The Unique Spirit of Seville - Don't Miss This One

The Tomb of Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus is a name that few are unfamiliar with, but his place of resting is a lesser-known fact. It is the city of Seville that houses his tomb through a cathedral’s southern doors. There is some controversy surrounding the legitimacy of the remains that are found in the tomb; the bones that lie there, which were brought to Spain from the Caribbean in 1899, were subject to question. The higher-ups in the Dominican Republic claimed to hold the real bones in its capital city.

Unfortunately for the Dominican Republic the DNA from the bones in Seville matched that of the great explorer’s brother, so Seville is indeed home to the real bones. Go see them.

image by Arshad Habib

Cathedral

The cathedral itself is the biggest in the entire world – that alone makes it worth seeing. The cathedral’s history is quite impressive too in that before a cathedral stood there it was the site of a 12th century Mosque – Almohad. The remains of the mosques great minaret can still be seen today standing next to the main building of the cathedral. It’s said that the cathedral’s creators stated the following “Let us create such a building that future generations will take us for lunatics.” If you see the scale of the cathedral that stands in Seville today – you’ll see that they’ve achieved their goal.

  

Basílica de La Macarena

The Basilica de la Macarena houses what is considered to be the most impressive example of a Virgin in all of Seville. The golden-crowned statue is a beauty to behold – she is even adorned with five diamond and emerald brooches that were donated by a famous matador of the region. 

 

Bullring

Bullfighting is quite a controversial sport – about that there is no question, however it’s worth taking note that in Spain this is much less the case and when in another country we must respect the culture’s traditions as outsiders. The bullring in Seville is the oldest in all of Spain and is said to hold what can only be compared to a religious significance to its thousands of fans.

The construction of the building itself started in 1758 which cements its age (no pun intended). It’s possible to take guided tours of the bullring in English (or Spanish if you speak it) that discuss the history of the place and describe some of history’s most famous bullfights (image by Laura713).

If you’re of a strong stomach and fancy watching a bullfight for yourself, it’s possible to do so between spring and autumn.

Getting to Seville is a doddle and by far the best way to do so is by plane. It’s often worth driving to the airport, parking the car and then picking it up upon your return – you can learn a bit more about how that works here. Flights leave pretty regularly, but, of course, book in advance to avoid being disappointed – you don’t want to miss out on a trip to one of the most enchanting cities on the planet.

If you’ve been to Seville and happen to have some tips regarding where to go (we know we’ve certainly not covered everything here), then be sure to let us know down in the comments section!

Related post:   7 Great Under $50 Accommodation Options in Madrid

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7 Great Under $50 Accommodation Options in Madrid

People travel for various reasons; to have fun, to do business, see the world and find out about cultures and habits of people living around the globe. If the thought of visiting Madrid has never crossed your mind before, you better start thinking about it seriously, because you never know where your next business trip will take you, and am sure you don't want to find it rough, shopping around for the best affordable hotel or resort deals available. Because of this, i have listed 7 places you can find accommodation for just under $50 per night.

1. Etap Madrid Valentin Beato

You don't have to spend several dollars to find quality accommodation in Madrid. Though this hotel is not very close to the city center, it might serve your purpose well if you don't have commitments in town. This place is just too good for its price. Not only is it comfortable, the rooms are clean, compact and can accommodate up to 3 individuals. Again, there's satellite TV for those of us who love entertainment, and breakfast is optional (not inclusive in the fee charged).

Definitely, it's a place you can check out when you're on a budget. No frills, and it's even easier to access it from the airport. Just pick bus number 200 and it will make 3 stops and there you are.

Ibis Alcala De Henares

2. Ibis Alcala De Henares


It's well worth your $50. The Ibis will treat you well. I can't forget to mention their friendly staff (so don't be surprised if the managers rushes upstairs with your wife's handbag because she'd forgotten it downstairs during breakfast), you'll also appreciate their simple, clean, yet modern rooms which are fantastic for people who have families. Again, this is a great place for those looking to stay away from the town center.

3. Husa Moncloa

When i asked about hotel Husa, i was told that it's a great place for people looking to stay near the the city center on a budget. Word has it that hotel Husa's staff are friendly (though i haven't confirmed), and very attentive to clients' concerns. Breakfast; top rating, plus you receive free chocolates and liquor in the comfort of your room. It's a 30minutes walk from town, and you can use the super metro system to rich town quickly if you don't have time.

4. Hostal Concepcion Arenal

Here comes the thrill of hotel Hostal. Just 100m away from Gran Via, this guesthouse is just too good for its price. If you want to indulge, and get familiar with Madrid's culture, habits and practices of the local people, definitely i would recommend this place because of its proximity to Gran Via-the heart of Madrid's cultural and shopping artery. All in all, it's a clean, comfortable and safe place to be.

5. Hostal Salamanca

If you want a little bit of prestige, and experience what it means to spend a night or two in one of Madrid's finest business hub, then this is the ultimate place for you. It's location makes it an ideal place to be, easily accessed from Barajas airport and beautifully surrounded by state of the art shops and boutiques. And by nightfall, you will discover the thrills of Juan Bravo's Avenue disco pubs such as Doblon or Keeper. If not, you can try some of the glorious restaurants in the area for a full experience of culture, habits, as well as way of life of the people living in Madrid.

The Way hostel Madrid

6. The Way hostel

Though it's a hostel, there are several things you'll love about sleeping the night away in this hostel. Firstly, its location is desirable (a walking distance from most sites), a spacious and comfortable lounge area, as well as several tour events to crown your experience here. You'll enjoy, though there's a suggestion contribution of about 8 euros at the end (don't worry because it isn't a must either).

7. Cat's hostel

With its proximity to Plazor mayor, many guest are opting to spend the night here. Not only is it situated in a nice location, but it has large rooms that can be used for private, or shared rental. Again, all the rooms are very clean, safe and well lit. Other features that may attract you include a central fountain, wooden windows, attractive Spanish tiles, and its architectural attributes in general.


It's a real challenge traveling on a budget. But it's more mind boggling when you have to shop around for the countless accommodations options available that will suit your pocket--and you don't know where to start. Who said that you can't sleep in Madrid comfortably under $50 anyway? The above list will prove you wrong if you thought there aren't accommodation deals under $50.

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The Inside Scoop: Tips and Tricks for Travel to Majorca

Majorca, the island paradise off the east coast of Spain, isn’t the kind of destination most people would put on their shortlist if they were looking for a budget holiday destination around Spain. The government, apparently, has an interest in keeping Majorca positively upscale, too – they’ve actually enacted legislation to keep hotel builders from opening anything lower than a 3 star when they build new. The tourism business model that they are interested in, apparently, goes after the high-end high profit tourist.

What do you do if you can’t go that high?

You can’t let a little hurdle like the unavailability of budget accommodation keep you from such a special holiday destination. As with as any other tourist spot, you always have ways of working around the system (one of which is to travel in spring or in autumn when the weather is beautiful, but it still isn’t considered high season).

If the idea of taking the trip when it’s the off-season doesn’t seem your style, you do have two options. One would be to book far ahead enough so that you are able to find something in one of Majorca’s older, budget hotel pickings.

The other choice is rather new – a holiday rental. Going with a company like HouseTrip holiday rentals, you could easily find a home to rent at seasonally competitive rates. 

Money doesn’t really talk in Majorca, if you think about it

If you were to visit New York, London or Paris on a tiny budget, you would find yourself priced out of the most sought after attractions. A small budget on at an island paradise, though, doesn’t run into quite the same kinds of problems. The main attraction at a place like St. Tropez or Majorca is the natural beauty of the place itself. There isn’t much to spend money on, anyway.

The breathtaking views to be had on the Majorcan west coast, the peaceful little secret beaches of the south of the island, the exotic Mediterranean environment to be found on every little Majorcan market street, getting back in touch with nature on a hikingtrail and a chance to rejoice snorkelling in the jewel like waters all around – most people who visit Majorca, do so for its spectacular natural beauty. Even if you had a great deal of money, you wouldn’t have much more to spend it on in Majorca. The greatest Majorcan experiences are free. 

How do you make up for the expensive hotel, though?

To be certain, the main attractions of Majorca don’t cost much. All you need to do is to set aside enough money for the expensive hotels. To do this, you need to know how to save money when you eat, though. Luckily, expensive Majorca does offer plenty of ways to save money.

1. Majorcan restaurants have a curious policy in the way they price their menus. While their regular menus are expensive, they all suddenly drop their prices when it’s lunchtime. It’s a 50-year-old tradition from the time Generalissimo Franco ruled. He believed that the working classes needed at least one filling and affordable meal a day. Even at the posh restaurants, a menú del día will get you a full three-course meal and wine for more than €18. You can get by on half as much at one of the more mid-market restaurants. You just need to fill up at lunchtime.
2. Since evening meals tend to be routinely expensive, many tourists in Majorca take a page out of the locals’ book – they go around from one restaurant or bar to the next, only ordering the cheapest parts of the menu – sausages like the sobrassada, local salads like the tumbet, and so on. While most Majorcan beach bars happen to be there expensive, the ones on the southern beaches are quite affordable. Spending no more than €15 can get you seafood and sangria.
3. Some skip the restaurants altogether. They shop around the markets of Majorca for the ingredients of a great picnic and take their meal to the beaches.

Getting around Majorca

Many tourists arriving in Majorca look at the inexpensive car rentals available at the airport and grab a car. This is a mistake, though, because parking anywhere can be very expensive. Instead, renting a bicycle or taking the bus can be a far better idea.

Celebrating life in Majorca doesn’t need a huge budget – it only needs a fertile imagination.

About the writer

An expert in European travel and a holiday home owner, Simon Dance works for Holiday Rental marketplace HouseTrip.com.

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