Jerez De La Frontera

Seville, is the centerpiece of romantic Spain and, appropriately, has retained its beauty and ambiance even in this modern age. We hope you have managed to leave enough time to enjoy its unsurpassable attractions. Leave Arcos heading west, still on the white-town route, and you pass rolling hillsides resplendent with sunflowers (if it is summer), numerous typical Andalusian cortijos, or ranches, and more dazzling white villages. Then the terrain becomes flatter, and the roadside towns less impressive, as you approach the famous town of Jerez de la Frontera. Jerez’s main attraction is visiting the bodegas where sherry is made. The traffic in and out of Jerez is exasperating. Most of the bodegas are open for visitors from 9 am to 1 pm only, so plan your time accordingly. Unfortunately, due to the ever-increasing number of interested visitors, some bodegas have instituted a reservation policy. To be on the safe side, call ahead as soon as you know when you plan to be in Jerez (ask for assistance from your hotel desk staff). English seamen in the 18th century found sherry wine an agreeable alternative to French wine. The varieties commonly produced here are fino (extra dry, light in color and body), amontillado (dry, darker in color and fuller-bodied), oloroso (medium, full bodied, and golden), and dulce (sweet dessert wine).The Jerez region is also renowned for quality horse breeding. The famous Lippizaner horses originally came from this area and are trained at the Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestre. Dressage displays are given on Thursdays. When you are ready to call it a day and discover what Seville has in store for you, make your way to the A4 toll road, which takes you there in no time. From the outskirts, follow the signs indicating centro ciudad, while keeping your eye on the skyline’s most outstanding landmark—the towering golden spire of the Giralda, attached to the magnificent cathedral, which is the largest in the world.