Jerez, Spain - Sherry Wine Capital

Tio Pepe Bodegas

When I researched a trip back to Rota, Spain (we stay there because there is a US Navy Base there), I started to think about local wineries we could explore. Quickly, I found out that Jerez, Spain, a half hour drive from Rota, is the Sherry capital of the world. Tio Pepe Fino brand sherry, tauted to be the best-selling sherry in the world, is located there. I didn't know much about Sherry, except that it's called for often in recipes. I hoped I would discover more about the wine right there in it's capital. I thought it would be a perfect tour to bring the girls on because the tour provided a train ride around the premises...

Steven Spielberg visited in 1987

I learned only this: I do not like dry sherry. Specifically, Tio Pepe Fino sherry. I like sweet sherry (think aperitif), ice cold (it tastes a little bit like white port), specifically a brand sold to the UK under the Croft name (Croft Port Caves - Porto) and not sold in the United States.

Why didn't I learn much more? Well, have I told you how much I loath traveling with children? I'm sorry. To all of you who like it, love it even, good for you!! I hate it. Call me a selfish, stuck-up, brat of a mother if you want (I call myself this) - but I hate it. Each time I travel with them, I tell myself that I have to suck it up, have fun and carry on. They are only young once, blah, blah blah. The mind games and the power of positive thinking never work well for me. I have a dull headache on each and every trip with them.

Now that they've ruined a second wine tour in a row, I've decided I must give up touring wineries with them. It was a waste of my time to even try. But, damn it! How many times in my life will I be in Jerez, Spain or Porto, Portugal (Sherry and Port wine capitals of the world)? Each time, I wanted my kids to magically disappear. Instead, they screamed about characters from Lord of the Rings hiding out or that they were hungry, scared of the dark, or had a sudden desire to reach out and touch something 175+ years-old, labeled, "Do Not Touch!"

This one I like!

A little too much apple juice for her!

Despite the "experience", time does heal all travel pain and I am able to post about it in much better spirits. I'm over it. However, I AM looking forward to taking visiting family members on a local wine route in April, for the day...without kids!

Gibraltar - Take Two

As you all may remember, our last trip to Gibraltar was a wash (literally). We were determined to get back and conquer "the rock."

Friday, we headed back to Rota, Spain and, on Saturday morning, drove an hour and half back to Gib. We stayed just long enough to take a taxi tour of the rock, explore tunnels and chat a bit with the monkeys before grabbing some British grub and heading back to Spain. We hit clouds and light rain again - albiet more bareable than last time.

Here are a few pictures:

Liv didn't want to get to up close and personal with this little fellow.

Staring off into the far-away land of Spain