  
SURFING HOLIDAYS IN ANDALUCÍA, SOUTHWESTERN SPAIN
LEARN-2-SURF IN EL PALMAR & CONIL - NIGHTLIFE & OTHER KICKS
The Cádiz area of Andalucía is host to an amazing array of activities, sights and cities. If the surf should go flat for a few days, pressure from your non-surfing companions gets out of hand ;-), or you simply feel 'surfed out', why not use the Quick links below to check out some of the options:
Quick links (Food & Drink - El Palmar/Conil): Bars | Restaurants
Quick links (other activities): Golfing Holidays | Horse Riding | Sights & Cities | Day Trips | Whale watching | Other kicks
Bars in El Palmar & Conil
We seriously hope you'll get out and discover your own favourite bar but as a rough guide here are some of ours:
• Palo Palo a good bar to start the evening off, has terrace on Plaza España
• La Luna amazing patio with palm trees etc.
• La Cochera Luna another bar set in palm gardens
• El Sonnar modern bar with great atmosphere
• El Quejio the home of Flamenco
• El Cortijo del Catero good spot for a few post surf beers
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Restaurants El Palmar & Conil
Food is one of life's great pleasures and Spanish food rocks! The tapas are cheap and excellent and the fish & seafood fresh and tasty. Again we really hope you'll take a culinary voyage of discovery while you're in Andalucía some places to start:
• Los Hermanos typical fried fish and tapas
• Blanco Y Verde typical Andaluz food
• Da Pietro may just serve the best Pizza in the world
• La Fontanilla fish restaurant right on the beach in Conil
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Golfing
The province of Cádiz is a Mecca golf lovers. Over the years Andalusia has become one of Europe's top destinations for golfers. Due to the quality and quantity of courses, Andalusia figures among one of the very best regions in Europe for golf.
Within a sociable distance of your accommodation either in El Palmar or Conil de la Frontera are some truly world class golf courses. We can arrange golfing holidays that cater for all levels of golfers and groups up to eight.
Our service includes:
• Transfers to and from your airport of arrival and departure.
• Daily transfers between your selected courses & your accommodation.
• Accommodation in first class villas, apartments or hotels.
• Five Days golfing (five rounds) on three carefully selected courses.
• Includes all green fees.
• Access to a range of other sporting activities such as surfing & horse riding.
• Unbeatable value on all city visits.
• First class personal service from the team.
Horse Riding
Finca Los Romeros is set in the Parque Natural of Barbate. There are over 5000 hectares of Pine Forest to explore not to mention endless stretches of an unspoiled coastline.
Horses and routes will be carefully selected to suit the level of the rider. On horseback it is possible to cover a wider area than on foot or by car. The forest is rich in flora and fauna with wild sage, rosemary and lavender and many species of birds of prey. Riding towards the coastline there are breathtaking views of Cape Trafalgar, Barbate and Morocco. Further inland it is possible to see the local white town of Vejer.
There are forest routes to suit every level, though (beach rides experienced riders only). Staff are friendly and knowledgeable and are therefore able to offer advice and help where required. Tuition may be available.
Rides are normally one hour for beginners (half an hour for small children) and up to four hours for experienced riders.
Week long holidays are available for those who are passionate about horse riding. A different route is followed every day and accommodation is on site.
The Countryside ride follows a series of Farm tracks, which are lined with wild flowers in the Spring. On reaching the highest point there are stunning views of the African Coastline.
For the week long horse riding holidays it is possible to cater for up to groups of eight. Smaller groups of beginners are however preferable, as greater levels of guidance can be given.
For more information about horseriding prices and availabilty at Finca Los Romeros please contact us.
SIGHTS & CITIES
Southern Spain is host to a variety of magnificent sights and cities. Just a short drive from your accommodation lie the cities of Seville, Jerez de la fronterra and Cádiz and the towns of Vejer, Tarifa and Conil de la Frontera. The close proximity of the area to Morocco (i.e. the narrowest point of the straits of Gibraltar is in Tarifa) ensure impressive views of the North African shoreline on clear days.
There are several protected pine forests, extending for several kilometers in the area and this region of Spain is incredibly tranquil, with a sparsely populated coast. Minimal maritime traffic mean the beaches are immaculate, windswept and incredibly diverse. On any given day you will be able to find you own private stretch of coast, to be enjoyed either alone or with a close group of friends or family.
ORGANIZED DAY TRIPS
The province of Cádiz has the oldest city in Europe, the provincial capital 'Cadiz'. The city is host to around 150,000 inhabitants and has 3000 years of history. Over the years many civilizations have settled in the province: Phoenicians, Gothic, Romans and Arabs to name a few. Their traces are still visible in Cadiz.
Enjoy a real taste of Spain by going on one of our arranged day trips. With multi-lingual guides and excellent transport, all that is required from you is to sit back relax and take in a truly enchanting taste of 'the real Spain'.
Seville
Visit what is probably the most beautiful city in Europe. If Andalusia is the embodiment of the Spanish clichés of flamenco, gypsies and fiestas, then Seville, its capital city, is its heart.
On the panoramic visit you will visit the Plaza de Espana, Plaza de America, Maria Luisa Park, Torre del Oro. The old town is visited by foot with multi-lingual guide. In the old town you will experience the cathedral with its magnificent Giralda, Reales Alcazares (the kings palace) and walk thorough the enchanting "Barrio de Santa Cruz". There will be time to shop and time for lunch, so why not taste the tapas at some of the many tapas bars.
Ronda
The town of ronda rises amongst a ring of dark angular mountains. It is built on an isolated ridge of the sierra and is split in half by the gaping gorge of the river Tajo with a sheer drop of 130 meters on three sides. The gorge is spanned by an incredible 18th Century bridge,whilst tall, whitewashed houses lean from its precipitous edges. Much of Rondas attraction lies in the view as the town is approached. The arranged day trips pass through the Grazalema and Alcornales national parks.
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Jerez de la Fronterra
In 1587 Sir Francis Drake carried out a devastating raid on Cádiz, where he set fire to the whole of the Spanish fleet and helped himself to some 300,000 gallons of sherry! The huge supply must have contributed to establishing a taste for the wine in Britain. Subsequently in the late 18th and early 19th centuries a large number of English, Irish and Scottish merchants arrived and settled in the area. On the day trip to Jerez you will visit one of the famous Bodegas and a visit to the Royal Equestrian school with its show 'how the Andalusian horses dance'.
Doñana National Park
Doñana consists over over one hundred thousand hectares of protected land and is considered to be on of the most valuable natural landscapes in the whole of Europe. Within its landscape the national park accounts for a total area of some 50,720 hectares, as well as 2,040 hectares of protected land. within Doñana some very diverse ecosystems coexist. You can find pine forests, sand dunes strewn with fossils, beaches, marshes, lagoon complexes, reserves and many more areas of significant ecological interest which support a wealth of animal and plant life. The United Nations have recognized the park as an area of significant ecological interest, subsequently designating it as a 'Special Protection Area for Bird Life' UNESCO placed the title of world Biosphere Reserve and it has been awarded the Council of Europe's Diploma for Management. The areas most significant distinction was achieve in 1994, when it was first included on the list of World Heritage Sites.
The day trips on offer include checking the park out in an all terrain 4x4.
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Morrocco - Tanger and Teutan
The trip will go to Algeciras and from here the Straits of Gibraltar will be crossed by ferry to the Spanish colonial city of Cueta. A bus ride will then take you to Teutan along the coast. A walking tour of this Moroccan city will be offered accompanied by a local guide. With the local guide Medina, Kashbah and the market will be visited. The lunch which is included will be in a typical restaurant. You will then return to Ceuta where we will get the ferry to Algeciras.
Córdoba
The excursion begins in the mosque of Córdoba. The heyday of Córdoba came in the 10th century under Abd-al-Rahman III who was the first caliph. Some areas of Europe languished in the Dark Ages, whilst Córdoba became somewhat of an advanced center in learning sciences, medicine, philosophy and poetry. Along with Baghdad and Constantinople, it was one of the three greatest cities in the world. It has a population of 300,000. After the visit to the mosque a visit to the synagogue will take place with a walk around the Jewish quarter.
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DOLPHIN & WHALE WATCHING
Tarifa, situated at the most southerly point of continental Europe, and just south of El Palmar, is a magnificent place to observe and study marine life. Schools of Whales and Dolphins can be seen out to sea.
The Straits of Gibraltar form a gateway at the entrance of the 'Mar de Alboran', a maritime region within the Mediterranean Sea which is of particular importance for its marine ecology. The conditions in this region are absolutely ideal for marine life due to the exchange of huge amounts of water between the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea which meet at this one point- the Strait of Gibraltar.
While the current from the Atlantic Ocean penetrates the Mediterranean at the surface, the current from the Mediterranean flows into the Atlantic at a depth of more than 100mts. It is this situation that provides exactly the right conditions to favor the appearance of a wide variety of food for a great number of marine creatures. This exchange of water from two different seas, make it possible to regularly see populations of, Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Striped Dolphins and the long finned Pilot Whale.
So if the surf happens to flatten off for any period of time, it will well worth taking a trip to see the real expert surfers in action. There are numerous local company's in Tarifa that offer dolphin & Whale watching trips. There is a 99.9% sighting rate here.
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OTHER STUFF
And if that's not enough why not try out some of the other popular pastimes on the region:
• Flamenco Dancing Classes
• Snowboarding in the Sierra Nevada
• Kitesurfing
• Trail Riding on Mountain Bikes/Quads
• Snorkeling on the Canos reef
• Bike/Scooter hire & area exploration
• Reef fishing
• Windsurfing
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