Seville

Seville is the fourth largest city area is Spain and is considered by many to be the cultural and artistic focus for the southern part of the country. Seville is a very old city with many different influences from other areas and cultures providing visitors with a wide array of architectural and historical sites to see and visit. The warm year-round weather of Seville ensures that tourism is a year-round enterprise with the hot summers still being the busiest and most popular time for tourists. In the summer months of July and August the temperature is in the high 90’s most days, but with the ocean just a short distance away there are lots of ways to relax and stay cool.

The historical buildings in Seville are everywhere and the downtown center has unlimited historical sites to see and view. The Cathedral in the city, built over an ancient mosque, is the largest existing Cathedral built in the Gothic style. The Cathedral is famous throughout Europe and many tourists view the magnificent structure and the surrounding gardens on a daily basis. There are many different, beautifully maintained gardens and parks throughout the city and most are bordered by open air cafes and restaurants that allow patrons to enjoy the beauty of the gardens while sampling some of the local delicacies and foods. Some of the most famous gardens to visit include the Gardens of the Alcázar that back onto the palace. These gardens are terraced and have been planted and maintained for many centuries, providing a truly international exhibition of plants and landscaping techniques.

Music and dance have always formed a major part of the entertainment scene in Seville and it is not uncommon to see exhibitions of the Flamenco dance and the four part folk songs and accompanying dances, know as Sevillanas, in popular cafes, bars and in festivals and concerts. There are many beautiful festivals held in Seville throughout the year with the two most famous being the Holy Week festival and the Seville Fair which is held in April. During these two festivals the city comes alive with parades, music and cultural events.

Food and wines in Seville are another highlight of a visit. International level chefs are found in many restaurants with traditional Spanish foods mixed with international cuisines of all styles and types. Tapas bars are common in most areas with a wondeful selection of fresh seafood and local cheeses, meats and sweet desserts available.