For this port, we booked our first Holland America shore excursion to Jerez de la Frontera. We traveled by bus from Cadiz inland to nearby Jerez, the center of the sherry industry. This area of Andalusia is also known for its horses and flamenco.
The Prinsendam was docked directly in the Old Town of Cadiz, along with a Costa ship. Cadiz is a peninsula with beaches on most sides and a major ship-building yard. Our tour guide, Maria Carmen (Mika) enthusiastically explained the city highlights as we drove toward Jerez. She mentioned the one beach is still nicknamed “the women’s beach” because 40 years ago it was the only beach where bikinis were allowed.
On the way to Jerez, we saw several large black billboards, in the shape of a black bull, with no writing. They are the famous advertisements for Osborn, a major producer of port, sherry and brandy with the black bull on its label. Osborn is headquartered in nearby Puerto de Santa Maria.
In Jerez de la Frontera, we walked a short distance admiring the sites, and then headed to the Gonzalez Byass bodega – the maker of Tio Pepe. We learned about the unique sherry production process which is aged in America oak barrels. Then we tasted both the fino (dry) and the Croft original (sweet but good). There was a fun gift shop with sherry to buy as well as various forms of the famous Tio Pepe character.
Back to Cadiz, our guide provided as overview of Cadiz as our bus drove around the old town. She pointed out where Halle Berry was filmed in the James Bond movie (which was supposed to be in Cuba).
After dropping our purchases at the ship, we headed out to explore Cadiz. A great Old Town was easy to walk with an interesting Mercado (market) nearby. Besides excellent beaches, Cadiz has beautiful parks. Many of the stores closed in the afternoon for siesta, but cold Cervesas were only .80 to 2 euros. The Carrefour store (similar to Wal-Mart) is beside the Mercado and was a great place to stock up on Diet Pepsi and fortificante (hair conditioner in Spanish).
Once the full day tour guests arrived back from Seville, the Prinsendam sailed out of the harbor. Port lecturer Frank provided in-depth commentary as we sailed over the spot of the famous naval battle of Trafalgar. Lord Nelson was killed in this battle; his body was shipped back to England preserved in Rum. Rum and its watered-down version (grog) became the official drink of England’s Navy.
Cadiz is a great port and somewhere we’d like to visit again!