Sevilla

As we leave Cordoba down the river Guadalquivir we may reach Almodovar del Río after 20 km, and further Seville, 150 km away. Visits in the historical centre of Seville, include the Alkasr Royal Palaces and gardens, Cathedral of Seville and the remains of the Almohad courtyard and minaret, the modern Giralda, Torre del Oro, Jewish quarters, old medina and city walls. After a break for lunch we advise to walk along the river to the Parque de Maria Luisa and Plaza de España, alternatively you can do this by horse carriadge from the nearabouts of the Cathedral.

Night walks around the historical centre or riverside and flamenco shows are available during our free evenings in Seville

Time for touring the highlights of Seville’s historical center. Starting with the Alkasr Royal Palaces you may continue to discover the Cathedral of Seville, built over the former mosque and still holds it’s minaret, the modern Giraldatower. This will all take you through to lunch, which you can find nearby. It may be advisable to take some rest through midday Spanish heat, especially during the summer time. A leisurely afternoon plan provides for shopping and further options from the historical town to the modern city center. You may find souvenir shops, typical Spanish restaurants and picturesque garden homes, nearby the city’s main shopping streets, laid out as if it were a large outdoor mall. Dinner arrangements, night walks and further options provided at the time of your booking.

The rest of the day in town is intended as a leisurely day, further options provided at the time of your booking. For independent tours we usually include a city transport card or hop-on hop-off tour of the city. Our private serviced tours include a dedicated driver and assistant, these are optional extras you may book towards your tour. You should not leave Seville without visiting ‘Plaza de España’ and ‘Parque de Maria Luisa’ where you will find some of the most exotic flora from around the world in beautiful gardens formerly belonging to the Royal Family. There are also two museums within the park, worth a visit to widen your knowledge of Popular Culture and Archaeology in the city of Seville.

The Phoenicians arrived in this area first, establishing a number of trade colonies by the river. They taught the locals how to work with iron and created a new way of processing gold. The Romans came next and founded the town of Hispalis a few hundred years BC. Hispalis grew into a beautiful and prosperous city, but it never managed to emerge from the shadow of nearby Córdoba, until the Visigoths transformed Hispalis into a provincial seat and a centre of learning.

Transliterated as Ishbiliya in Arabic, Seville took on a particular significance after the Almowahiddin berber sultanate had extended from North Africa making it the most northern representation , and mirroring their capital Marrakech, to the south.

Seville being conquered in 1248 by the Christian Kingdom of Castilla, was to become the new Christian Kings favorite city in Andalusia, and a placeholder to further attack onto Granada, the last Muslim Kingdom of Al-Andalus. It is not by chance that after Granada's sign over to the Catholic Christian Kings of newly formed "Spain", Christopher Columbus discovered "a new continent" in 1492, that same year, as he followed maps drawn by some say Chinese Muslim and were until then secretly kept by only some family clans. From then on, colonization taking place, all exclusive trade rights were given to Seville, hence the city quickly became the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan city in Europe, retaining that position for several hundred years. This eclectic mix of influences over the centuries have shaped the city we see today, and Seville's fascinating history is visible at every turn.

Today’s Seville is a lively place, bustling with culture, music, exquisite food and an unstoppable personality. Some of the city's main sights include the Moorish castle of Alcazar, the former upper-class neighbourhood of Santa Cruz, the promenades along the Guadalquivir River, the rougher Macarena neighbourhood with its Baroque churches, and the oldest bar in Spain, El Rinconcillo. The city’s gigantic Parque de Maria Luisa is worth visiting, as are the bohemian chic bars in the Alameda de Hércules district.

Seville's diverse neighbourhoods offer some interesting shopping. North of La Geralda clock tower lies Seville’s largest shopping area, centred around Calle Sierpes and Calle Tetuan, where many shoe shops and souvenir boutiques can be found. Get high quality shawls, handmade fans, Seville hats or even a unique Flamenco dress designed for you. The working-class neighbourhood of Triana, on the opposite side of the river, is well-known for its ceramics market and tile havens such as Cerámica Santa Ana. In the Alfalfa district you will find plenty of antique stores and trendy galleries, but also a handful of noteworthy fashion shops.