Greetings Travellers!

Heading to Seville for NYE this year and will be there for about 10 days. Any suggestions on Flamenco lessons, but instrumental and dance? Should I go visit the Alhambra early in the trip before settling in Seville or head there later in the trip before heading home? Also, does anyone have suggestions for Wineries close to Seville? Just a thought. Any advice would work. Thanks!

E

I don't know that Andalucia is big for wineries...but it is near Jerez, which is where Sherry is made. You may want to check that out.

You should plan to go to Granada for a night or two during your trip to see the Alhambra. It isn't really a day trip from Sevilla...you'll want to stay the night.

In Sevilla, make sure to stop by La Carboneria to see Flamenco. Lots of locals and tourists alike. Walk around the Barrio Santa Cruz, and make sure to cross the river to see the other side of town (easy to forget to do that). Hang out on Calle Sierpes on a Sunday and see the ladies all dressed for church. Also head there on a weekday and be prepared for the madness of people shopping and watching. Make sure to get into the Alcazar...I never visited it when I lived in Sevilla, but did on my last trip and regret that I didn't go sooner! The Cathedral and Giralda are pretty awesome, as well. It is a fantastic city.

annie,

thank you very much for your advice. I will definitely take them into account and plan accordingly. you aware of any "flamenco studios"? and how far is Jerez from Sevilla?

I wish I could advise you RE: Flamenco. I'm a Salsa dancer and had hoped to dive into it during my trip this past December as well (I spent NYE in Madrid) but had a knee injury while in Sevilla. So, afraid i'm no help there.

However, RE: Granada - it's an amazing city full of music, culture and art. If you have 10 days, and were planning on dedicating all 10 to Sevilla. I'd suggest actually doing 5/5.

Thanks Alex. So 5/5 huh? Hmmm...And my best friend and I were thinkin of just spending overnight in Granada.You suggesting otherwise? Two warm-blooded men who can salsa and looking to meet locals to dance with and perhaps tell us where the parties for New Years Eve are at is the goal.

Yeah- the Alahambra is a 4 hour visit not counting the lines for the tours. Save plenty of time for the gardens, which are as good as or better than the actual palace. It can take an hour or more to relax and enjoy them.

Arrive there early. It gets hot in the afternoon sun, even during winter.

Also, when walking around in Granada, watch out for Gypsies and pickpockets. One got me early on, then got my friend a day later.

An acquaintance of mine had someone try to take his camera on the hill on the way from the Alahambra. It was his luck the young gentleman had no real weapon. So, be careful.

Granada is worth a few days. However-- in the vacation times., its VERY hard to find lodging there. You need to get advance reservations as soon as possible. New Years eve is too close to Christmas vacations for there to be many rooms left if you arrive on spec.

Thanks for the hints on time efficiency in Granada (cant all be done in one day) and on the pickpockets. Question is, as a big photographer (with a decent sized SLR and lenses), how do I make sure Im careful so I don't get robbed at knifepoint for my precious camera?

Ill make the reservations here in the next two weeks. I guess well get to Seville in the afternoon, spend the evening and the next day in Seville, then take the BUS or TRAIN? to Granada, spend two nights there, then spend NYE in Seville. Thoughts? SEville or Granda for NYE?

Not sure where is better. I'm betting that you'll be happy with either. Granada is a pretty good partying town, full of expats. Seville probably has more traditional parties going on.

Please remember that this is a time when family members return to their core parents, so reservations are a necessity, in both Granada and Seville.
It's a half day trip by train, or more from Grenada to Seville.

The Bus is cheaper than the train, but I've always been partial to train journeys.

Its a 3 hour trip by train, 22 euros.

Bus- 17 eurors, same time.

It seems as if it all depends on whether you like the bus or train.

The buses have better schedules, it seems.

So is the concensus pretty much book in advanced. Does that include buses and trains? Or should I be okay just booking them when I get there?

SO..Granada or Seville for NYE?