pittpurple

Hi all,

I'm in the midst of super-detailed planning my husband and my trip to Spain in October. After feedback from my last itinerary posting, I've reworked my itinerary to have an extra day in Sevilla. Basically we'll fly into Malaga and then immediately get on a bus to Sevilla - causes a long first day but it's a late start that day plus it was getting complicated finding a hostel in Malaga that was convenient for us. (No jet lag - we live in Edinburgh)

So we have two nights - the first night when we'll get in around 10pm, the whole next day, and then we leave the following day at 19:00 for Cordoba.

On my list for Sevilla was the Casa de Pilatos, the Alcazar and the Cathedral plus climbing the Giralda Tower. With two full days I'd like some backups in case there's bad weather. Is there anything absolutely fabulous I'm missing? We are on a (super strict) budget - hense the over detailed planning!

We absolutely plan on running around a lot the first week (we'll be in Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada) as we're following it with a full week lazing about in Nerja. We tend to run ragged on holiday and prefer it that way!

Do you think we'd be able to get to Italica? We absolutely love old ruins and my husband is a huge fan of anything Roman. Or is that a bit over-ambitious? I can't find anywhere how we could get to Italica without a car - does anyone know?

Thanks for the help!
PittPurple

yk

Walk around (and get lost) in the Barrio de Santa Cruz. Murillo Garden.

Plaza de España to see the beautiful buildings and tile work.

Plaza de Toros (Bullfight Ring).

Museum of Fine Arts.

Maribel

pittpurple,
I agree with yk that in addition to the Cathedral-Giralda, Alcázar, Casa de Pilatos, I'd certainly put the Museum of Fine Arts on top of my list-very strong on Spanish Baroque.
Although the temporary, itinerant "El Greco, Toledo 1900" exhibit has moved on (to the Zaragoza expo, I think), the museum is a real gem for art lovers.

And as yk says, you'll want to stroll along the Guadalquivir river to see the Torre de Oro and bull ring, or take a carriage ride to hit both, plus María Luisa park, Plaza de España.

There's also the Archivo de Indias with a new exhibition space filled with Goya paintings and a temporary exhibit (runs thru Oct.), "The Thread of Memory". The Archivo now opens Mon.-Sat., 9-4, Sun. 10-2.

www.mcu.es/archivos/MC/AGI/index.html

I don't think you'll have time to squeeze in Itálica because the site is quite large and 9 km. away (Santiponce). There are public buses that leave the Plaza de Armas station every 1/2 hr. (but Sat./Sun./hol just hourly).

For those headed to Itálica, the hrs. are:

April 1-Sept. 30
Tues.-Sat.: 8:30-8:30
Sun./hol.: 9-3

Oct. 1-March 31
Tues.-Sat.: 9-5:30
Sun./hol.: 10-4

Closed Mon.

pittpurple

Thanks for the info yk and Maribel!
Do you think it's worth cutting something out of our trip to fit in Italica? My husband really loves Roman ruins but it looks like it would take a full day - leaving just one day for sightseeing in Sevilla.

We'll be seeing Medina Azahara while we're in Cordoba, it seemed we should choose one and neither of us have ever seen Moorish ruins like that while we have seen other Roman ruins.

The more I plan for this trip the more I add to the list!

Thanks again for your help,
PittPurple

kelliebellie

Careful about your days with Italica. We tried to go and it was closed. From the road it looked a bit too ruined in my opinion. But I can't offer any real advice about it. You should do some searching and see if there is still enough there to see.

Seville is fabulous to just get lost in and eat and drink like a local. It rained when we were there and all the things you mentioned can be done well in the rain.

Maribel

pittpurple,
Yes, it is closed on Mon. I really don't think you should try to squeeze it in, as there's so much to do and see in Seville proper, including, as yk says, getting lost in the Barrio de Santa Cruz!

But so that all can be informed, here's the official web page in English for the site:

http://tinyurl.com/6bmg2t

NEDSIRELAND

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's an even numbered year so Sevilla should be celebrating its Bienial de Flamenco until the eleventh of October.
Search on keywords Bienal de Flamenco

kelliebellie

Spanish festivals rock!

Maribel

Hi NED,
Yep, here's the link to the Bienal info:

http://tinyurl.com/58voa8

ComfyShoes

Wow, this looks like a fabulous link/festival! Hmm... something for the future.

amsdon

Hi guys!

I feel as if I were in exile (computer went bye bye for a week or so)

But now I see I've missed my favorite topic!(And favoruite Fodorites)

Pittpurple, you are in for a treat if your schedule is in synch Ned is correct and Mribel provided the official website.

I find this page in another site to be a bit more user friendly as far as the calendar.

http://www.esflamenco.com/scripts/ne...rmIdPagina=967

amsdon

oops sorry about typos como siempre...

pittpurple

Thanks everyone! I had no idea about the festival - and we'll be there on the 7th-9th October, so it works out perfectly! Any thoughts on what we should go see?
PittPurple

Maribel

Hi amsdon,
I've missed you too (and thanks for your kind welcome back on the other thread). Your link is much more user friendly than the "official one".

Wow, if I could just be there in Sept. (sigh). I'd head straight to La vida breve with Lola Greco dancing and José Mercé singing. I LOVE the music!
And Sara Baras, without question!

And Dulce Pontes (fado) and Estrella Morente have been on tour all summer with their dynamic duo, which I completely missed!

But that's Sept....

pittpurple,
Of your Oct. 7-9 options, I defer to amsdon to advise you, but I would definitely fit in a performance during your stay. Maybe on your last night, Oct. 9, the Rocío Molina troupe? What do you think amsdon?

www.rociomolina.com

Viajero2

pitt- if your hubby is fan of anything Roman, it would be nutty not to have Italica and/or Merida in your itinerary.

Maribel

pittpurple,
If you do decide to squeeze in Itálica into your 2 night Seville itinerary, just remember that once reaching the town of Santiponce via bus, you need a full 3 hours plus for this excursion.

Although the ruins are only 9 km. from the city, the suggested time for the Itálica visit is 2 1/2 hrs to see the entire site.

I've read your other detailed itinerary thread, and I think you have your dance card nicely filled in Sevilla. I wouldn't add a thing to your previous plans, given your time in the city.

Perhaps a future trip planned around Roman ruins, since your husband is a real Roman ruin aficionado?
From Itálica to the semi-autonomous region of Extremadura, (2 hrs. 15 min. drive from Sevilla), the land of the conquistadores, where you and your husband will delight in the Roman ruins of Mérida, which will take up a full day. The magnificent museum of Roman Art, designed by Rafael Moneo deserves two hours alone-it's fabulous.

I see this as a great next Spain trip.

Goldiept

Hi,
We were in Seville a couple of years ago for 4 days and I could have stayed longer. It is a very walking friendly city. The architecture is great as well as the cathedral, etc. Two days isn't really that much time there. you can chill out, have tapas, see some flamenco and get a feel for the city itself. I think you Seville itself.

Goldiept

Sorry the previous post didn't come out right. I meant to say that you will probably regret rushing yourself through this lovely city.

pittpurple

Thanks again everyone!
I do think, unfortunately, we have to skip Italica on this trip but I love Maribel's idea of having a Roman-themed trip next time.

(We spent two weeks in Israel last year and saw tons of Roman ruins and are planning a trip to Rome in January for more - it sounds like trying to squeeze in Italica would just be stressful with only two days. Thanks for helping me figure this out!)

Thanks again!

pittpurple

Should have explained more carefully! We actually only have two nights in Sevilla so the best option would be the show on the 8th October. I can't find an English version of the full programme so am hoping my husband can use his high school Spanish to help!

Also, I see each day I'm in Sevilla at noon there is a "school performance" - what does that mean? Would it be children dancing or is it meant for school groups?

Thanks again.