In my research I have not come across much written about the towns between Tarifa & Cadiz. I imagine there may not be much on the Spanish S.W. Coast? Does anyone have information about Convento de San Francisco in Verjer de la Frontera or Hotel Antonio in Zahara de los Atunes, the smaller Antonio of the two? Thank you.

turbokid

Don't know about Convento de San Francisco in Verjer de la Frontera, but if you like white villages, this one is a gem (see the book The Most Beautiful Villages of Spain). Check out the website andalucia.com for more information, or maybe Maribel will respond (haven't heard from her in awhile, so maybe she's on vacation.)

I also liked Tarifa--the castle and had a very good (and inexpensive) dinner at La Morilla.


Although the beach was lovely, I wasn't as impressed with Zahara de los Atunes, but I'm not a big "beach person," but it didn't have the charm of Verjer or the interest (especially the castle) of Tarifa.

turbokid,
If I were choosing a night's lodging between Tarifa and Cádiz, I'd probably choose to stay in the very Moorish and blindingly white, perched hill town of Vejer de la Frontera slighly above the coast (like artlover, I'm not much of a beach person and I love the "pueblos blancos&quot. There you have the typical white town with its tangle of narrow whitwashed alleys and pretty views of the Med. The Hospedería Convento de San Francisco, a former 17th c. convent, is considered the best choice there, although the decor of the rooms with their arched stone walls is somewhat monastery spartan with simple handcrafted Castilian furniture. It has a good dining room, El Refectorio. There's also Trafalgar on the Plaza for more good food. Like many of the lodgings in the pueblos blancos, this Hospedería is run by a hotel organization called Tugasa, formed by the Cadiz regional gov't.. It's listed as a "Bib Hotel" in the '04 Spain/Portugal Michelin red guide (hot off the press), which means good accomodations at a reasonable price.
see
www,tugasa.com

But if those who are young, like to party and are wind or kite surfers might prefer Tarifa, the windsurfing capital of the coast. It's "boho" with a large Central European and Scandanavian expat community. Conde Naste (British version) just did a "Word of Mouth" spread on it, saying it's quickly becoming more "hip" than "hippy". They say some developers want to make it into a new Ibiza. There are several hotels there to consider:

"Hurricane"-opened in '84 by Peter Whaley, an English surfer. Sea rms better than those facing the noisy N 340. 2 pools, mountain bikes, gym, horses, windsurfing school.
An Allistair Sawday selection.
www.hotelhurricane.com


"Dos Mares" -draws a younger, surfer crowd and looks a bit Marrakesh like, "mock Arab" style. "Hotel 100% Fun" is much the same.

"La Sacristia"-new, upscale and stylish designer boutique hotel in Old Quarter-would be my choice. 1st floor rms have canopy beds and antiques. Recently featured in "Elle".
www.lasacristia.net
http://www.cntraveller.com/Special_F.../La_Sacristia/

"La Misiana"-new bar/restaurant/hotel, also in the old quarter in a multi-storied former warehouse, and a veritable riot of color, 12 very, very boldly decorated bedrooms in lilac and silver, bright green, fire engine red. Just saw a spread about it in Habitania magazine (home decor). The antiques and decorative items come from their interior decorator's store, "El Trastero de Macarena" in San Pedro de Alcantara.
www,misiana.com

There's also "El Aguilón"-owned or operated by the Hurricane-a luxury, finely decorated country house with gardens, pool and tennis courts outside of Tarifa abutting a nature park with very high tariffs but includes brk., soft drinks and wine.

The "Hurricane" and "100% Fun" in Tarifa and the "Convento de San Francisco" are featured in Guy Hunter-Watts' "Small Hotels and Inns of Andalucia", a handy tome to browse as well as Allistair Sawday's "Special Places to Stay in Spain".

Hope this helps a bit.

Artlover and Maribel,

Thank you for the response. Maribel, I think I jumped the gun. I did a search on the Convento de San Francisco and had some trouble finding information on this hospederia. I came across a website on the Hotel Casa del Califa and jumped on it. I suppose I can cancel and check availability at the Convento? Thanks for you help and tugasa.com.

turbokid,
Actually, I wouldn't cancel that reservation! I just looked at the photos of Casa del Califa on
www.secretplaces.com and
www.andalucia.com and it looks lovely-very prettily furnished.
I just wasn't familiar with it.
Later on, I'll see if it's featured in any of my "small and charming" hotel guides.
On your other thread many someone (like olga) will give you some first hand info.

Yes, turbokid,
I'd definitely keep that reservation at Casa del Califa, and take good notes, as that's where I want to stay the next time I pass through!

From the '03 Rough Guide:
"on the lower square, this is a stunning new hotel created inside a refurbished and rambling partly Moorish house, where stylish rooms are decorated with Moroccan lamps and fittings and come TV and Internet equipped; guests have use of 2 patios, a terrace with views, library and the price includes buffet brakfast. Will assit with parking. Rough Guide readers with this book can claim a ten percent discount".

Want me to send you my Rough Guide?
(actually, just kidding!)

We were actually going to head down to Vejer from Seville on Easter Sunday, as hubby wanted to see the "running of the bulls" thing through the streets that occurs in Vejer and also in Arcos on Easter Sunday twice, at noon and at 4 p.m., but we couldn't find a rental car.
Well, someday...

turbokid--- I strongly recommend you try to get to the Roman Ruins of Baelo Claudia, located west of Tarifa in the Province of Cadiz. See the website:

http://www.tarifainfo.com/en/roman-r...,-bolonia.html

We came across this archeological site while driving around "the roads less traveled" and spent a morning exploring this interesting place.