Would appreciate help on these queries regarding Sevilla and Cordoba
Mar 14th, 2007, 10:02 PM
#21
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Hey thanks for that cmeyer54, that sounds awesome ! We are going to do the same thing, ie, get info from the hotel on what to do, plus have had some useful info from all the friendly folk here as well.
Am getting itchy feet now, can't wait to go
Am getting itchy feet now, can't wait to go
Mar 15th, 2007, 11:12 PM
#22
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We just got back from Sevilla and Cordoba and had a wonderful time. ( I think Sevilla is one of the prettiest cities in the world, especially around the Santa Cruz area).
We are wintering in Spain, so are really looking forward to being back there for Semana Santa too.
Great questions ,great thread...thanks!
We did the day trip to Cordoba via the train and it was great. It was the easiest train we have taken in Europe...good thing as we were traveling with two Octogenarians and a 6 year old.
We had lunch at Caballo Rojo and it was excellent for traditional fare ( like oxtail and gazpacho...Mmmmmm).
We enjoyed the garden areas best at both Alczar in Seville and the Alhambra in Granada ( even tho they were not yet in full bloom).
I am putting our trip report up as we speak on our blog, and it may have info on there that is useful to you:
http://www.soultravelers3.com/
Holy Week should be quite the experience!
We are wintering in Spain, so are really looking forward to being back there for Semana Santa too.
Great questions ,great thread...thanks!
We did the day trip to Cordoba via the train and it was great. It was the easiest train we have taken in Europe...good thing as we were traveling with two Octogenarians and a 6 year old.
We had lunch at Caballo Rojo and it was excellent for traditional fare ( like oxtail and gazpacho...Mmmmmm).
We enjoyed the garden areas best at both Alczar in Seville and the Alhambra in Granada ( even tho they were not yet in full bloom).
I am putting our trip report up as we speak on our blog, and it may have info on there that is useful to you:
http://www.soultravelers3.com/
Holy Week should be quite the experience!
Mar 16th, 2007, 12:37 AM
#23
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Hi There! I'm also just back from my Andalusian Sojourn having visited Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada, Murcia and up to Valencia.
In Sevilla we stayed in the Santa Cruz area but since I didn't book any hotels earlier, was at the mercy of availablility.
We stayed at Casa Imperial the first night. Charming place, wonderful breakfast, great service. A bit too much for our budget at 200E. (how do you get a euro sign on a mac?). Walked around and got lost a lot. FUN! The next day, aside from scouting out the sites, we vistied many hotels asking to see rooms. We ended up transferring to Hotel Puerta de Sevilla the next night. A very comfortable stay at 88E, very friendly girl in front (Jessica was her name). But we lucked out on our last night and was able to stay at Hotel Amadeus where they finally had one room for us! Everything they say about this little hotel is true. The people bend over backwards for their guests.
WTnow, I remember you posting that you would be here too, so I was half expecting to bump into you (I know what you look like from your website).
Also took that full-day drive tour by Australian Paul McGrath, recommended by Rick Steve's book. Paul drove us through 4 pretty white hill towns, including Grazalema and Zahara. Nice experience, and we were also with a cool group of young Irish couples.
In Sevilla we also a 2-hour walking tour (also suggested by Rick Steve's book)--and our guide Alfonso was very informative and personable.
We took the AVE to Cordoba. And YES, the Mesquita is FREE in the mornings from 8 to 10 am. Since we were jetlagging and getting up at 6 am everyday, we lucked out. One part of it was cordoned off because there was a mass I think, but while we were inside, it ended and they removed the barriers. Just get your audioguide outside across the entrance for 3 euros. You save 8 euros each by going early. We were there on a Tuesday. it was nice to be leaving as the crowd was thickening up.
Got a rental car from the Cordoba train station to start our drivetour to Granada (Roads are GREAT! and it's easy to drive around this area) But I shouldn't get into that in this post. When I get my act together, I should post a trip report. Thanks to all of you who answered all my earlier posts when I was planning this sudden trip.
For Sevilla--have tapas any chance you can--listen to guitarists on the streets (buy the CD for 10 euro--I only bought one, rats!), watch a flamenco, buy pottery! While Valencia is wonderful and another story in itself, I really felt we "left" Andalucia as we drove out of Granada towards Murcia.
In Cordoba, try the Salmorejo--it's their version of the gazpacho. delicious! We also ate at Bodega Cardenas--yummy tapas again.
It was a most wonderful trip I've always wanted to do!
In Sevilla we stayed in the Santa Cruz area but since I didn't book any hotels earlier, was at the mercy of availablility.
We stayed at Casa Imperial the first night. Charming place, wonderful breakfast, great service. A bit too much for our budget at 200E. (how do you get a euro sign on a mac?). Walked around and got lost a lot. FUN! The next day, aside from scouting out the sites, we vistied many hotels asking to see rooms. We ended up transferring to Hotel Puerta de Sevilla the next night. A very comfortable stay at 88E, very friendly girl in front (Jessica was her name). But we lucked out on our last night and was able to stay at Hotel Amadeus where they finally had one room for us! Everything they say about this little hotel is true. The people bend over backwards for their guests.
WTnow, I remember you posting that you would be here too, so I was half expecting to bump into you (I know what you look like from your website).
Also took that full-day drive tour by Australian Paul McGrath, recommended by Rick Steve's book. Paul drove us through 4 pretty white hill towns, including Grazalema and Zahara. Nice experience, and we were also with a cool group of young Irish couples.
In Sevilla we also a 2-hour walking tour (also suggested by Rick Steve's book)--and our guide Alfonso was very informative and personable.
We took the AVE to Cordoba. And YES, the Mesquita is FREE in the mornings from 8 to 10 am. Since we were jetlagging and getting up at 6 am everyday, we lucked out. One part of it was cordoned off because there was a mass I think, but while we were inside, it ended and they removed the barriers. Just get your audioguide outside across the entrance for 3 euros. You save 8 euros each by going early. We were there on a Tuesday. it was nice to be leaving as the crowd was thickening up.
Got a rental car from the Cordoba train station to start our drivetour to Granada (Roads are GREAT! and it's easy to drive around this area) But I shouldn't get into that in this post. When I get my act together, I should post a trip report. Thanks to all of you who answered all my earlier posts when I was planning this sudden trip.
For Sevilla--have tapas any chance you can--listen to guitarists on the streets (buy the CD for 10 euro--I only bought one, rats!), watch a flamenco, buy pottery! While Valencia is wonderful and another story in itself, I really felt we "left" Andalucia as we drove out of Granada towards Murcia.
In Cordoba, try the Salmorejo--it's their version of the gazpacho. delicious! We also ate at Bodega Cardenas--yummy tapas again.
It was a most wonderful trip I've always wanted to do!
Mar 16th, 2007, 06:03 AM
#24
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Hey Vicki,
Sounds like you had a great trip and yes we were at the Armadeus and everyone of us just looooved it.
We are a picky group..so making everyone so happy was really great.We loved the breakfasts on the terrace with fabulous views and it had the added bonus of allowing my child to continue her piano practice and giving a show or two to Abuelo ( grandpa) and auntie.
It really is a wonderful place with great service and charm,charm,charm.
I HIGHLY recommend taking in some Flamenco while there. We had awesome experiences at Casa Carmen in Triana and Casa Memoria ( sp) that is very close to Armadeus the second night. They were both first class,but the singer we saw the second night was the best singer I have heard in my life.
We had yummy tapas, but also ended up having a great late lunch in a beautiful place directly across from the Cathedral with tables facing it outside...killer views.
They were tired from walking and famished so we just landed there and I did not expect it to be so delicious & with great service. We had the place almost to ourselves as it was very late for lunch.
We did the horse drawn carriage ride which was fun ( and good for our elders feet) but the highlight for me was the flamenco and the beauty of the city.
I fell in love with Seville and can not wait to go back!
Sounds like you had a great trip and yes we were at the Armadeus and everyone of us just looooved it.
We are a picky group..so making everyone so happy was really great.We loved the breakfasts on the terrace with fabulous views and it had the added bonus of allowing my child to continue her piano practice and giving a show or two to Abuelo ( grandpa) and auntie.
It really is a wonderful place with great service and charm,charm,charm.
I HIGHLY recommend taking in some Flamenco while there. We had awesome experiences at Casa Carmen in Triana and Casa Memoria ( sp) that is very close to Armadeus the second night. They were both first class,but the singer we saw the second night was the best singer I have heard in my life.
We had yummy tapas, but also ended up having a great late lunch in a beautiful place directly across from the Cathedral with tables facing it outside...killer views.
They were tired from walking and famished so we just landed there and I did not expect it to be so delicious & with great service. We had the place almost to ourselves as it was very late for lunch.
We did the horse drawn carriage ride which was fun ( and good for our elders feet) but the highlight for me was the flamenco and the beauty of the city.
I fell in love with Seville and can not wait to go back!
Mar 16th, 2007, 06:10 AM
#25
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I visited Cordoba in November, and yes, on Saturday, November 4, it was free until 10am. There was a service going on in the chapel area, so that area was roped off until about 9:30 or so, then you could go in. Also, if you are in there at 10am, they don't throw you out and make you pay - you can stay as long as you like.
I got there at about 9am, and it was very quiet, only a handful of people there. Right around 10am was when the tour groups started to arrive and it became much less peaceful.
There are so many day-trippers visiting Cordoba, it changes into quite a different place in the evening and early in the morning. I was really glad I spent the night there and had the time to experience that.
I got there at about 9am, and it was very quiet, only a handful of people there. Right around 10am was when the tour groups started to arrive and it became much less peaceful.
There are so many day-trippers visiting Cordoba, it changes into quite a different place in the evening and early in the morning. I was really glad I spent the night there and had the time to experience that.
