Welcome to Cadiz

With the number of cruise ships calling at Cadiz in southern Spain you would expect it to be overrun with tourists, wouldn't you? But as this port is the closest most ships can get to Seville...

I have to admit that I have taken the opportunity - on several occasions - to visit Seville. But on my last cruise I did what I had promised to do for a long time. I ambled around Cadiz. Small enough to do that and not get lost. It is on the tip of a peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Cadiz. As a centuries old fortified city there still remain city walls and forts. And the castle is within sight of the port.

Before leaving the ship I picked up a map which indicates various walks, depending on your interests and/or walking capabilities. No, I didn't follow any of them. I like to discover hidden corners, but first wanted to see Plaza de Espana as it has the most important monument in Spain's history. Until 1812 Spain didn't exist as we now know it. It was made up of several kingdoms and regions but in 1812 representatives from all over what is now Spain congregated in Cadiz and worked out a constitution for a united country. The monument is awe-inspiring; walls with depictions of groups of delegates and statues of men on horseback.

From there I ventured down one of the narrow side streets and found myself in some more gardens alongside the port where I took photos of a beautiful fountain before diving into another narrow street. I love meandering along streets filled with 18th century buildings. You can almost feel the history emanating from them. Then there was another large square - Plaza San Juan de Dios - with the magnificent City Hall.

Time to head for the old city and the Cathedral. Much to my disappointment it is on a hill and these days scaling even the shallowest of heights is impossible. I then looked for steps. Crumbling and no hand rails.

I did see the market where, in the square in front of it, were loads of stalls selling what we've all seen before. Whilst standing looking around at the buildings I found a couple of very interesting plaques on one of the walls. One commemorating the lost heroes of the Battle of Trafalgar (21 October 1805), when Nelson defeated the French at nearby Cape Trafalgar. The other is a bicentenary plaque.

Time for some shops. Lots of them, some bearing well-known names. I find it tempting to look in the windows of jewellery shops. Can't afford any of it but I do like Spanish designs.

Cadiz has enough to keep everyone busy for the whole day, especially if you are into museums. Unfortunately my back told me it was time to return to the ship. Not my favourite, the P&O's Oriana (which was undergoing renovations) but their Arcadia where Steve and Jan Holmes (the dance instructors) kept us dancers stepping out.

I think next time I am in Cadiz I will take the excursion to Jerez, home of sherry. Mmmmm.