Hi! I'm thinking of heading to Sevilla for a few days during Semana Santa and I would be grateful for any impressions anyone can give me of the city and how it is at that particular time. Also, hotel/hostal recommendations would be appreciated. Cheers

Hola LarryLasagne, if there is a place to be in Spain for that week it is Sevilla indeed.

Did it many moons ago and can't recall the name of the hostel we were at but I can tell you to MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS ASAP.

The city packs out for Semana Santa and prices on everything go up, up, up!!!

It is however something every Spain lover should do once in their lives

I am not sure where we will spend Semana Sanata this year but we are saving our next Sevilla trip for a weekend in April to go to La Feria de Abril :l:

Saludos,
jer...

Jer is right, start looking for your Semana Santa lodgings NOW! Last year Irene and I stayed at:

HOSTAL CENTRAL HS**
CALLE ZARAGOZA, 18
41001 SEVILLA (SEVILLA)
tlf/fax 954 217 660

It's between Plaza Nueva and the bullring. I had made a gazillion calls and this is the one place that I found that had room (I don't remember how far in advance I called, but it was months).

The desk guy was named Serafin and said we had to rent it for the entire week (6 days), although we saw people come and go every few days. Maybe he was just trying to avoid cancellations (as if they'd have any problem filling a room during Semana Santa.) I can't remember the price, but it was at least $80/night, at least double normal (but this is usual for Semana Santa). The location was great and the cleaning ladies were nice enough to let us wash our laundry in the sink/scrub board on the roof and hang it on their clotheslines.

Our room was pretty poor, in the center of the building with only a tiny window onto the stairwell (wouldn't want to stay there in warm weather). It was probably the worst room in the building (because I saw some the empty rooms where people had checked out and they were far nicer).

Had I been smarter (and not so tired after a long trip), I would have politely asked that I be given a better room when one became available. Luckily, I am blessed with an incredibly patient wife who like me was less concerned about these details and just thrilled to be in Sevilla for Semana Santa. I have almost forgotten that the room wasn't optimal, while I will never forget the magic that is Semana Santa.

Thanks to both of you. It seems like time is already not on my side for booking rooms for Semana Santa but I'm going to press on and try to find something because everyone I've spoken to says that Semana Santa is something you can't miss! Looking forward very much to finally getting to Andalucia

you may want to check www.sol.com for a place to stay in Sevilla (or other Andaluc�an cities). I stayed at Hotel Murillo a couple of years back during Semana Santa and although I got lost quite a few times trying to get back to it (it's located in the "rabbit warren" streets of the old town), I found it clean and friendly and not toooo pricey for the time of year. However, things may have changed (and because I booked less than two months in advance I could only stay for three nights before moving on to Granada). It certainly was an unforgettable experience and I would recommend it to anyone.

Jer, as for La Feria de Abril, I've heard and read that unless you know someone it can be very hard to really enjoy it as most of the "casitas" are private. Any advice? I should still be in Spain at the time (I come back to London the first weekend of May), do you know the exact dates for 2003?

Cheers,

Stephen

Hey stephen, welcome to the group and thanks for the advice on Sevilla, I too have used www.sol.com for Sevilla info and it is great!!!

I hear ya on that Feria de Abril exclusivity of the "casetas" and all, if you do a search on this board for "Feria de Abril" (search function upper right of this page) or CLICK HERE FOR THE SEARCH PAGE, you will see that I have warned many times of that problem

The dates of the Feria this year are on the thread HERE

There is also another good thread on the Feria HERE

Saludos,
jer...

I'll be in San Fernando, Cadiz for the Samana Santa. i know that i could get you a place in Novo Santi Petri. About 1 hour from Sevilla.
Email me if you want more info.
Maringalan@hotmail.com
Good luck see you there.
I have a Charming, clean, light and airy apartment in Novo Sancti Petri. This is a very nice Apt on 2nd floor. Private Patio and gorgeous view.
All tile floors, white walls, fully equipped and modern bathroom & kitchen with a washing machine
2 bedroom 1 with queen bed other with 2 singles.
Very quiet (no car traffic), secure and the neighbors are all great.Has a Pool. Can rent out weekly most of year. If you are intersted E-mail me @ Maringalan@hotmail.com I'll send you more info.
Here is a location map:
http://www.canalcamping.com/mapas/14-7.gif

I have a nice 1 bedroom apt rented in Sevilla from april 3rd to may 3rd. It is located in Barrio santa cruz. I reserved it last oct. Since now it appears I am going alone I would be willing to share it for all or part of the month. I think I got a good price 1480 E plus utilities. it looks new also. Thanks