Cadiz

Cadiz is thought to be the oldest town on the Iberian Peninsular and it first appears in history when founded as Gadir [fortress] in 1100 BC by the Phoenicians, who also brought the wine vine to Jerez, traded in tin and silver from here. It's name changed to Gades when the Romans defeated the Carthaginians in the second Punic War after which the city flourished from trade in silver, copper and salt. Under the Moors again the name changed, this time to Kadiz in 711 AD, but after the Arabs were evicted it finally became the Cadiz where Drake 'singed the King of Spain's beard' and stole 100 butts of Sherry and the anchorage for the Spanish fleet plying the Atlantic plundering the riches of the Americas. In the early years of the 19th century Cadiz was a key factor during the Spanish War of Independence.

The city is located on an isolated limestone rock at the end of a long, narrow premonitory on the south west coast of Spain, overlooking the large Bay of Cadiz that is key to the city's port. The configuration of the city's narrow streets is designed to help to eliminate the wind tunnels created by the Atlantic winds. Cadiz is accessed through the Puerta de Tierra, which was the narrowest point until land was reclaimed in more recent times.

The city is well endowed with attractions, whether sea front promenades, the Mudejar Cathedral, Churches, the Historical, Fine Arts or Cadiz Museums, the numerous squares sheltered by Palm trees, or the beaches. On the edge of the city is a Natural Park and Salt Flats while, of course the cities of the Sherry Triangle are just a stone's throw away. There are some good restaurants and the usual numerous Tapas Bars and Cafes with a large Parador on the promontory giving great views of the ocean.