Archive for Spain
Travel to Nerja: Stay at the Hostal Don Peque
Posted by: | CommentsIf you find yourself needing a place to sleep when you travel to Nerja, along Spain’s Costa del Sol, call on the friendly folks at the Hostal Don Peque.
Very near the old city and just a short walk to the water, the little accommodation is clean and convenient. There’s a handy, but expensive, parking garage nearby and the tourist information office is only a few blocks away. The owner, (I think her name is Clara,) was on hand every day during our visit. The hostal also rents beach towels and chairs.
We ate breakfast on the rooftop terrace one morning during our stay, but found the fare to be a bit simple for the price. I thought 6 € was a tad much for bread, jam, orange juice and tea, but the views of the sea and the rooftops of Nerja were nice.
A great place to soak up some sun, Nerja has plenty of sand, restaurants and clubs to keep any beachcomber happy, and the Don Peque sits right in the middle of it all.
A Travel Trip to Tangier with Travel Guide Aziz
Posted by: | CommentsThe wife and I typically shun the idea of hiring a tour guide when we travel to a new city, but we made an exception on a recent travel trip to Tangier, Morocco.
Recommended in our Rick Steves book, travel guide Aziz Begdouri was an excellent choice. We spent a fun day traveling Tangier with Aziz and highly recommend his services. Our tour included all the main tourist stops, including the Kasbah, Grand and Petit Soccos, Anglican Church, Medina and markets. Aziz seems to know everyone in town and made our visit enjoyable.
The only negative I can report was an unrequested stop at a carpet store where we sat through a sales pitch. We weren’t interested in buying a carpet, but it was a short stop and more of a nuisance than anything else.
At only 15 Euros per person for a five-hour tour, hiring Aziz was a cheap travel deal.
You can contact Aziz at aziztour@hotmail.com.
It’s easy to reach Tangier from the south of Spain, especially Tarifa. While there’s not really any other reason to go to Tarifa, it’s only about 30 minutes by ferry to Africa so the Spanish city makes a handy departure point. Watch for more on Tarifa restaurants and accommodations in an upcoming post.
Recommending Ronda: Send a Friend to Spain
Posted by: | CommentsA friend and fellow traveler today asked me if I had ever been to Ronda, Spain.
“Yes,” I replied, “about a month ago. It’s a great place and I know the perfect hotel.”
I get a kick from helping others plan their journeys and today’s conversation was the highlight of my day. I told my friend about Ronda and how the white hill town’s ambiance and atmosphere are the best reasons to visit.
Oh, yeah, and that amazing bridge. 
Straddling a draw-dropping gorge called El Tajo, the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) was built in the 1700s and is still in use today. For great but sweat-inducing views, hike down to the bottom of the gorge. Trust me, it’s worth the effort.
The sturdy bridge and deep ravine take on a different personality after dark, so plan to spend at least one night. A great place to bed down in Ronda, the Hotel San Gabriel is cozy and convenient. The hotel’s dark wood, winding stairs and eclectic nooks and crannies reminded my wife of the mansion from the board game Clue. But don’t worry, there’s no Professor Plum or Colonel Mustard here.
Ronda is made for aimless wandering and photo-worthy vistas are around every corner. When my friend returns from her Ronda romp, I’ll pass along her impressions.
