Air Berlin now at Gatwick

Gatwick is to become a second London operation for Air Berlin.  Twice daily flights (with revised weekend services) will start on 7 February to both Hanover and Nuremburg.  The airline, which is to join oneworld next year, is already established at Stansted where it serves Dusseldorf, Munster and Paderborn (Germany) and Salzburg (Austria).

 

UK General Manager Titus Johnson said: "By operating from both Stansted and Gatwick, the Air Berlin product will be more accessible to a greater number of people in the London and the South East England catchment areas.  More people will be able to benefit from Air Berlin’s full service at lower fares  There are excellent public transport links between Gatwick and central London.” www.airberlin.com

 

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BA wins ruling on cargo cartel class action

British Airways has won at the Court of Appeal against a proposed class action resulting from an EU Competition Commission fine (as noted in last week’s AERBT). 

Two flower importers had wanted to act in a US-style lawsuit on behalf of around 200 companies which claim they have suffered loss as a result of the cartel.

Last week the Court of Appeal ruled that the case cannot go ahead.  It may well be that claims will be brought individually against BA.  Up to 33 airlines were said to be involved.

In the United States fines of more than US$1.6bn have been made against 15 airlines. www.ba.com

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Cornwall and Devon air travel news

Air Southwest says business as usual whilst it waits for its takeover by Eastern Airways to be consummated. 

For the new year the Plymouth-based carrier will introduce a daily service between Newquay and Cardiff starting 4 January.  The short flight across the Bristol Channel eliminates a 193-mile road journey which includes the Severn Bridge (where the toll for a car of £5.50 is to be raised by 80p on 1 January 2011).

Assuming that the takeover goes ahead it is likely that current Air Southwest Managing Director Peter Davies will be devoting much more of his time to the Mill End Hotel in Chagford on Dartmoor which he recently purchased.  He says that in some ways it is rather like “an aircraft that remains static with revenue and yield management being vital, as indeed a high level of customer service and attention to detail.” www.millendhotel.com www.airsouthwest.com

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easyJet under its new management

Luton-based easyJet, under the new management of former Guardian executive Carolyn McCall, is to introduce a flexible fare targeted at business travellers.  The tickets will give passengers unlimited flexibility to change their flight up to two hours before the scheduled departure time.  Initially it will only be available through business booking channels, including Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and self-booking tools used by travel companies and at a later date will be accessible to all passengers.

At the same time the airline, now 15 years old, reported a £121.3m net profit for its fiscal year ended 30 September, a 70.4% increase on the previous 12 months.  A dividend was suggested for 2012.

As of 30 September, easyJet’s fleet numbered 196 aircraft, a net increase of 15.  It returned nine Boeing 737-700s and three Airbus A320s to their lessor and took delivery of eight A320s and 19 A319s during the year.  It operated on a network spanning 509 routes (28 underperforming routes were closed and 115 new routes were launched) connecting 125 airports.  Expansion was focused on mainland Europe, and 53% of all passengers now originate outside the UK. www.easyjet.com

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Manston plans for 2011

Dover-bound passengers (and of course in the other direction) will be pleased to learn that Flybe is to continue with its daily services between Manston and both Edinburgh and Glasgow for next summer.  If connecting for a cruise the current early evening arrival and departure from Scotland might mean a local overnight hotel stay (unless the yet to be published schedule is changed from the present timings).  The flight from England’s North West arrives lunchtime which is fine for the ships.

In the meantime the Manston terminal has had a makeover and is more welcoming than previously.  An ATM is available and also free wireless and the airport has introduced new signage.  Passenger numbers continue to improve. (see also CRUISE NEWS in this issue) www.manstonairport.com

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New York luxury hotel

Hyatt is to develop another New York luxury hotel.  It is already represented with the Grand Hyatt near Grand Central Station.

The Park Hyatt New York will be located at 157 West 57th Street between Avenue of the Americas and Seventh Avenue, across from Carnegie Hall.  Slated for completion in 2012, the 210-room property is part of a 90-storey mixed-use tower that will also feature 135 Thomas Juul-Hansen-designed luxury condominiums with breathtaking views of Central Park and the New York skyline. 

In addition to a distinctive bar and restaurant and 5,000 sq ft of retail space, the hotel will include a premier meeting facility with a grand ballroom and distinctive event space, as well as a spa, fitness centre, and indoor swimming pool in a three-storey aerie at the top of the hotel.  Twelve previously announced Park Hyatt hotels are under development, which, when completed, will increase the number of Park Hyatt properties worldwide to 38 over the next five years. www.hyatt.com

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Qatar Airways to Canada?

Canada and Qatar have signed an air service agreement which is likely to pave the way for non-stop flights between either Montreal or Toronto to Doha.  Provision has been made for up to three direct passenger services a week as well as three cargo flights between the two countries.

Qatar Airways is extremely expansion minded at the present time and already serves North America with flights to New York JFK, Washington Dulles and Houston George Bush.  The airline currently has 12 Boeing 777-200LRs in its fleet (with two more to come), the 259-seat (42/217) aircraft probably ideal for the route.  Flight distance is 6,700 miles indicating an in the air time of around 15 hours, much in line with the carrier’s Doha to Sao Paulo service. www.qatarairways.com

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CRUISE NEWS NOVEMBER 2010

This month’s ship review is the Glen Tarsan – see below

Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s latest mega liner passed under the Storebaelt Bridge in Denmark on 30 October with a 20-inch (51cm) clearance.  She is 1,181ft (360m) long and has a beam of 216.5ft (66m).  At 225,000 tons, and together with sister ship Oasis of the Seas, is the largest passenger ships afloat and can carry and provide up to 8,500 souls including crew.

The ship features telescoping funnels, a two-deck dance hall, an open air sports court, a theatre with 1,380 seats, and an ice skating rink.  There are six swimming pools available, a wave machine and numerous restaurants and eating places.  Down the centre of the ship is a shopping arcade overlooked by internal balcony cabins.

Allure of the Sea and Oasis of the Sea are both based at Port Everglades, Ft Lauderdale, Florida and operate all the year round seven night cruises alternating with the Eastern and Western Caribbean.  The size of the ships is such that they cannot pass through the Panama Canal.

OUR TEN-STORY CRUISE NEWS

APD may be having its effect on airlines but some inter-country operators, whilst not exactly cheering at its increase, are more than positive.  Eurostar, for which passengers do not pay departure taxes, has not issued any statement, but the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) – which also represents Britain’s ferry lines – has been very positive. 

“Ferry fares are superb value, with no baggage discrimination, and offer the ultimate in flexibility for those with properties on the Continent or Ireland,” said William Gibbons, PSA Director,  “Our members recognise that property owners, in particular, often need to ferry their home comforts with them on both outward and inward journeys, without unnecessary restrictions.  An Englishman’s home is his castle – wherever it is located – and our ferries are the logical way to cross the moat.” www.the-psa.co.uk 

 

Carnival Cruise Lines has cancelled voyages of the Carnival Splendor for a further week from the departure of 9 January 2011, to allow time for repairs following a serious engine room fire.  Guests who were scheduled to sail on cancelled voyages will receive a full refund of their cruise fare and air transportation costs, along with a 25% discount on a future cruise.

Carnival Splendor was towed to San Diego following the fire which occurred off the Mexican coast on 8 November.  A team from the US Coast Guard, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and flag authorities, along with Carnival’s engineers and technicians, is currently on board investigating the cause of the fire.  Carnival personnel are being assisted by representatives of the shipyard that built the vessel and other manufacturers of engine room components in assessing damage and necessary repairs. www.carnival.com

 

Celebrity Cruises is what it calls “Solsticized” in April 2010 when it added some of the most popular attractions found onboard the Solstice class ships to Celebrity Constellation. 

Celebrity Infinity is now following.  When she leaves scheduled dry dock on 3 December 2011 new features will include the upgraded AquaClass accommodation which includes the speciality, “Blu,” offered exclusively for passengers selecting that class of accommodation.  New verandas will be added to the ship’s Celebrity Suites and the Celebrity iLounge, which debuted on Celebrity Eclipse and made Celebrity Cruises the industry’s first Authorised Apple Reseller.  There is a general make-over of the cabins and various lounges.

Celebrity Cruises currently plans to similarly refurbish Celebrity Summit in January 2012, followed by Celebrity Millennium in April 2012. www.celebritycruises.co.uk

 

Crystal Cruises is to return to Alaska next year for the first time since 2005.  Crystal Symphony, the subject of a major remodelling just 12 months ago, will operate nine 12-night sailings from San Francisco, taking in Vancouver, the stunning ‘Inside Passage,’ Juneau, Skagway and Glacier Bay.  The first 2011 cruise starts on 9 May with the last itinerary departing 13 August.

New on the ship for next year is “Perfect Choice Dining”.  Offered in the Crystal Dining Room, Crystal will complement its choices of Classic Late Seating with a brand new option, Open Dining by Reservation. www.crystalcruises.com

 

Helsinki hosted 247 cruise ships this year, a remarkable achievement considering the Baltic port only has a relatively short season from 21 April until 12 October.  Approximately 340,000 passengers from 143 countries visited the port. Up to six cruise ships called on Helsinki on the busiest days.

“The outlook for next season is positive, as we have already received more reservations for 2011 than we did for 2010,” comments Cruise Network Manager Tuija Aavikko.

Visitors from the USA continued to represent the largest nationality, accounting for approximately 21% of the total.  The share of visitors from Europe is growing with each year, however, with 18% passengers representing the UK and 15% Germany.  Spain, Italy and Canada follow in that order. www.discoverthebaltic.com

 

P&O will revamp its operation somewhat from the beginning of December 2011.  The Southampton-based cruise line is to offer four ships for what it calls family travel (Aurora, Azura, Oceana and Ventura) and three (Adonia, Arcadia and Oriana) exclusively for adults. 

The cruise line says that with Artemis, an adult only ship, leaving the fleet next May, and with the demand for that style of cruising on the increase Oriana, which in fact is P&O’s oldest vessel (1995), was ideal for a make-over.  Oriana has 900 cabins as opposed to 600 on Artemis.

Based at Southampton P&O is these days owned by Miami’s Carnival Corporation, as is Cunard. www.pocruises.com

 

Pacific Pearl (ex-Arcadia and Ocean Village) is the latest arrival on the Australasia cruise scene.  She is presently undergoing a multi-million dollar refit in Singapore before heading to her new base at Auckland, her arrival signifying P&O Cruises' strong commitment to the New Zealand market.

Carrying 1,800 passengers, the 63,500-tonne vessel will feature a giant poolside entertainment screen, three restaurants including Waterfront, Plantation, and Salt Grill by Luke Mangan, seven bars and lounges, Aqua HealthSpaFitness centre, two swimming pools, a swim-up-bar, multi-level show lounge, four kids centres, a casino and duty-free shopping boutiques.

The arrival of Pacific Pearl in New Zealand this December brings P&O Cruises' Australasian fleet to four ships – Pacific Jewel, Pacific Dawn, Pacific Sun and Pacific Pearl.  Pacific Sun, which previously sailed from Auckland, will now offer cruises from Sydney, Fremantle and Newcastle. http://pacificpearl.pocruises.com.au

 

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is to offer a complete circumnavigation of South American in January 2012 out of Fort Lauderdale.

The 72-night sailing on the 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner will kick off on 6 January 2012 and include stops in four ports in Peru, six in Chile, five in Argentina, two in Uruguay and 15 in Brazil.  The ship will visit the Amazon River, a detour which will be a highlight of the voyage.  The 2012 voyage will differ from past trips in that it will not include a visit to Antarctica, a change forced by new regulations. www.rssc.co.uk

 

Seatrade, the Mediterranean biennial meeting place for the cruise industry, opens next week (30 November – 2 December) at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes.  Held in association with French Riviera Cruise Club, and supported by MedCruise, Seatrade Med is coming to France for the first time in its history. 

In 2009 152 cruise ships, collectively carrying a potential 3.33m passengers, were active in the Med, offering a total capacity of 26.31m passenger-nights.  This number is expected to swell to 27.7m passenger-nights in 2010 and to continue to grow throughout 2011 as the region’s popularity soars. www.seatrade-global.com

 

The Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) says that the UK ocean cruise market continues to buck the trend with a record number of passengers predicted for 2011.  Figures last week show an estimated 1.77m passengers will take a cruise holiday next year, an increase of 8% on this year’s figure of 1.64m passengers.

For the first time, the number of UK fly-cruise passengers is set to exceed one million with a 2011 forecast of 1,060,000, up 75,000 on this year’s figure.  The number of British passengers joining their ship in a UK port next year is also expected to rise by 55,000 to 710,000.

The organisation, to which virtually every cruise organisation with sales outlets in the UK belongs, says that next year’s additional 130,000 cruise passengers reflect strong performances from the major UK cruise lines coupled with additional capacity that has come on stream this year.

The luxury cruise sector is also expected to continue to thrive, with new ships now in service and signs that strong growth will be maintained.  Travel agents continuing to play an integral role, accounting for 80% of cruise sales.  www.the-psa.co.uk

 

SHIP REVIEW: GLEN TARSAN

Vivien Devlin reports

“Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore, Dream.  Discover”.  Mark Twain

First launched in 2005, (inspired by Mediterranean cruising on a Turkish Gulet), the Majestic Line has developed into an award winning, distinctively different boating holiday and is probably the smallest cruise line in the world.  Glen Massan and Glen Tarsan were formerly Irish fishing boats, now refurbished into luxury, motorised “yachts” with six double en suite cabins, saloon and sundecks to accommodate 11 guests, with a crew of skipper, chef, engineer and bosun.

The west coast of Scotland has the most spectacular, unspoilt, breathtaking scenery along its rugged rocky coastline and long necklace of islands from south Argyll to the Hebrides in the North West Highlands.  The best way to experience the seascapes, mountains, lochs, heritage, history and wildlife is an authentic “messing about in boats” adventure.  Glen Massan departs from Dunoon on cruises around the coastline of the Cowal Peninsula, Loch Long, Loch Fyne, Isles of Bute and Arran.  Glen Tarsan is based in Oban for varied Hebridean island-hopping visiting Mull, Staffa, Iona, Skye, Colonsay, Treshnish and Slate Isles.  Alternatively, a journey along the Caledonian Canal to Loch Ness, through ladders of locks with ancient castles, myths and monsters along the way.

The great value, all-inclusive cruise fare covers accommodation, charming, caring hospitality, gourmet meals and ship to shore transfers.  As well as joining a mixed group of couples and individuals, you can hire your own cruise line!. Whole boat charters are very popular for families and friends, corporate events and celebrity getaways for a celebration, weekend break or Highland holiday.

Life on Board

After a warm welcome on board Glen Tarsan, in traditional sail away fashion we raise a glass of champagne as we mix and mingle with our fellow boating companions for a voyage around Mull, Iona and Staffa.

Mini-cruise ship life is leisurely and relaxed and we quickly settle into the rhythm of the day’s routine as well as the gentle speed of the boat.  No worries about sea-sickness travelling at around 7 knots in tranquil waters by day and anchored overnight.

Every day is different with a choice of shore excursions – idyllic island walks along deserted beaches, hill climbing, historic castles, a whisky distillery and picturesque fishing villages.  Be as lazy or as active as you wish.  Sit and read, snooze on a deck lounger, go for a 5 mile hike or try your hand at fishing and your mackerel will be cooked for lunch.  Sit on deck with binoculars to spot gannets and cormorants or seals basking on the rocks.  Visit the bridge for a bird’s eye Captain’s view, to learn about maps, charts, navigational instruments, radio communication with coastguards and weather reports.

These intimate, wee ships have the atmosphere of a friendly house party and by 18:00 or 19:00, it’s cocktail hour as we gather in the Saloon Bar before dinner.  The superb Scottish cuisine emphasises fine local, seasonal produce, sourced en route – langoustines, scallops, mussels, salmon, lamb, organic vegetables, raspberries, farmhouse cheese.

Evening entertainment – don’t expect a casino or cabaret. Expect CD music, board games, cards, and lively conversation over a whisky nightcap or two.  With the boat moored in a sheltered bay, you’ll be lulled to sleep by the gentle lapping of waves.

Highlights?  On deck before breakfast – perfect, unadulterated peace and tranquillity, fresh pure air, the view of the loch against an iconic Highland backdrop; watching five dolphins diving around the bow of the tender boat off Calgary beach on the Isle of Mull; Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture soundtrack as we approach Fingal’s Cave; a G&T on the aft deck as the coral-pink sun sets slowly against a silhouette of shimmering islands on the horizon. 

The Majestic Line is simply magical and the finest possible escape from modern urban life – a unique, exhilarating, inspiring and fun mini-cruise for all ages.  No wonder they won the award for Best Visitor Experience from Highlands and Islands Tourism, 2009.

For a wintertime taster, Majestic Line chef Stephen Boswell, is offering exclusive dining on board the Glen Massan, moored at Holy Loch Marina near Dunoon from November 2010 until the end of March 2011.

The Majestic Line Facts

All inclusive fares : £895pp (3 nights) to £1695pp (6 nights).  The cruise line has won the award for ‘best customer care’ by Highlands and Islands Tourism, beating some highly regarded properties on dry land.

Rent your own Cruise Ship: Private cruise charters. £8,860 to £16,780. (3-6 nights, up to 11 guests). www.themajesticline.co.uk 

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Carlson Wagonlit Travel Awards

 

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Airbus A380 update

Qantas Airways is likely to face several more weeks of disruption before its fleet of six Airbus A380s can return to service, Reuters reports from ‘down under’.  This might impinge on its Christmas capacity with the airline’s Boeing 747s for the most part already scheduled.  The Boeings, in various configurations, have as many as 150 seats less than the big Airbus.

Rumours also abound that Airbus could be suing Rolls-Royce but this is a doubled edged sword as the airframe  manufacture has clearly not met its contracted delivery dates over the last three years. 

Singapore Airlines says its A380 fleet are all back in service and Lufthansa, the third current operator notes that only one engine needs to be changed. www.qantas.com

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City Airport at the Royal Courts of Justice

London City Airport (LCY) has released figures showing its economic contribution to UK plc, as a tiny minority of neighbours have launched a legal battle against an expansion approved by Newham Council.  It is reminiscent of the campaign in the 1980s by another self-styled small group trying to stop the airport being built at all. 

Today LCY is the catalyst for the successful commercial and residential expansion of the whole of the Royal Docks and much beyond.  A study shows £197m is spent by business tourists and £115m by leisure tourists coming in via London City.  According to consultancy York Aviation operations and businesses at the site generate £100m and the airport supports more than 2,700 jobs.

Residents from campaign group Flight The Flights are opposing the Council’s decision to allow a 50% increase in flights at the airport because, it is claimed, it didn’t consider changes to Government policy on climate change or properly consulted boroughs and people in the surrounding area.

The hearing took place at the Royal Courts of Justice with judgement expected by end of the year. www.londoncityairport.com www.fighttheflights.com

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Dublin's new terminal opens

Aer Lingus has commenced its move to Dublin Airport’s Terminal 2 with a programme of proving flights.  The airline will operate a range of European services into and out of the new facility over the next few weeks, as it prepares for a full transfer of operations into the new terminal.

The building was official opened by Taoiseach Brian Cowen last Friday (19 November).

The idea of the test flights will enable the airline to ensure a smooth transition of its flights from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 in January, avoiding the Christmas holiday period when the airport is traditionally very busy.  The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authorities will also move.

During this period, Aer Lingus is asking all departing passengers to present at Terminal 1 as normal unless advised otherwise by the airline. www.dublinairport.com

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Laura Ashley hotel for von Essen

von Essen, the executive aviation and hotel operator, has acquired Llangoed Hall Hotel in Powys (Wales), just north of the Brecon Beacons National Park.  It brings the von Essen Hotels' private collection up to 31 properties.

Set in acres of beautiful landscaped gardens and dating back to 1632, Llangoed Hall Hotel is an impressive destination and joins the Michelin-starred Ynyshir Hall, on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park, as the Collection's second Welsh property.

Offering 23 rooms, the house showcases the style and fabrics of Laura Ashley, whose husband, Sir Bernard, created the hotel.  Their unique personal touches make Llangoed truly special.  The hotel is home to Ashley’s restaurant and the Whistler bar and is the ideal location for all manner of events, while its magnificent setting is a magnet for walkers, horse riding, fishing and mountain biking.  Part of the acquisition is Sir Bernard’s private art collection, including the famous Whistler room, which houses over 20 of Whistlers original drawings. www.vonessenhotels.com

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Midland Mainline celebrates three years

East Midlands Trains has celebrated its third birthday with the opening a Business Class lounge at its Parkway station close by the airport with the same name as the rail operator.  It features wi-fi, a facility for printing, a range of refreshments and a comfortable environment for passengers to wait for their train.  There are also similar lounges at Derby, Nottingham and St Pancras.

The Midland Mainline train service links East Midlands and Luton airports, and also Eurostar at its St Pancras London terminus.  At Luton a same platform connection can also be made to Gatwick.  The company says that the £9m refurbishment on the service has been well received and since taking over the franchise in November 2007, punctuality has risen from 83% to over 92%, taking East Midlands Trains from worst performing regional operator to its current position in the top three. www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk

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Paris opening for super deluxe hotel

Linda The Shangri-La Hotels Paris will open in the French capital’s 16th district on 17 December 2010.  The hotel is the award winning brand’s first property in Europe.

Built in 1896 as the private home of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s grandnephew, Prince Roland Bonaparte, the Shangri-La Paris is likely to bring a tasteful balance between the group’s signature style of hospitality and French lifestyle.

The restored landmark retains its residential heritage offering 81 rooms including 27 suites, making it the most intimate of all Shangri-La Hotels worldwide.  The accommodation includes three Signature Suites highlighted by La Suite Imperiale which originally housed the Prince’s private apartment, and the penthouse La Suite Panoramique with 100 square metres of outdoor deck facing the Eiffel tower.  The French gourmet restaurant L’Abeille and the city’s first authentic gourmet Cantonese restaurant, Shang Palace, will open in early 2011.

The 16th arrondissement on the right bank of the River Seine is one of the city’s premier residential districts yet within a short walking distance from the capital’s main attractions, shopping areas and parks. www.shangri-la.com

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ON TOUR: Seville

Magnificent, fiery and festive – Seville, Spain’s city of superlatives
Jane Stanbury reports

“Baile Juan” cried the singer as the perfectly sculpted male dancer began a gentle tapping of his Cuban heels on the hardwood stage.  The guitarist strummed a lilting Spanish rhythm accompanied by the palmitas (hand claps) of Sandra, Juan’s flame-red dressed, dance partner.  Mesmerised the audience watched as Juan gradually sped into a frenzy of impossibly fast taps and sensual hand movements.

In Seville, at the world’s only dance museum devoted to flamenco, four top performers treated the audience to a captivating performance.  Having witnessed Sandra’s elaborate dance steps, exquisite scarf play and passionate facial expressions, the contrasting stillness of the perfectly formed body with the frantic footwork was spellbinding.

Run by the legendary Cristina Hoyos, the museum offers a full interactive experience and epitomises the passion, variety and history of Seville, the most vibrant of Spanish cities.  An open class at 18:30 invites everybody to have a go, and the daily 19:30 performance seduces visitors in the most intimate of flamenco venues, with the theatre holding just about 50 people.

Just as Flamenco has mixed roots, the sublime Alcazar (Muslim fortress), covering 20 hectares, pays homage to Sevillano history.  Originally a tenth century Spanish fort, the building has undergone many reincarnations.  In the 11th century it was a Muslim palace, then in 1248 the Christians captured Seville and established a monarch’s palace.  Beautiful door motifs typifying Moorish design are edged with Syrian writing, not reciting the Quran, but the book of Genesis.

It was at the Palace that Christopher Columbus was awarded funding in 1492.  The Battle of Granada was instigated from the throne room, the winning of which resulted in Spanish unification.  The Castillan Grammar Book citing the rules and regulations for the national language was written here.  Franco gave the building to the people of Seville.

No less significant, and said to be the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, Seville’s most imposing edifice is 126m long and 83m wide.  Originally a Visigoth Basilica, in 1198 it became a mosque.  The mosque was then adapted to Christian needs in 1248 when it was used as a church, and it was only in the 1400s that it was pulled down, and construction of the immense Cathedral began.  The original mosque’s minaret still stands.  

Stepping from the cathedral’s sunny orange tree patio, into the darkness of the interior, eyes take a moment to adjust, and when they do religious opulence is unveiled.  Silver candelabras up to a metre and half high.  At the centre resides the largest altar piece in the world.  Two hundred and fifty carved figures made of gold, silver and delicate paintwork form 43 tableaux recounting the principal tales of the bible.

Resting peacefully to the right of the altar Christopher Columbus’ coffin sits atop the shoulders of four heralds representing the kingdoms of Castile, León, Aragón, and Navarre.

Once again in the sunlight wandering around the Barrio Santa Cruz, previously the Jewish quarter,  it’s easy to sink into the favourite local past times of eating, drinking and staying up late.  Narrow streets and small squares are filled with tavernas, bodegas and bars serving a bewildering array of dishes.

For superb Andalucian fare, squeeze into Restaurant Enrique Becerra, one of Seville’s most popular eateries.  The man himself gives a warm welcome taking time to explain his menu.  Lamb with dates and honey, braised oxtail, pork served with pate sauce, and a mix of home-made croquettes provide a superb introduction to Andalucian fare. 

Seville city accommodation is mixed, ranging from basic hostels to the 5-star luxury of the Hotel Alfonso XIII.  The environs also offer great options and for an authentic Sevillano country mansion head to Cortijo El Esparragal.  Take a horse ride on an Andalucian pure bred, discover the realities of bull fighting and enjoy rustic food such as braised pigs cheeks.  However if rural isn’t your thing then head for Hotel Casa Romana.   Set in La Alameda an area of trendy bars, and chic shops, Romana offers 26 rooms and elegant Romanesque decor, in a former 18th century inn.  Rooms are available from  €150.  With the eateries, bars and Soho feel to the left, and the wondrous buildings, history and culture to the right this has to be one of the best spots from which to explore the magnificent, fiery and festive Seville.

AERBT flew from Heathrow with Vueling on Jezebel the Jade Jagger interior designed aircraft, in itself an interesting experience.

Vueling calls itself a "new generation airline", born out of low cost carrier routes, and is the only carrier of its kind operating to and from Heathrow, the world’s busiest international airport.  It has co-branded two of its A320s with MTV, covering the exteriors with street-inspired art.  Inside, the in-flight entertainment systems have been stocked with MTV shows – including "True Life" and "Super Sweet 16" plus audio playlists.  Its latest innovation is to offer gift vouchers that can be exchanged for tickets on any of its routes.
www.vueling.com jane@emeraldmedia.co.uk

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