The Unthanks Seville

18/09/2023 -
23/09/2023
Seville, Spain
Small group - 20
£ 2295 - based on 2 sharing
£ 520 GBP - single supplement

Illustrations by Rosanna Tasker

The Unthanks

More than just a holiday

This small-group holiday promises to be magical. Not only will you be singing and performing with The Unthanks in Seville, but you’ll also be part of an extraordinary cultural and artistic fusion of Flamenco and British folk music.

Unique cultural experience

Over a decade ago, Témi and I were in Seville to witness Easter week’s incredible spectacle. We were two little pipas shells amongst thousands, squeezed into a tiny mediaeval side street, breathing in the atmosphere with excited anticipation.

Within moments, a magnificent wooden float, complete with mildly terrifying effigy, was expertly guided through the crowd on painful shoulders. It bobbed its way towards us to the accompaniment of marching brass.

I don’t know whether it was the music or maybe the elbows of a small but unusually strong, five-foot-nothing signora with her black-laced Peineta that did it, but the whole scene left us moved to the core. It was the very essence of Spain, served up on a platter. Literally.

A balm for the soul.

The concert on the last day was an emotional experience. Alex and Témi provide unparalleled service while making it look effortless.

The platter passed, and the squeal of the trumpets faded into the next street. Then, like urban synchronised swimmers, we all looked up into the night sky as an older man stepped out onto his second-floor balcony. Silence cloaked the scene. All eyes were transfixed. We waited. Then came the a cappella of Andalusia. The old man’s mournful and love-soaked vocal entwined itself around the last remnants of our incense-infused procession. It was moving. The real deal. It told us a story without the need for translation. It was flamenco.

A magical singing holiday with The Unthanks

In September 2023, we are returning to Seville for a very special singing holiday. It will be the sixth time we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Rachel and Becky Unthank. On previous occasions in Italy, Croatia and Austria, we’ve connected and performed together with the locals. In doing so, we’ve been warmly welcomed into their culture and each other’s hearts. We shared stories and quiet moments that needed no words, no language, no explanation.

Our folk holiday in Seville with the Unthanks promises to be just as magical. Each day you will have a full morning workshop with Rachel and Becky that’ll commence with a vocal warm-up before learning a new style of music or perhaps expanding on a tradition you’ve already encountered.

On the final evening, you will perform in a unique concert in the heart of Seville with The Unthanks, including an enthralling collaboration of singing, music and dance from Andalusia and Northumberland.

This is more than just a holiday. It’s an opportunity to collaborate with and immerse yourself in two profound musical cultures. At the same time, you’ll be staying in superb luxury accommodation in the heart of the old town and eating the best, most authentic and delicious food Seville has to offer.

A brilliant and emotional experience.

An absolutely brilliant holiday. Lovely accommodation In a gorgeous location with the chance to learn about the local culture as well as about our own folk tradition.

Café - Plácido y Grata - Unthanks Folk Singing Holiday 2023

Café Plácido y Grata

Bedroom - Plácido y Grata - Unthanks Folk Singing Holiday 2023

Bedroom 03 Plácido y Grata

Upper terrace - Plácido y Grata - Unthanks Folk Singing Holiday 2023

Upper terrace Plácido y Grata

First floor - Plácido y Grata - Unthanks Folk Singing Holiday 2023

First floor Plácido y Grata

Bedroom - Plácido y Grata - Unthanks Folk Singing Holiday 2023

Bedroom Plácido y Grata

Patio - Plácido y Grata - Unthanks Folk Singing Holiday 2023

Patio Plácido y Grata

Upper terrace - Plácido y Grata - Unthanks Folk Singing Holiday 2023

Upper terrace Plácido y Grata

Terrace - Plácido y Grata - Unthanks Folk Singing Holiday 2023

Terrace

Plácido y Grata

A real gem

One of the most challenging aspects of organising a Singing Holidays event is finding the right accommodation. So often, we’re scouring the Internet and pounding the streets for weeks, looking for that perfect little gem. Not too big, extremely comfortable, ideal location, and most importantly, lovely people running it all. We’ve ditched entire projects, having done considerable research, just because we couldn’t find the perfect pad.

A hidden gem in the heart of the old town

Speaking of perfect pads, in my opinion, I think we’ve found the most beautiful accommodation in Seville. Plácido y Grata is a stunning, small hotel in the heart of the old town and is the very antithesis of a hotel chain.

José and Maria (the owners) fell in love with a ruined palace, and with their daughter Marta (an architect from Barcelona), they reimagined and recovered a building that had been lost to years of neglect.

With Marta’s superb eye for contemporary design, she furnished the hotel in a Scandinavian/mid-century minimalist style. In doing so, she’s created a peaceful, almost Zen-like charm while retaining a feeling of welcoming warmth.

All the bedrooms are extremely comfortable, with superb bathrooms, perfect showers (I do love a good shower) and designer fittings. The super comfy beds have sustainable and natural COCO-MAT mattresses. Each of the bedrooms has been designed down to the last detail to make you feel at home – albeit a particularly lovely and glamorous home.

The heart of Plácido y Grata: José and Maria

What makes Plácido y Grata really special, though, are the owners, José and Maria, and their incredible team. Nothing comes close to their warmth and hospitality. They really are the heart of what makes the whole place so brilliant.

A little bird told me

Feefo independent reviews

Perfect!

Singing holidays made me feel very welcome and included as a newbie. Hotels, restaurants and activities were obviously all thoroughly researched and well organised. I was…

Classical Croatia 2023

Feefo Gold Award Singing Holidays 2023

We are thrilled to have received an average of 4.9/5 and 5/5 through independent reviews on Feefo and Google. We sincerely thank all those who took the time to share their positive experiences and recommend us to others. Your trust, satisfaction and friendship are invaluable, and we remain committed to providing the best possible experience.

Feefo Gold Award Singing Holidays 2023

We are thrilled to have received an average of 4.9/5 and 5/5 through independent reviews on Feefo and Google. We sincerely thank all those who took the time to share their positive experiences and recommend us to others. Your trust, satisfaction and friendship are invaluable, and we remain committed to providing the best possible experience.

Summary

Price

£ 2295 GBP

Based on two sharing a twin or double room.

£ 520 GBP

Single supplement.

Date

18/09/2023
23/09/2023

Everything but flights

The price quoted includes everything except flights and drinks outside mealtimes. From pick-up to drop-off, we’ll be on hand to take care of every expense and every need.

Included

  • Transfer from the designated pick-up and drop-off point (normally the destination airport).
  • Any group transfer during your holiday.
  • Any group trips or events within the timeframe of your holiday, unless otherwise specified.
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of your trip).
  • All tuition.
  • Accommodation.
  • Concert promotion.

Experts

All of our experts are obviously outstanding, inspirational artists, however they’re also lovely human beings. Their priority will always be 100% on you and your development. They are an integral part of the week, so be prepared to make new friendships.

Friendship

You can expect to be among like-minded people who love to sing. You can expect a supportive, non-judgemental group and many laughs.

Nurtured and taken care of

Témi and Alex organize and run every Singing Holidays event. Unlike most holiday companies, we’re with you from first contact right through to our sad farewells at the end of your stay. There are no reps, no faceless office staff, no strangers picking you up from an airport. Just us.

Food and accommodation

Témi and Alex spend weeks recceing each holiday, so you can get the very best from your stay. Nothing is by chance — we check every restaurant, we eat every menu, we jump on every bed, we take a toothbrush and magnifying glass to every bathroom, skirting board and wardrobe. When you arrive, you can relax in the knowledge that we’ve well and truly done our homework.

Direct contact

From first encounter to said farewells at the end of your holiday, you’ll be in direct contact with either Alex or Témi. Singing Holidays has been running events in Italy and beyond since 2010, and one of our core values is to also keep things small and contained, so we can give you the best experience.

Insurance & data protection

Singing Holidays Ltd has full liability insurance cover with First Underwriting Ltd. We adhere to GDPR to protect your privacy and any data you submit via our website or sister website singingnest.com is secured with 128-bit SSL encryption.

Covid-19

Booking a holiday during a pandemic isn’t for the faint-hearted. However, if you book a Singing Holidays event, and then you are unable to travel due to mandatory country restrictions, then you will be eligible for a full refund (including any ‘non-refundable’ deposit payment).

Plácido y Grata
Monsalves 4
Andalucia
Spain

Need more details?

Feefo Gold Award Singing Holidays 2023
Sustainable Holidays

Sustainable holidays with award-winning service. We are contributing to global reforestation and repairing damaged ecosystems. Every time you book a singing holiday, we’re busy planting trees and buying up land – helping to mitigate climate change.

© 2023 Singing Holidays™ Est. 2009
Singing Holidays Ltd. No. 11691653

Feefo Gold Award Singing Holidays 2023
Sustainable Holidays

Sustainable holidays with award-winning service. We are contributing to global reforestation and repairing damaged ecosystems. Every time you book a singing holiday, we’re busy planting trees and buying up land – helping to mitigate climate change.

© 2023 Singing Holidays™ Est. 2009
Singing Holidays Ltd. No. 11691653

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