Accommodations in Córdoba and Tarifa

Hotel Gonzalez (Calle Manriquez, 3, Córdoba, 14003 SPAIN; phone 957 97 9819, e-mail hotelgonzalez@wanadoo.es) is within walking distance of Córdoba’s many historic sites and good restaurants. It is located near the Mezquita in a building where Julio Romero de Torres, Córdoba’s famous artist, once lived.

The hotel was a good value at €78 ($115) for a double with bath including breakfast and tax. The staff spoke English and were helpful.

• During our April ’07 stay we dined at Taberna Salinas (Calle Tundidores, 3, Córdoba; phone 957 48 1035), located near Plaza de las Tendillas in Córdoba. Located out of the tourist zone and frequented by both locals and travelers, this is a historic restaurant dating back to 1879.

It is open for both lunch and dinner (closed Saturdays) and is noted for its fine local cuisine and excellent service. They serve salads, seafood, meat and vegetable dishes and local wines. For lunch, the two of us spent approximately €40 ($59) plus tip.

• In Tarifa, we stayed at Hostal Africa (Calle Maria Antoria Toledo, 12, Tarifa, Spain; phone 956 680 220 or e-mail hostal-africa@hotmail. com), just inside the city walls.

This is a delightful, 13-room pension. It has a rooftop terrace with a view across the strait to Morocco on a clear day.

Our very clean, good-sized room with bath was a real bargain at €30 ($44) for a double. Reservations were accepted only two months ahead and had to be reconfirmed one week ahead. Cash only; no credit cards.

No breakfast was served, but the public market was right down the street for café con leche and rolls.

AMY MacNAUGHTON

Edmonds, WA