Holy Week is known as Semana Santa in Spain, and Seville has been holding this commemoration since the 16^th century. With its penitential processions taking place on pretty much every corner, it will be easy for you to be a part of this annual celebration. This year, the city’s famous celebration takes place from Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday, March 24 through 31.

The week leading up to Easter is the Semana Santa, or Holy Week. During this time, the city’s church brotherhoods will carry some 115 floats throughout the city streets. The most popular viewing spots are when the float leaves the church at the beginning of the procession (salida in Spanish) and when it enters the church at the end of the procession (entrada in Spanish), and all of them pass through the cathedral. The most popular viewing areas require tickets which are purchased in advance, but you can also get a good view from a variety of other places along the route. You may want to arrive early to get the best views.

Nazarenos are the people who accompany the floats, and they are dressed in robes and cone shaped hoods to protect their identity. Many of them are not allowed to talk once they’ve gotten dressed, so don’t try to ask them if you need directions! Brass bands sometimes accompany the procession, which can influence the pace of the procession as well. Some might have other musicians or singers, and someone in the crowd might sing out in prayer as well. There’s also a silent procession called El Silencio during which one should also try to respect their wish for silence and refrain from talking. The processions usually include a float with at least one sculpture of Christ, which depict an aspect from the story of Christ’s life, and a sculpture of the Virgin Mary, who is usually depicted mourning the loss of her son. These floats are carried by members of the religious brotherhood. Penitent members carrying wooden crosses usually walk at the back of the procession.

On the night of Holy Thursday, the most important processions will set out to be able to arrive at the Cathedral at dawn on Good Friday. This is called the La Madrugá. The revered sculptures Jesús del Gran Poder, la Macarena, la Esperanza de Triana and el Cristo de los Gitanos are all carried through the city on this night. And this is the one of the most popular nights of the Semana Santa. People leave in the late evening and follow the processions throughout the entire night.

And, of course, you’ll want to take a break every so often to enjoy some delicious tapas and Spanish wine. A special treat that is prepared especially for the Semana Santa is torrijas, which is like French toast or bread pudding. Some say this sweet treat was first created by nuns in the 15^th century, but others say it was inherited from the Moors.  

TLD

Use our website to find affordable apartments in Seville city . That way, you’ll always have a short walk home after a long day of following the processions.

Contact Me 

We all have an appointment at the Seville Marathon. In the historic center of the capital of Andalusia the XXIX International Marathon is held in Seville, organized by the Municipal Institute of Sports City of Seville, on Sunday February 24, 2013.

Tie your shoelaces and gather all your strength to participate in one of the most rapid routes of Europe, in the unique atmosphere of the city of Seville.  You can beat your own personal record and enjoy the new course designed to run you through the most emblematic buildings of the city, such as the Plaza of Spain, the Arsenal or the Giralda, turning every meter of this race into a sensational view of the city.

This edition will feature the top three marathoners in Spain, these are: Abel Antón, world champion in 1999 and 1997, Martin Fiz, world champion in 1995 and Chema Martínez.

With its 42,195 meters of track, it crosses the most important corners of the historic center of the city, to merge the idea of sport tourism and to provide the highlights of this city to those participating.

Seville City Council presented the new circuit with the delegate of the Culture, Education, Youth and Sports, EstrellaMaria del Mar Sanchez, who said that runners may see for the first time all the monuments and buildings of this magical and representative city, including the Archive of the Indies or the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, making this event an international benchmark.

The views will continue to be appreciated at the Olympic Stadium on the legendary tartan. The starting line,  to ensure a perfect flow of more than six thousand runners expected, will be located outside the Estadio de la Cartuja.

The first few meters of this race will cross Triana and Los Remedios. Before the sixth kilometer they will run pass Paseo Christopher Columbus, then Torre del Oro and Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza. Halfway they will be by the sports facilities of St. Paul, following the Great Plaza and the Estadio Ramon Sanchez, running into  the famous Benito Villamarin stadium. The hardest part will be from Maria Luisa Park and the Plaza of Spain. In the Alameda de Hercules, participants will face again the Island of La Cartuja, cross the Parque del Alamillo and reach the finishing line at the Cartuja stadium.

A pleasant climate  awaits us in the month of February at the Andalusian capital. Many spectators, athletes, runners and visitors will host this event, for which Sevilla certainly has all the conditions to receive and live a unique event in this beautiful city.

Cornejo

Enjoy the marathon that has been held since 1985 in the streets of this wonderful city, rent apartments in Seville and enjoys all international events at the Andalusian capital.

Contact Me 

It is an ideal destiny for traveling with your children, if you do in summer be prepared for the sweltering heat. The rest of the year is bright, radiant, charming and impressive. It Sevilla.

 
Hiking with children in Seville

The capital of Andalusia can be accessed by car. Traffic is not too intense and there is good parking near the center. If you go with the whole family, we propose four thematic routes you can do with your little ones. You can hire guides or enjoy them for free. In this case, it is just a matter of following these basic tips.

The hidden and cultural Seville 

With La Giralda, the Cathedral, the Alcazar, the Plaza of Spain or the Fine Arts Museum any traveler has already filled his thirst for beauty and beautiful places, but Sevilla has and gives more.

Impressive palaces like the House of Pilate or the Countess of Lebrija with arcaded courtyards and fountains await travelers. Not to mention its beautiful churches (Macarena, Salvador …) that keep all kinds of stories or the labyrinthine alleys where the real Don Juan walked. There is so much to choose from you will not know what to do!

 
Parks and Gardens in Sevilla

Not only of  stones and beautiful places does Sevilla live of , you can not miss its beautiful gardens. Especially recommended is the Maria Luisa Park where you can ride in a pony car, go skating, cycling or enjoy a pedal powered family vehicle .

The Alamillo, in the north, is ideal for walking or enjoying itslittle train. Murillo Gardens are next to the remains of the ancient wall. And if you prefer the view of the river, you can not miss the tree-lined boulevard of Paseo de Colón.

 
Legends of Seville

Treasures of the Roman Empire, the Arab era legends, tales of fantastic adventures associated with the route to the Indies, Seville has much to tell. You have to slowly enjoy a stroll through the Barrio de Santa Cruz and reach to one of the doors of the Patio de Los Naranjos. There a crocodile with a very curious story awaits you.

Do you know why Sierpes Street is named as such? Or where is the Stone Man? And where did the fabulous treasure that gives its name to the Golden Tower by the Guadalquivir river come from? All this and more awaits you in Seville.

Theme Parks

The best places are in the Isla de la Cartuja. It is the most fun activity to share with kids- Do not miss Magic Island, a veritable theme park with amusements of all kinds or the Discovery Park with swings and slides along  the Borbolla Avenue, near the Archaeological Museum, another area of entertainment for children.

Beside the river there are companies that organize cruises on the Guadalquivir or rent pedal boats. Caution should be exercised, but the river is not dangerous in the extreme.

Candela Vizcaíno

With this plan your family will arrive tired but happy to apartments in the center of Seville, just in time for a shower, dinner and bed.

Contact Me 

Seville, the capital of Andalusia, has a lot to offer to its visitors, even to the ones coming just for a weekend. Monuments, the Old Town neighborhoods, traditional restaurants, lively nightlife and more await the tourists who visit this city in southern Spain.

You might think that a single weekend is not enough to cover all the sights of a city, and of course you are right, but you’ll fall in love with Seville and might want to come back, so it is better to plan very carefully your trip and not miss any important spot of the city. If you plan to come just for a weekend, the following are the places and activities you should not miss:

Monuments

Let’s suppose that Saturday morning will be your first day in the city, in this initial tour it is a good idea to visit the most important monuments in Seville, these are: the Cathedral, La Torre de Oro, La Plaza de España y La Giralda. The Cathedral and the Giralda are both located in the Old Town, on Avenida de la Constitución, La Torre de Oro is located in Paseo Colón, where you can also find other landmarks like the Plaza de Toros and very really close to these two, the Plaza de España; throughout this tour you will surely stop to take lots of pictures. Keep in mind that it is very important to bring comfortable shoes.

Time to eat

After walking all morning long, you’ll feel hungry. The most recommended by hundreds of locals and visitors is to go to a tavern in the city. There are some very famous taverns, which are also very crowded all the time; among those are “La Cigala de Oro, El Perejil and Los Coloniales”. These three taverns are well known for their excellent variety of tapas, wine and good prices. You should come early to be able to get a table. Anyway, if you do not get a table at these famous taverns, there are others of equal quality but less famous, it is just a matter of walking with eyes wide open in the center of the city.

Shopping and Seville night

If you want to spend a few hours in the afternoon to buy souvenirs, you should visit Tetuan, Velázquez and Sierpes streets and in general all the streets in this area. Here there are as many people and many shops, with everything you could possibly imagine.

For Saturday night there are several options, the first is to visit Santa Cruz area where you can enjoy the beautiful cityscape of Seville. Satisfy your thirst on a beautiful terrace in Plaza del Salvador and the Alameda de Hercules. Have the location of these places well identified and enjoy some tapas and drinks.

Other places of interest

On Sunday you can visit areas far from the bustle, places that are not visited by tourists and where you’ll be able to have a good glance of Seville’s autochthonous style. One such place is the Triana district, famous for its market and ceramic museum. Another place worth visiting is “Los Remedios”.

Luz Obscura

The first visit to Seville will take your breath away. Get discounted apartments in Seville prices  for a weekend, a week or as long as you want, it is always good to get to know a city from the comfort of your own home.

Contact Me 

Sevilla, the city of lights, contrasts and folklore, a devout and joyful place , a great Andalusian city to spend ¡ romantic days with friends where its cultural richness is inspiration for artists and poets.

The best time of year to visit Sevilla are in spring and autumn, the lower middle season, with lower prices, hardly any tourists and a more pleasant temperature.

Tourists should visit the classic sights of Seville but I recommend some sites for a couple in love.

Have coffee at the Corral de las Flores de Las Casas of the Jewry. It is a restaurant but has a beautiful terrace decorated with Seville tiles and wrought iron.

The atmosphere and hospitality of the people of Seville is intoxicating and contagious, so is its cuisine. I advise to go for tapas in the taverns of the historical center, try the “pescaito” gazpacho, homegrown olives, shad roe, Pavías, kebabs and Flamenco  Eggs .

At sunset, a stroll through the charming neighborhood of Santa Cruz, full of interesting legends labyrinthine streets and landmarks is a must. The most popular and busiest district of Seville, where Zorrilla  was inspired to write Don Juan Tenorio. The most romantic neighborhood, include patios with flowers, the smell of orange blossoms, the murmur of fountains, the warmth of the light and stately mansions. In short, a stunning beauty Andalusian neighbourhood.

For dining, the intimate and romantic restaurant, located in the Santa Cruz, El Corral de Agua, an old house of the XVIII century architecture. A quiet restaurant with candles, dominated by a central source of marble in a flowery patio with lush vegetation. The best scenario for an evening with friends.

I recommend a ride in a horse-drawn carriage at night. See Sevilla lit is an unforgettable experience, leaving you soaked in the scent of jasmine, the tinkling of bells, the lights on the monuments, the moonlight and the starry sky, a tremendous pleasure.

After a pleasant carriage ride, going  to a flamenco show is priceless. Sevilla is full of clubs with great Flamenco guitar players

To celebrate a special occasion, go to the Sierra Cazalla or Constantina to visit the wineries in the area

Surprise your partner with a balloon ride to admire the views of the peoples of Tomares, Aznalcóllar or Gines. A horseback ride is another attractive option. Sevilla has beautiful natural routes Guillena, Algámitas and Villaverde del Río.

The forest area of ecological interest is in Aznalcázar, an area of pine forests near the marshes of the Guadalquivir. A stunning walk with trails and trees.

Keep visiting Carmona with its charming streets and beautiful corners that will guide you towards the old Arab fortress of the XIV century

Finally, to rest from the exhausting day , enjoying a relaxing soak in  Arab Bormujos hot springs

Wapitu

To enjoy a romantic vacation look for accommodation in Seville.

Contact Me 

Who has not come across the many forms taken by the famous and fateful story of the Titanic? Movies, plays, series, etc., have staged history´s most famous ocean liner story . If you would like to know more, go to the Navigation Pavilion of Seville to see the traveling exhibition “Titanic the Exhibition”.

No one can forget the work done in the romantic setting of the James Cameron film, with Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet, which became one of the most watched films in history in recent decades.

The Royal Mail Steamship Titanic, known simply as Titanic, was built between 1909 and 1912 by the White Star Line  shipping company and was destined to be the world´s largest cruiser, with a capacity to transport 3547 people, including passengers and crew.

At dawn on April 15, 1912, during its maiden voyage, the Titanic sank after colliding with an iceberg, killing 1,495 people of 2223 aboard.

The great expectation, mystery and drama of the story, now can be visited at the traveling exhibition “Titanic the Exhibition”, located on the Navigation Pavilion of Seville until April 7, 2013.

This shows, 100 years after the appearance of the Titanic, it gathers some 200 objects from the original boat and several pieces of real-size replicas of the interior of this luxury yacht.

Among the items you can find pictures, documents and letters written by William Murdoch, who was the first officer and a gem that served as the inspiration for the film from Cameron.

With eight rooms to visit, this traveling exhibition seeks to dive into the atmosphere that took place on board so that the visitor feels like he was therein  the recreation rooms of the Titanic, based on all reliable available information from this relic resting 4 km deep in the Atlantic.

For the story to be as authentic as possible, “Titanic The Exhibition” featured the work of historian and CG Wetterholm, who for 40 years has specialized in it and who was part of the expeditions to check the wreck in 90 ´.

The admission price to this magical adventure is € 10 for adults and € 8 for children 7-18, students, pensioners, unemployed, large family member and youth card holders. If you plan to come in a group prices are 6 € and 3 € per person and € 5 on discount day which is Monday or when there is a holiday.

“Titanic The Exhibition” features within the ticket price, with an individual sound system as a guide to inform and accompany the visitor on the route of the exhibit.

For more information: http://www.titanic.eu/eng

Nancy Guzman

Winter is also a great time to take a break and go down south, and nothing is better than renting apartments in Seville , enjoy the weather and countless entertainments at this tour of “Titanic the Exhibition”.

Contact Me 

Today we would like to invite you to enjoy a peculiar attraction that is open every Sunday on La Cartuja Island in Seville. We are talking about the miniature railway in Alamillo Park, which can actually help you getting around the park while enjoying a very unique ride.

Seville’s Association ” Railroad Friends ” built the miniature railway in 2002. The railway is located in the northern part of La Cartuja Island in the famous park Alamillo.

This is a railway circuit made in a 5-inches scale, which was inaugurated on the 12^th of October 2002, to coincide with the ninth anniversary of the park.

The park covers an area of 47 hectares and it is situated in the northern part of la Cartuja Island, a place located between the old and new channels of the river Guadalquivir. This space was recovered thanks to the celebration of the expo 1992 in Seville. Simultaneously with the work of the Universal Exhibition, this urban park was built to recreate the unique beauty of the Mediterranean forest but with the comforts of an urban park and an artificial designed to increase the visitors’ enjoyment.

The park was opened to the public on the 12^th of October 1993. Alamillo reproduces the different ecosystems from the Mediterranean forest, while keeping its native species. The park has remained faithful to the conditions that determine an ecosystem, such as topography, height, orientation and incidence of sun and humidity.

The Railroad’s idea was conceived in 2000, when the park gave permission toinstall a railway circuit of about 150 meters on its grounds. After the great people’s reaction (1500 people rode in just 3 weekends), the construction of such permanent attraction was decided in 2001.

Since then, several renovations have been done to extend the railway train and allow the tour to be what it is today. Alamillo’s railway is a 400-meters circuit of with curves of 14 and 15 meters, 250 meters long and 150 meters auxiliary pathways, along which miniature trains of various types operate. There is also a main station and a secondary building for crosses, as well as a water tank for steam locomotives.

The wagons are pulled by two locomotives with a total of 15 units that ensures the transportation many visitors.

 Rides’ tickets are the only support the miniature railway. A single ride costs 1 € and 6 rides 5 €.

It works every Sunday from 11 to 14 hours.

Ara

Enjoy Seville’s convenient luminosity for outdoor activities, come to Alamillo park and enjoy its unique railway. This is a place to come with your children, they will love it! Rent an Seville apartment and have a rest with your family

Contact Me 

It’s associated with romance, spring, the full moon, the heady scent of orange blossoms, walks along cobblestone streets, as well as the Baroque Easter celebrations. Seville, in the very southern part of Europe, is a perfect place to travel as a couple or on a honeymoon. But the capital of Andalusia is also a great destination for families with children. Today we propose spending a morning (or afternoon) in the green areas of the Plaza de América, within the Maria Luisa Park.

Maria Luisa Park

Although the capital has good suburban gardens, like the Alamillo, both young and old will enjoy the aristocratic and historical Maria Luisa Park, which is located only a short distance from the historic center and adjacent to the Guadalquivir.

Here you’ll find the Plaza de España (Spain Square), which has served as a setting for many period films, the romantic gazebo dedicated to the Bécquer brothers, a duck pond, as well as lots of wooded trails for walking or cycling. You can even rent a horse in various parts of the park. Rates are posted at the locations.

Plaza de América: pigeons and gardens

There’s one place in particular on the grounds of the Maria Luisa Park that will appeal to children: the Plaza de América. It consists of Moorish-style gardens with clipped hedges, shade trees, orange trees, fountains, ponds with water lilies, and paths.

At one end of the square, in the west, bordering the Paseo de las Delicias, pigeons crowd around a water fountain. And since one is allowed to feed the birds in this area of Seville, you can imagine the commotion caused by the families, moms, dads and children, enjoying the many pigeons. There’s also usually the odd cat lurking about.

It is also possible to rent bicycles and pedal cars to travel around the gardens or the entire park as a family, or however far you feel like going. On the opposite end, in the east, which borders the Avenida de la Borbolla, you’ll find a playground and a stand where you can get a snack and sit for a while without leaving the green zone. It’s also an ideal place for skating.

Plaza de América: museums

If you’re traveling with older children, the Plaza de América offers even more fun and possibilities, since it is flanked by two museums: the Museum of Arts and Traditions and the Museum of Archaeology.

The Museum of Arts and Traditions of Seville, located in a colorful modernist building, gives an overview of the popular traditions in the area. They also have exhibits of ceramics, antique furniture, vintage dresses, and sometimes offer temporary exhibitions on various subjects.

The Archaeological Museum of Seville holds the Treasure of Carambolo. However, the vast majority of pieces are from the medieval and Roman periods (large, marble sculptures and many mosaics).

Candela Vizcaíno

We have apartments in Seville that are very close to the Plaza de América, which is in the Barrio de los Remedios, across the river, in Bami and the area known as El Prado.

Contact Me 

On the 23^rd of October, Tindersticks will perform a concert at Teatro Central in Seville.

Tindersticks returns to Spain with a new tour to present their latest album “The Something Rain”, released in February 2012. This album is a mixture of instrumentation with an intimate melancholic feeling and decorated with the baritone voice of Stuart Staples.

Tindersticks is an indie rock band from Nottingham, England, that was formed in 1991. This band released six albums before singer Stuart A. Staples began his solo career. The band was reunited in 2006, but more permanently in 2007. The band has composed several movie soundtracks.

Orchestral backing, lounge jazz and soul characterize their sound. The orchestrations by the multi instrumentalist Dickon Hinchliffe, who left the band in 2006, and the baritone vocalist Stuart A. Staples are the hallmarks of the band. Tindersticks enlarged their instrumentation with Rhodes piano, glockenspiel, vibraphone, violin, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, bassoon, Hammond organ, and many more.

Boulter, Staples, Macauley, Fraser and Hinchliffe, all members of Asphalt Ribbons, formed the band in 1991. The protagonists of the mini-LP Old Horse (1991) were: Stuart Staples (vocals), Dave Boulter (organ and accordion) Neil Fraser (guitar) Dickon Hinchliffe (guitar and vocal) Al Macauley (percussion and drums) John Thompson (bass). Mark Colwill was recruited when Thompson left Asphalt Ribbons, but it is unknown whether any concert was played under the name of Asphalt Ribbons. Then they changed their name to Tindersticks after Staples found a German matchbox on a Greek beach.

Tindersticks started recording demos in 1992 and founded their own label, Tippy Toe Records to release their first single, “Patchwork”, the same year.

Their first and second album, which had the same name of the band, established their signature sound and received the critical acclaim. Their live performances, often augmented by large string sections, and even sometimes a full orchestra, were well received, as the album The Bloomsbury Theatre 12.3.95. However, at their third album, “Curtains”, did not reach some of their fans’ expectations; although others said that it was their best album. The most significant song from this album was “Ballad of Tindesticks” expressing the pressures lived touring band.

In addition to their nine albums, the band has produced the soundtracks for four films by the French director Claire Denis including:  Nenette et Boni, Trouble Every Day, 35 Shots of Rum and White Material. They recorded a cover of the Four Tops song, “What Is a Man”, the soundtrack of the British television series The Sins. The Sopranos on HBO featured their song “Tiny Tears” in the season 1 episode of “Isabella”. In addition, a version of “Running Wild” was played during the end credits of the penultimate episode of the series The Blue Comet. At the end of a season of Brotherhood, “The Devil In The Eye” was also played twice. “Cherry Blossoms” appeared in the film Unmade Beds (2009).

To enjoy the performance of this magnificent band, come to Teatro Central in Seville, you´ll find it at Calle José de Gálvez, 6. Isla de la Cartuja. 41092 Sevilla.

Cornejo

To rest comfortably after this concert, rent apartments in Seville and enjoy experiencing its great music.

Contact Me 

It´s one of the most important ancient wonders not only in Andalucía or Spain but in the whole of Europe. Since its discovery, by chance, in 158, it has been guarded in a security box and the original one has been exhibited only during the months of January to April of 2012. I´m talking about the Treasure of El Carambolo, found in the town of Camas when some routine works were taking place. ´Property´ of the Andalucian Government, this legacy of ancient Mediterranean culture is in the news of late due to its return to the security box due to the high security costs.

However, let´s go bit by bit. The traveller who is in beautiful Seville, first has to know that autumn is the best season to visit the city, that the whole city is worth visiting and that you can´t leave the Andalucian capital without taking a walk around the Park of María Luisa (with its cinematographic buildings of historical nature). In this green space you can find the Archeological Museum where, we believe, the Treasure of El Carambolo is kept together with remains of huge interest from the different civilizations that lived in the city, from the Muslim one to the Roman one.

The Treasure of El Carabolo is an exceptional legacy of the rich culture that settled in the lands of the lower Guadalquivir back in the 8th and 9th century BC. Even though, at first, it was linked to the royal trousseau of the Tartessos dynasty, today, due to the new archeological remains found, it is believed that it belonged to the Turdetanis, a contemporary culture that mixed with the Phoenicians.

THe jewels of the Treasure of El Carambolo are made in 24-karat gold (remember that the current jewels are made with 18-karat gold and even below that). The set is made up by two large cylinders that were believed, at first, to be bracelets for the forearms, a necklace with various bells, two pieces that seem pectorals and twelve identical rectangles (one of them broken). At first, a composition was made and they believed that they were jewels used by a king in his royal events. However, the new discoveries have pointed towards another theory. It seems that this splendid treasure belonged to the ceremonial trousseau of a temple dedicated to the goddess Baal, related to the Phoenician goddess Astarté. Probably, the jewels were placed on animals that were to be sacrificed in order to pray for a prosperous and healthy offspring, a good harvest and long life for the community.

The traveller, today, can see an exact replica of this wonder that the authorities, in a totally erroneous decision, have placed once again in a security box because the security costs exceeded 100.000€ per year, a small amount if it´s compared with other costs that are totally expendable. We hope that they reconsider that unfortunate decision and that this ancient wonder can be shown to the public once again.

Candela Vizcaíno

If you are staying in one of the apartments in Seville close to the Park of María Luisa, you can go for walks to other museums and cultural spots of the area, such as the Lope de Vega Theatre, the Museum of Arts and Customs or the Carriages Museum, on the other side of the river.

Contact Me