Thursday, 23 May 2013

Ronda, Spain - May 22, 2013

We had the best meal of our trip last night at a small tapas bar in the Old Town called De Locos Tapas. It came highly recommended on Tripadvisor and did not disappoint.  We arrived to find out that it was completely full.  The Owner suggested that we go for a walk and maybe something would up.  Nothing did open up but he asked if we wanted to sit at a small table by the kitchen (all the other tables are upstairs).  They could be the best seats in the place.  We were able to speak with him all evening as he explained tapas, Spain, culture, etc.  We were able to see the tapas being prepared and as they were taken upstairs to the other guests.  We had lamb, duck, red tuna, mini burger, cheese plate, risotto, codfish and sirloin.  It was all outstanding but our favourites were the duck and the lamb.  Our bill for all of this plus 2 glasses of wine, 2 beers and a dessert was 32 Euros (about $42).  The best meal we have had in Europe so far.

We got up late, had a light breakfast and then headed out to see the sights of Ronda.  We walked to the old town and stopped at Mondragon Palace - an original Moorish building built in the 14th century - it was very interesting.  We then ventured down below the Palace to get near to the bottom of the Gorge and had great views of the Puente Nuevo (the New Bridge) built in 1751.  We then followed the valley floor around the town and climbed up (on a walking trail) to near the far end of the old town.  It was around lunch time and we found ourselves near De Locos Tapas - stopped for an amazing lunch.  We then walked down the other side of the town into the valley to see the Arab Baths (built between the 13th and 14th centuries), the Arab Bridge (the first bridge in town) and the Puente Viejo (the Old Bridge) built in the 16th century.  We climbed along side the Old Wall and back into the Old Town.  Getting our workout today.  We went back to the hotel for a siesta (that is what they do here).  We went for dinner about 9 pm and had tapas at Entre Vino and Faustinos Bar and Tapas.  Over stuffed, we went back to our hotel.  Love Ronda.
Andalucian Hills

Hotel San Francisco

Puente Nuevo (the New Bridge) -1751

Puente Viejo (the Old Bridge) - 16th Century

Jan and Bob on the New Bridge


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