After living in Spain for 10+ years, there’s only one way I know how to eat like a local…and that’s by eating at a local’s home!   I’m talking about those traditional homemade dishes they love…the ones they prepare during family gatherings, the ones that have been passed down over generations. That’s the only way (in my opinion) to truly experience traditional Spanish cuisine.  You can’t visit Sanlúcar without eating Langostinos!   I remember the first time my suegra (mother-in-law) prepared arroz a la marinera for me; it was nothing like the famed ‘paellas’ I thought all ..read more

My family visits us in Spain every year during Christmas. They’re quite familiar with Sanlúcar (our home), so this year we decided to plan a mini getaway to someplace new. Last year I chose Galicia (a bad idea in winter, especially with sick kids) so this time I opted for a sunny and warm destination. Javi and I had never been to Valencia and there seemed to be a lot of attractions the kids would enjoy. I booked direct flights from Seville and snagged a fantastic apartment during Booking.com’s Black Friday sale. The kids loved the Pixar Exhibit I was pleasantly surprised by how kid-friendly ..read more

If you find yourself in Sanlúcar de Barrameda during November or December, I highly recommend making a few stops along the unofficial Ruta de Mosto (Mosto Route). You’ll find cheap wine, great food, and plenty of flamenco music. Enjoying the atmosphere at El Rincón in Sanlucar’s Barrio Alto What is Mosto? Mosto is a young white wine native to the area. It’s consumed during the months of  November and December, after a short vinification period. Don’t expect to drink mosto using a typical wine glass—it’s usually served straight out of an oak barrel, in small jarritas (pitchers) and accomp ..read more

My family has been visiting Puerto Sherry for years (it’s just 30 mins from Sanlúcar). We love the area so much we recently purchased an apartment overlooking the marina. Below you’ll find my personal recommendations I share with family and friends staying at our place in Puerto Sherry. If you have any questions, just leave a comment below. The view from our apartment in Puerto Sherry Before you arrive, keep in mind Puerto Sherry is a community within the city of Puerto de Santa Maria. There’s a hotel, numerous apartments, a supermarket, pharmacy, shops, bars, restaurants and the marina ..read more

How much do flamenco dresses cost? What accessories do you need?  Before we dive into the details of how to create your look for feria, there are some things to know upfront. First, shops normally start to get new flamenco dress inventory starting in mid-February, and will continue to get new dresses weekly until the end of March. Second, do not wait until the last minute to get your outfit together; the shops will get crazy crowded as feria dates approach, options will be limited and it’ll be more difficult to coordinate accessory colors to complete your look! Also, if you’ve never atten ..read more

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Pasarela Flamenca in Jerez de la Frontera. The event takes place mid-February every year at the beautiful González Byass Bodega (Tío Pepe). Over 14,000 people attend the Pasarela Flamenca from Thursday to Sunday; it’s ideal for anyone looking to learn more about flamenco culture and the local artisan and designer scene. I attended my first pasarela in 2017 and I’ve been a huge fan ever since! I look forward to this event every year  Stand zone The two stand zones are open to the public. You can simply walk into the Tío Pepe Bodega and ..read more

As feria season approaches women all over Andalusia begin to prepare their flamenco dress or traje de flamenca. Feria season typically lasts from April to September. During this time cities throughout southern Spain are filled with flamenco fashion, music, and festivities as they celebrate their annual fair. Women tend to own numerous flamenco dresses (I personally own six) so they can wear a different one each day of the fair…or at least that’s why I have so many!   My friends and I at the fair Some women design or purchase a new dress every year. The desire to stay on top of the ..read more

Three words come to mind when describing Sanlúcar de Barrameda: bueno, bonito y barato—good, beautiful and cheap!  I moved to Sanlúcar over 10 years ago, and this post contains my go-to list of free activities for when family and friends come to visit.  If you’ve got any suggestions on other activities I should add to my list leave a comment below. Si se te ocurre alguna actividad más que debería añadir a mi lista de cosas gratis que hacer en Sanlúcar, no dudes en dejarme tu sugerencia en los comentarios de abajo. 1) Visit the botanical garden Sanlúcar’s botanical garden was ori ..read more

“Am I brave, or just insane?” I thought to myself as I hauled my 20-month-old son up the side of a cliff in Tarifa at midnight. We were walking back to our amazing rental and the “10 minute walk to the center” advertised on the website seemed to be more of a hike than I’d anticipated. That being said, I’d do it all again. This spring break I decided to plan a staycation right here in Cadizfornia, and visit some of the most popular destinations near our home in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. We stayed 2 nights in Sotogrande and 2 nights in Tarifa, with quick stops in Castellar de la Frontera and El Pa ..read more

With 13 month-old-twins, Javi and I are looking for “easy” travel destinations these days; places that are a short drive away, feature flat landscape (i.e. stroller-friendly), and have outdoor attractions to see. Luckily we live in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, which means there are lots of great places nearby. We decided to book a few nights at a Barcélo resort in Huelva, Spain for a mini-getaway. Hotel rates drop significantly after July and August, so I was able to get us a superior room with half-board (breakfast + lunch or dinner) for just €150 a night. Click here for highlight video of our trip ..read more