Ten Interesting Things to do on the Costa de la Luz

1. GO ON A DOLPHIN SAFARI

Foundation for Information and Research on Marine Mammals (FIRMM)Pedro Cortés 4 Tarifa (Cadiz)

This organization is actively supporting cetacean conservation. They fund large parts of their research by offering both tourist trips and ecovolunteer programmes. During research trips they sometimes approach closer than 100m and produce disturbing sounds.

www.firmm.org Tel: ++34 956 62 70 08 - Trip Price: €30
E-Mail: firmm98@aol.com

2. GET ON HORSEBACK

Visit Hipica Novo Sancti Petri - you can try riding classes, pony rides and trekking along the glorious beaches and countryside of the Cádiz coastal zone.

3. POP OVER TO AFRICA

Take the ‘Tarifa Jet’ catamaran across the Straits of Gibraltar to Tangier.

In just 35 minutes, you will be transported to the bustling souks and crowded alleyways of this Moroccan town. You can also take a day tour for about €65. This is a good option as you will get a bus tour of the town, a typical Moroccan lunch and then a guide will take you through the souk. It also means you are less likely to be pestered by lots of other would-be guides. This tour can be extended to include an overnight stay.

4. VISIT THE ALBERTO DURAN ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDENS IN JEREZ

The botanical gardens were created in 1869 and have more than 400 species of plants. The zoo has 1300 animals including the white tiger which has given birth to cubs in captivity. Visit their website

5. TAKE A BOAT TRIP TO THE DOÑANA NATURAL PARK

This 3.5 hour excursion takes you for a leisurely trip up the Guadalquivir river into the Park. You stop off in two places to see the bird life and to visit an old traditional village. You may see a wonderful sunset when yu return on the afternoo trip.

You should book in advance. Tickets may be purchased in the Old Ice Factory (Fábrica de Hielo) on the waterfront in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Visit their website

Daily Excursions : Nov – March : 10.00 April, May and October : 10.00 and 16.00 June – September : 10.00 and 17.00 Book by telephone : 956 363 813 or e-mail : info@visitasdonana.com The Fábrica de Hielo has an interesting visitor centre.

6. HOP ON A BIKE

Camaleon Sports who are based in Novo Sancti Petri have one day group bike rides ranging from 28 – 50 kms. You can take the ‘Route of the Bulls’ to the medina Sidonia area, cycle to the beautiful Alcornocales Natural Park with its ancient oak forests, visit the Breña natural park and enjoy the stunning views from historic Cape Trafalgar, or choose an easy half-day tour of the pine woods and cliff tops around Conil de la Frontera. You can also hire bicycles and go off on your own.

This company also offers kayak, boat and fishing trips in the Bay of Cádiz and 3-5 hour hikes through the surrounding countryside. For details go to Bike & Sport Centre's Web Site

Bike & Sport Center - Novo Sancti Petri - 11139 Chiclana e-mail : info@bikesportcenter.com Tel: 34 956 49 2125

7. VISIT A SHERRY BODEGA

If you are interested in visiting a Sherry Bodega, then please read our full account here

There are plenty of Sherry Bodegas in Jeréz and El Puerto de Santa María. You can visit Bodegas such as Gonzales Byass in Jeréz where you can learn about the history of the company, visit the cellars, learn about the wine-making process and sample the wines. There is also a shop where you can buy a range of gifts and wines.

Visiting hours: Monday - Saturday: mornings and afternoons. Sundays: mornings only. Tel : (0034)956357000 E-mail: visitas@gonzalezbyass.es

In El Puerto, you can visit Gutierrez-Colosia. Visits : Sat. 12.30 and 13.30. Price includes visit and wine tasting with appetiser.

E-mail : info@gutierrez-colosia.com Tel : (0034) 956853852

8. TAKE THE FAMILY TO AN AQUAPARK

Aqualand is located to the north of El Puerto de Santa María on the main road to Jeréz. Open daily from 11.00 June – September.

Opened in 1987, it’s facilities include the pool with wave machine, Río Bravo, 2 kamikazes, Black Hole, 6 water slides, children’s pool, and the newest attraction, the Black Hole. There is aslo a restaurant, bar, childern’s playground, first aid post and bus connection with El Puerto and Jeréz.

2008 prices : €18.50 for adults and €13.50 for children.

9. SEE ANDALUSIAN HORSES DANCE

The renowned Andalucian Riding School, the ‘Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre’ in the centre of Jeréz de la Frontera holds a show on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12.00. You will see beautiful Andalucian horses perform choreographed dances and complex riding techniques. The arena seats 1600 people and the show is accompanied by laser lights and flamenco music.

The setting itself is magnificent – the centre is located in the grounds of the 19th Recreo de las Cadenas palace, and you can attend training sessions on Mon, Wed and Fri between 10.00 and 1pm.

Tickets may be purchased on-line from the School’s website - you are advised to book your tickets in advance.

Contact details : - Email: info@realescuela.org

10. VISIT THE PUEBLOS BLANCOS & GET A LEATHER COAT AT THE SAME TIME!

Los Pueblos Blancos, the White Villages, are a number of little towns and villages located in the mountainous Grazalema National Park, to the east of Arcos de la Frontera. They are renowned for their dramatic locations, clinging to the mountain sides and for their dazzling houses which are meticulously whitewashed every Spring.

Start off at Arcos, which is perched dramatically on a cliff top, Don’t miss Zahara de la Sierra with its Moorish castle and the village of Grazalema, with its cobbled streets and wool crafts.

As you travel southwards towards the cork oak forests of the Alcornocales Natural park, the landscape becomes more gentle – you will arrive at Ubrique which claims to be the world centre for leather goods. A number of towns in this area have leather factories and the streets are full of factory shops where you can buy coats, bags, shoes, purses, wallets – of every colour and description. You will be spoilt for choice.