Ok. I must admit it's now become a challenge - regardless of the city - find the Ale Hop, photograph the cow stood outside, go in to amble and buy a trinket.
It is an emporium flogging bags, textiles necklaces, scarves, hats, flasks, notebooks, umbrellas, slippers, ceramic mugs (with peculiar rubber lids (for tea & coffee or hot choccy) all stocked in abundance.
These places teem down with novelties most of them that I wouldn't need in two lifetimes. The stuff isn't overpriced per se but it's cheap made. Think of China, India and similar that roll out wares by the mega ship load.
We've been in about 10 so far and the only odd one out, only because in has a cafe within, is in Sintra, a wonderful historic Portuguese town. It has a huge castle literally miles up on top of a mountain enveloped in a huge national park. It's even hilly inside the castle built in the 1500's.
This one is Cadiz and is our latest first time visit or should I say hop. Hop into Hop. Moobe.
This chain sure is popular, servers are enthusiastic and welcoming and we've been into their stores over at least six countries in the last few months from Cadiz, Southern Spain, to Europe's most northerly capital, Reykjavík, Iceland. read more