MENU
FIVE questions
you should
ask ...
CALL US
Speak to one of our travel
experts within 5 rings
020·7962·9933

Which of these is important to you?

  • Concierge style service. Your own dedicated travel manager who'll look after you until you travel.
  • Better value. Exclusive fares you won't find online to save you money.
  • 24 hour helpline. A worldwide team just a phone call away if you need help while you're overseas.
  • 98% rate us excellent. More highly rated than our competitors with 98% saying they'd book again.
  • Risk free. Fully licensed with Client Trust Account to protect your money. ABTA, ATOL protected.

Your calls always answered within 5 rings.

x
Read the reviews? Call us now on 
020·7962·9933
Tell us what you need. We'll find you a solution
Spain Reviews 2691
Spain Offers 28
Spain Hotels 1689
Spain Villas 25
Spain Paradors 36
Chic city

Weekend thrills in Seville

This elegant Southern Spanish city is perfect for a short break...

Mid-afternoon and the sun is at shirt-sleeve strength, the air scented with shrimp, garlic and sherry and every inch of the Plaza del Salvador is occupied. A public holiday? No – merely Seville as Friday ripens into the weekend.

For the full spectrum of the city's pleasures in a weekend, opt for one of the newer, smaller hotels near this central square. Hotels such as the Alminar, where manager Francisco and his team will let you in on the Seville's secrets.


Street flamenco dancers are a riot of colour and castanets


Santa Cruz, once the Jewish quarter, is east from here and home to the baroque splendour of the Salvador church. There is little traffic, just the occasional car or waspish moped. It is a bewildering tangle of fountains, courtyards and secluded gardens.

The Giralda, the bell tower, spot-lit at night, which crowns the cathedral, is a helpful marker: use it as a guide and you can wander, perhaps to Calle Mateos Gago, where the pavements overflow with tables, chairs and orange trees. For artistic intensity, head to Casa de la Memoria on Calle Cuna for flamenco of almost spiritual possession; heels machine-gunning down on bare floorboards.

Back in a roof-terrace room at the Alminar, you have a private view of the cathedral, just 50 yards away. An empire of a building, its dark interior has an altar drenched in gold and a tomb supposedly containing the remains of Christopher Columbus.


Enjoy the lush splendour of Seville's Gardens of the Alcázar Royal Palace


Two minutes' walk to the south is the Alcazar, the royal palace, which requires a full afternoon. Its toy fort castellated walls belie the decorative intricacy within including colonnaded courtyards and regal chambers with stucco friezes and azulejo tiles. The gardens boast palms, peacocks and an hourly water-powered organ recital.

Squeeze in also Casa Pilatos, one of the Duchess of Medinaceli's many residences. There is an El Greco in the dining room, a Tintoretto in the tower room and, most memorably, a painting of a breastfeeding, bearded woman, with her husband looking haggard at her shoulder.

The Sevillanos do justice to Sunday lunch, dining until at least 5pm – so there is time to digest the feast of your experiences at an outside table at Modesto in Santa Cruz or La Fabrica in the Alameda area before flying home.



First published in the Daily Mail -  April 2016

More articles below...

For more inspiration, read what travel writers have to say...

Falling for Formentera

Ibiza's neighbour - but quiet and chic, as Mark Palmer discovered

Art and paella in vibrant Valencia

Jeremy Clarke falls in love with a wonderful city

Dining in Palma

Sarah Gilbert savours the delights of Palma on a plate

Vibrant Valencia

Is this cultural treasure house Spain's finest seaside city? Michael Hodges gives his verdict...

Soulful Mallorca

Kate Amey reports from the luxurious Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa

The Marbella Club

The Spanish resort is still full of panache, as Mark Palmer discovered

Sparkle at the Ritz-Carlton Abama

Anne Murray takes a lingering look at a hotel of unabashed luxury

Back to Mallorca

Fiona Hardcastle returns to a clifftop gem

I just adore a parador

From magnificent castles to luxurious converted convents, Dave Balow takes a tour

Marbella meditation

On a fabulous health break Carol Driver finds a luxury spa

San Sebastian

A feast for the eyes and the tastebuds, as Martin Symington discovered

Twin cities

Connect two fascinating cities by train on a European mini adventure

Why you'll adore these paradors

Paradors are the shining stars of the Spanish hotel scene says Dave Balow

Perfect paradors

Jeff Mills discovers former palaces and monasteries that feature spellbinding architectural touches

The perfect Balearic isle

Will Hide hires an e-bike and discovers Formentera's turquoise seas and laid-back vibe

Not quite what you're looking for?
We can easily customise an offer to suit your exact requirements

x