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Reading for the Road: <br>Our Favourite Books About Andalucia

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<span>Experts + Insiders:</span><br> Lewis Evans

Eat &amp; Drink

The Slow Road

Cuisine 101

<h3>Gazpacho</h3>
<figure id="attachment_22676" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22676" style="width: 320px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-22676 size-medium" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Gazpacho-320x212.jpg" alt="Andalusian cuisine" width="320" height="212" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Gazpacho-320x212.jpg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Gazpacho.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-22676" class="wp-caption-text">Gazpacho</figcaption></figure>
<p>Perhaps the best-known Andalusian food. Known as the “liquid salad,” (not quite the same ring as &#8220;drinking chocolate,&#8221; right?) gazpacho is a cold soup made from water, tomato, onion, cucumber, green peppers, breadcrumbs, salt, oil and vinegar. Additional chopped cucumber, croutons and pepper are added to taste. Of Semite origins, gazpacho is normally eaten at the midday meal. There are various styles of gazpacho: Andalusian style, <em>ajoblanco</em>, a specialty of Málaga, is made with blanched almonds and served with either peeled muscatel grapes or chunks of honeydew melon. Antequeran style, salmorejo, is a Córdoban speciality, and is a denser version prepared without water. Other versions include cachorrenas, remojones, alboronias, and gazpacho verde, the latter of which are from the Huelva province. Gazpacho verde is made from parsley and other green herbs in place of tomatoes.</p>
<h3>Tostadas</h3>
<p>These toasted rolls may be gentler on your stomach than churros. They can be eaten either with oil (<em>con aceite</em>), butter (<em>con mantequilla</em>) or jam (<em>y mermelada</em>).</p>


<span>Cuisine 101:</span><br> An Introduction to Andalusian Cuisine

Family Travel

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Must Sees

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Cities

Seville

<h3>El Barrio del Arenal</h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-20225 size-medium alignright" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/del-Arenal-320x211.jpg" alt="Things to do in Seville" width="320" height="211" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/del-Arenal-320x211.jpg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/del-Arenal.jpg 625w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /> El Barrio del Arenal used to be Seville’s busiest area, back when the port was established and the Guadalquivir River was the main mode of communication and transport between Seville and the world. Here you’ll find the Torre del Oro, a Moorish tower from the 13th century that now holds a maritime museum. You’ll also find the Teatro de la Maestranza, where you can enjoy international opera and classic dance. Further north, the Museo de Bellas Artes (The Museum of Fine Arts) hosts works from Zurbarán, Murillo and others; for many, the museum is reason enough to visit Seville.</p>
<h3>Barrio Santa Cruz</h3>
<p>With their whitewashed walls and terracotta roofs, the houses of the medieval Jewish quarter of Barrio Santa Cruz are among the most romantic images of Seville. The tiny squares and narrow alleyways are wonderful for strolling and catching a glimpse of beautiful patios. The compact structure of the buildings serves to keep out the intense summer sun, while ornate wrought-iron bars over windows help to keep intruders out—and hold innumerable potted plants as an attractive bonus. Admittedly, this district is one of the more touristy things to do in Seville, but it also holds hidden gems, including gorgeous patios and small, quiet squares. It’s the perfect place to get lost and breathe in the town’s life, especially around 7 p.m. when the whole town goes out on the traditional <em>paseo</em>, or stroll.</p>
<h3>Triana</h3>
<figure id="attachment_20220" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-20220" style="width: 320px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-20220 size-medium" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Triana-320x204.jpg" alt="Things to do in Siena " width="320" height="204" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Triana-320x204.jpg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Triana.jpg 625w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-20220" class="wp-caption-text">The cobbled streets of Triana.</figcaption></figure>
<p>Strolling through the Triana neighbourhood, on  the west bank of the Guadalquivir River, is one of my favourite things to do in Seville. The birthplace of Andalusian pottery since Roman times, its name is derived from the Roman Emperor Trajan. Triana has always been a working-class neighbourhood, and is known for its cobbled, lively streets. In the north part of the neighbourhood, a Carthusan monastery was built in the 15th century, giving the area its name: Isla de la Cartuja. Christopher Columbus lived here, and this is where he planned his first trip that led to America. In 1992, on the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s exploration, the area hosted the Universal Expo, and many pavilions are still in use. Along the river on Calle Betis, you can enjoy magnificent views of Seville from any of the many bars and restaurants.</p>
<h3>Plaza de Espana</h3>
<p>Originally built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Expo, Plaza de Espana epitomizes the Renaissance Revival style of Spanish architecture. Designed by Aníbal González, the building (pictured in the banner at the top of the post) combines Art Deco with &#8216;mock Mudejar&#8217; and Neo-Mudéjar styles. Among the plazas highlights are the Alcoves of the Provinces, intricately designed sections that represent each province in Spain.</p>


<span>Insider's Guide:</span><br>Things to do in Seville

<p><strong>What&#8217;s the best trip you&#8217;ve ever taken?</strong><br />
Either a kayak trip in the Sea of Cortez or a Baja surf trip. Both featured days of being footloose and fancy-free. With the kids, it was no doubt our recent trip to Kenya! We walked the Laikipai Plateau with camels, camped in the bush, and then headed to the laid back town of Watamu for idyllic Indian Ocean blues and greens accented by the perfect white sand. Spoiled in a private home with views to die for and finger licking cuisine it was truly a magical, balanced trip.</p>
<p> <strong>What&#8217;s one destination you haven&#8217;t been to, but would love to visit?</strong><br />
Mongolia. No idea why, I just like saying it! Plus I love wide open spaces and sparsely populated places. I’ve been to Paris more than 10 times but I’ve never even come <em>close</em> to the Eiffel Tower.</p>
<p><strong>What’s the best meal you’ve ever had? (And where was it?)</strong><br />
I’ve had so many that it&#8217;s hard to recall, but it feels like the jar of peanut butter after weeks of being high in Andes with only rice and <em>quesillo</em> to eat.</p>
<p><strong>Favourite bottle of wine? </strong><br />
I don’t like wine&#8230; kidding! Probably what comes from our little vineyard here in Switzerland—home grown, nothing special but you know you cultivated it yourself, so it tastes divine.</p>
<p><strong>Favourite hotel in the world?</strong><br />
<a title="Faru Faru" href="http://singita.com/faru-faru-lodge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Singita Faru Faru Lodge</a>, in Tanzania or camping anywhere in the African bush.</p>
<p><strong>Favourite restaurant in the world?</strong><br />
Really? Any restaurant serving a good steak and salad. Oh and the fish taco vendor in Mulege, Baja Mexico&#8230;</p>
<p><strong>Favourite bar/wine bar/watering hole in the world?</strong><br />
The Peanut Barrel Bloomington, Indiana.</p>
<p><strong>What’s the best thing that ever happened to you while travelling? </strong><br />
Superficially, I have to mention that first-class upgrades on long-haul flights definitely make the journey easier! But in truth, it’s all the unique human encounters in far-off lands, which, wound up together, made for lots of small great moments. Some ten years ago while traveling in Guatemala I was relaxing on a park bench and an earring vendor sat down next to me and we started chatting, of course initially she wanted to sell her stock but once it became clear I was not in the buying mood our conversation drifted and danced around kids, work, family etc. When I made the move to continue my stroll she handed me a pair of lovely silver earrings. I still wear them to this day and they are a special treasure from that moment. The time a baby gorilla hugged my leg ranks high up as well.</p>


<span>Experts + Insiders:</span> <br>Christine Tucker 

Resto

Insider's Guide to Barcelona

Catalonia

<h1>Classic</h1>
<h3><a title="La Venta" href="http://restaurantelaventa.com/#" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>La Venta</strong></a></h3>
<p>A true classic for Barcelona locals, this relaxed spot offers a great view of the city from Tibidabo.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-32206 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Barcelona-Restaurants-La-Venta.jpg" alt="barcelona-restaurants-la-venta" width="752" height="400" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Barcelona-Restaurants-La-Venta.jpg 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Barcelona-Restaurants-La-Venta-480x255.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /></p>
<h3><a title="Ca'l Isidre" href="http://www.calisidre.com/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ca l&#8217;Isidre</strong></a></h3>
<p>Enjoy the best truffles in town at this true Barcelona classic.</p>
<hr />
<h1><strong>Japanese Fusion</strong></h1>
<h3><a href="http://en.pakta.es/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pakta</strong></a><a href="http://en.pakta.es/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-32302 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Barcelona-Restaurants-Pakta.jpg" alt="barcelona-restaurants-pakta" width="400" height="222" /></a></h3>
<p>Pakta means &#8220;together&#8221; or &#8220;union&#8221; in Quechua, the language of native Peruvians, and this Nikkei restaurant blends together the best of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine.</p>
<h3><strong><a href="http://www.dospalillos.com/home.php?rest=1&amp;lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dos Palillos</a></strong></h3>
<p>Dos Palillos describes itself not as a Japanese restaurant, but as a fusion of flavours from the far east, including Japan, China, Thailand and Vietnam. This is a great spot for families to enjoy a light and local atmosphere.</p>
<hr />
<h1>Just Outside of Town</h1>
<figure id="attachment_18764" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-18764" style="width: 320px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-18764 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Ruscalleda.jpg" alt="Barcelna restaurants" width="320" height="212" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-18764" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Carme Ruscalleda</em></figcaption></figure>
<h3><a title="Carme Ruscalleda " href="http://www.ruscalleda.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Carme Ruscalleda</strong></a></h3>
<p>About a 40-minute drive north of the city in Sant Pau lies this three-Michelin starred gem that&#8217;s worth the trek.</p>
<h3><a title="El Cellar de Can Roca " href="http://www.cellercanroca.com/menu/menu_a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>El Celler de Can Roca</strong></a></h3>
<p>Located in Girona, about an hour outside of Barcelona proper, and considered <a title="World's Best Restaurants" href="http://www.theworlds50best.com/list/1-50-winners/el-celler-de-can-roca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of the world&#8217;s best restaurants</a>, this one could easily be included in the &#8220;musts&#8221; list above. You&#8217;ll usually need reservations about a year in advance in most cases, but trust me—it&#8217;s worth it!</p>


andalucia

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