Searching for the oldest restaurant in Spain, thinking it might be in the Andalucian region, I found it to be in Madrid.
The Botin Sobrino Restaurant is not only the oldest in Spain but oldest in the world!
According to Guinness Book of Records, established in 1725 it still has its 18th century wood fired cast iron open oven in which several full suckling pigs and roasted lambs are prepared for an ever growing clientele from around the globe.
Whilst on the page of facts about Spain, these were listed as points of interest:
* Spain has more tourists than the number who live here;
* It has the highest life expectancy anywhere in the world, after Japan;
* 44% of the world’s olive oil is produced by Spain;
* Spain has the highest number of bars per capita than anywhere else;
* Spanish is the 2nd most spoken native language in the world.
There were lots more, too, of course.
We took a drive out to Carihuela, closely linked with a pathway to Torremolinos, a former old fishing village which has developed so much in the past 40+ years.
Our first visit in the mid-80s was to be taken by an agent who was hoping to sell us an apartment.
Since then it is a place we visit regularly. It was in the middle of a major redevelopment then from its old roots, to now a bustling and vibrant tourist spot with some fine bars and restaurants on immaculate beaches, plus hundreds of shops and boutiques.
We noted that all the eateries have been well spruced up and modernised, giving the wide range of tourist all kinds of choice and price range.
The beaches were well supplied with sunbeds, some with beachside drinks service. A bed there costs around €9 per person, but there were large areas for spreading out towels for picnics, and some beaches with remarkable sand sculptures, as in the pic above.
The town boasts one of the first 5* hotels in the area – Paz Espada (sword fish) opened in 1959 which besides being an oldie, it attracted dozens of famous stars of screen and theatre, before the celeb magnet of Marbella evolved, including Sean Connery, Charlton Heston and Frank Sinatra (who was filming the famous ‘Von Ryan’s Express’).
We have noticed in the past years that Cariuheula attracted lots of Dutch people. It was most evident this week with the Euro 24 football tournament at its peak.
With The Netherlands having reached the semi-finals, their regular bars were crammed with orange-clad supporters peacefully, but noisily, preparing for the match seen here at one Dutch-owned bar, four hours before kick-off. And what a semi it turned out to be…
As the numbers continue to flood into Spain and its Islands, there is growing concern that the anti-tourist protests could affect the whole holiday tourism industry in Spain.
‘Live not Survive’ was the slogan amid a 15,000-strong protest group in Malaga this week. They are saying: “We have a housing crisis as rents are soaring yet Airbnb and tourist housing is thriving.”
I feel that this growing dilemma must be resolved, or these protests could make Spain a no-go holiday spot.
I’ve been well entertained with Wimbledon and the Euros and I’m ready for both finals on Sunday on what is also my birthday!
Spain v England. What a dilemma as to who to support! And, coming soon, the Olympics feast. What a summer of sport.
Brian is taking a summer break now. In the meantime here’s a link to his previous blogs.
