… but quite a fabulous one, actually.

On this first day of our CAA trip to Spain, we started out bright and early with a short walk to our bus, and then an hour-long bus ride through the beautiful countryside south of Sevilla to the city of Jerez de la Frontera. After a very full day, we ended up back at our hotel in time for a late (for Americans) dinner, or a hot shower and bed.

In between, we toured the Royal School of Andalusian Equestrian Art and its museum, watched the special show featuring the school’s magnificent horses, ate a quick lunch, and visited the school’s carriage museum. Next, we toured the sherry bodega where Terry sherries, Harvey’s Bristol Cream, and Fundador brandy are all made. This was, of course, followed by a tasting! mmmmm

Then we meandered back to our bus and drove back out into the (beautiful!) countryside to visit the carriage collection of Santiago Domecq. He and his wife, Anna, greeted our group and chatted with everyone while we viewed Santiago’s lovely collection of (mostly) restored vehicles. Also there to chat with us and answer any questions was the man who had restored the vehicles and whose restoration shop we will visit on Saturday, CAA member Luis Alba. After a nice visit and a tour of the carriage house and harness room, we were able to meet the exquisite horses: rare bay (instead of the more common gray) Spanish horses, all stallions. And, then, as if all that weren’t enough, we were invited into Santiago and Anna’s home and offered drinks, delicious snacks, and more conversation.

It’s quite late now, and tomorrow’s schedule is not quite as full, so I hope you’ll check back for photos from today’s adventures as I’m able to post them around midday tomorrow, just a little after the fact.