This was my second trip to Spain this year and I can’t wait to go back! Here’s my abbreviated report:
Madrid
Hotel Orfila: This family-owned and run Relais & Chateaux, located in the upscale Salamanca neighborhood, is perfect for the guest that enjoys exceptional service, authentic antiques, art and authentic Spanish heritage.
Heritage Hotel: This cute Relais & Chateaux hotel, owned by the same family, has a friendly staff, cozy lobby, yummy breakfast, comfortable rooms, great service and authentic Spanish ambiance.
Pablo drew us into each educational encounter with stories of history and art that were almost “gossipy”. We leaned in to get details including the scoop on the Spanish royal family. My favorite was our visit to the Prado Museum, particularly Tintoretto’s “Washing of the Feet” with its perspective meant to be viewed by the left or right side versus from the front. You have to see it to appreciate it. I als enjoyed a version of the Mona Lisa painted by one of DaVinci’s students.
Andalusian Countryside
Hacienda de San Rafael A short drive from Seville, this family owned place stole my heart! The serenity and beauty of this sprawling hacienda was a needed respite during a whirlwind trip. With rooms in the main building, casitas and the pool villas, it is perfect for solos, couples, families and friends traveling together. I loved the pool villa with its beautiful living room, spacious ensuite bedrooms, and eat in kitchen. We could have had the staff bring us breakfast at the villa, but we enjoyed “breaking bread” together in the cozy restaurant. The cute courtyard with the abundant bougainvillea and colorful plants made me feel as if I were in a picture postcard.
The abundance of different areas for gathering with friends or family – whether it was for an aperitif and tapa in the courtyard, lunch outside in the pavilion, a nightcap in the “family room” – or at the villa, made the place feel like home. I loved the private flamenco performance we enjoyed in the family room! It is centrally located between Seville and Jerez – with convenient commercial flights from the small Jerez airport or Seville.
Seville: Virginia brought history alive when we visited the Alcazar and Cathedral. Sadly, we did not have time to spend in the ancient quarter to admire the flamenco dresses, shawls, and decorative fans in the boutiques.
Corral del Rey: In Seville and owned by the same family as the Hacienda, this cute, eclectic hotel is located in the city center. I loved the rooftop terraces with pools.
Jerez: We took a drive to Jerez and visited the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art for a demonstration of the equestrians and their horses’ capabilities. I was excited for our backstage visit during the intermission and a brief sherry tasting after the show.
Spain is one of my favorite countries and I’m happy to share it with you. (I didn’t have room to share Cordoba and Barcelona from this trip.)
Helen Jordan is the owner of Jordan Luxury Travel, an independent affiliate of Brownell Travel, a member of Virtuoso. She can be reached at 602-692-9379 or [email protected].
