Jerez
Friday, midday
Check into the characterful Apartamentos Jerez (doubles from £45, www.apartamentosjerez.com), which is set around a plush courtyard at the heart of a historic old villa.
1pm
La Moderna (Calle Larga 67) literally offers a piece of history as it is built into Jerez’s old city walls and a chunk of them are exposed at the back of this popular tapas bar.
2pm
Jerez lives and breathes sherry so visit the biggest producer, Gonzalez Byass, where a tour introduces the remarkable diversity of sherry.
7pm
Atuvera (http://atuvera. apartamentosjerez.com) is a real breath of fresh air, taking a ramshackle historic building and turning it into a creative tapas hub.
10pm
Flamenco provides the sultry backing track to Jerez life. Free flamenco shows from talented amateurs are on offer at El Pasaje (www. tabancoelpasaje.com).
Saturday, 9am
Join Ivan of Genuine Andalusia (www.genuineandalusia.com) for a half-day tour. Ivan or one of his guides will kick off with a relaxed breakfast by the city’s lively main market.
10am
Ivan will insist you try the sugary delights of Churreria Manuel too, before delving inside a market alive with colour.
Midday
The highlight of the tour is the Bodega Faustino Gonzalez, which is normally hard to access. The owner takes you on an unforgettable journey through the solera system. The tour ends in Tabanco las Banderillas (Calle Caballeros 12) for lunch.
3pm
Visit the Alcazar Palace, which dates back to the 12th century.
7pm
Dine in a beautifully repurposed old sherry bodega at La Carbona (http:// lacarbona.com). The tasting menus (with matching sherries) are divine.
10pm
Take the late night pulse of Jerez at Damajuana (http://damajuanajerez. com), which is set across a warren of spaces and favoured by local bohemians.
Sunday, 9am
Say goodbye in style during a horse drawn carriage tour of Jerez. ■
Easyjet fly to Seville (www.easyjet. com) from Edinburgh with returns
from around £125. A car from Holiday Autos (www.holidayautos.com) is the best way to get to Jerez.