Last week we jetted off to the hippy paradise that is Tarifa, Spain for a much needed dose of Vitamin D.  Here’s the SOTH low-down on this quintessential Andalucian town.

WHERE TO STAY //

We stayed at a little known Spanish bolthole called the Hurricane Hotel, which, despite it’s somewhat ominous name, is truly a hidden gem.

While it wouldn’t necessarily make for a listing on mrandmrsmsith.com and the like, it was refreshingly unassuming and had all the charm you’d hope to expect of an authentic Spanish casa.

WHAT TO EAT //

I’m sure it won’t surprise you to hear that good food is a biggie for me when I’m travelling and luckily, the spreads at the Hurricane Hotel did not disappoint.

Breakfast, was a help-yourself kinda set up with bowls of perfectly ripe fruit, yoghurt, avocados, tomatoes and fresh loaves of bread.  And lunch, well lunch was something else.  Whopping big portions of fresh fish, tortillas and piles of delicious salads all served at the picturesque beachfront restaurant.

For dinner we ventured into Tarifa’s old town and to my delight, one evening, stumbled across a vegetarian restaurant called Chilimosa.  It was jam-packed and had three Spanish señoritas at the helm manoeuvring at high speed around one of the smallest kitchens I’ve ever laid eyes on.  We dined on homemade houmous and falafel, a delicious coconut curry and some Indian bhajis and samosas.

The tiny town is also speckled with Tapas bars and fish restaurants serving seared tuna steaks and slabs of flakey white fish.

Beachfront @ the Hurricane Hotel

Said flakey white fish in Old Town Tarifa

Tapas galore

Beachfront @ the Hurricane Hotel

Beachfront @ the Hurricane Hotel

Beachfront @ the Hurricane Hotel

Beachfront @ the Hurricane Hotel

WHAT TO DO //

When we could bear to tear ourselves away from lying around the pool we joined in a couple of yoga classes at the hotel, had a drive through the nearby national parks and went on little walks along the beach.

My husband – the exercise junkie – also went paddle boarding, surfing and had some kite-surfing lessons.

Stay tuned for a Tarifa inspired recipe.

Check out my Postcards from Cornwall for another SOTH foodie travel guide!