Thursday 28 January - Cycling in Seville

News item from Seville - it's the cycling capital of southern Europe. See this link from the Guardian website:
http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/jan/28/seville-cycling-capital-southern-europe-bike-lanes

Looking forward to our trip

I have started this blog in advance of the Newton family holiday in Seville in February this year. I've never been before but have read a book set there during Semana Santa, when they have a costume parade. The book was called Death in Seville by David Hewson.

We will be staying at the Hotel Melia Sevilla near Plaza de Espana. It looks nice.

During Holy Week a big festival takes place in Seville

Places of interest include the River Guadalquivir, the Cathedral and the mausoleum of Christopher Columbus, the Giralda, said to be Seville's most beautiful building, the Alcazar palace and gardens, the Museo de Bellas Artes, Casa de Pilatos, Plaza Pan and Plaza Salvador, Casa de la Memoria. We want to try some of the many tapas restaurants in the city, and I would also like to see the Flamenco Museum and go to a flamenco show. We might also see the ornate Ayuntamiento and the Archivo de las Indias.

If we do a day trip, it will be to Cordoba. We could go by coach or possibly by train.

The guidebook I am using is The Rough Guide to Andalucia. The others have got the DK Guide to Seville. It recommends buying a bus ticket or tarjeta multiviaje. There is also a metro system apparently.

I now need to improve my Spanish. I have signed up to Duolingo which is a computer-based site which gives you exercises to do. I am probably at a level less than basic.

We are flying with Easyjet from Basel and the others are coming from Gatwick. On arrival we can get a bus or taxi to the city centre. The temperature should be around 15 degrees when we visit. Can't wait - it's minus 2 here in Switzerland today.