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Katherine Findlay

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Category: Europe

A guide to Ronda

Ronda is a stunning little town in the Málaga province of Andalucía, in the south of Spain, and offers plenty of charm. It is situated in the mountains, at the top of a gorge.

Ronda is definitely a growing town but still has a very authentic Spanish feel, offering spectacular views, an interesting history and the slow pace of the town makes it a great place to unwind.

24259716_10213032123910028_46515224_oWhat to do?

Puente Nuevo
The best known attraction in Ronda is the Puente Nuevo or New Bridge. It is the newest of the three bridges that connect the new and old town of Ronda, over the Guadalevín River. This is a bridge that took 40 years to build and was completed in 1793 and is 98 metres high above the river.

You can take a walk down below the bridge, it makes a great spot for taking photos of the view. I wandered down for about an hour, I wish I had worn walking shoes instead of my boots, as I would have loved to explore further.

Mirador de Aldehuela and Balcón del Coño Lookout
There is a great look out called the Balcón del Coño, which is near the main park, Alameda del tajo, here there are amazing views of the bridge, out over the countryside and into the mountains, it is absolutely stunning. I woke up early and spent a couple of hours here, mindfully wandering and taking in the view. It was just me and a man walking his dog, so peaceful.

51605526_466ee5b791_o.jpgI was so glad I did this because later on in the afternoon when I came back, there was a bus load of tourists there!

City walls
I spent a good portion of the day exploring the city walls. Ronda’s position of elevation gave it a huge advantage historically, it was very well protected against potential attacks. The city is surrounded by huge walls and they are very well preserved, offering insight into the past.  You can explore around the walls and through the Gates to Ronda, which would have been the main entrance into the city. On my walk around the walls, I also stumbled upon the Jardins de Cuenca. The views from here are fantastic.

Plaza de Toros
There is also the Ronda Bullring, I only went outside it, as I did not know at the time that this bullring plays an important role in Spanish history. It is the oldest bullring in Spain and the birthplace of modern bullfighting and built completely from stone. Bullfighting while controversial, takes place here once a year, otherwise the bullring is open as a museum for the remainder of the year.

DSCF7547Where to stay

I stayed at the Pension Hostal Ronda Sol, which I found through Hostelworld for only €19. It was basic but clean and the staff were friendly and it was very centrally located. For the price it was a bargain, a single room at a dorm price, so I definitely couldn’t complain about that. There was also a free breakfast at the café down the street, where you can have bread with olive oil and tomato, orange juice and coffee, a typical Andalcuían breakfast.

How to get here

Ronda makes a great day trip from Málaga, Seville or Córdoba. I personally stayed overnight so I could see the sunset from the bridge, so I would definitely recommend staying one night if possible. You can take the train here in about 2 hours from any of those cities.

Ronda is stunning and well worth a visit. It is more touristy than a lot of the other pueblos I visited, but it is not hard to see why, Ronda is a very photogenic town. It is now the third most visited place in Andalucía, after Granada and Seville, but doesn’t have that fast pace tourist feel. So be sure to add Ronda to your Spanish travel itinerary to take the time to unwind and soak up the scenery.

 

December 1, 2017December 1, 2017

katherinefindlayLeave a comment

A guide to Zuheros

Living in Andalucía was just as I expected it to be. Long, beautiful days without a cloud in the sky, friendly people and a laid back lifestyle. Andalucía is best known for it’s famous cities like Sevilla, Granada, Málaga and Córdoba, but consider getting off the beaten track and taking a day trip to one of the many little white villages, pueblos blancos, in the Córdoba province, settled in the mountains, surrounded by olive trees.

Zuheros is a small village located in the Córdoba province, with a population of only 650. As you drive into the village there is a sign which says “el pueblo mas bonito del mundo” (the most beautiful village in the world), and it is not wrong, nestled between mountains with Moorish castle ruins clinging to the rocky edge and beautiful white homes, Zuheros is stunning.

What to do?20170516_191336.jpg

Take in the views
Wander through the winding, narrow streets, there are not many tourists around, so you will feel like a local. A plus is if you are visiting in spring and into summer, you will be lucky enough to see the patios and windows filled with beautiful flowers. Take a walk up to the castle ruins on the edge of the cliff, to take in the view, which goes for miles.

Hiking
Zuheros is set in the Sierras Subbeticas Natural Park, making it the perfect base for hiking or climbing. The Rio Bailon Canyon is a great trail of about 5 kilometres. The riverbed was very dry during my visit (it doesn’t rain a lot in this area and gets very hot in summer, think 40°C / 104°F plus), but the rocky, scenery was stunning, with many fruit and nut trees along the way. There were amazing views looking back to the village at the start of the walk.

20170516_190315.jpgVia Verde
If you ask a local in the Córdoba region where to go walking, they will suggest the via verde. This is just one of the disused railway lines around Spain. This one in particular was historically used for olive oil production, stretching 124 kilometres through the Jaén and Córdoba provinces, starting just out of the city of Jaén and finishing in Puente Genil, a small town in Córdoba, it is the longest via verde in Andalucía. I have walked part of this route from Baena to Luque Station to Zuheros, which is very picturesque with mountain views, of course lots of olive trees and rolling rural fields. The route itself is easy, mostly flat and suitable for either walking or biking. It is very quiet, so makes for a peaceful walk.

Cueva de los Murciélagos
Cueva de los Murciélagos means the cave of the bats, is the famous cave near Zuheros, with Neolithic paintings and it is located only 4 kilometres up the road from Zuheros, offering more great views over the region. This cave extends for 2 kilometres, taking you 63 metres below sea level. The tours are only in Spanish and lots of stairs but they are well worth it!

 

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Cafes by the castle
Beside the castle there is a cafe with outdoor seating. Order lunch or a drink to cool down and take in the view, it is a beautiful spot to sit and observe.

Los Balanchares
This restaurant and cheese factory is just outside of Zuheros. If you like goats cheese (or want to try) this is the place to go. The cheese is from free range and organic goats from local farms. There is also a shop if you fancy trying or buying some cheese to take home and enjoy later.

Zuheros is really a postcard picture village, offering a truely authentic Andalucían experience.

October 12, 2017October 11, 2017

katherinefindlayLeave a comment

Ibiza beyond the party

Ibiza is the party capital of Europe, it is no secret! But the island offers so much more, it is home to secret beaches, cliff top views, colourful hippie markets, quaint towns and has a cool laid back bohemian culture. Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, it is not a very big island but is home to over 100 beaches and is located only about 80 kilometres away from Spain.

I had six days of exploring in Ibiza, spending three of these in Ibiza town (or Eivissa in Catalan), and another three days over in Sant Antoni de Portmany (San Antonio) on the western coast and I fell in love with the beauty of this island. We went in April over Easter, which is off-season. But while most of the bars were closed, there was still a lot happening and all without the crowds that summer draws in! The sun was hot and the water warm, it was the perfect pre-summer getaway.

What to see?

Eivissa Fortress: Dalt Vila
Spend sometime wandering the old town in Ibiza, it is like an open air museum. The huge fortress built in the 16th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site is complete with cobbled streets and drawbridges and huge wooden doors. You could easily spend half a day exploring; there are lots of cute, winding streets with whitewashed buildings and hidden cafés, shops and art galleries. There are also great views of the island from the top!20170413_110729.jpg

Markets
Within the old town walls there are lots of little shops to explore as well as different street markets all over the island with live music, jewellery, clothing, crafts and food. There is a lot of creativity in the markets and most offer plenty of handmade items. The Hippy market is the most famous of these, we didn’t go but have heard its well worth a visit!

Mountain Biking and Hiking
There are lots of biking and walking trails to choose from and what better way to enjoy and explore the beautiful scenery of the island than hitting the trails! We hired mountain bikes for the day for only €15, and set off along the coastline, coves, along the top of cliffs with stunning views of the crystal clear sea. We were even lucky enough to see some dolphins playing from the top of a cliff! We went up to Torre de Sa Punta, a watch tower for lunch. The watch towers were the islands surveillance system almost 3000 years ago. After lunch we went through the woods, stopping at Cala Bassa for ice cream and yet another swim.

 

SunsetIMG_20170413_123858_707.jpg
San Antonio is known as being the best part of the island to watch the sunset. One of the best places to get a drink and watch the sun set is Cafe del Mar. Another night we head out past Calo der Moro and walked over the rocks to find a place to watch the sunset with a picnic dinner.

If you have more time than us, we would also recommend heading over to Formentera – sadly the timings of the ferry didn’t allow us to head over there when we were over in Ibiza town.

Where to eat?

IMG_20170416_214757_751.jpgBiorganic Ibiza
There a quite a few organic shops in Ibiza, I stopped at Biorganic to pick up something for afternoon tea, they had a good selection of homemade raw treats in the cabinet, which were really yum! They also had some nice gluten free bread, which was handy to have for breakfasts.

Passion Café
Passion Café has six locations around Ibiza, I went to the café on the Marina. Passion is the hotspot for green juices, smoothies and raw treats, with a philosophy of providing good, wholesome food. I went here for lunch and had a warm turmeric tonic with a chicken, quinoa salad bowl. It was a little on the pricey side but delicious, so well worth it and the staff were very friendly.  

The Skinny Kitchen
The Skinny Kitchen is in two locations in San Antonio and also over in the UK. Their philosophy is creative, clean and healthy food and it didn’t disappoint. We really wanted to go here for dinner but unfortunately they weren’t on summer hours, so we got takeaway salads and a dessert for a picnic, which we enjoyed on the beach during sunset. We loved the falafel and halloumi protein bowl and the clean and jerk chicken with barbequed corn on the cob. There was a huge amount of gluten free options and lots of choices for vegetarians and vegans. IMG_20170418_160447_279.jpg

Heladería Milú
You always need a good ice-cream place when on a beach holiday and Heladería Milú, a little hole in the wall on the marina in San Antonio, offered homemade Italian gelato with lots of different flavours, we frequented here maybe a little too often! 

Natural Pau
We stopped here for a juice to cool down after our mountain biking adventure.  This place had a cool vibe with a nice garden area for seating and swings off the bar. We didn’t have any food here but the menu looked good – we would have been back here if we had more time!

Accommodation

Hostal Giramundo Ibiza

I was a bit nervous about staying in a hostel in Ibiza, thinking it would be super noisy and I wouldn’t get any sleep. But I was pleasantly surprised, the hostel while social wasn’t too rowdy into the small hours. The rooms were large, there were lockers for your belongings in the rooms and it was located only one street back from the beach. There is a cool bar area downstairs to hang out in during the day too. They allow you to leave your bags after check out for a small fee but this also allows you to use the shower facilities, perfect if you plan a beach day before that late evening flight.

IMG_20170419_160730_320.jpg
Blau Park Aparthotel

We chose this hotel because it had a pool, was on the waterfront and only a short walk from the centre. Our room had a great view of the sea with a balcony and a kitchenette, which meant we could  have lunch in our room on the balcony. There was also a free buffet breakfast with all the works (bit lacking on the fresh fruit though) and they were happy to cater to gluten free. Tip: Ask for a room on the top floor – we had to ask for a quieter room after being above the restaurant below.

As you can see there is way more to Ibiza than the crazy party nights! It is full of beautiful beaches, landscapes and a cool hippy culture, what more could you want from a summer getaway!

September 13, 2017September 13, 2017

katherinefindlayLeave a comment

A guide to Olhão

Portugal was high up on my must-see list when I arrived in Spain. Just a quick hop away from Spain, the Algarve was the pick for a January, winter coastal reunion with one of my best friends. I loved it so much, the Algarve offers cute villages, remote beaches and authentic markets and restaurants. Olhão is a little fishing town, an easy train ride from Faro. It is also not crowded with tourists either.

What to do?

20170128_173118Bike along the coast
We hired bikes for €8 per day and set off along the coast. There is an off road cycling trail along the entire coast of the Algarve, so you could base your entire trip around this  trail if you’re looking for a cycling holiday.

We got as far as Fuzeta (or Fuseta) which is a quiet little village and was the perfect spot for a picnic lunch and a quick dip (for some)!

Ria Formosa
This natural park is stunning, it is a protected coastal lagoon and paradise for bird lovers. You can easily spend a few hours here exploring the salt marshland, salt works and the tide mill.

Mercado de OlhãoIMG_20170129_091504_578
There are two markets side by side and they are a must-see, there is so much fresh fish and beautiful, local produce. We stopped in and picked up some sun-dried figs and raspberries for our cycling adventure. On Saturday mornings there are also outdoor stores with lots of homemade cakes and jams.

Olhão Marina
The marina is a nice spot to sit and watch the boats and people passing by in the sunshine. There are a couple of cafes in front of the market, where you can get some local ham and cheese or a salad.

IMG_20170131_222353_871

Ferry trip
Go on a ferry trip out to one of the islands for a day trip. We went over to Ihla da Culatra, which has cute, little homes, so spend some time exploring the village, there are a couple of little restaurants and a long, sandy beach to walk along.

The locals are super friendly and we met a shellfish farmer coming in with his morning harvest. You can walk along to Ihla do Farol (lighthouse), which is not another island but at the other end of the island, here there is a red-topped lighthouse, hence the name.

Food

It wouldn’t be a trip to the Algarve without fresh fish, so be sure to stop in at one of the many fish restaurants, there is no shortage!

Pizza na Pedra
This is a delicious Italian restaurant on the main street with a huge menu selection – lots of gluten free options including pizza and pasta. Be sure to ask for a table upstairs as there is a great view! We went there a couple of times – be sure to try the chocolate mousse!

Gelato DavveroIMG_20170202_193746_695
Ice-cream is an essential on a coastal holiday and Gelato Davvero was so worth the visit! There were lots of flavours to choose from hazelnut, coconut and chocolate, were some of our favourites.

Casa Corvo
If you do go to Fuzeta then be sure to head to Casa Corvo for lunch. The meals were really simple and there was lots of fresh fish to choose from, sea bass, tuna and salmon, all grilled on the barbecue. The locals eat here too, so you know its good!

Accommodation

The Real Marina Hotel & Spa
If you visit in the off-season hotels are very affordable. In January, we were able to stay at the Real Marina Hotel. The hotel rooms were lovely and spacious. The breakfasts were really good with a lot of healthy options, ask for gluten free options and the pool was lovely!

Roaz de Bandeira House20170129_145707
When we went back in May, the season had kicked off so we stayed in a lovely guest house. It was very close to the train station and about a 10 minute walk to the centre. The rooms had recently been renovated and it was very clean. There was also a lovely garden area. The owners, Luis and Claudia were very friendly and helpful!

There is a kitchen too but unfortunately it was not open during breakfast, which was a shame as it was one of our reasons for choosing them so we could prepare our own gluten friendly meal. But they do have their own breakfast for €3, which did look very good!

I loved the friendly locals and pace of life in Olhão, it is a great escape!

July 12, 2017July 12, 2017

katherinefindlayLeave a comment

A guide to Nerja

19551546_10211779973927061_938897168_oThe Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) has some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, but it is also known to be over developed and super busy, particularly if you head west. This is why I decided to head East along the coast, to discover Nerja, which has managed to keep its small town charm. Though you would definitely be forgiven if you forgot you were in Spain with all the British and Scandinavian expats around – I was surprised to see English translations in the supermarkets!

Nerja is a cute little fishing town with lots of little craft shops, restaurants, cafes and best of all gelato! There are many cove beaches nestled between cliffs but also long, open beaches perfect for a wander. I got the bus here from Almería, which stops along all the little small towns on the Coast, a very scenic trip!

What to see?

Balcón de Europa

The Balcón de Europa (The Balcony of Europe) has incredible viewpoints of the little white houses along the cliffs and also out into the sea – the water is so blue and clear. From here you can walk along the promenade for stunning views and there is a great atmosphere here in the evenings!

Cueva de Nerja

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A short bus trip away are the Caves of Nerja. They were well worth seeing, the cave formations were amazing and it was so much bigger than I expected. The largest stalagmites in the world are in these caves, reaching a height of 32 metres! Over the summer months you can even attend concerts in the caves. I would recommend going early or booking tickets online to avoid queues.

Beaches

There are lots of beaches to choose from in Nerja and it was definitely warm enough to swim in April. I couldn’t believe how amazingly clear the water was, I spent my afternoon swimming, reading and soaking up the sunshine.

If you go to the Caves be sure to walk down into Maro. Playa de Maro (Maro Beach) is so beautiful and is meant to have the best snorkelling in Andalucía.

19576804_10211779971446999_2118766411_oCoffee

Good Stuff Cafe was where I stopped in for my morning coffee while I was here. It is run by a lovely Irish couple who have travelled the world and made Spain their home. There was a great selection of homemade cakes and sandwiches, and there were even a few gluten free options – be sure to try the chocolate and peanut butter brownie!

Accommodation

I stayed in one of the few hostels in Nerja, Easy Nerja Hostel, which was in a great location, right in the town centre and only a two-minute walk to the Balcón de Europa. The hostel also has lots of activities, such as paddle boarding and river treks too. Make sure you check out the rooftop terrace, the perfect spot to enjoy your breakfast!

I loved the casual vibe of Nerja, there is really special about it, I will definitely be going back!

June 30, 2017October 5, 2017

katherinefindlayLeave a comment

A foodie’s guide to London

London has so many whole food’s gems, making it one of my favourite foodie destinations. I lived just outside of London for a year and have many favourite spots in the city and I’m always discovering new places each time I visit.

Cafes

20170317_185203The MaE Deli

I have been following Deliciously Ella on instagram for ages, so I had been wanting to go to the MaE Deli since it first opened, and she has since opened three delis! Ella’s philosophy is to ‘make vegetables cool again’ and with the array of salads to choose from, you will definitely get your 5 plus a day in. My eyes were bigger than my stomach when I stopped in here for dinner, but I had a delicious salad bowl along with a turmeric latte and coffee cake for dessert, which was the perfect warming addition for a cool London evening.

Wild Food Cafe

Wild Food Cafe is located in Covent Garden, which is one of my favourite spots in London. With an open kitchen and bench seating, this cafe has the yummiest food and best of all, its 100% gluten free. Be sure to try the spiced apricot hummus on raw seed crackers, they were to die for.

Beyond Bread Bakery

This bakery is heaven for a coeliac. It is 100% gluten free with a wide selection of breads, pastries and cakes, making it the perfect brunch spot or for coffee and a treat on the go.

Friends of Ours

Located in Shoreditch, Friends of Ours was buzzing on a Saturday morning and it’s not hard to see why, the food and coffee were on point, with a great range of gluten free and vegetarian options. I ordered the carrot, corn and beetroot fritters with candied bacon and it was incredible.

The Detox Kitchen

I stopped in at the Detox Kitchen for a quick afternoon pick-me-up. The chocolate beetroot brownie was delicious. It was a lovely little spot for a hot drink and something to eat.

Coffee

Milk Bar and Flat Whitepexels-photo-26055

If you’re looking for a good coffee be sure to check out Milkbar in Soho. There was a good selection of gluten free cakes and also almond and coconut milk for a dairy free coffee fix. They also have a sister cafe, Flat White. These two cafes are perfect for the Kiwi expat seeking a taste of home.

Yoga

TriYoga

I love visiting new yoga studios while travelling. I went to a class at TriYoga with the suggestion of friends. With a variety of classes and several locations throughout London, I really enjoyed the Hot Yoga and Vinyasa classes at the Soho studio. The facilities were great, mats were provided which is good for the travelling yogi, the changing rooms were large and well-equipped and there was even a cafe for a post-yoga green smoothie fix.

London is constantly changing and there are so many other spots I’m looking forward to visiting on future visits to London.

June 22, 2017July 1, 2017

katherinefindlayLeave a comment



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Taking time out

It is important to show compassion and kindness to others but we also need to show this level of kindness to ourselves. Settling into a new life back in New Zealand, in a new job, it was important for me to get into a routine to help me find balance and flow in life. I… Continue reading →

February 19, 2019February 18, 2019

katherinefindlay

Hello!

I’m Katherine, a yoga and mindfulness teacher and coach based in Wellington, NZ.

I love helping people find what they are passionate about and developing ways to incorporate mindfulness into their every day.

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