Seville or Barcelona?

[cruisinred]

Well, I just got back from quick visits to both Seville and Barcelona, so I thought I would report back.

I think the 2 citiesmake a great combo visit. Not only are they linked by convienent budget airlines (: ClickAir - Air Europa - Vueling) but they offer a perfect counterpoint of the Spain of romantic yester-year and the stylish Spain of the future.



LuxuryLink has some great offers for hotels in both cities, but we weren't staying long enough in either city to use an LL package. In Seville, we stayed in old Barrio Santa Cruz area at the lovely boutique hotel www.lacasadelmaestro.com. We enjoyed strolling the narrow streets in the evening with the sounds of flamenco in the air, seeing the cathedral and Alcazar and dining on wonderful tapas. And my husband just had to have his hair cut by the 'barber of Seville', LOL!



In Barcelona we stayed at the very stylish, uber-trendy "Chic & Basic" hotel in the hip Born area of the city.

www.chicandbasic.com/eng/hotel_born_barcelona/For the great rate of 85 euro per night we got an amazing room with 15' ceilings, a round glass 'shower pod' and crazy multi-colored optic lighting...this kind of 'design' hotel room would easily cost $500+ in New York. We enjoyed visiting the famous La Boqueria food market, the Picasso museum (which focuses on the artist's early years) and just strolling the charming streets of the old quarter, which are now filled with small boutiques selling original designer clothes and gourmet chocolates.



So, in answer to my original question "Seville or Barcelona" I say BOTH!

[claassenam]

Hi Cruisinred,

Just noticed your posting regarding your November trip to Spain. What a wonderful trip! Although I probably won't be traveling to Spain anytime this year, unfortunately, I would like to get back there in the near future with my husband. Here's my question: When I was last in Spain ten years ago I was a college student studying and living in Europe, I loved Spain for the people, architecture, food, but also the crazy go-all-night-sleep all day culture! I had the stamina to sightsee all day, take a little siesta, then get up for a very late dinner and party most of the night. Now that I am older and much more tired I don't know how I'd do it in Spain - what was your daily timeline like when you were there? Were you able to find restaurants that would feed you at a more American dinner hour or did you rally each night and do as the Spaniards do? Lately the daily touristing really takes it out of my husband and I so we are pretty spent by dinnertime when we are traveling....the idea of eating at 11 or midnight and then staying up all night at a club seems pretty unlikely to me.

[welcometoedu]

For romantic walks, excellent tapas, walking visits, nice peopleand pure Spanish charm,come to Seville.

For modern city, fashionable places, state-of-the-art arquitecture, shopping and good gastronomy, go to Barcelona.



Easy.