Vejer De La Frontera

Your first glimpse of the town is as a blinding flash of white on a hilltop against the bluest of blue skies. Up close it’s just as easy on the eye, too – a labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets winding its way between quiet squares, churches and handsome historical buildings, it’s a photographer’s dream.

An authentic pueblo blanco (white village), it sits slightly inland but with easy access to the cleanest, whitest and most undeveloped beaches in southern Spain.

Gastronomy, quite simply, is in the Vejer DNA. The people take their food very seriously indeed, and from fine dining restaurants to scruffy neighbourhood tapas bars via excellent local butchers, grocers, delis and markets, food is a fundamental part of life here. You’ll visit them all and get to know what, how and why to choose all produce used on the course.

Whatever time of year you visit, the sun will almost invariably be shining brightly, and the fabulous year-round local produce is a testament to the wonderful climate.

Barbate (the tuna fish capital of Spain) is just up the road, and with the Costa de la Luz opening right out onto the rolling waves of the Atlantic, there’s never any shortage of fresh fish and seafood on the local market stalls.

As if all the fine food wasn’t enough, one of the world’s great wines is made less than an hour’s drive away between Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlucar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa Maria. (You’ll get to know Sherry very well over the course of a holiday – as well as having the option to visit Bodegas, go on tastings, and even stamp your own grapes!)

When you book one of our cooking holidays you can choose between hip hotels and beautiful boutique B&Bs that have graced the pages of many a glossy magazine and swanky hotel website. (Have a look at the great accommodation options you can stay at to see what we mean.)

It’s just a 2.5 hour flight from the UK and within easy driving distance of several airports. (Find out more about getting here.)