10th May 2007 – Summer in Jerez is a myriad of colour and sounds. The Jerez Horse Fair, gypsies dancing flamenco, the patchwork of golfers’ plaid: the rainbow of colour explodes as people flock to enjoy all that Jerez offers. Sun-seekers and sports lovers head to the golf courses and beaches. To unwind after a day in the sun, sit back and enjoy a late night tapas dinner, topped off with a dash of locally produced sherry.
Golf
Andalucia has a multitude of golf courses, exploiting the year-round sunshine and perfect playing conditions. Nineteen courses are located in the Cádiz province, with two in Jerez itself – the Sherry Golf Jerez, honouring the city’s famous export and located close to both town and beach, and the Montecastillo, next to the Grand Prix circuit and designed by champion golfer Jack Nicklaus. With such good courses on Jerez’s doorstep, take advantage of the great climate, dust off your clubs and fine-tune your swing.
From April to October 2007, the Hotel Prestige Palmera Plaza is offering two nights accommodation in their five-star hotel, airport and golf course transfers, one green fee at the Sherry Golf Club, a massage or a ticket to a bodega, museums and other attractions, from €204 per person, bed and breakfast. For more information or to reserve, visit www.prestigehotels.com, call +34 902200414 or email prestigewelcome@prestigehotels.com.
Dancing in the streets flamenco-style
Jerez is famous for its long standing flamenco tradition, making it an excellent place to watch this great art. The Flamenco Festival of Jerez (annually, late February to early March) is one of the most important festivals in Spain, with two weeks of phenomenal music and dance from internationally renowned performers. At other times of the year, be inspired by the dancers at the Andalucian Flamenco Foundation – housed in the stylish eighteenth century mansion, the Palacio de Pemartín – or discover the spontaneous passion of Flamenco danced by Andalucian gypsies in the narrow backstreets and old squares of the Old Town.
Jerez Horse Fair gallops into Gonzalez Hontoria Park
During the first week of May, Jerez holds its annual Horse Fair in the picturesque Gonzalez Hontoria Park. It’s a spectacular equestrian occasion, with some of the world’s finest horses and riders competing in a range of events including endurance trials, coach driving, pursuit and tumble, doma vaguera (a skilled, precision and exquisite equestrian discipline evolved from working on horseback with cattle and bulls) and dressage competitions. The festival atmosphere engulfs spectators, surrounded by colourful decorations, and flamenco music and dancing that surround the event.
Hit the tapas trail
Part of any good Spanish experience is the food, in particular the tapas bar. Jerez has wide variety to choose from, combining Arabian Islamic heritage and maritime influences with English and French touches. The best way to sample everything on offer, tapas is just as much about sharing and laughing with friends as it is about the food. Naturally, the local fino (sherry) is the perfect accompaniment to the delicious variety of dishes on offer.
Fancy a spot of sherry?
Jerez de la Frontera is the home of sherry. With a history of over 250 years of producing the popular drink, Jerez prides itself on its famous bodegas (cellars) – take a bodega tour to discover how sherry is produced and enjoy a tasting. Even for those who aren’t sherry fans, the bodegas are architecturally beautiful and worth a visit. Jerez is the perfect launching place for a tour of Andalucia’s Sherry Triangle; the area between Jerez, Sanlucar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa Maria is the best area to make sherry, producing unrivalled quality.
The luxurious five-star Hotel Prestige Palmera Plaza is helping people discover the joy of Jerez’s sherries; for €265.50 per person (minimum two people sharing a room) you get three nights lodging with breakfast, a supper or special lunch and a visit to one of the famous Sherry bodegas. El Marqués restaurant, situated in the antique Jerezana bodega at the Hotel Prestige Palmera Plaza, is a great place to relax for a meal. Offering Mediterranean and international cuisine, El Marqués also provides a wine matching menu. To reserve or for more information on the restaurant or sherry package, visit www.prestigehotels.com, call +34 972252100 or email prestigewelcome@prestigehotels.com.
Culture
A tour of the Old Town is a must when visiting Jerez. Starting at the 11th and 12th century Arabian Islamic fortress, the Alcazar, which has now been beautifully converted to a mosque, containing an impressive set of Arab Baths. Old mansions and beautiful churches are scattered around the city, or wander through narrow backstreets of the Barrio de Santiago, home to the gitano (Roman gypsy) community and a hotbed of flamenco.
Flora and Fauna in Coto Doñana
The Parque Nacional de Doñana, or Coto Doñana, is one of Europe’s last great remaining wetlands. It has an incredible array of vegetation and a vast wilderness that supports an unrivalled wealth of fauna. Together with the surrounding Parque Natural de Doñana, it covers 1300 sq kilometres. Over 250 bird species use the park’s three distinct ecosystems as a base at various times of the year, making it a haven for twitchers. In addition to the birds, over fifty other animals are at home in the park, including the Egyptian mongoose and endangered species, the Spanish Imperial Eagle and Iberian Lynx. The park is best explored by foot using information gleaned from the visitors’ centres, or on a half-day trip which runs twice daily in the company of an official guide. Alternatively, stroll along the unspoiled stretch of coastline at Playa de Castilla beach which runs along the park’s boundary.
Beaches
Only 36km from Cádiz and the coastline of the Costa de la Luz, Jerez is within easy reach of beautiful long, sandy beaches. Spanish visitors flock to the area in July and August for their summer vacation, chasing the serenity and beauty these beaches offer. For the remainder of the year, the coast is uncrowded and there is ample space for the windsurfers, swimmers, yachtsman and sailors. The coastline is dotted with small fishing villages, particularly around Cádiz, and many beaches have chiringuitos (beach bars) open in the summer offering something to quench your thirst. Beaches nearer Matalascañas are quieter, especially Playa de Castilla which runs alongside the boundary of the Parque Nacional de Donaña, offering a haven for birdwatchers.
Sports
Taking advantage of the fine weather, sports of all types can be experienced around Jerez. From the more traditional (fishing in the Bay of Cádiz, mountain biking) to the loud revs of motorbikes and 4x4s, there is something to suit most tastes. The MotoGP races around the Circuito de Jerez (usually in March or May) where occasional F1 races are also held. For those who prefer lower decibels, a trip out to the Bay and Straits of Gibraltar for whale and dolphin watching might be more suitable, allowing visitors to simultaneously enjoy the water, sun and nature. Head to the beach and try topping up your tan whilst playing bossaball. This new craze is played on trampolines and inflatables, mixing soccer, volleyball and gymnastics. The aim is to keep the ball alive whilst performing moves to a soundtrack provided by the referee DJ. It’s fun, a great workout and a perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon.
The Hotel Prestige Palmera Plaza is a five-star deluxe hotel located in the centre of Jerez. Part of the Prestige Hotel group, the Palmera Plaza has 42 luxury double rooms, six superior doubles and four grand suites. They are offering hotel packages for golf and sherry fans – for more information please visit www.prestigehotels.com, call +34 972252100 or email prestigewelcome@prestigehotels.com.
With forty years of hotel experience behind them, Prestige Hotels is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion programme. In 2002, Prestige had five hotels – this will increase by six properties by 2008, bringing their portfolio to a total of eleven hotels.
With an invaluable understanding of the hotel industry, Prestige Hotels desire to offer guests a very unique experience is obvious. Every hotel is designed in a very different way, but at the same time ensuring the unsurpassed service and quality that is synonymous with the Prestige brand is retained.
Brands include: Hoteles Prestige Costa Brava – five hotels located right on the tip of Mediterranean coast; Hotel Prestige Paseo de Gracia is a boutique hotel and one of the jewels of Barcelona’s crown; Hotel Prestige Congress, a 160 guestroom hotel is geared towards the business traveller and Hotel Prestige Palmera Plaza, is a five-star deluxe hotel located in the centre of Jerez. The group will be expanded when the Prestige Lucena (Cordoba) opens in XXXX
For more information contact:
Magellan PR on Tel: 020 8875 2850
Email: info@magellan-pr.com