Thank you NEDSIRELAND for the heads up. I think I will book a later flight out of Seville to Barcelona then. If we could walk to the area taxi can get to, it will be good but the problem is that maybe we couldn't move with our luggage across the crowd. I will try to research for another hotel maybe a little bit out of the cathedral area but still be close to main attractions.

Do check with the hotel before booking the flight out of Seville. They may recommend leaving earlier rather than later. I suspect it could be even more difficult to move around the city after noon.

baby108,
We found that moving around the city was actually easier later on Fri. afternoon than in the morning, when some of the Madrugá processions were still underway, not returning to their churches until past noon.

The main arteries that I mentioned above, the Avda. Menéndez Pelayo to the east and the Paseo de Cristóbal Colón to the west, running along the Guadalquivir will be open to vehicular traffic except in the case of the Paseo Cristóbal Colón when floats cross the Guadalquivir to the Barrio de Triana on the other side over the Triana bridge.

Again, your hotel will know the exact hrs. when it will be most difficult to leave, as the processions take the same set itinerary year after year.

We chose to stay in the upper northeast corner of the Santa Cruz quarter to enjoy some peace and quiet, away from the frenzy around the cathedral. The 4 star Hotel Casas del Rey de Baeza is wonderful and in a quiet location, but rooms go for 300 euros during Semana Santa.

While the Vincci la Rábida is close to the cathedral, I don't believe it's directly on a procession route.

The areas to avoid for lodging, because of the extreme congestion, would be the Plaza Nueva -Campana-Sierpes-cathedral axis, through which every procession must pass. This would eliminate the Hotel Inglaterra, directly on the Plaza Nueva.

With two small children and seniors, I think you'll want a hotel with a handy restaurant or café, as the crowds in bars are enormous, and the "fancy" restaurants will require advanced reservations. Crowds are truly huge.

And as I'm sure you already know, the room rate for Semana Santa can be double or even triple the low season rate. The rates at the 5 star Westin Alfonso XIII were 700 euros per night (required full payment in advance, non-refundable) when I checked for us.

Family friendly lodging to consider in addition to the Vincci La Rábida (I never knew it as the Palace, always as the budget La Rábida before Vincci took over although it's housed in a former palace) would be the Casas de la Judería in the Santa Cruz quarter (which has suites), close to Avda. Menéndez Pelayo for a quick exit to the airport, and the Hotel Bécquer closer to the Guadalquivir on Reyes Católicos.

The Vinnci La Rábida gets high reviews on www.venere.com

For Casas de la Judería
www.casasypalacios.com

For Hotel Bécquer
www.hotelbecquer.com

Hope this helps.

Maribel has great advice, as she is an expert on this. I agree that your hotel isn't really that close to the cathedral or on a main procession artery, so I wouldn't rush to try to change it without a good reason as it is a good location for your visit. I wasn't ever aware of that hotel before, either, and it looked like a reasonable choice. I was actually in Seville at about that same time period a couple years ago, now that I recall, but I left a couple days before you are and went to Madrid to avoid the main Semana Santa activities and the higher hotel rates. So, I didn't have any problem getting to the train station from where I was in the Santa Cruz area, and most streets were not blocked off yet down around Plaza Nueva, but a couple were already .

I actually try to search for a hotel at the upper northeast corner as Maribel suggested but a lot of them hasn't post their availibility that far away yet. While I am waiting for a reply from the Vincci La Rabida, I also send an e-mail to Hotel Becquer to see if they have anything since that hotel seems to be a little far out near the river for easy access to the big road. I got a great rate for Vincci La Rabida so I am not giving it up till I got something else better. Hopefully with it being not on the main route of the processions, it will be OK. I am flexible for the time to leave Seville on Fri so maybe booking an early afternoon flight might help as Maribel said it's easier for her to move around on Fri afternoon when she was there. I really appreciate for Maribel and Christina to take the time to help me out!

Just got the e-mail back from Vincci La Rabida and the lady said if we check out early before 10 on Good Friday, it will be OK since the road won't be blocked till 10 or 10:30 am. So I think we will be OK. Thank you all for the help!

I wouldn't change to Becquer if I were you. I haven't been in it, but the outside is really kind of ugly and rundown and the location isn't that nice (it's on a main thoroughfare). The one you chose is better.

Thank you Christina for the tip. Now that Vincci La Rabida said it will be OK for leaving on Fri AM, most likely I will keep our reservation there.

Hi baby108,
I wouldn't change to the Hotel Bécquer either, since you now know that you won't have a problem getting out. When the Vinnci took over the Rábida they gave it a fresh look, and as Christina says, the Bécquer is just a functional, modern hotel with a not-so-attractive exterior and few Andalusian elements of charm.

If you're happy with your rate for your group of 6 at the Vincci, keep that reservation.

The Hospes Casas del Rey de Baeza in the northeast corner of the Santa Cruz quarter, as I mentioned, will be much more costly during Holy Week, as will many Fodorite's favorite, the Casas de la Judería which ran 265 for a double during Semana Santa '06.

I checked the Hospes Casas del Rey de Baeza and their rate is quite high for our group. Vincci La Rabida only charge more for our 4th night and since my kids are under the age of 12, they can stay in our rooms for free per hotel so that works out great. Except Vincci La Rabida's rate doesn't include breakfast so if anyone can give me some suggestion on breakfast places around it, that will be great. I am sure there should be plenty good ones around

Sounds like you have a really good deal at the Vincci for your family.

For breakfasts in Seville, look for the Horno de San Buenaventura (the oldest bakery in the city) on Avenida de la Constitución, across from the cathedral. It's a bakery, café, deli, everything wrapped into one. It has other branches in the city.
And for ice cream for the kids, take them to the old world sweet shop Confitería La Campana on pedestrian Calle Sierpes #1 (in between processions, as all processions go down this street!), and there are great pastries and other treats to be found at the reopened Confitería Ochoa on the same street at #45.

And remember that you can always run into El Corte Inglés, Spain's department store, for a quick bite or to buy pastries or sandwiches to go at the basement supermarket or grab a sandwich, a platter or a salad at the top floor bar-cafetería-restaurante. They don't close for siesta, although they will be closed on Good Friday.

Maribel, you are just the greatest thanks for the good information. I plan on taking my parents out for at least one nice/fancy lunch/dinner in each city, do you have suggestion on nice restaurants in Madrid, Seville and Barcelona? My kids usually behave well in restaurants so I am not afraid to take them out except if the dinner time is really late (as others suggested that in Spain people do late dinners), I might have to do lunch instead. I will book the restaurants ahead because you mentioned that during the Holy Week, it is busy everywhere.
I know I need to start a new thread and I will do that later but if you are reading this, any insight on what location in Barcelona I should stay? My parents are worry about the safety in Barcelona so I try to look for hotels/apartments on big bright road conveniently located. I would like to get a nice apartment since that will be the last part of our trip and it will be nice to have washer/dryer handy to use. But apartments tend to have not as many reviews and not a very flexiable cancellation policy, so I am a little skeptical about it. I will pay up to $3000 for 2 hotel rooms or an apartment for the 5 nights. Thanks again!

Hi baby108,
For Sevilla we dined very well at the Basque "Egaña Oriza", our favorite "fancy place" which has a beautiful winter garden décor with white soaring canvas ceiling and cosseting service and is next to the Murillo Gardens on San Fernando 41, across from the University and up from the Hotel Alfonso XIII. It impresses a lot, it's family owned and they are used to local family groups. In fact, we were first introduced to the Egaña Oriza by Seville friends whose son we looked after while studying in the U.S.

We also enjoyed the "Taberna del Alabardero", which is in the Arenal quarter, on Zaragoza 20, not far from the Vincci. It is also a restaurant school with a bargain lunch menu downstairs served by the students.

We also had a great lunch, surprisingly yummy as a matter of fact, upstairs at "Robles Placentines" on Placentines 2 near the cathedral. Belongs to the Robles famiy restaurant group.
Have the Vincci make your reservations.
Phone: (34) 954/213-150

www.restauranteoriza.com
www.tabernadelalabardero.com
www.roblesrestaurantes.com (this site doesn't work well for me)

In Madrid, I think everyone would enjoy Posada de la Villa, on Cava Baja, a classic 17th century, stage-coaching inn in the heart of Old Madrid, with lots of atmosphere. The welcome is very warm.
www.posadadelavilla.com

You can look through my Madrid guide, and perhaps you'l find some other dining venue that strikes your fancy and your family's taste. It really depends on where you'll be staying. Don't want to send you very far afield.

About Barcelona lodging:
I would choose an apartment in the Eixample district, either Right side (Dreta in catalán) or Left (Esquerra in catalán), above the Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes. I'm rather adamant on this, I will readily admit, as I feel that it provides an upscale environment that is safe and pleasant and relatively worry free. I do not want to be concerned about my personal safety when touring Barcelona. I'll be on a "scouting mission" in early Jan., and I'll report back to you what I've found.

Look at the options on www.friendlyrentals.com and also look at the pricey but very nice Aparthotel Hispanos 7 Suiza, near the Sagrada Familia church. They have a royal suite that will sleep up to 6 people, It's highly recommended by
www.innsofspain.com and I've sent friends there.
www.hispanos7suiza.com

I'll get back to you about apt. rentals, as I have a long list of bookmarks, but I'm away from my home computer until tomorrow.

In Barcelona, I would book a meal for great paella at Sets Portes ('The 7 doors&quot near the harbour. It's particularly popular with local families on Sundays, and it offers many different varieties of paella and is open continuously throughout the day, so you can avoid the late Barcelona dinner hrs. There's piano music to serenade you as well.
www.7portes.com

And in Barcelona don't forget the Brasseria Tenorio on the Passeig de Gracia, a member of the
www.grupcacheiro.com

It has gentle prices, a huge menu, is always filled with happy eaters and offers continuous dining as well.
In fact, any one of the restaurants owned by this Cacheiro Group is great for upscale family dining, whether it be Tenorio, El Trobador or Tramoia. Check them out at the above web site.

Wow, thank you Maribel for the long list of restaurants. It will take me some time to go thru all the site and looks like that we will be tasting all over Spain
I have looked at the friendlyrentals site for a while and was setting my mind on the Eixample district because I saw you recommanded that to someone else before but I can't decide which one to get since I am not exactly sure which part of Eixample it's in and whether it's on a nicely lit street. The Aparthotel Hispanos 7 Suiza

Wow, thank you Maribel for the long list of restaurants. It will take me some time to go thru all the site and looks like that we will be tasting all over Spain I booked Room Mate Alicia in Madrid but we are willing to travel for good restaurants.
I have looked at the friendlyrentals site for a while and was setting my mind on the Eixample district because I saw you recommanded that to someone else before but I can't decide which one to get since I am not exactly sure which part of Eixample it's in and whether it's on a nicely lit street. Also, seems all the ones in Eixample for 6 people are without washing machine. The Aparthotel Hispanos 7 Suiza looks really nice, love the suite. But I didn't see washer/dryer listed which would be a nice thing to have. I will e-mail them to see if there is one in the building at all. Some of the apartments on friendlyrentals like the Matissse I Apartment which I really like the deco and also they have the washing machine..but it's not in Eixample but on Via Laietana near Passeig De Colom, do you know that is a good area or not? It is in the old town so I am a little worry. Thanks again for taking the time to help with my planning of our trip. Every year I took the kids with us for a European trip and with all the help here, I was able to have a great trip every time, thank you all!

I love the Room Mate Alicia, and it's within walking distance of many great tapas bars and restaurants in my guide, including the Posada de la Villa on restaurant/tapas bar row, the Cava Baja (and there's a great new place Cava Blanca on the Cava Alta right above).

Barcelona's Via Laietana is a very busy thoroughfare in the Old City, and I would rather see you, your young children and your senior parents in the Eixample within an easy walk of the Passeig de Gracia and Placa de Catalunya or in the Hispano7Suiza aparthotel. But I think there they provide laundry service at the H7S(probably on the expensive side) rather than a washer/dryer in the building, but I'll have to check my notes when I return home. I've also seen a review of it here from a Fodorite, if you want to do a text search.

I'm in transit right now, but when I return home, I'll post my list of apartment rental web pages for you.
Talk to you later!

My trip is quite far away, take your time to get the notes out Maribel. Have a safe trip home!

Hi baby108,
Here is my list of bookmarks for apt. rentals, many sites which I found in the Fodor's Barcelona,written by George Semler, a Bcn resident.
These I haven't studied closely or "vetted", just bookmarked for future reference:

www.friendlyrentals.com

www.barcelonaby.com
has apts. in the Dreta and Esquerra (Right & Left) Example

www.rentaflatinbarcelona.com
hese may be too small-don't see any in Eixample

www.gobcn.com

www.lofts-apartments.com

www.oh-barcelona.com

www.arago565.es
For the Apartamentos Arago, new in '06

www.barcelonaforrent.com

www.feelbarcelona.com

www.flatsbydays.com

www.elsolvillas.com
Owner, Mary Vaira, is a friend. She was designated a Spain villa specialist by Conde Nast Traveler

www.therightvacationrental.com

www.rentthesun.com

www.lovingbarcelona.com

www.thevillabook.com

www.barcelonaapartmentrentals.co.uk

www.innsofspain.com
for the Acacia Aparthotel or Hispanos 7 Suiza but these apts. don't have washer/dryer, just laundry service avaiable for a fee.

Hope this helps!

Thank you Maribel. I went through the apartment websites and particularly like the Casa Capella from Barcelonaby.com, I e-mailed them and hopefully they will be able to fit all 6 of us in the apartment with 2 extra beds for the children. I have one more question regarding the Eixample area, is Dreta Eixample a better side to stay? I read somewhere that one side is better than the other but not sure which is which. I figure from the map that the area near Passeig de Gracia is closer to Old Town so might be a better area to walk to other tourist sites. I saw some apartments on the site actually said will fit up to 6 people but it's near Hospital de Sant Pau, is that very far to walk to Old Town?
Thank you again for the help!!

baby108,
It doesn't really matter if it's Dreta (right) or Esquerra (left). We usually stay in the Esquerra because our favorite bars, restaurants, shops are there, but I could move to the Dreta easily if the price were right. My personal requirement is that it be within an easy walk of the Passeig de Gracia and Plaça de Catalunya.

The Hospital de Sant Pau location is not at all central. It would be a hefty walk for your family, as it's 4 blocks to the northeast of the Sagrada Familia church. I wouldn't chose it.