Page 163 - Cork & Tee Sample Program Flipbook, 2018

In the evening, we have arranged a gourmet tapas
walk with our favorite local culinary guide,
Shawn. This experience will serve as dinner and
an insightful window into this most unique
Spanish tradition. Simply put, this is a ton of fun!
Going out for tapa—a practice known as El Tapeo
—is a must, particularly given that tapas
originated in Andalusia and that Seville is the best
place for tapas in all of Spain in our opinion.
According to legend, the tapas tradition began in
the 13th century when Castile’s king Alfonso X
also known as Alfonso the Wise, recovered from an illness by drinking wine mixed with small
dishes between meals. After regaining his health, the king supposedly dictated that taverns in the
kingdom were not allowed to serve wine to customers unless the beverage was accompanied by a
small snack or tapa.

Shawn is a Canadian expat and food and travel writer who has lived in Seville for more than 20
years. The private gourmet tapas walk of three to four
hours will include some of the very best tapas
establishments in the city. Generally, we recommend
a first stop at one of the best spots for jamón ibérico
de bellota, which is considered one of the finest styles
of ham in the world and originates not far from
Seville in the Sierra de Aracena. Additional visits are
suggested to a traditional tapas bar and a higher-end “designer tapas” eatery to expose you to the
range of tapas bars in the city. You might end the evening with a nightcap.

Proposed Accommodations: Hotel Alfonso XIII

Day 8: A Visit to the Mountains and Artisan Producers: Wine, Salt, Cheese and Olive Oil.
This foodie day trip will take you from Seville to the beautiful mountainous region of Southwest
Spain and the natural park of Grazalema, where together with Ivan, your guide, you will visit a
range of local artisan food producers. Specifically, you will experience artisan producers
specializing in wine, salt, cheese and olive oil.

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