The Smithsonian Journeys has several options for additional FUN on the trips.  Choices include language, food, hiking and a weekend excursion – and one can pick all, none or just what interests you!  These travelers picked the weekend (which was covered in posts on Cremona, Seville and Cordoba), hiking (yet to come) and FOOD!

One evening the interested group wandered around the Old Town of Marbella tasting tapas and drinking wine/cava at several different restaurants.  Who wouldn’t want to do this?!?

One of several taverna visited on the first FOOD outing to taste tapas.

Another afternoon it was back to Old Town to visit the local market.  Much like those seen in Morocco, one could get anything fresh out of the sea or off the hoof or out of the ground.  Not only did this excursion provide a festive afternoon of tasting and drinking with our fellow travelers, it took care of our grocery shopping for a dinner of delicious filets and stir fry of potato, zucchini and mushrooms;-)

Fresh shellfish galore.

Slicing cured ham (jamon) – literally off the hoof.

Enjoying the various food and drink options from the mercado.

Next up – a REAL treat.  Off to a private home for a cooking lesson and preparation of paella.  This was soooo much fun!

Entering the home our our host, Esteban, for an afternoon preparing paella.

Getting briefed on paella preparation, appropriately aproned and, of course, starting the cava drinking!

Some of the ingredients for two dishes – seafood and chicken/rabbit.

Then we actually had to get to work.

Preparing the proteins – this pan had chicken and rabbit and the pan behind had the seafood.

One handful of rice for each person eating.

Yikes!

After getting the paella ingredients cooking on the fire, it was time for appetizers!  Black and white anchovies in olive oil and lemon seemed to be the chosen dish for this afternoon?!?

Kind of slippery little things.

When in Spain – – –

Finally – About to enjoy the fruits of our labors.

Three very different experiences and all quite fun.

E & G – FULL