On a sunny afternoon, a group of eight of us drive to Sedella Wines. Although we have all lived in Canillas de Aceituno and Sedella for years and have passed by many times, we had never done a wine tasting there—until today.

To reach Sedella Wines, you drive inland from Canillas de Aceituno along winding roads toward Sedella. The winery is located at an altitude of 750 meters, and upon arrival you are immediately struck by the breathtaking views. Later, we learn how the altitude, soil, and sun exposure all influence the taste of the wines.

Surrounded by a panoramic 360-degree view, we first take in the rolling landscape of the Axarquía, with the Mediterranean Sea in the distance, the imposing La Maroma mountain, and the white village of Sedella. The winery itself is also stunning—architecturally designed, blending traditional and contemporary elements that fit beautifully into the surrounding landscape.

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A week of traditions, music and impressive processions

During Holy Week, towns and cities in southern Spain become the setting for centuries-old processions, music and deep devotion.

The meaning of Holy Week
Holy Week – known in Spain as Semana Santa – is one of the most important religious periods in the Christian calendar. During this week, people reflect on the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. Semana Santa marks the end of Lent and includes important days such as Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. This year, Semana Santa takes place from Sunday 29 March to 5 April.

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When we bought our home in Andalusia in 2008, we had settled in on our mountain for New Year’s Eve, ready to admire all the fireworks from the surrounding villages. At exactly midnight we stepped outside, cava and a Dutch oliebol in hand… but there was absolutely nothing to see. No bangs, no flashes, nothing at all. Clearly, we hadn’t prepared ourselves very well ;-)

The following year, we did things properly and celebrated La Noche Vieja in a pre-booked restaurant in Nerja, with all the trimmings. That evening we learned that New Year’s Eve in Spain is celebrated quite differently from what we were used to. Over the years, this is what we’ve learned:

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This blog takes you through the eight provinces of Andalusia, with for each province: cultural highlights, landscapes, must-sees & must-dos, tips for food and drink, and special overnight stays (with booking links where possible).

Think of it as a first introduction to the eight Andalusian provinces — a journey through the lands of Almería, Granada, Málaga, Cádiz, Huelva, Sevilla, Córdoba and Jaén. Each so close together, yet each so different. Andalusia is a large autonomous region with an area of 87,268 km² — about twice the size of the Netherlands — with 8 provinces and over 8.5 million inhabitants. A region full of contrasts.

In the 18 years we have been coming here, the last 9 of which we have lived here permanently, we have truly visited 7 of the 8 provinces, once or several times, and we still want to keep coming back for more ;-) Only Almería remains on our list for a first visit.

An overview of all provinces, highlights, must-dos, and some general tips.

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