Get Connected at the Airport
by Hopkid
If you find yourself with some time to kill in the airport at Jerez de la Frontera, be aware that there is a wifi signal (11 Mbps) available. It's not advertised as far as I can tell but I turned on my laptop and here I am putting in this general tip while I wait for a friend flying in from the States.
They have plenty of tables upstairs in the very airy and open bar/restaurant area. There are also outlets available....just be sure you have your power converter if you're from outside of Europe.
Jerez - The Feria - The Parade
by elucas
You will see a great parade of horses, riders and carriages in an impressive demonstration of equestrian perfection and pride. Competitors come from across Andalucia, from Jerez itself, and from places such as Cordoba, Ronda and Seville.
Jerez is the capital of Spain as far as horse breeding is concerned and is the home of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. (There is a separate tip on the school). On one side of the show ground there is an arena where there are daily competitions in equestrian skills. The carriages are beautiful, the horses are highly trained thoroughbreds – and impressively calm in the noisy throng of a Feria – and the riders immaculate.
The carriages are classified according to the number and arrangement of horses pulling the carriage. Two or four were the most common but there were a few with five or occasionally six horses.
situated on a small plaza...
by marktynernyc about La Abaceria
"...you can sit outside at lunchtime in a pretty square and eat boquerones con pimiento (anchovies with pepper), delicious pates and tostados and sip a decent fino. In the evening it is a lively meeting place for young locals..." I started with some boqueronos en vinagre (1.80 E), queso curado anejo (1.80 E), and lomo de Jerez (2.00 E). The delight and surprise here was the lomo which was a pork loin on a dense bread, no condiments or sauces - but the bread and meat were dense and moist- no condiments (mayo I had wondered - mea culpa) needed. Other dishes tried: salchichon amorconado (a sausage) and matrimonio (ancho/boqu - cured and fresh anchovies). A couple glasses of fino and amontillado rounded out lunch. lomo de Jerez (2.00 E) - both the bread and meat were so moist
Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte ecuestre
by coccinella169
The Real Escuela is located in a nice area, an about 15 minutes walk from the centre of Jerez de la frontera. The property is indeed beautiful, very clean and surrounded of a park. There is a beautiful baroque style palace-like building.
The exhibition "Cómo bailan los caballos andaluzes" was for sure the most interesting part of my visit there. They show dressage, horses doing pirouettes or caprioles. All this is accompanied by spanish music and the riders wear traditional costumes of the 18th century. One part of the show is dedicated to carriage riding, in another one the horses are led by hand without saddles. Between each part there is a short description in spanish of what is coming next. Sometimes it really looks as if the horses are dancing - and overall it is a fascinating spectacle. Please note though that they are showing of course movements which are so untypical for a horse and not natural at all. On some of the white horses I could also see traces of blood because of using the spurs. Sometimes I felt relived when they just let the horses do a simple gallop.
A visit to the show costs 25 EUR (row 1-2) or 18 EUR, which I found pretty cheap compared to the prices at the Spanish Riding school in Vienna. The show takes place from 1-3 times (depending on season) a week at noon - please check their website for details.
I also would reccomend to buy your tickets in advance, though in my case the queue for pre-booked tickets was much longer.
Even if you decide not to visit the show "Cómo bailan los caballos andaluzes", you can watch their training in the morning. Of course there is no music then and the riders wear green or blue polo shirts instead of uniforms :).
Alcazar and Art
by lomi
A visit to THE ALCAZAR is a must. This Moorish fortress/ palace was built by the Abbadid rulers in the early 10th century and later converted into a Christian stronghold.
This complex covers a surprisingly small area, but has a mosque (subsequently used as a church), Arab baths, several towers (one of which is octagonal), pretty gardens with a fountain, cloistered patios, the Palacio Villavicencio and a camera obscura.
The Hall of Ambassadors bears decoration closest to that of Granada's Alhambra. The Patio de las Muñecas is thought to be the site of the harem, and where King Pedro allegedly murdered an interesting mix of guests and family!
There are excavations on-going at the site that will later be extended to visitors. In the entrance is a modern art exhibition.
The camera obscura is a definite highlight, though it wasnt open the day we visited. Located in a tower, this offers a 360 degree view of the city projected through lenses and mirrors: Though the view of the city from the top of the stairs leading to the tower was pretty good.
entrance: €7.50;
Opening Hours:
Oct-Mar: daily 9.30am-5pm
Apr-Sep: daily 9.30am-7pm
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Flamenco Show 1
The horse show ring.
One of the shopping floors
Grape vines, Gonzalez Byass Bodega, Spain
