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!

Cadiz, Spain

Monument to the Constitution of 1812

Soggy and disappointed, we left Gibraltar and drove back to Rota, Spain. Later in the afternoon, we found ourselves at the checkout line at the Nex. You all know I love to talk. So, as Matt was loading up our bags, I struck up a conversation with a young man behind us in line. Matt, momentarily annoyed that I wasn't helping, was trying to get me to disengage and move out of the store. Oblivious, I just kept chatting away and, after explaining that our trip to Gib didn't go well, he suggested (now that it as sunny), a 40-minutes drive to the city of Cadiz. I thanked him for his suggestion, made a mental note, and, finally, helped the family out to the car.

As we buckled our seat belts, I mentioned Cadiz to Matt. Eager to get out, walk and just DO SOMETHING, he agreed we should go, though we knew very little about Cadiz and, therefore, had no idea what we would find.

Cadiz Shoreline

Turns out, Cadiz is "the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the Iberian Peninsula and possibly all of southwestern Europe." - Wikipedia

Roman Ruins

We quickly discovered three walking tours around the city. The tours were conveniently marked by continuous different colored lines on the roads. We took two of the tours, walking on ancient streets, passing ancient buildings and then walking in the newer, modern sections of town.

The Old Town Hall


Arco de la Rosa

At dinnertime, we slipped into a restaurant and enjoyed Spanish wine, tortillas and a local pork dish. For dessert, next door to the restaurant, we each enjoyed a cone of the best ice cream in the world! Yummy, Ben & Jerry's!

As we were leaving, we caught a few minutes of flamenco dancing taking place for the locals in the plaza. It was a great end to a surprisingly wonderful day! I'll leave you with a short video of the dancing:

Seville, Spain

We are crazy. Olivia came down with a fever and stomach ache on Thursday night. Most, sane, parents would have canceled a weekend trip if their child came down with a fever of 103.8. Not us. We discussed canceling. However, Motrin and Tylenol masked her fever well enough that we decided to chance it. It turned out to be our best trip in a very long time. We absolutely loved Seville. It is such a beautiful, clean city. The weather was perfect for walking around: Sunny, breezy and cool. Most of all, our kids were very well behaved.



Despite Olivia pooping (read: diarrhea) her pants during dinner at a restaurant, and running out into the restaurant (with me chasing right behind) with her bare bottom for all to view (great story for the future, ruined my appetite at the time), we had a great time. Her fever broke by Saturday morning and despite being a bit tired and still having a crampy stomach, she was a trooper. Lila was too, as she is getting over a cold. We were able to walk around Seville with our kids on our backs (both slept on our backs during naps) with hardly a whine or complaint the whole weekend. They even slept fairly well at night.

We enjoyed a carriage ride around the city, great food with family, beautiful sites and wonderful smells! The flowers were in full-bloom and the whole city smelled wonderful! The National Palace was stunning. I especially liked the two painted and tiled bridges. I was able to pick up a locally made sangria pitcher and a couple of other pieces of local pottery.

We bought Olivia a Flamenco dress and matching shoes. She is so excited about this outfit. We allowed her to wear her shoes while riding around on Matt's back. We got a lot of smirks out of passersby.

I have to say that I enjoyed Seville even more than I did Madrid (on a trip many years ago)! We live four hours away from the Spain border and had such a wonderful time, that we hope to spend more time getting to know the country.