Fiona Flores Watson in her home town of Seville Chatting to us at the the Alfonso XIII Hotel © Michelle Chaplow
Fiona Flores Watson
An Interview with Contributing Editor Fiona Flores Watson
To celebrate our 30th anniversary, we sat down with one of Andalucia.com’s most prominent and experienced voices, Fiona Flores Watson. If you have ever researched a hidden boutique hotel, explored a secret corner of Seville, or dived into the region's vibrant cultural history on our site, chances are you have read Fiona's carefully crafted text.
We asked Fiona to look back at her journey with the platform and share some of her insider secrets.
AC: Fiona, you have been shaping the voice of Andalucia.com for decades. How has travel writing in southern Spain changed since you first started?
FFW: "When I began writing about the region back in 2003, travel journalism was less in-depth, it was more about describing a monument or listing opening hours – and of course the internet was in its infancy, so print travel books were still the main resource. Today, travellers are far more independent and are seeking the most up-to-date information and authentic experiences using online guides. They don't just want to know where the cathedral is; they want the authentic 'insider' experience. They want to know the best rooftop bar to watch the sunset over the Giralda, or how to navigate the local traditions like a true Andaluz. Having lived here for nearly 25 years gives me a unique insight into Andalucian life. Indeed, all the writers on the site have lived in, and travelled extensively thorough, Andalucia. Our first-hand experience of the region allows us an invaluable viewpoint.
Technology has completely changed how we deliver that information, but the core mission of Andalucia.com has remained exactly the same for 30 years: providing trusted, authoritative information that is updated regularly, giving it the edge over a printed guide book."
How did you come to work for Andalucia.com?
I did a photoshoot in Andalucia with Michelle and Chris in the late 1990s - it must have been shortly after they set up Andalucia.com. I was editing a new magazine in London, and they suggested some great locations for the shoot, and it went really well. Then when I was living in Ecuador in the early 2000s, I was researching moving to Seville, and I came across her photos on the site, so I got in touch and asked if she might have any writing work for me if I was living in Seville, and she said most probably yes. So I started putting together monthly events guides soon after arriving, and gradually got more involved in writing articles and blogs, which also involved taking photos, then editorial ideas and planning, as well as instructing work experience students.
Algatocin village in the Serrania de Ronda (c) Michelle Chaplow
AC: The main objective of our summer newsletter is to showcase the region’s best attractions. If a reader wants to escape the standard tourist trail this summer, where should they look?
FFW: "If people are staying on the coast, I always tell them to look beyond the obvious coastal strips and head inland. For instance, the Serranía de Ronda is full of pretty white villages that feel trapped in time, yet they are only a short drive from the coast.
If you are looking for luxury combined with Andalucian heritage, the region’s growing boutique hotel scene is worth checking out. Our [Luxury Hotel Guides] feature spectacular converted historic palaces and secluded countryside fincas that offer a blissful oasis away from the summer crowds."
I have driven all over Andalucia; one of my best trips was through the Alpujarras – remote mountains in Granda province - in a campervan with my family. My two children adored that trip, and my (Spanish) husband loved driving the van! Hiring a car (or campervan!) is a great idea if you want to explore all the amazing scenery that Andalucia has to offer – Malaga has the best-priced rentals.
Fiona Flores Watson in her home town of Seville Chatting to us at the the Alfonso XIII Hotel © Michelle Chaplow
AC: We have to ask the ultimate 30th-anniversary question: What is the most 'Andaluz' moment you have uncovered or experienced while writing for the site?
FFW: "Oh, there are so many! I think the moments that stay with you are the ones rooted in the region's traditions, but away from the tired clichés of flamenco and fiestas. I always enjoy watching a romeria set off: some women are wearing rociera dresses with flowers in their hair; men dressed in elegant, cropped jacket and fitted trousers ride magnificent horses, while women sit side-saddle in long skirts. Even the oxen pulling the colourfully decorated gypsy caravans have beautiful embroidered “frontals” on their foreheads. And then there’s the singing, accompanied by tambourines. It’s a sight to behold.
Romaria setting off with Oxen - photo Fiona Flores Watson
Such Andalucian events are a fabulous blend of religious passion, history, and family. Capturing that magic in words and sharing it with millions of readers across the globe via Andalucia.com is very satisfying."
Fiona Flores Watson in her home town of Seville Chatting to us at the the Alfonso XIII Hotel © Michelle Chaplow