It all began with a very cheap return flight from East Midlands airport in October 2019.
Arriving in Malaga with only a rucksack containing 3 of everything, plus a little black dress, well you never know!!!!
I checked in at the little Pension Gomez in Torremolinos for two nights for a very reasonable 30 euros. Not much to say about this area as it’s been fully covered.
Heading up to the town of Ronda, I took the bus from Malaga. This trip takes around 2 hours and is well worth the fare. Stunning mountain scenery all the way on this smooth journey. Ronda is a town of two parts, separated by the New bridge which spans a death defying gorge.
Ronda bus terminus in the centre of town, checking in at the Casa Duende de Tajo for 5 nights, (a bit pricier) but with views over the town and New Bridge, a balcony to enjoy morning coffee and G@T at the end of the day, it was worth the 240 euros.
Ronda is known for having the oldest bullring in Spain which are a weekly occurrence and very popular. Stunning walks around the cobbled side streets, down towards the old 12th c, Arab baths which are still intact and open to view. Walking over the new bridge towards the edge of town, a Roman fountain, still used by residents. There is so much here to see for the intrepid and interested traveller who has the time.
Moving on I headed out to Cadiz staying at the Casa hostel for 5 nights, this place was formerly an old palace which and retains a faded elegance. The place was full to bursting, but after a lot of pleading I was offered a bunk on the roof sharing the space with a lively bunch of young theatricals!!!
Cadiz, a city on the edge, a place where cruise ships dock for a day or two, a city that is still heavily governed by religion, saints and relics are paraded through its narrow streets almost on a daily basis. Their followers dressed in the blood-red of the Inquisition is an awesome sight, blink your eye, and you could be in the 14th century. The narrow streets give shelter from the heat of the sun, tapas bars in every little courtyard offer a tempting array of delights, squid and goats cheese on warm flatbread, langoustine wrapped in chargrilled red pepper, all washed down with something long and chilled.
Cadiz’s charm is its warren of streets, high medieval buildings opening into intimate courtyards, widows in their weeds and veil, young people bowing to priests in the street and wives sitting on doorsteps gossiping in time to the clack of their lace making needles.
It is truly enchanting and needs time to fully capture. Solo female traveller aged 69. I felt very safe at all times, Spanish women were especially friendly and helpful as were young people.
I will be going back.