New Year in South of Spain
Jun 21st, 2000, 11:45 PM
#1
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New Year in South of Spain
I am choosing between Sevilla and Granada for New Year. I will have three kids (18,20,20) with me (older!) and would like to be somewhere atmospheric where we'll all be happy! Suggestions for city and accomodation (I prefer quality, but prefer not to pay over the top (with all the kids to consider!) We have never been to either city, and will visit both around year end. <BR> <BR>Hope you can help!
Jun 22nd, 2000, 08:03 AM
#2
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I would vote for Granada--have been there three times, mainly for the Alhambra and the incredble historic significance of that area to the whole of Spain. That is where Ferdinand and Isabella are buried, and the area is beautiful besides. To top it off,t here are the gypsie caves and the flamingo music. Best of all, it feels like a smaller town and walking about is very pleasant. I love it best of all in spain, second only to Santiago de Compostela and Asturia area. go there too, when you get a chance.
Jul 5th, 2000, 07:29 AM
#4
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Gillian, <BR>About Granada versus Seville. I was just in both cities for 5 days last week, showing them to American friends who are first time Spain visitors. The verdict was unanimous-they loved Seville and would go back in a heart beat. While they were highly impressed by the majesty of the Alhambra and thorougly enjoyed spending two nights on the Alhambra hill (one at Hotel America, the other at the Alhambra Palace with a final dinner at the Parador), they were not at all impressed by downtown Granada and didnīt enjoy strolling there, although the walk up to the Mirador de San Nicolas in the Albaicin is a must at sunset for the beautiful view of the illuminated Alhambra. Iīve been to both cities many, many times in the past 30 yrs of living/travelling throughout Spain (and I do agree with Julie regarding Santiago and am soon headed for a hiking tour of Picos de Europe, which we also know well and love). I suppose over the years I had romantized the city of Granada due to lovely, romantic nights on the Alhambra grounds, but frankly, the city needs an economic boost and some sprucing up of its congested,somewhat dingy downtown (the area around the Plaza Nueva is particularly scruffy-friends who recently stayed around the corner at the NH hotel didnīt enjoy the noisy location. And as for the gypsy caves of Sacromonte, most of the gypsies who try to entice you in donīt actually live in the caves although they are decorated as if they do. A flood in the 60s moved the families out and into public housing. Flamenco in Sacromonte is not authentic, simply an expensive show for tourists who need to watch their wallets while there. We had originally book a country house hotel in the lower Albaicin quarter (on the narrowest street in Spain!) for 1 night of our 2 night stay but after spending an hr trying to negotiate the impossibly labrynthine streets and upon surveying the scruffy area surround the hotel entrance, we made haste to the Alhambra hill. Please trust me on this. Your kids will find no end of interesting things to keep them busy and happy in Seville. Take a carriage ride, a short boat ride down the Guadalquivir, take a tour of the Domecq or Gonzalez Byass sherry bodegas in Jerez or attend a Thurs performance of the ĻDancing Horses of JerezĻ (think Vienna Riding School)-there may be tours that take in both-driving in Jerez is difficult due to poor signage-visit the Cathedral to see the magnificent altar and tomb of Christopher Columbus, your kids and you will enjoy the view from the top of the Giralda bell tower (no steps, just ramps),stroll through the Barrio Santa Cruz at night stopping at Modesto, Casa Roman and Hosteria del Laurel for tapas, tour the Alcazar and gardens (Moorish architecture similar to that of the interiors of the Alhambra), go to any of the 3 flamenco tablaos (night clubs), Los Gallos, El Arenal or Patio Sevillano (next to the Maestranza bullring) which will be more authentic, less crassly touristy than the Jardines de Neptuno in Granada or you will surely hear some spontaneouus flamenco guitar around the Plaza de Santa Cruz at night. Your kids will enjoy the guided tour of the Maestranza bullring and bullfighting museum (although there wonīt be any corridas during that time), youīll easily fall into the languid, joy de vive lifestyle of the sevillanos. Plan on late bedtime hours!! <BR>At midnight last weekend families were still piling in, sitting down for dinner at the outdoor ĻterrazaĻ of Modesto! Seville as a city just weaves a spell. Lovely hotel choices in the 3 member Casas y Palacios de Espaņa group (www.lascasas.zoom.es) GO!!
Jul 5th, 2000, 10:01 PM
#5
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Maribel, <BR>Do you work in the travel business?!.. you know so much about it! Thanks for the advice on Seville. I had heard recently that muggings were a real problem there. Do you know anything about it? Is it maybe that you should take particular precautions, or dress in a particular way (i.e. less like a tourist and more like a local - i.e. less nike and better dressed!?). <BR>Look forward to your advice.Thanks again! <BR>Gillian
Jul 6th, 2000, 05:59 AM
#6
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Gillian, <BR>Re muggings in Seville-I usually donīt wear a money pouch because my Spanish family here walking by my side afford me lots of protection, Iīve lived/travelled in Spain for so long, speak fluent Spanish and tend to dress in Spanish style like my Spanish sisters-in-law, but on this trip last week to Seville, since we stayed on the edge of the Santa Cruz quarter, I changed my habits even with our Seville friends accompanying us. The owner of our tiny hotel simply insisted that I leave my bag at home at night as he saw me go out the door carrying it. All the staff at the hotel reiterated the point that purses are indeed snatched if one isnīt careful. So I agreed. The only places where I do take these extra precautions are in the Barrio Santa Cruz at night, ALWAYS along the Ramblas and in the Barri Gotic in Barcelona and walking down the seedier sections of the Gran Via-Puerta del Sol in Madrid. <BR>Just keep alert, wear your neck pouch or money belt, ignore all gypsy women shaking palms in your face and watch very carefully if anything is purposely spilled on you (ice cream, mustard) and if someone offers to help clean it up. Heed these precautions and you should be fine.
Jul 6th, 2000, 07:27 AM
#7
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New Years in the South of Spain reminded me of a news story I heard when I was living in Spain in 1994-95. In Granada, thousands of people were in a main plaza waiting for the bells of the church tower to announce the new year. Well, unknown to the people who organized the festivities, the bells were turned off every night at 10PM so as not to disturb the neighbors. So at midnight, the bells did not go off. That doesn't sound like a problem likely to happen again, so either place would be great.
