How to Plan an International Trip: Travel Tales and Tips : July 2016

Nov 28, Saturday, 2015:

We had booked Iberia airlines flight at 7.40 pm from Seville reaching Madrid in an hour at 8.40 pm.

We had an early morning flight at 6.15am on Sunday back home from Madrid airport.

In the light of the early morning flight the next day it would have been prudent to take the morning flight at 10.30 am out of Seville and reach Madrid at 11.30 am. If there was some problem with that flight, we’ll have wiggle room to leave Seville later in the day. But by choosing the late evening flight we were putting ourselves at risk in case the flight did not take off for some reason. We preferred to have that day in Seville for sight seeing, so decided to take the risk. Anyways, let me describe the day’s events in sequence!

Here's a map of Seville:

Cathedral square

We had an early start at usual and enjoyed the town cathedral square before the alcazar opened.

Real Alcázar of Seville

Real Alcázar of Seville was originally the medieval fortress of Moorish rulers and later of the Christian kings.

The palace was built in the 10th century for Moorish rulers.

We enter the palace through the Puerta Principal

That leads to the Patio de las Doncellas.

This elegant courtyard was built between 1369 and 1379 and exemplifies Islamic architecture with magnificent arches featuring open arabesque work above 52 marble columns.

The oldest of the rooms, the Sala de los Embajadores (Hall of the Ambassadors) has a splendid stalactitic dome ceiling with decorative friezes and inscriptions in Arabic script.

Off the Patio del Leon (Patio of the Lion) is the Sala de Audiencias, one of the most ornately decorated rooms in the palace, featuring a lavish artesonado (intricately carved wood) ceiling.

GARDENS

The beautifully manicured grounds are filled with leafy palms, sweet orange trees, and colorful roses. In traditional Andalusian style, courtyards, decorative pools, and refreshing fountains are the centerpieces of the landscaping.

Again a jaw dropping experience!

Hotel Convento la Gloria

We went back to the hotel, had our lunch, and again roamed around enjoying the lovely decor of the former convent.

We checked out, kept our bags with the reception.

We walked out to enjoy the neighborhood.

Barrio de Santa Cruz

Barrio de Santa Cruz was the Judería (Jewish quarter) during the medieval era under Moorish rule. Many of the quarter's churches were originally synagogues. The Barrio Santa Cruz is found in between the cathedral and the Alcazar.

This medieval neighborhood is characterized by its labyrinth of cobblestone pedestrian lanes (too narrow for cars), whitewashed houses with attractive patios, and picturesque shaded plazas with outdoor cafés.

Many of the quiet courtyards, such as the Plaza Doña Elvira, are planted with fragrant orange trees.

These tiles are so beautiful...such exquisite detailing...

The Plaza Santa Cruz (on the way from plaza dona Elvira to plaza refinadores) features rose beds and a 17th-century wrought-iron cross in the center. At the Plaza Refinadores, we find a statue of Don Juan Tenorio, a famous local literary character.

We strolled through the Jardines de Murillo, gardens filled with palm trees, fountains, and beautifully tiled benches.

Had an excellent view of the cathedral, from the Plaza del Patio de Banderas.

There were excellent markets with miniatures.

Our flight was at 7.40 pm.

Seville airport is 10 km from the Convent.

By 5 pm, we left in a taxi and reached the airport. Boarding was on time but as we were standing in the tube, we were asked to wait. No info, no announcement, after some ½ hour, they made an announcement in Spanish that a previous flight passenger had taken ill and they were awaiting wheel chair for him. After some 10 minutes, a tired looking guy was wheeled out with a worried companion.

We wished him well! We were surprised by the way this was handled. Our flight took off and landed some 40 minutes late.

We had booked Air Rooms Madrid Airport by Premium Traveller right inside the terminal and reached there.

We arrived at 10.30 pm on Nov 28th and had to catch 6.15 am flight. One would think it's hard to be disappointed with room amenities for such a short stay, but the negatives were too many...

Our room was near the front desk and the bed rattled badly with the frequent loud landings. I'm a sound sleeper but could not sleep a wink.

The bed was too small for 2.

The bathroom has a sliding transparent glass door... with gap into the room. Horrible design. Don't want to elaborate ...

The chair near the desk has no wheels... so heavy to pull it out/push it in. Surprised such broken stuff is left in a room.

The hairdryer did not work... again surprised.

Breakfast was included when we booked our room, but when we inquired if we can collect something just late at night or early, the reception guy said a flat no.

Proximity to terminal is the only plus...sad that we had a bad experience when all other reviews are glowing!

Anyways we got up at 4am, walked out and reached our boarding counter and took our flight back home.

It had been a very short but wonderful holiday and we hope to go back to Spain to cover what we have missed!

http://adventuretrav.blogspot.com/2016/08/denmark-trip-report-day-1-copenhagen.html

covers the report of our trip to Denmark