321620 Tue Aug 29 07:18:36 -0700 2006 5 50 Spain/Portugal 0 1839998 I'm going to Madrid soon, and plan to go south from there. I don't have any real plans, so I'd love some recommendations for cities or towns that I could visit for a day or two to get some spectacular meals. Recommendations for cities and big and small would be great, but as I'm going to Madrid for a little while, a smaller place might be nice. I'm considering Cadiz, but looking for a few other possibilities. Thanks! Tue Aug 29 07:18:36 -0700 2006 15890 Lina 1 1840009 If you're going down to Cadiz, definitely spend a few days eating and taking in the sights of Seville and other towns of the Andalucia. This is where tapas originated and some of the most wonderful tapas bars are in this area. The Moorish influence can be felt in the food as well as the architecture. Below are links to couple of my earlier posts on this area. Also search Madrid on this forum for some recommendations. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/320304 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/318490 Tue Aug 29 08:02:54 -0700 2006 1839998 10756 PBSF 1 1840042 Don't forget about Malaga I think the train journey is about 5 hours from Atocha. it often gets overlooked but remains one of my favourite cities in Spain ( of which I have many favourites ) The Picasso museum is stunning and there are many many good eating opportunities particularly for the Mariscos fritos which is a speciality of the area. Apart from that, I would also heartily recommend Valencia which will, I think, change greatly after the America's cup is held there. I put a number of posts on the blog about our recent brother's road trip there. I would go back in a second. http://majbros.blogspot.com/2006/05/dos-hermanos-do-valencia-day-four.html The food offerings are really special with it being the home of Paella ( Casa roberto was worth the trip on it's own ) and Casa Montana in the coastal area ( Malvarossa?) is rightly a famous local bar for tapa and wine. Hope this helps Tue Aug 29 10:44:54 -0700 2006 1839998 12021 Simon Majumdar 1 1840059 I think the region around Cádiz is a great chow area--Cádiz, San Lúcar de Barrameda, Puerto de Santa María, Jerez de la Frontera--provided that you like seafood, that is. Lots of great traditional fare in that area. Tue Aug 29 11:27:40 -0700 2006 1839998 10661 butterfly 2 1841067 Yes!!!!! Sanlucar has amazing food; not been to Cadiz yet....... Tue Aug 29 18:53:01 -0700 2006 1840059 12618 erica 1 1853457 Butterfly, do you have any specific recommendations for restaurants in the Cádiz area? I'm definitely going to go there, and Jerez de la Frontera. Not sure where else. Thanks so much for your help! Mon Sep 04 21:07:09 -0700 2006 1839998 15890 Lina