My long-time dream came true this fall when I was able to visit Andalucía, Spain. The region has always attracted me with its wonderful history,  warm weather,  beaches, Mediterranean food, Pablo Picasso and other famous artists and especially the laid-back life style of the people.

It is both the most populated (8.4 million) and the most southern autonomous community in the kingdom of Spain (reino de España). It is also the only European region which has both an Atlantic and Mediterranean coastline. Over 70%  of its over 500 miles of coastline feature sandy beaches (playas), making it a very popular destination for tourists. Some of which stay in Andalucía for several months as the weather stays all year round sunny and warm.

Some of the cities to visit are Málaga, Sevilla, Granada, Marbella, Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Cádiz. Sevilla (Seville) is the capital of Andalucía. It is also one of the warmest cities in Europe reaching temperatures over 40C in the summer. I especially enjoyed Málaga, home town of Pablo Picasso. This city’s biggest landmark is the Castle (Castillo) de Gibralfaro which dates back to the 14^th century with some stunning views (vistas) over the city. Also the Cathedral, Port (Puerto) de Málaga, Museum (Museo) Picasso and Constitution Square (Plaza de Constitución) are must see places.

The Spanish lifestyle calls you to stay up late into the evenings when people gather in the restaurants or coffee houses (cafés) to eat tapas or to drink hot chocolate and eat churros (fried dough pastries). Tapas (a variety of appetizers or snacks) are said to have originated in Andalucía. Popular tapas in all of Spain include shrimp, fried squid, cured ham, chorizo (spicy Spanish sausage), and potato omelettes (tortillas).

Table full of mediterranean appetizers, tapas or antipasto

The most enchanting feature of this region is the Moorish past, which has influenced the famous flamenco dance. The authentic flamenco song, sung a cappella (without musical accompaniment), is the cante jondo, an anguished lament expressing love, sadness, and loss.

Meria (Nina’s mom)

Tapas are a type of food popular in Spain. People in Spain eat differently and at different hours than those in North America. Generally breakfast is very light consisting of only a coffee with milk and perhaps a churro, a cylindrical deep-fried pastry similar to a doughnut. Lunch is served around midday and is often followed by a siesta, a midday nap. Siestas help people to avoid working in the extreme heat found throughout Spain in the summer months and in the South most of the year. Many stores are closed during this time and as dinner is served very late by our standards, (9 PM or later) tapas serve as a holdover.

Tapas are served in bars and restaurants between the hours of four and six in the afternoon. The expression comes from the Spanish verb ‘tapar’ which means “to cover.” As open air food in hot climes is often subject to insects landing upon it, proprietors took to covering the food to protect it. Served on small plates perfect for sharing among friends, tapas commonly consist of olives, nuts, french bread, shrimp, chorizo (a spicy sausage), octopus, pickled onions and more!  Spanish restaurants are creative in their tapas and some get a reputation for specializing in a specific kind. For some ideas on how to make your own tapas visit here.

The most common beverage served with tapas is sangria, or sangría in Spanish, an alcoholic beverage made with a mixture of red wine, carbonated water or soda, and fruit juice. It also features sliced citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges. Commonly a dash of rum or other liquor is added along with a handful of ice cubes. Outside of Spain sangria is particularly popular in the summer months as it is refreshing but it can be ordered year-round in Spanish restaurants. The name originates from the Spanish word for blood, sangre, due to its rich red colour. For a great sangria recipe click here.