Hotel Toruño
El Rocío
“Una ventana a la naturaleza” means “a window to a beautiful scenery”. This is a term which the hotel uses in its brochure, and we totally agree. But there is more..
The protected National Park Doñana is one of Europe’s largest swamp lands. This area is especially important for birds. Over 250 bird species have been spotted here, half of which come here to over-winter, such as the spoonbill, stork and the particular favourite of most visitors, the flamingo.
On the edge of this extraordinary park the village El Rocio is located. Nothing more than a settlement but with a fascinating history. Every year with Easter hundreds of thousands pelgrims from all over Andalucia will come to this town to honour the ´Virgen del Rocio´. A unequalled happening! The biggest Andalucian pilgrimage crosses Doñana to finish the tour in El Rocio, this tour with classic covered wagons and colourful rigged out company takes about 3 days with parties every nightj. And ends with the climax when the Virgen is being carried outside the church.
With this knowledge a visit to El Rocio is really special.
The streets are unpaved and the pilgrim church is out of proportion if you think about the number of inhabitants. From the plaza you have views to the Doñana park.
If you are lucky the water level is high, then you can see from the village the hundreds of flamingos with groups of wild horses. This in the light of the setting of the sun, an unbelievable phonogenic sight.
Wandering around in this village we found Hotel Toruño, a beautiful white hotel managed by Antonio, as mentioned before, with beautiful views to the Doñana Park. The hotel itself is quite basic, don´t expect anything fancy, but everything is clean and fresh and has character. The people are very friendly and directly next to the hotel is the restaurant Toruño, of the same owner, you can have a real nice dinner here.
Really fantastic, sometimes we don´t understand that places like this are not being visited more by tourists.
Cons:
• The rooms are basis and rather small
Pros:
• You are located in the middle of El Rocio
• Many rooms have great views to the National Park Doñana
Hotel Toruño
surrounding area
El Rocío
The extraordinary village of El Rocío overlooks a section of the Parque Nacional de Coto Doñana. The biggest part of the year El Rocío is a quiet settlement with few people. But during Whitsuntide visit over a million people this town. Then the Romería de Rocío takes place. Many brotherhoods (Hermandades) from around and beyond Andalucia , travel to El Rocío on foot, on horseback and in gaily decorated covered wagons pulled by cattle or horses, using cross-country tracks. The ´pilgrims´ dress in bright Andalucian costume and sing, dance, drink and romance their way to El Rocío.
Things reach an ecstatic climax when the members of the hermandad of Almonte , barge into the church and bear her out on a float. The Virgin is carried round to each of the brotherhood buildings, finally returning to the Ermita.
The rest of the year El Rocío looks like a scene from a western movie.
The village´s sandy streets bear as many hoof prints as tyre marks, and they are lined by rows of buildings that are empty most of the time. Most of the houses belong to the hermendades (brotherhoods).
The heart of the village is the ´Ermita del Rocío´, the church housing the celebrated Virgen del Rocío.
From the promenade you might see a flock of flamengos wheeling through the sky or see deer and horses grace in the shallow water in front of the village.
Nature
Don´t forget the visit the Parque Nacional de Coto Doñana. You can book an excursion by boat from Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
Also from the visitor centre near El Acebuche you can book a bus safari.
You must take a tour to visit the park.
The Parque Nacional de Coto Doñana is one of Europe’s largest swamp lands. This area is especially important for birds. Over 250 bird species have been spotted here, half of which come here to over-winter, such as the spoonbill, stork and the particular favourite of most visitors, the flamingo.
The best time of year to visit this park is winter or spring. In the summer and autumn the swamps are dry, although that is when visitors get excited about spotting deer, boar, buffalos and otters. With a good guide and some luck, you might even spot a lynx.
Cultural
In Ríotinto (88km; 1,5 uur) you can visit the mines of Ríotinto. In the 19th century the British-dominated Minas de Ríotinto turned the area into one of the world´s great copper-mining centres. From the original 17.000 jobs nowadays only 500 jobs have remained.
The mining industry overground has caused major damage to the scenery and left enormous craters.
Currently the mines are a touristic attraction. You can visit a mine museum, two large crates, a (British) residential neighbourhood and a train trip in restored early-20th-century railway carriages. The train trip is unforgettable. It is essential to book ahead.
In Aracena (120km; 2h) you can visit the village´s attraction, namely the caves. These are called ´La Gruta de las Maravillas´ in the centre of the village. This is not discovered until the 20th century and is one of the biggest of Europe. In the cave systems are 4 subterranean lakes and a dozen caves with limestone formations in several colors.
Daarnaast Family
For kids the caves of Aracena are fun and the mines of Ríotinto a must-see!
Furthermore the spot of which Columbus set sail, are a must for families. You will find this spot in Palos de la Frontera (65km; 45min), along the eastern bank of the Tinto estuary, east of Huelva. At the ´Muella de las Carabelas´ you can board replicas of Columbus´tiny three-ship fleet, crewed by ludicrous mannequins.
You can see the best of Seville from the top of an open-top double-decker bus. And you can even go on a river cruise on the Guadalquivir.
In the centre of Seville, the Parque María Luisa makes for a fun place to feed pigeons, rent a bike or go for a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
Where museums are concerned, the coach museum is a particularly fun place to visit with the kids.
There are also a few amusement parks in the area, including Andalucía’s largest and most popular park, Isla Mágica, on the EXPO site in Seville. Roller coasters, rapids, and many more attractions.
The Guadalpark water park is also a great place to find some refreshment during the hot summer months. Spectacular slides, a black hole and different pools make up this park.
The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Huelva (67km; 50min):
Huelva, the province´s unspectacular but amiable capital, a busy port. What´s here today has almost all been built since the devastating earthquake of 1755.
One of the nicest places of interest is the place of which Columbus set sail. You will find this spot in Palos de la Frontera, along the eastern bank of the Tinto estuary, east of Huelva. At the ´Muella de las Carabelas´ you can board replicas of Columbus´tiny three-ship fleet, crewed by ludicrous mannequins.
The most important of the Columbus sites is the 14th-century monastery Monasterio de la Rábida, visited several times by Columbus before his great voyage of discovery and today full of Columbus memorabilia. A monk takes you around the monastery, where the emphasis is on Columbus and not on the convent life.
Furthermore you can visit the beaches of Isla Cristina.
Seville (81km; 1h):
The capital of Andalucía is a compact city with a rich past. Most of its major sights are in or near the city centre on the Guadalquivir river’s left bank. And they also know how to party and have a good time in this city of flamenco and tapas.
As you wander through the old Jewish quarter, the Barrio Santa Cruz, through a maze of white streets and patios, you should not forget to take in the imposing cathedral, the Moorish bell tower, La Giralda, and the royal palace Real Alcázar.
You can unwind in the María Luisa park, where you can spend the hottest part of the day under orange trees and palm trees.
The museum Museo de Bellas Artes, one of Spain’s best museums of art, is a real must. And then there are its magnificent palaces and other sights, such as the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza (bull ring); Casa de Pilatos and the Torre del Oro.