places to visit
 

Hi. We have a holiday home in Tavira and visit often from England. We have visited Ayamonta town and Seville once before, Other than that we have not explored over the border in Spain. We enjoy places of character, tapas lunches anything else of interest. Has anyone any suggestions as we are visiting again end of september and thought we'd drive over for the day.:)

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Have a look at http://www.infoayamonte.com/

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Ohhhh thank you - that sounds right up our street - will take a note and visit next time we are over - thanks once again xxx

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If you do get that far then afterwards keep on past Metalescana to El Rocio - it's quite an experience - like an old Wild West town with unmade streets and loads of hitching rails for the horses. Some eating places, too. Near the Donana National Park.
If you have a full day to fill then it's worth booking a ride in the Park in one of the off-road vehicles (there is no other vehicular access to the Park)

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Oh actually friends of ours mentioned that to us this year (El Rocio) - with the year weve just had we did more chilling out than weve ever done when weve been on holiday - but come next year hopefully we'll be more up to exploring again - we'll look into the national park as well as i know all the lads would definately like the off road vehicles - i suppose i'll be watching all the kids;) - but a big thank you once again xxxxx

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Pedras de El-Rei
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...P6090003-1.jpg


Rio Tinto mine
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...P9250028-1.jpg

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...P9250023-1.jpg

La Rabida
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...P9080031-1.jpg

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...P9080035-1.jpg

Solar plant at Sanlucar la Mayor
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...P7110656-1.jpg

Romeria de El Rocio
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...P4280003-1.jpg

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...Untitled-2.jpg

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Im loving the look of those pics - thanks Mike xxx

In that case Bryony id give the tour a go - i think im a bit too fragile to be off roading nowadays ;) - im hoping the next time we are over is Easter so we'll defo look into that - i dont think i could do a long tour on a bus in that heat anyways Bryony - some days even the car was too hot for us - thank you both xxxxx

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There are a number of visitors centres in Donana but the best by far is the Centro de visitantes Jose Antonio Valverde, it is very much out of he way but accessible by a normal car.
However top up with fuel and take plenty to drink with you at this time of the year, it's a long drive over very flat country. Spring is best when birds are nesting. If anyone is interested somewhere I have good details of how to get there.

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Actually Fred put up the pics. You can also find them and a load more in the Photo Album thread (the sticky thread at the top)

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Directions would be good ta xxxxx

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Hi Sam,
2012-2013 is the year of the El Rocio Jubilee. You may be sharing it with the Pope (not the forum member of the same name ;)):
http://youtu.be/r39sqSEhCdw

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Hi Bryony,
I'd wait for two years there, too, if my name were CC. It's a very tranquil place.
There are headphones to wear, if you so wish, as you tour around the various rooms.
Then, perhaps a short drive along to Móguer, and experience a copita de vino naranja? Your chauffeur may wish to visit the home of JR Jiménez to find out more about this wine.

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These directions are from BIRDWATCHING on Spain's Southern Coast by John R Butler who I am sorry has now died.

This book is the best I have come across for the area and I recommend anyone who is interested in birds to buy a copy.
It covers Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz, Almeria, Donana and some inland sites.

From the village of El Rocio turn right toward Almonte and
after 2 kms turn right where signed for Villamanrique. Continue
on this road for 20 kms until you reach a roundabout beside a petrol
station. Turn right here, beside the Meson de Gato restaurant, and
after 100 metres you come to another roundabout where you turn
left. Continue for 1 km and you reach a third roundabout 37°15'8.54"N 6°18'24.89"W
Where you should go straight across, toward Isla Mayor.
Follow this road for 7.5 kms until you reach a "T" junction where you should turn left. 37°12'3.99"N 6°15'42.28"W
After 9.5 kms you reach a point where the surfaced road ends and becomes a dirt road.
Take this road and after 7.5 kms you
pass a large white building, the Estacion de Bombas. Continue for
4.5 kms until you reach a turn-off to the right signed for the José
Antonio Valverde centre - 10 kms. Follow this road to the centre. 37° 4'26.50"N 6°22'38.16"W

Please disregard any other signs for the JAV centre that you may
see except this one. The dirt roads you will be travelling on can be
bumpy in places and some care needs to be taken, but they are in far
better condition than those that are described in the leaflets from `
the other visitors centres. Believe me, I know, as I travel to this site
almost daily as it forms part of one of my tour itineraries.

Fred ( me ) has added the two way points and the destination from Google Earth to assist

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Thankyou so much for all your suggestions. Can anyone suggest any cafes for a ? tapas lunch near La Rabida or El Rocio. Also has anyone been to Niebla? Is that worth a visit. Also the coast after Ayamonte ie Punta del Moral and El Terron? The Rough Guide to Andalucia say these two small places are nice to stop at. :starsmile:

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Hi, when we go to El Rocio we always eat at a restaurant call Toruno which is next to a Hotel of the same name, very traditional and delicious local food.

As I mentioned in a previous post when we go to La Rabida we go to the small nearby town of Palos de la Frontera to eat. There is a very nice place there that we have been to several times but can't remember the name. As you drive down the sort of 'high street' there is a small square on your right (plaza de pilar pulgar) and its just past there. It shouldn't be difficult to find as it has a covered outside area at the front and is always quite full.

Niebla is well worth a visit and there are plenty of places to eat. Regards Bryony

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Neibla ....




The name of this village means 'fog' which could come from its relative closeness to the Atlantic. We have visited this village twice, the first time to look for the kestrels that are resident there and second time to explore and visit the castle.

Niebla's walled enclosure originated in the Roman times, it now was mostly Arabs influence. It consists of five gates Puerta del Agua, Puerta del Bluey, Puerta del Socorro, Puerta Sevilla and Puerta del agujero. It also has forty turrets, and its interior contains monuments such as St. Martin's Church; the ancient Mosque of St. Mary of the Pomegranate; and the castle itself. Together with the Gate of Succour, these make up the monuments which one visits on a classic Historical Tour of the town.

The Guzman Castle has themed rooms - such as the Countess' Chamber, the Armoury and dungeons, two underground levels where over 30 instruments and machines of torture are exhibited. Gruesome place, gets worse as you follow to the end.
From the Castle's turrets you get a panoramic view of the River Tinto and the town. It is well worth a visit.

The Puente Romano is well enough preserved it crosses the Rio Tinto to reach the village from the Sevilla side.


Translation of the doors names in same order as above Water Door, Door of the ox, Door of rescue, Sevilla Door and Door of the hole !


I enjoyed a trip round the castle ruins, make sure you do the dungeon as well :-) very cheap entrance fee.