Creative Arts Learning Vacations in Southern Spain

Vancouver, Canada, residents Mike and Hilary Powell are passionate about Spain…its culture, food and history, and now they are sharing it with artists and foodies alike. After spending many years running their own successful La Cascada Verde restaurant on the Costa del Sol, they came to Canada for their daughter to complete her education. But their passion burned and in May 2005 they created a way to incorporate their love for Spain into their lives. They launched A Flavour of Spain Art and Cooking Vacations, a travel opportunity for artists and food lovers to go to Spain and experience, savour and explore Andalucia through painting and cooking workshops.

Mike obtained his diploma in hotel management in London, England. After four years managing hotels, he and his wife Hilary moved to Iberia where they lived and worked for the next 13 years. In Portugal they converted their waterfront family home into Restaurante Castelo. After a few years Andalucia's charms lured them to Spain where they established their hugely successful restaurant, La Cascada Verde between Puerto Banus and Marbella on the Costa del Sol.

Both restaurants provided intimate relaxed dining in the atmosphere of a private house. The menus were adjusted daily to take advantage of the most fresh market produce. Regular clients included the top celebrities of the day:  Tom Jones, Sean Connery, Cliff Richard, Louis Jordan, Deborah Kerr and many others.

Mike's passion for cooking is always leading him towards new boundaries to enhance the quality of life through the food preparation procedure,  from using fresh ingredients, avoiding processed foods, using olive oil,and the preparation of food with as little mechanical help as possible  - all of which helps retain a connection between the produce and ourselves to complete the synergy.