For a real snapshot of Spain, you can't do better than Andalucia. This southern region, that includes Seville, Granada and the Costa del Sol, birthed some of the country's most beloved exports (sherry and tapas). It's where you'll witness swishy flamenco dancers in the plaza, or the mighty Alhambra fortress, tinged with pink in the morning sun. In short: Andalucia never fails to impress. Here are the best of its attractions.
1. Get merry on sherry in Jerez

For unadulterated Andalucia, Jerez is it. This is where in-the-know travellers go to hit all the mainstays of Spain’s southern province – flamenco, horses and, above all, sherry. Jerez is the gateway to the famed ‘Sherry Triangle’, a pointy-shaped piece of Spain where the beloved fermented wine is made at traditional bodegas. Start at Sandeman in town, where you can sample sherries that have been aged for 20 years or more. Others worth a look in are the quaint, family-owned González Byass and the intimatez Díe Mérito, whose tranquil courtyard is quintessential Andalucia. Round off your day with, yep, even more sherry at La Carbona, a cavernous restaurant in a former bodega where the meaty dishes are soaked in Jerez’s favourite tipple. Try the Iberian pork loin doused with sherry mole poblano sauce.
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