Today we were met with pouring rain for our walking tour around Cadiz. Founded 3,000 years ago by the Phoenicians, Cádiz is the oldest city in Western Europe. Due to the inclement weather many of our intrepid group of travellers declined to venture forth but what a pity for them.....we followed the narrow alleyways into elaborate plazas and saw some amazing sights including;

Plaza de San Antonio de Padua In the 19th century, this Plaza was considered to be Cádiz's main square. The square is surrounded by a number of mansions, built in neo-classical architecture or Isabelline Gothic style, once occupied by the Cádiz upper classes. San Antonio church, originally built in 1669, is also situated in this plaza.

Plaza de España is close to the port and is dominated by a monument built to celebrate the centenary of the 1812 Constitution. A centre column, featuring extracts from the constitution, is flanked by sculptures symbolising agriculture and citizenship. The plaza was built in the 20th century on land reclaimed from the sea.

Cathedral Nueva is a grandiose structure capped by a dome of golden tiles. This 18th Century Baroque cathedral contains numerous chapels dedicated to different saints. A highlight is taking a walk down into the crypt. If you stand in the middle of the circular crypt and make a noise the echo effect it produces is truly wonderful. The remains of composer Manuel de Falla, a Cadiz native, whose music is evocative of the magic of Andalucia can be found in the crypt. An impressive collection of church treasures can be viewed in the sacristy.

Torre Tavira is the highest and most important of the city's old watchtowers (of which there are hundreds!) which watch over the harbour. This tower was named the official watchtower of Cadiz in 1778 as it was the highest tower in the city, at 45 metres above sea level.

A visit to the local market demonstrated the abundance of fresh seafood available in this city, along with the freshest fruit and vegetables. Mercado Central was built in the 1830's and is apparently the oldest covered food market in Spain. The building is neoclassical and you can wander amongst the locals and check out what everyone is buying.

The Tobacco Factory is located near the port and illustrates how Cadiz once had a busy trade in cigar manufacture. The factory no longer handles tobacco but houses an indoor exhibition centre. The building is similar to the tobacco factories in Malaga and Seville and has reputedly been used as a backdrop in James Bond films. There are life-size, bronze statues outside that depict two ladies making cigars.