Dancing in the streets

For six days each year, the streets of Seville sway to the sounds of flamenco and the rhythm of hooves

The streets are awash with an array of vibrant colours, the air alive with anticipation. At every corner horses’ prancing hooves and girls’ flamenco frills flash by in a sangria-induced haze and it is impossible not to become embroiled in this energetic and dazzling spectacle. This is Spain at its best.

Seville’s Feria de Abril began in 1847 as an agricultural fair, but has since developed into one long party that takes place every year. This year the festival lasts from 28 April to 3 May.

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Is there nothing sacred?

Jason Webster, author of Sacred Sierra, loves the quirky individuality of Spain, a quality he went in search of – and found - by buying a farm on Valencia’s ‘lucky’ mountain.

Spain has a magic to it that you either get or you don’t. For years I’ve explored my fascination for the country through a series of books looking at emblematic Spanish themes such as flamenco, the Moorish heritage and the Spanish Civil War, all the while trying to express something of the appeal of the place – something that gets under your skin and stays there.

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State of el arte

Estrella Morente, daughter of famed singer Enrique, has rapidly made a name for herself as a flamenco artist. But, like her father, she’s not too worried about playing by the rules

"Flamenco's going through a wonderful period," says Estrella Morente. "It's reaching out into every corner of the world, and every one of us who is doing their bit to make it universal is proud of that."
Estrella Morente herself is in the vanguard of those responsible. Still only 28, and with only three albums behind her, she will be appearing at Sadler's Wells as part of the 2009 London Flamenco Festival. She sounds distinctly unfazed by the prospect: "When you're onstage, you put a bandage over your eyes and you give yourself up to the moment just the same, wherever you may be."

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The perfect smile

In part two of our three-part series on health, we look at undergoing dental procedures in Spain

With dental surgery it’s not always necessary to have a pre-treatment consultation face to face – most of the big dental clinics in Spain are set up to give very accurate diagnoses and patient treatment plans over the Internet. But if it’s important for you to see someone face to face in the UK, do ask as plenty of clinics have surgeons visiting the UK on a regular basis.

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