Travel Agent- March 30, 2009 - (Page 14) DESTINATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 * caseta where they can learn to dance Sevillanas, the city’s unique form of flamenco. Naturally, finding a hotel room during these two celebrations is very difficult, with reservations coming in as much as a year in advance. While there are numerous luxury hotels in Seville, three are particularly worthy of mention. The historic Alfonso XIII (www.hotel-alfonsoxiii.com) is very close to the historic University and the center of town, and has become a cultural landmark in the city. Two new luxury properties have also recently opened in Seville: the boutique EME Hotel Sevilla (www.emehotel.com) and the Gran Meliá Colon (www.granmelia-colon.com). All of these hotels are very close to the cathedral. I ON TRAVEL AGENTCENTRAL .COM ANOTHER POPULAR destination in Spain is Valencia. For more on the historic, yet trendy city, visit www.travelagentcentral. com/spain/valencia-spain. PHOTO BY VICKI FOX draw visitors from all over Spain and the world. During Holy Week (Semana Santa), which leads up to Easter, La Giralda, fraternities from churches the cathedral’s throughout the city don belltower the traditional Nazareno robes and carry enormous gilded wooden statues (called pasos) through the winding streets. This is not a good time for people with claustrophobia to visit: The narrow streets become unbelievably crowded as each procession goes by, and people can be squashed together for what seems like hours as they wait and watch. Those willing to tolerate the crowd, however, will be rewarded with a spectacular experience. These elaborate statues, designed by some of the best architects and artists throughout Spain’s history (some are hundreds of years old) are testaments to Spanish culture. Mere weeks after the religious opulence of Semana Santa comes the annual Spring Fair, or Feria. As with Semana Santa, the city largely shuts down and, for a whole week, goes out partying in traditional costumes. A fairground in the Los Remedios district houses both traditional carnival attractions and an entire miniature city of casetas—little houses that sell food and drink for private groups, or larger public casetas where anyone can drink and dance. As guests wander around the fairground and chat with locals, it is very likely that they will receive invitations to a private AGENTADVICE “Just as every city has a certain vibe, Seville is uniquely romantic and authentically resembles the cultural roots that make southern Spain such a gem,” says Brunilda de Jesus, VP, Spain, Portugal & Northern Africa, Central Holidays Travel Group. “It is relaxed, it’s beautiful and the people are always friendly.” De Jesus adds, “When I feel like taking in some of the cultural highlights, my favorite spots to visit are the cathedral, the Museo de Flamenco and the Museum of Fine Arts. My favorite thing to do is take a few hours of the day and simply stroll the labyrinth of narrow streets while shopping at myriad unique boutiques located in the Jewish Quarter. When I need a little refreshment, there is always a local tapas café. After a carriage ride through the city center, I usually take a little siesta before dinner and I never leave without taking in at least one flamenco show.” http://www.avalonwaterways.com http://www.hotel-alfonsoxiii.com http://www.emehotel.com http://www.gran-melia-colon.com http://www.gran-melia-colon.com http://www.TRAVELAGENTCENTRAL.COM http://www.avalonwaterways.com http://www.globusfamilypartner.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/spain/valencia-spain http://www.travelagentcentral.com/spain/valencia-spain
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