Carol

Hi,<BR>We will be spending some time in Spain in March-April of this year and would like to see Cadiz. Would it be better to stay in Cadiz itself or in El Puerto de Santa Maria and take the boat across the bay? How is the traffic in both places? (We will have a rental car.) Any suggestions as to hotels or sightseeing?<BR>Thanks for any and all input. The information from this group is fantastic!<BR>Carol

Laura

Ah, my old stopping grounds....<BR><BR>Try www.andulusia.com for good info.<BR>I would stay in Puerto because I like it. Cadiz is about 30 minutes away but traffic can get pretty backed up so maybe longer. I highly recommend going to a club that used to be a very old convent in Puerto by the river. It's called Le Convente' (sp?) There is also a great bull ring in Puerto. Cadiz is a mini Seville, with my less excitement. I don't know of any hotels personally but recommend the Puerto Sherry area. The website should help.

Pedro

Both alternatives are attractive. You can stay at the Parador right in the heart of the Old Cadiz facing the sea, you can stay in one of the hotels by La Victoria Beach as Melia La Caleta or Playa Victoria asking for a seaview room or you can also stay at Monasterio de San Miguel ( old convent in the historic district ) and take the "Vaporcito del Puerto", the small boat to get to Cadiz. This could be a nice way to get into the city. It lasts roughly 45 minutes and costs 1,8 ? one way. If you coincide with Holy Week days I would recommend you to get to Jerez, where you might see some of the finest processions in Andalucia, some of them comparable to Sevilla´s. Sanlucar de Barrameda is another interesting town with huge Barbadillo bodegas and many palaces and churches just in front of Do&ntilde;ana National Park. A recommendation in Cadiz or El Puerto to eat out, El Faro restaurants, both belonging to the same owner.

Pedro

The sign ? did not mean to ask anything, it was just the way it appeared the Euro currency sign when I posted.

susan

Semana Santa in Puerto is grand. I have not been to Sevilla at that time; have been to Jerez. In Puerto, I got much closer to the street and could see more detail of the floats and the people marching. Palm Sunday's procession is especially nice.<BR>If you can, take a tour of El Puerto's castle. The guides give great details. The climb to the top of the tower can be rough -- uneven steps; narrow course, but the view is lovely. ooops. The tower may be closed if storks are nesting. If the castle is not open, at least walk around the walls.