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alcalá de los gazules

Alcalá de los Gazules is in the Cádiz province of Andalucia in southern Spain and is both one of the Pueblos Blancos and is also on the Ruta del Toros .

Alcalá is the capital of the Alcornocales National Park - containing the worlds largest cork oak forest - odds are that the cork in the last bottle of wine you opened was from here.

Access is very easy, helped by being right beside the A381 autoroute - and there are no less than 4 major airports nearby - Jerez (35 minutes), Gibraltar (40 minutes), Seville (1 hour 15) and Malaga (1 hour 40), connecting to any number of locations in Europe and beyond.

things to see and do

There are a host of activities available if you need a break from relaxing in the sunshine.  Horse riding is available in the town and there are a number of designated walks in the Alcornocales.  Since Alcalá is on the main migration route for birds travelling between Africa and Europe - the natural park is home to an array on rare and exotic birds, including Griffon & Egyptian Vultures, storks, Buzzards and Spanish Imperial Eagles.

If you like that beach thing, then the beautiful sands of Conil de la Frontera are only 40 minutes away.  In fact many of the best beaches on the Costa de la Luz are easily accessible from Alcalá, including Caños de Meca (Trafalgar), Zahara de las Atunes and Bolonia:  if you feel like trying out some surfing then check out www.winterwaves.com for more details on local facilities.

Tarifa  also has fabulous wind and kite surfing facilities, due to winds coming through the strait of Gibraltar.  On a clear day you can see the Rif mountains of Morocco - and if you feel like getting a little closer there's a 40 minute boat trip from Tarifa that will take you across to the delights of Tangier or Ceuta.  There's also the possibility of spotting whales and dolphins in the area.

Then again, if you prefer to stay local, then wandering through the streets of centuries old villages and towns like Medina Sidonia, Vejer de la Frontera or Arcos de la Frontera will fill the bill.  On the grander scale there's always Cádiz or Seville - both achingly beautiful at any time of the year. 

And while you are in Jerez, there's always the option of trying out a tasting tour at one of the famous sherry bodegas.

If you're looking to improve your Spanish, there are language schools in Alcalá, Medina and Vejer.

Other possibilities that might appeal include mountain biking, fishing, horse riding, go-karting and, of course, flamenco.