Seville, Spain

I signed up for a tour package by Dutch budget airline Transavia, which in turn farms out their holidays to another company. In the end, you deal with Transavia airlines for plane tickets and a tour company for hotel stay vouchers. As a first time traveller on a European budget airline, I was pleasantly surprised by the routes Transavia offered within Europe. There were plenty of destinations in Greece which made me drool.. But I wanted to take my mum and Ray to Seville, Spain instead. We boarded the Transavia flight at Zaventem Airport via the tarmac and stairs. The plane was a slim bodied aircraft, with 3-3 seating configuration and not much else. Clearly just a point to point kind of flight.. and for 450 euros per pax for 5 nights and flight included. I guess you can't really top that.

We arrived in the evening at Aeropuerto de Seville (SVQ) and boarded our pre-booked taxi to the Seville Central Hotel. There are airport-city buses but I wasn't too keen on locating the bus stop and queueing up. The hotel is grand with nice clean spacious rooms. After checking in, we went for supper at Restaurant Depikofino, a highly rated place according to goggle reviewers. Aside from the usual tapas choices, I went with the restaurant manager's suggestions of slow simmered pork cheeks, sirloin steaks and a grilled octopus dish, which turned out to be pretty good. Portions were on the small side and depending on what you choose,the bill can add up rather quickly. There were many other Tapas place to chose from within walking vicinity, so dare to be adventurous. The balmy evening air, with the full moon peering between the palm trees was a welcomed change from the colder air of Brussels. We walked past a park where people were just starting their evening meal. There was much merriment and chatter well into the night.

Our hotel is conveniently located about 400 metres to the San Bernando bus/tram station. From there, you buy your tram tickets at the ticket machine and validate once onboard the tram. Trams go from here to the old city center every ten or so minutes. The main attractions are the Seville Cathedral (the world's oldest UNESCO wonder), Royal Alcaza de Seville, Plaza de España. to name a few. We also enjoyed browsing the Santa Cruz district with its many artisanal stores selling El Almendro Turron (Almond soft nougat), leather sandals, bagpacks and lots of souvenir shops. Of course, one must not miss the main shopping streets of Sierpes and Tetuan with its brand name boutiques and also El Corte Ingles department store - Spain's answer to Harrods of London. Confiteria La Campana is a traditional, instagram-worthy bakery where you can try their sweets, pastries, bakes to takeaway or dine-in. Seating is very limited, so it is a hit and miss. Nontheless, there are many other Pastelerias, just as nice and a fraction of the former's prices. Coffee shops are abundant and they serve up a mean good coffee... forget Starbucks!

Try not to leave Seville without trying its Churros y Chocolate.. That's freshly fried you-tiao dipped in thick chocolate sauce for you and me, eaten mostly as late breakfast snack. By 2pm, it would have all been sold out. We also tried Paella, which to the horror of Sevillanos/ Sevillanas, who exclaimed that paella is not from Seville but Valencia! Anyhow, we did find Paella Valencia..... silly tourists. If we did one thing right to please the Sevillanos, then it is getting seats at the Flamenco Show at Casa de la Memoria! A one-hour show stopper, this is a sure crowd pleaser. Book your tickets early and go early as the seats are on first come first served basis.

Spain is also famous for its fashion and leather goods. Think Zara, Mango, Bimba Y Lola, Manolo Blanik, Loewe, Aldofo Dominguez.. the list goes on. Mum and I picked up leather sandals, bags, the Manton de Manila (flamenco shawl) and the usual souvenir fridge magnets, mugs, t-shirts, caps.