An evening at the Andalucia Flamenco Festival in New York City, courtesy of the Andalucia Tourist Board and the Tourist Office of Spain, led FTF's editors to search for the quickest, cheapest way possible to introduce more families to this wonderful culture.

Travelers don't need to confine their lust for Andalucia to traveling cultural festivals. Year round, there are wonderful attractions in the region, as you can learn from FTF's tale of Malaga travels.

Within Spain's fairest state there are also several 2008 festivals where dance and music are only part of the fun. Semana Santa / Holy Week (March 16-23) is celebrated all over this Catholic country. Then in April comes the major Feria de Sevilla / Seville's April Fair (April 7-13) in Andalucia's capital city. Expect to see women in vivid flounced dresses and men in traditional riding habits parade together on horseback and in horse-drawn carriages.

At the Festival de los Patios Cordobeses (May 1-11), families can enjoy Cordoba's great climate and admire the patios of local homeowners who decorate them for prizes; explore the Old Town's narrow streets and whitewashed houses for the best.

Since the 15th century, the Romeria del Rocio / Rocio Pilgrimage (May 7-11) in Almonte, Huelva, has celebrated the region's patron saint, La Virgen del Rocio. Followers travel on horseback and by foot through Donana National Park biosphere reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) while singing and dancing flamenco along the way.

Sherry lovers will appreciate the Feria del Caballo de Jerez / Jerez Horse Fair (Apr 27-May 4) because this is the region where the best liquor is produced. Hundreds of groups (casetas) gather to present their special dishes, music and dance, and the famous local Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre shows off its herd of show horses in performances of intricate four-legged choreography set to classical Spanish music.

The mother of these events is the Festival Internacional de Musica y Danza de Granada in the fairy tale home of the Alhambra Palace (June 20-July 6), where the best in current performing arts lures culture lovers from all over Europe. If your kids get off on "Air Guitar," by all means plan your visit to Cordoba during the annual Festival de la Guitarra de Cordoba (July 2-14), where the world's great virtuosos will convene to perform and teach all genre: flamenco, classical, jazz, and modern. Courses and seminars on guitar playing, composition, construction and history.

And if flamenco is your thing, plan on the 16th Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla 2008. This festival occurs from September 10-October 11, 2008 -- a month of "absolute supreme flamenco" per the festival organizers, ranging from ad libitum fiesta-style juergas to sophisticated concerts. Expect to see 66 performances in 32 days!

And the following year, in September 2009, the seaside resort of Malaga will host Malaga en Flamenco, to showcase Malaga's own artists and its flamenco expressions, styles and genres from the province, such as malaguenas and the festive pandas de verdiales (musical groups from the countryside).

If we've got you intrigued, contact your travel agent or the reservation agents at Delta Airlines, which will inaugurate non-stop service from New York's JFK to Malaga on June 4. 2008. U. K. families interested in visiting Malaga can hop aboard Easyjet for great (ie: frequent, cheap and friendly) service from the Luton Airport.

Families who would like this exciting journey planned for them may want to contact tour operators recommended by the Andalucia tourist board, who offer a variety of options for traveling by motor coach or train, or fly-drive and specialized independent travel itineraries. For brochures, planning and reservations, contact them or see your travel agent. Try Central Holidays, Spanish Heritage Tours, Sun Holidays, or Travel Impressions.

Ole!

by Kyle McCarthy