Hotel El Escondite del Viento
Tarifa
Hotel El Escondite del Viento is a fairly new addition to the hotels in Tarifa, but one that makes an instantly memorable impression.
The hotel is situated in the old town, by the lively Plaza Ovieda. Its exclusive lavish glass and steel designs blend beautifully with the original architecture, making this hotel a modern gem. A real 21st century hotel.
The decor throughout, as well as the use of materials and the choice of furniture would not look out of place in an art gallery. Add to this the hotel's excellent location and it will not surprise you to know that it is not a complete coincidence that this hotel has been popular with guests from the very start.
The number of rooms is limited, only 8, 2 of which have a private roof terrace. So please book early to avoid disappointment.
Cons:
• Parking is an issue in Tarifa, the hotel is no exception. Parking spaces are situated within about 5 to 10 minutes' walking distance.
Pros:
• Light and airy hotel with the use of plenty of modern materials throughout, including glass and steel
• Popular Los Lances beach situated within 5 minutes' walking distance
Hotel El Escondite del Viento
surrounding area
Tarifa
The Moorish town of Tarifa is on the eastern edge of the Costa de la Luz. This area is dominated by the many wind turbines lining the hill tops. It is a windy place, and hence also a great place for windsurfing. Tarifa is the Mecca of windsurfing! Windsurf and kitesurf fanatics are drawn to Tarifa and give the place an informal, alternative flair and atmosphere with their hippy-like attitudes and style.
Surfers dominate the flat beach of the Valle de Vaqueros, just north of Tarifa. This is where they flock to try out new techniques and materials, and is where new trends are born. It all makes for a fascinating spectacle, even if you are not into surfing.
Active
There are plenty of options in the area if you want to be active, like windsurfing, kitesurfing, horse riding, mountain biking, walking and rock climbing.
Culinary
Pay a visit to a bodega in nearby Jerez de la Frontera, the global capital of sherry production.
Family
In Tarifa you can catch a boat that will take you whale and dolphin spotting. In August and September you can even spot orcas here.
You can also head for the zoo in Jerez de la Frontera, or check out that city's horse riding school.
Nature
Between Tarifa and Arcos de la Frontera you will find Los Alcornocales nature reserve. This area is made up by cork tree forests, easily recognized by the painted trees.
The Parque Nacional de Coto Doñana on the other side of the water can be reached by boat from Sanlúcar de Barrameda (140km; 2h).
This park is one of Europe’s largest swamp lands. This area is especially important for birds. The best time of year to visit this park is winter or spring. In the summer and autumn the swamps are dry, although that is when visitors get excited about spotting deer, boar, buffalos and otters. With a good guide and some luck, you might even spot a lynx.
The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Vejer de la Frontera (50km; 45min)
A lovely white village that is 10 km inland, sitting dominantly on top of a hill above the main road between Gibraltar and Cádiz. Vejer has a medieval centre, with very steep streets and alleys, beautiful whitewashed houses, ramparts and a Moorish fortress.
Gibraltar (48km; 1h):
The British occupied Gibraltar in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession. In 1713 Britain was granted the rock ‘forever’. About 4 million visitors cross the border at La Linea every year, in order to check out this piece of Britain hanging off Andalucía.
A cable car will take you from the city centre up to the Top of the Rock, Gibraltar’s highest point (450m). Halfway up the rock, at the Apes’ Den, is where the tailless monkeys of Gibraltar live. These world-famous monkeys can be rather aggressive, so hold on to your bags and cameras.
At the top of the rock you can walk to St. Michael’s Cave. Other interesting sights at the top of the rock include the Upper Galleries, tunnels in the northern part of the rock that form part of Gibraltar's defences.
From Gibraltar you can also go on a boat excursion into the bay of Algeciras to spot dolphins.
Cádiz (106km; 1h30min):
The modern part of Cádiz is a busy port. A visit to this city would not be complete without a walk along the quays. The old town is contained by fortifications that rise up from the sea. Within the ring of walls and fortresses there are houses and palaces from the 18th and 19th century, side by side with run-down quarters and squares with plenty of bar and cafes.
The city’s sights include the Castillo de Santa Catalina, a bulwark right on the tip of the small peninsula. In the centre you will find the cathedral, Catedral Nueva, and the Museo de Cádiz on one of the city’s nicest squares, the Plaza de Mina. And then there are a number of interesting churches, the baroque church Oratorio de San Felipe Neri and the Oratorio de la Santa Cueva.
Jerez de la Frontera (120km; 1h45min):
Jerez is the sherry capital of the world. A tour of one of its bodegas (Sandeman, Pedro Domecq, Gonzalez Byass) is not only good fun, but you will also learn something. How to distinguish fino from amontillado or oloroso sherry, for example.
Jerez is also famous for its horse riding school, the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Escuestre. Apart from visiting a show here, visitors can also attend lessons and tour the stables.
Other sights include the inviting cafes on the Plaza Asunción and the old town hall from 1575, Casa de Cabildo Viejo. The San Mateo quarter is famous for its flamenco bars, and is also where you will find the official flamenco centre: Centro Andaluz de Flamenco.
Ronda (122km; 2h):
Ronda has one of the most spectacular settings in all of Southern Spain. Due to this town’s unassailable location, it was one of the last standing Moorish bastions, which only fell in 1485, when it was conquered by the Christians. The town is split in two by a spectacular gorge, with the southern part being the classic Moorish pueblo blanco with cobblestone streets, small fences in front of the windows and whitewashed walls all around. The new town on the other side of the gorge contains the Plaza de Toros (bull ring), the cradle of bullfighting; it was built in 1785 and is one of Spain’s oldest. The bridge that connects the two parts of Ronda, the Puente Nuevo, spans the 100-metre-deep gorge and has become Ronda’s most famous feature, drawing in millions of visitors every year.
Apart from the Plaza de Toros, the Palacio Mondragón is another important sight; this is a palace decorated with original Moorish mosaics and plastering.
And you can, of course, head for one of these world famous cities for a day trip:
Seville (206km; 2h20min):
The capital of Andalucía is a compact city with a rich past. Most of its major sights are in or near the city centre on the Guadalquivir river’s left bank. And they also know how to party and have a good time in this city of flamenco and tapas.
As you wander through the old Jewish quarter, the Barrio Santa Cruz, through a maze of white streets and patios, you should not forget to take in the imposing cathedral, the Moorish bell tower, La Giralda, and the royal palace Real Alcázar.
You can unwind in the María Luisa park, where you can spend the hottest part of the day under orange trees and palm trees.
The museum Museo de Bellas Artes, one of Spain’s best museums of art, is a real must. And then there are its magnificent palaces and other sights, such as the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza (bull ring); Casa de Pilatos and the Torre del Oro.