January has thrown everything at us weather-wise: first it wouldn’t stop raining, then it was freezing cold and now the UK is in the grip of Storm Isha. With all that in mind, a holiday in a warm, sun-soaked city sounds rather nice right now.
Located in the south of Spain, Seville is a city rich in culture and history; A place where Islamic and Renaissance architecture rub shoulders, plenty of tapas bars and captivating flamenco shows. The city is pleasantly warm during the winter months, with maximum temperatures of 18°C in February and 21°C in March.
This is the best time to explore Seville, as temperatures can be unbearably high in summer and it is not unusual to see the mercury rise above 40°C. Skyscanner is lately offering flights from Manchester Airport to Seville in February from £178 each way, with returns available for the same price (although you may have to pay extra for luggage and seat allocation).
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As Spain’s fourth-largest city, Seville has no shortage of things to do, from hidden tapas bars to flamenco shows. One place you’ll have to stop at is the Real Alcázar, a magnificent palace that reflects the other chapters of Seville’s history, with both Islamic and Christian influences.
It began life as a fort in the 10th century and then evolved through other rulers over the centuries. Stroll through the palace’s state rooms, arcades, and gardens, soaking up the other architectural styles.
Seville is also home to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, built from a 12th-century mosque to Spanish Christians. One of the ways to delight in it is to take an excursion to the rooftops where you can see its impressive gargoyles up close.
Inside the cathedral is the tomb of explorer Christopher Columbus, an impressive monument held up by four figures. For panoramic perspectives of the city, climb the Giralda, the cathedral’s bell tower, and the mosque’s original 12th-century minaret.
At the other end of the design spectrum is the Metropol Parasol, also known as Las Setas, which means mushrooms. Completed in 2011, this wooden design stretches the length of Plaza de La Encarnación in the old town and features six expansive, giant-looking umbrellas. mushrooms. Under the umbrella there are shops, bars and even a museum, while a walkway allows you to enjoy the design from above.
To book flights from Manchester Airport to Seville, check out Skyscanner’s website here.
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