La Barrosa Beach on the Costa de la Luz, Andalucia, Spain

 

Food and Drink

Eating out is a real highlight. There is an abundance of choice from fast food to haute cuisine. The prices vary accordingly, but generally it is cheap to eat out. Remember that the Spaniards eat in the afternoon and late in the evening - often after 10 at night. Children are always welcome and sharing of plates is normal. Just order something and then order something else. Go where the Spaniards go and enjoy!!

La Barrosa itself has a number of good restaurants, cafes and bars, whilst the ‘urbanisation’ of Novo Sancti Petri has a large shopping centre with more places to eat and drink.

Self-catering is easy with local shops, supermarkets, hypermarkets and even shopping malls all within easy reach.

Exploring

Cadiz is about 20 km to the north. Once Spain's most important port, it is a very beautiful and fascinating city with an easy going and friendly popuation. The old part, inner Cadiz, lies on a small peninsula, surrounded by water on 3 sides - literally crumbling due to the effect of the sea on its limestone buildings, it has a unique atmosphere. With its grand open squares, narrow alleyways and turreted houses, it remains much as it would have looked in the old days and is great fun to explore - you can't get lost because if you walk in any direction for more than a few minutes you are almost bound to come to the sea. Seville, about 90 minutes drive away, is the major city of the Spanish south - the home of Figaro, Carmen, and Don Juan, it is famed for its monuments, fiestas and the sheer exuberance of its people. Although it can be easily visited in a day, it is worth spending at least a night there (or at least staying till late) to enjoy its restaurants and night life to the full.

Gibraltar is worth a visit, especially if you haven't been before. Alcohol and tobacco, though cheap in Spain are even cheaper here as it remains a tax-free zone. Take a cable car to the top of the rock, see the apes and admire the fantastic views. Visit another Continent - Tangiers in Morocco is a short boat or hydrofoil trip away across the Straits of Gibraltar (picture right) with departures from either Tarifa or Algeciras and makes a pleasant and interesting day trip. A visit to one of the many sherry bodegas is also fun - Tio Pepe in Jerez and Osborne in Puerto Santa Maria are two good ones. Also visit Puerto Santa Maria to enjoy its abundance of excellent fish restaurants which are extremely popular in season and at weekends throughout the year. For a change of scene from La Barrosa, try the equally spectacular beaches at Roche, Conil, El Palmar, Cape Trafalgar (Canos de Meca) and Zahara de los Atunas, all of which are almost deserted for most of the year. Also delight in exploring the inland white villages of Midina Sidonia and Vejer de la Frontera, both within 30 minutes drive of the house.