Travel Past 50

05/26/2026

An easy listen packed with fun stories and interesting background about Jerez de la Frontera. The award-winning Amateur Traveler podcast includes some reporting from yours truly in this episode about Spain's 2026 Culinary Capital. Take a walk and listen in.

Explore Cádiz and Jerez in Spain, with sherry, Andalusian horses, flamenco, beaches, ancient history, and standout food. The 2026 Culinary Capital of Spain.

05/26/2026

I just did a week's review course of my Spanish in Málaga. In addition to Málaga being one of my favorite Spanish cities, it was huge fun to be with other "over 50s" to share the language, food, and culture of a great city. ,

Why taking a Spanish class abroad is the best slow-travel hack for adults over 50 — sharper brain, deeper culture, and real friendships. Here's how we did it in Málaga.

05/21/2026

05/21/2026

05/19/2026

We first visited Andalucía in 1975, but Jerez de la Frontera has only recently grabbed our attention. Spain's Gastronomic Capital for 2026, this remarkable city in Cádiz province is the birthplace of sherry wine, flamenco, and the legendary Carthusian horse. We dove into all three — but were also mightily impressed with the food. The well-deserved culinary recognition plays on both the traditional dishes and heritage products of the area, but also on the artistry of chefs like Javier Muñoz whose restaurant La Carboná delivers a food experience that is both approachable and complex. Wow.

Our new guide covers the best sherry bodegas and vineyards, the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, authentic flamenco at Tabanco El Pasaje, and restaurants ranging from a roadside venta to fish fry 'freieria' to white tablecloth affairs.

This is one of Spain's most rewarding — and most underrated — destinations. Read the full guide at the link. 👇

Spain's Gastronomic Capital 2026: our firsthand guide to Jerez's best sherry bodegas, Carthusian horses, flamenco tabancos, and restaurants.

05/15/2026

Like any great wine experience, sherry wines are best enjoyed by exploring their place of origin: around Jerez in Andalucía. This special region in western Andalucia is famous for its sandy, salty soil around the mouth of rivers flowing into the Atlantic.  The golden wines – from dry fino and amontillado sherries to the progressively sweeter oloroso, cream, and Pedro Ximenez varieties – are a pleasure to look at and to sip no matter the time of day.

05/13/2026

Home of the famous Carthusian breed of horses, Jerez de la Frontera in Cádiz province shows off these Andalucian beauties daily. Both riders and horses are trained here in facilities that honor the traditions of horsemanship, carriages, custom saddles and harnesses, and teamwork. The show is a veritable ballroom dance. Optional ticket upgrades include a tour of the stalls, tack room, and carriage collection. The Carthusian horse breeding center, also open to visitors, is just a few kilometers away.

05/11/2026

We finally got around to aggregating our Spain content in one overall Guide to Spain. Since we've been here more than 20 times, I think we're beginning to get a handle on it.

Plan a smarter trip to Spain with our guide to the best places to visit, when to go, food, culture, trains, packing, and slow travel ideas for travelers over 50.

05/11/2026

The Punta Bermeja Beach Hotel is an excellent base for exploring all of Cádiz province in Andalucia Spain. Our visit focused on the food and sherry of Jerez, and the cultural history of its agriculture, produce, and Carthusian horses. Nothing better than to digest all this while enjoying the great vistas from the hotel pool or beach overlooking the Bay of Cádiz.   

05/01/2026

🇪🇸 You are invited! Please join us on our next exploration of Spain – a unique deep dive into Moorish Spain in Andalucía.

We've partnered with Elective Study Abroad and their expert instructors to visit Córdoba and Granada, where we'll learn about historic influences on the cuisine, architecture, and culture of this Andalucìa region. You’ll see Spain in an entirely new light with calm, slow travel in this magical corner of Spain.

Read all about the week's activities and the talented team who will guide us through the "Architecture and Cuisine of Andalucia." https://www.electivestudyabroad.com/moorish-spain

Our instructor and her family have lived within the walls of the Alhambra for generations. You'll enjoy all the insider opportunities missed with day tours and have plenty of free time to soak it all in.

HURRY: RESERVE NOW TO ENROLL IN THE NOVEMBER 8-15, 2026 PROGRAM. Only 4 spots remain.

Travel Past 50 readers save $250 with the code TP502026. There’s no single supplement, and just for the asking we’ll help with any of your pre- or post- travel extensions in Spain. https://travelpast50.com/tours/

🇪🇸🇪🇸 Book here: https://www.electivestudyabroad.com/moorish-spain