Flight To Seville!

[Ellie]

Has anyone on the forum flown to Seville?
I missed out on driving there from Faro--simply because it was so hot--but Im determined to see this beautiful city--and have decided to go there for the Christmas holiday.
The travel agents didnt have much--just one page with few flights from Gatwick and hotels--what im looking for is an apartment for a week and would really prefer to fly from Stanstead.
Ive done some searching and come up with apartments in city centre but Im wondering if anyone has experience of package holiday there and if they could advise me on where to book up please?
Many thanks!

[Guest]

seems from what i hear that many people fly to faro and then drive to seville as their are more planes and cheaper prices here.

dont know if you have been to seville,,,but watch your handbag dont wear jewelry as street crime is quite a lot.

[martin]

how about this instead....fly to madrid and then catch the tgv or ave high speed train from madrid to seville...its about 60 euros (i think both ways) and a wonderful journey..it takes about 2 and half hours and if its 5 minutes late you get your money back.

there are differnt prices for the time of day you go..ie 9 in ht morning is peak...midafternoon low rate....also first class (not worth it) and you get to see spain from the train

dont i have wonderful ideas

[martin]

there is a web site.

www.renfe.es....this is the spanish railways site with a section in english giving fares times etc...you want from real to seville

[Ellie]

Thanks guest--I listen to your advice about handbag watching & jewelry--i have heard about the street crime before.
Martin--like the sound of a "train through Spain"--and it doesnt sound too expensive---did you or anyone here--see the Michael Portillo TV programme---his journey by trains through his fathers land--terrific programme--and as you say--through wonderful countryside--will really consider this one.The Spanish trains seem really good value---clean,fast,efficient.
On thinking about it all--that wouild be great--to go the whole way--by train from UK. By Eurostar from Waterloo--toParis---down to --where?---Toulouse----then --on through Spain --destination-Seville!
How much would that come to I wonder?
Sounds exciting though! mmmm.Something different.have to look at the old bank balance!

[Ellie]

Just seen posting for train website --thank-you Martin--will take a proper look later on.

[Guest]

had a friend who came from uk to algarve by train..he worked for railway firm but price with staff discount was very very high..better to fly to madrid and then make the journey from there

[Ellie]

Today-after big discussion--we've decided to drive from UK to Seville--So have just booked hotel there for few days from Dec 19th then its the drive to Algarve and Christmas in Carvoeiro.
But I still have the dream of --one day--taking that train journey all the way from UK to Southern Spain.
Whats your plans for the Christmas holiday?
D'you prefer a place where its warm& sunny?
Or maybe a place that fits the traditional scene of Christmas--cold & snowy!
Its colds enough for me at the moment-chilly winds here inLincolnshire--so know where I prefer!
Just realised,I havent seen Sandy/Gordon Low on here lately--know they went to CVO in September--are you back in Oman now Sandy?Did you have good hols in Algarve?
wish you good night,Ellie

[Guest]

Just booked up to go to The Cayos Islands off Cuba for Christmas - we have always stayed at home at Christmas, but now the children have grown up we thought we would have a very different Christmas this year. We debated whether we should go to our apartment in CVO but we are a bit concerned as to how many places will be closed at Christmas - and Cuba is a bit warmer!!!!!
I would be interested to hear the experiences of anyone who goes to CVO at Christmas time. Dave.

[Ellie]

We were there Xmas2001/new year2002 Dave and really enjoyed that week.It was pretty livelyand weather wasg lorious apart from one day of rain and we sunbathed on the praia Xmas day-temps in 70s.
We were there for 4 weeks and admittedly quite a few shops closed in early January but Christmas was fine.
Will report back on this years findings!
Your holidayin the Cayos islands sounds something different-confess Ive never heard of them-but as you say,youre certain of warm weather--wish you happy holiday!

[Danny]

Dear Ellie. It's sad to have a dream unfulfilled, but fear not, your wish could come true, start making plans f or next spring when the train ride across Spain will include you, all you need is passport, tight shorts and a partner, cickety clack clickety clack, no what I mean.

[maddi]

Ellie et al

When you talk about holidays, I like them in hot places, with pavement cafes, balmy evenings, however when you talk about Christmas, I prefer that served up pretty traditionally, so my Christmas holiday would be to take off early Christmas eve to a ski resort. I also rather like a cottage in France for Christmas, shopping in the street market for fresh produce on Christmas eve, the variety being just awesome.

Anyway, I am guessing this could be my last post as I very shortly head up the M5, M4 to Gatwick and my Virgin Atlantic flight to Orlando - wish me luck folks, a couple of weeks of Disney, have-a-nice day and limited alcohol consumption (apparently it is cruel to leave the children chained up outside bars and they are not allowed in - I know, how ridiculous!!).

I shall be back soon, so don't get too used to the peace and quiet and don't hide the forum so I can't find it when I get back because that's just nasty!!

Maddi

[djprescott]

Perhaps you can get the best of both worlds weather-wise at Christmas. 70's sounds wonderful to me during the day, but I bet you can shiver a bit on the balcony in the evenings - we certainly found that in November and even in March. The contrast in temperatures in those months can be quite significant.
I agree with you maddi, I have always liked Christmas to be snowy, gathering round the fire etc, but somehow when the children grow up the magic disappears too - until the grandchildren come along!!!! Dave.

[Ellie]

Think Ive been given a bit of the old "blarney" from Danny boy!
Its true what Dave says--about the magic going from Christmas when the kids grow up-but its not only that-its also when your parents have departed this world -the family no longer complete-my late father-in law adored Christmas time and made it wonderful for all the family.
So-our kids are all grown -and doing their own thing-so now we do ours!
Afraid Im pretty cynical about the whole Christmas thing now anyway.Its shoved down our throats from September -you can literally "buy" Christmas any time of the year.
It would be lovely to go back to the simplicity it used to be.Children happy with some nice books,some sweets,actually "making" decorations etc.We all remember the excitement of what would be in Xmas stocking Christmas morning dont we?I expect its only the tiny kiddies that still have that feeling these days.
So--you can keepyour snow and skiing--Ill be glad to escape the chill winds here (dreading it gettingcolder!)and my ears being battered in every shop by Christmas songs played again and again.Ill be happy to put my dream of Southern climes into reality come mid-December!
Whatever you do--hope its a good one--Ellie

[Guest]

Yes, Ellie, totally agree with you, I lost both my parents 2 years ago and you lose the family 'occasion'. I also agree strongly about the over commercialisation of Christmas - my other pet hate is being able to buy hot cross buns all year round!!
I bet Portugal is not over hyped at Christmas - what's your view. The closest to Christmas in the algarve i have been is 21 November and I don't remember hardly any stuff in the shops. Dave.