On the Menu…Restaurante El Churrasco, Córdoba (Spain)

After strolling through the Judería and admiring the beautiful patios in this medieval Jewish quarter, take a break and enjoy a meal at El Churrasco Restaurante. Established in 1970, the restaurant is housed in traditional Córdoba-style building, complete with a beautiful interior patio.

El Churrasco is well known for its grilled meat dish - the restaurant's namesake - but also turns out a selection of classic Córdoba dishes, including gazpacho blanco de piñones (cold white gazpacho made from pine nuts), berenjenas crujientes con salmorejo Cordobés (crispy fried eggplant with salmorejo - see sidebar for more info), and rabos de añojo (bull's tail stew). Fish lovers will also delight in the variety offered, including tuna, swordfish, cod, and shrimp. For dessert try the pastel Cordobés, a cake made from puff pastry, sweet pumpkin filling and bits of Serrano ham.

• Calle Romero, 16 
• Phone: (957) 290 819
• Córdoba, Spain 
• Website: El Churrasco

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Sites to See…Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba (Spain)

The Mezquita (mosque) was built between the 8th and 10th centuries, at a time when Córdoba was the largest and most prosperous city in Europe. For several centuries it served as a striking symbol of the Moors' conquest of the peninsula and Córdoba's importance as the center of Muslim power in Spain.

  

Besides its massive size, the Mezquita's most distinctive features are the 856 red- and-white double arches made of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite that soar overhead. The arches were made from pieces of the Roman temple that had previously occupied the Mezquita site.

After the Christian Reconquest in 1236, the Mezquita was converted to a church, and successive kings made changes to it, including adding chapels within the mosque, as well as converting the minaret to a baroque bell tower. Today the Mezquita is the Cathedral of Córdoba, officially known as the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. This truly unique example of Spanish Moorish architecture has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is a must see for anyone visiting Córdoba. For more information click here
 

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Itinerary Suggestion: An Introduction to the Treasures of Spain I

 

 

First time visitors to Spain will often ask us where they should go or what they should see on their first visit to the country. This is a difficult question to answer, as Spain is so very rich in history and culture that it is impossible to do more than just skim the surface on any one trip. That’s why we recommend that people plan to visit Spain more than once, and on each trip they can concentrate on a specific area so that they can truly appreciate the beauty of the treasures that abound.

A good way to get a quick introduction to the people, the culture and some of the country’s most iconic cities and sites is to follow this 8 day 7 night itinerary. It is designed to give travelers an overview of some of the most significant sights to see. Once you’ve had this overview and gain some insight into what Spain has to offer, you are sure to return, and hopefully you will be able to incorporate time in your itinerary, outside of the sightseeing, to experience those intrinsic things that make Spain – and its people – uniquely special. Spaniards have a unique love of life and appreciation for living life to its fullest, and this can be seen in the simplest activities they enjoy, such as taking an evening stroll through town, meeting friends and going for tapas, or sitting in an outdoor café and watching the people go by.

This first itinerary begins in Madrid, the capital of Spain, and takes you to the enchanting Andalusian cities of Seville, Córdoba and Granada, where you can visit some of the country’s iconic sites, including the Cathedral of Seville (world’s largest Gothic cathedral and burial place of Columbus), the Mezquita in Córdoba (8-10th C. mosque that was converted into the Cathedral of Córdoba), and the Alhambra (14th C. Moorish palace). 

• Day 1: Arrive in Madrid in the morning; sightseeing in the afternoon
• Day 2: Sightseeing in Madrid
• Day 3: Sightseeing in Madrid
• Day 4: Leave early in the morning. Drive (400 km) or take the high-speed AVE train (2.5 hours) to Córdoba; sightseeing in Córdoba
• Day 5: Take morning AVE train to Seville (45 minutes); sightseeing in Seville
• Day 6: Morning sightseeing in Seville. Depart in afternoon to Granada (about 3 hours by car, bus or train)
• Day 7: Sightseeing in Granada
• Day 8: Return to Madrid for trip home (4 hour drive or train ride, or a 1 hour flight)

Information on what to see and do, and where to eat in these cities can be found on our website or on our blog. Simply search by city.

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On the Menu…Bodegas Campos, Córdoba, Spain

 

 

 

Located in the residential San Pedro neighborhood, just a short walk from the Mezquita, you will find Bodegas Campos. It was founded in 1908 as both a wine cellar and tavern. Today Bodegas Campos offers a number of dining options: La Taberna (tavern), a formal restaurant, a wine cellar, and rooms that are used for catered events.

The interiors are rustic and classic Andalusian in design, with terracotta tile floors, wrought iron accents, and wood-beamed ceilings. The Sala Célebres room features pictures of 30 famous locals, including painters, dancers and mayors. Be sure to stop and look at the oak barrels that line the rooms and corridors, as they are signed by many of the famous people who have dined at Bodegas Campos, including members of the Royal family, celebrities, and foreign dignitaries.

The restaurant menu features classic Córdoba cuisine. Ingredients are from high quality local vendors, and the fresh fruits and vegetables come from the restaurant’s own orchard. Some signature dishes include the Ensalada de Bacalao y Naranja (a salt cod salad with orange dressing), Paté de Perdiz Casero y Aceite de Trufa (homemade partridge paté with truffle oil), and Solomillo de Ternera con Migas al Vino Tinto (sirloin with red wine sauce). There is also a wide selection of wines to choose from, and be sure to leave room for dessert.

La Taberna menu features a nice selection of traditional tapas, including the local favorite Salmorejo soup, traditional Gazpacho, Boquerones en Vinagre (anchovies in vinegar), and Habitas con Huevo y Jamón (beans with egg and ham). There is also a selection of main dishes, including Rabo de Toro Deshuesado (oxtail stew), Arroz de Verduras (rice with vegetables), and Puntas de Solomillo con Verduritas (sirloin tips with vegetables). For dessert try the Flan Casero (homemade caramel custard), Pastel Cordobés (local cake), or the Leche Frita con Helado de Lima (fried milk with lime ice cream).

• Calle de los Lineros, 32
• Córdoba, Spain
• Phone: (957) 49 75 00
• Website: Bodegas Campos

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On the Menu…Taberna Bar Santos, Córdoba (Spain)

Located across from the Mezquita, Bar Santos is a great place to take a break from sightseeing and have a snack. If you have trouble finding it, just look for the crowd of people lined up against the Mezquita wall that are enjoying their food and drink outdoors. Bar Santos is a very small tapas bar with no seats, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in the delicious food it turns out.

On the menu you will find the dishes that are traditional in Córdoba, such as Salmorejo (a creamy chilled soup made of tomatoes, bread, garlic, vinegar and olive oil), Rabo de Toro (oxtail stew), Morcilla Ibérico (Iberian blood sausage), and a variety of Bocadillos (sandwiches). But what most people come to Bar Santos for is the Tortilla Española (Spanish omelet made with potatoes), for which they have won awards. Besides being absolutely delicious, the Tortilla at Bar Santos is renowned for its size – it’s easily twice as high as a regular tortilla found elsewhere, and many would say it’s also twice as good.

So after seeing the Mezquita, do as the locals and enjoy a slice of tortilla with a cold beer or a nice glass of sherry, and soak up the ambiance of this beautiful city.

• Calle Magistral González Francés, 3
• Córdoba, Spain
• Phone: (957) 48 89 75
• Website: Bar Santos

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Next Stop…Córdoba, Spain

Córdoba is a former Roman city that is perhaps best known for its Mezquita (mosque), which was built between the 8th and 10th centuries, at a time when Córdoba was the largest and most prosperous city in Europe. For several centuries it served as a striking symbol of the Moors' conquest of the peninsula and Córdoba's importance as the center of Muslim power in Spain.

Many people will make a stop in Córdoba on their way to or from Sevilla in order to see the magnificent Mezquita. But Córdoba has so much more to offer than just the Mezquita, and visitors who linger here for more than a few hours will get a chance to enjoy the charm that can be found by wandering through its picturesque streets. Besides the historic treasures found in this city, there is also a lively social scene that can best be enjoyed in the bars and restaurants that abound. For more information from the Córdoba Tourist Office click here

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On the Menu…Restaurante La Almudaina, Córdoba (Spain)

 

 

 

Located near the Mezquita you will find La Almudaina. The restaurant is housed in a 16th C. palace that was constructed by Leopoldo of Austria, who was the Bishop of Córdoba and the uncle of Emperor Carlos V. Beautifully restored, the interior has a series of attractive dining rooms, including an interior patio that is topped with a glass-roof ceiling.

The menu at La Almudaina is representative of the traditional Córdoba kitchen, which uses fresh ingredients that are sourced from local markets. You can start off your meal with a bowl of Salmorejo, a local favorite chilled soup made with tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and bread, which is topped with chopped eggs and diced Serrano ham. For a main dish, try the Rabo de Toro Cordobés (oxtail stew), Solomillo al Foie (sirloin with foie gras), or a fresh fish, such as Lomo de Bacalao (cod fillet) or Lomo de Merluza con Hortalizas (hake fillet with garden vegetables). There is also a good selection of homemade desserts to choose from, and a wine menu that features a wide range of wines at reasonable prices.

Pl. Campo Santo de los Mártires, 1               Phone: (957) 47 43 42

Córdoba, Spain                                         Web: La Almudaina

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Checking in...Hospes Palacio del Bailío Hotel, Córboda (Spain)

The city of Córdoba is a former Roman city that is best known for its Mezquita (mosque), as well as the narrow, cobblestone streets of its charming Jewish Quarter. Córdoba has the second largest Old Town in Europe, and visitors enjoy strolling through the picturesque streets, taking in the whitewashed houses with their beautiful patios and balconies.

Located in the heart of the historic center is the 5-star Palacio del Bailío Hotel. This traditional Moorish manor was built between the 16th and 18th centuries, and is designated as a Cultural Heritage monument. As you enter through the archway, you will be transported back in time. The buildings of the manor house are arranged around a series of patios, with one that has been restored to include a glass floor that reveals the Roman ruins that were buried beneath it.

The hotel offers standard Dreamers rooms that are adorned with velvet headboards, frescoes and hand-painted stucco walls, and larger Deluxe rooms that are each unique and include features such as vaulted ceilings or stone arches from the original palace. The Junior Suites include a sitting area, and the larger Suites include frescoes and original 18th C. paintings. The Grand Suite Loft located on the top floor is accessed via a private elevator, and offers panoramic views through its 14 arched windows that face the surroundings of the Dolores Convent.

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On The Menu...Discover Salmorejo, Córdoba (Spain)

 

 

 

Many people are familiar with gazpacho, the cold tomato soup that is well known both inside and outside of Spain. But not as many people are familiar with a variation of gazpacho that is a staple in homes throughout Córdoba - salmorejo.  Salmorejo is a richer and creamier version of gazpacho. Like gazpacho, it is made with tomatoes, oil, vinegar and garlic, but the addition of bread gives this soup a creamy texture that is thick and velvety. It is served chilled and topped off with chopped eggs and diced Serrano ham.

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