Saskia Mier - Writer

Saskia Mier

Andalucia.com’s Saskia Mier explores the region’s hidden villages and rich equestrian heritage

Saskia was born in Malaga and grew up between Ronda and the UK. Her English grandmother was her biggest role model: despite being British, she loved Andalucian life. A keen horse-rider, Saskia thrived in the traditional village life of Ronda, especially within the equestrian community; like the locals, she looked forward all year to the Feria and local fiestas. Saskia always felt much happier in Andalucia than the UK, so after graduating from university, she was on the first plane back to southern Spain, where she lived with her grandmother in Aracena (Huelva) happily for 12 years. Saskia later moved to Seville, and she fell in love with the city. She has spent the last couple of years soaking up all the culture the Andalucian capital has to offer.

When did you first start working for Andalucia.com?
I seem to remember it was in the summer of 2016.

How do you think the website has changed since then?
I feel the website has evolved to adapt to travellers who increasingly use online platforms as their main source to find out about destinations. The great thing about the website is that it offers information on absolutely every aspect of Andalucia.

You are working on a long-term project to write a guide to all 780 villages in Andalucia. What is it like to be working continuously on a ten-year project?
The nine years I have been writing have completely flown by and I have enjoyed every minute and have also learned so much. It takes dedication to stick with a long-term project, but once it is completed I can only imagine how this achievement will feel and to know I have been part of that is very exciting.

How many villages have you written about so far?
The provinces of Málaga and Cádiz had been completed, as well as other larger villages in Andalucia, the ones most interesting to tourists, which was about 180. I started, of course, with villages in Huelva, then moved on to Seville, Cordoba, Almeria, Jaen and now I am working my way through Granada province with 500 completed in total and about 100 to go.

Actually we are counting districts or town halls here. I have also written about another 40 or so places or hamlets that look like villages to a tourist but are dependent on another for their administration.

Do you have any favourite villages?
My favourite villages are those of the Sierra de Aracena (Huelva) as I have got to know them so well over the years. I must also mention Osuna (Seville) which I discovered when I wrote about it and fell in love with the town.

What (three) interesting things have you learned from the project?
One would be the history of Andalucia, which I did not know as well as I would have liked but was captivated. Another would be how different areas in Andalucia have their own name to describe the same dish. Lastly, how many of the traditional crafts which one might assume have largely disappeared, are kept alive thanks to many young people who work hard to pass them down from generation to generation.

Is there a village (or are there villages) that you would like to revisit?
The Alpujarras of Granada! I did a flying visit but left with a long list of places I still wanted to discover.

How do you think the region of Andalucia has changed since you started working on the website?
Andalucia has evolved enormously in so many ways. I feel that although a few certain locations have always been well known, the last few years have seen a great number of visitors discovering many other corners of Andalucia which has opened everyone’s eyes to all the region has to offer.

What is your favourite section/page of Andalucia.com?
The Fascinating Facts pages, mainly due to my love of learning new things.

Which is your favourite Andalusian city? Is it somewhere you’re living, have lived, or would like to live?
Seville. My all-time favourite city, incredibly rich in culture, architecture and gastronomy. I love how it is still very traditional but with modern twists. There is so much to discover that it never ceases to amaze me.

What is your favourite Andalusian tradition/custom/event?
Semana Santa. For me Easter is a truly unique experience in Andalucia, you will never experience anything like it anywhere else. There is nothing better than the build-up to Semana Santa, when you see the brotherhoods practising for the processions late at night and you get the first whiffs of incense in the streets.

What is, for you, the best time of the year in Andalucia?
Spring. I always recommend visiting Andalucia in Spring, when it is truly at its absolute best.

Do you have a favourite Andalusian ingredient or tapa?
I go to great lengths to find a good ensaladilla de gambas. There are only a few places which make it exactly how I like it, with potatoes that are perfectly boiled and plenty of plump prawns! Ideally the mayonnaise has to be homemade and freshly prepared every day.

Where in Andalucia do you go to relax - countryside, beach, mountain or another spot?
The Sierra de Aracena. Being a country girl, I love the variety of landscapes you can find here: a mix of open plains, eucalyptus and cork oaks forests, rivers and reservoirs.

And what about a buzzy place with a lively atmosphere where you go for a fun night out?
Mirador de San Nicolás (Granada). On a warm summer weekend in the evening, you will find the best atmosphere here, with lots of people huddled together, singing flamenco and even dancing. It is quite common to see people bring their own drinks or buy them from the local bar.

Which is the bar or restaurant within Andalusia with the best view? One city/urban and one other.
Restaurante Cuna 2 de Baco (Seville) for the cod. Mesón Los Madroños (Cortelazor, Huelva) overlooking the Sierra de Aracena Natural Park.

If you could have free access to one Andalusian monument for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
The Alhambra. I never seem to get tired of seeing it.

Tell us five words that describe what Andalucia means to you.
Food. Passion. Tradition. Happiness. Originality.