Málaga | Feria de Agosto (August Fair)

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Beginning tomorrow night in Málaga is the annual extravaganza of the August Fair, and the city will be full of locals and visitors enjoying a full programme of events in both the Feria del Día (the daytime fair in the city centre) and the Feria de la Noche (the night fair) at the main fairground in Cortijo de Torres in the west of the city, as well as the nightly bullfights in the Plaza de Toros.

The fair kicks off at midnight on Friday August 16 with a firework display followed by a concert on Malagueta Beach and lasts officially until midnight on Saturday August 24, with a recreation of the entry of the Catholic kings into the city (the fair was instituted as a celebration of the surrender of the Moorish city to the Christians in August of 1487 following a four-month siege) at the Plaza de Toros on the Sunday evening.

malaga feria del dia

For lovers of horses and carriages there will be all the parades so typical of Spanish fairs, both in the city centre during the day and at the fairground by night, as well as lots of eating and drinking in the casetas, but the Málaga Feria is particularly notable for its daytime events, and for a whole week the streets of the historic centre will be alive with the hustle and bustle of the crowds, biznaga sellers, street theatre, concerts, an artesan market in the Plaza Merced and lots of special exhibitions in the museums. For the children there’s the “Magic Pirate Fair” every afternoon by the Roman Theatre with games, storytelling and magicians.

The August Fair is a great time to be in Málaga. So if you live locally, already have a holiday planned on the Costa del Sol, or are still “just thinking about it”, get over there and join the party.

Seville | Affordable Garage Parking

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Many guests at our Seville apartments stay there as part of a longer trip by car through Andalusia or other regions of Spain. For these travellers, a convenient and affordable parking space close to their apartment is of vital importance. We know that for many this is almost as important in deciding where to stay as the apartment’s design and location.

Here’s a brief overview of parking options when you stay at one of our Seville apartments:

1. Apartments with a private parking space

Some of our apartments have a private parking space either in the building, or nearby. In the photo you can see a typical example, the Plaza Santa Cruz A apartment, which is located in the famous parking-garage-santa-cruzSanta Cruz neighbourhood, in the very centre of Seville, which has a parking garage under the building.

Other apartments with private parking include Ibarra Terrace, also in the Santa Cruz and featuring a rooftop swimming pool, the Hernandez apartment in El Centro, and also the Font Terrace and San Lorenzo Penthouse apartments which are in the San Vicente neighbourhood. All of these not only have parking available, but the apartments are decorated and equipped to the highest standard to ensure you enjoy your time in Seville.

2. Public parking for 10 Euros per day

Veoapartment has an agreement with 3 public parking garages in Seville for a budget parking rate of only 10 Euros per day.
parking-mercado-trianaThe car parks are all on or near the ring road around the historic centre of Seville. All our apartments are within a 15-minute walk of one of them, though most  are closer.

The photo shows the “Mercado de Triana” car park, at the end of the Triana bridge, on the corner of calle Betis and the Plaza del Altozano. It is next to the Triana food market, which gives it its name.

It is necessary to register as a user of the car park to receive the reduced rate, but registering has the advantage that you receive a permanent user card, which allows you to leave and re-enter the car park as often as you want.

Keep in mind that the parking space has to be reserved with us in advance.

Malaga | Muelle Uno and Parque Malaga

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muelle unoBelow the historic centre and the walls of the old Alcazaba, the Moorish fortress and palace, lies one of Malaga’s prettiest areas, the gardens of Malaga Park and the harbour.

Malaga has been an important port ever since the Phoenicians first arrived here nearly three thousand years ago, but these days much of the commercial life of the port has been moved to modern installations in the outer harbour, and the inner harbour, now called Muelle Uno (Quay One) has been redeveloped as a tourist attraction with a marina and shopping centre.

It’s modern and open, lined with palm trees, and looks every inch a Mediterranean playground. As well as the shops there are play parks for the kids and plenty of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a bite to eat (and drink) while looking out across the harbour with the sun sparkling off the water. And if you’re a real foodie you’ll want to eat at Restaurante José Carlos García, Malaga’s only Michelin star restaurant.

malaga parkAlongside the harbour is the long promenade of Malaga Park, and one of the joys of a lazy summer afternoon is to stroll along its shaded paths, admiring the exotic plants and statuary, and relaxing beside the central fountain. Across the Alameda are more gardens, with quiet pathways winding around the Alcazaba to the Customs house, currently being renovated as a museum. It seems a world away from all the hustle and bustle, but once you’re refreshed it’s only a few minutes walk back to the old centre.

We have holiday apartments to let in the historic centre, in ideal locations to enjoy your stay in Malaga. You can also check out our Malaga information pages for insider tips on places to see, upcoming events and great places to eat.

Seville | Velá de Santiago and Santa Ana Triana

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vela santa ana 2013It’s the middle of July again, and that means it’s almost time for Triana’s big annual street party, the Velá de Santiago and Santa Ana. This year the festival kicks off on Sunday, July 21 (the traditional switching on of the lights, the alumbrado, is at midnight, but things get started early in the day with a fishing competition at 8.00 am), and lasts until midnight on the 26th.

As always, a variety of food and craft booths will be set up along Calle Betis, where you can refresh yourself with a cold beer or a copita of fino sherry, and sample the local fried fish and green hazelnuts. There will also be a small funfair for the children, and a stage in the Plaza Altozano for the nightly musical and theatrical performances.

Triana has been honing its party skills since the Velá was established way back in the 13th century, which makes it Seville’s oldest local festival, and as usual there are plenty of concerts and activities planned, including traditional games (every morning in Calle San Jacinto), football competitions, and of course the Cucaña every evening at six, where competitors have to get to the end of a greasy pole projecting above the river from the prow of a boat, and the prize is a rosy glow of achievement, to be followed by the rosy glow of a beer or three. Salud!

For a ringside seat book one of our Calle Betis holiday apartments.

Velá de Santa Ana
21 – 26 July 2013
Triana

Málaga | Festival de la Virgen del Carmen

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There’s no doubt that Virgins (capital V, meaning the Virgin Mary) are a big deal in Spain. All over the country (but particularly in Seville), they appear in force for the celebrations of Semana Santa (Holy Week, leading up to Easter). But in the coastal towns and fishing villages of the Costa del Sol around Málaga a special reverence and celebration is held for the Virgin who is the Patron of sailors and fishermen, the Virgen del Carmen.

virgen carmen

The Festival de la Virgen del Carmen is held every year on July 16 (this year that’s next Tuesday), and is one of the most colourful and lively religious celebrations in the region.

In towns and villages all along the coast crowds gather, and to the sound of brass bands and the ringing of church bells, the effigies of the Virgin are placed on large, flower-decked floats, and carried through the streets to the shore. She is then placed on a boat and accompanied by the local fishing boats is taken a short way out to sea. Her presence on the water is thought to bless and purify it (according to some traditions you shouldn’t go swimming before this date), and above all, as you might expect in fishing communities, to ensure a bountiful supply of fish. The day ends with fireworks and parties that last long into the night.

For more information about Málaga festivals and events, see our Malaga events calendar.