About Seville…

The irresistible capital and cultural center of Andalusia captured the imagination of the world during the 1992 World Expo with its colorful and festive lifestyle. A succession of cultures (Roman, Islamic, Christian) has left behind a heritage that is a joy to explore: the Giralda, the gothic cathedral, the Alcazar, the Maestranza bullring, San Marcos Church, Plaza de España, etc. One cannot feel the true pulse of the city, however, without venturing into the small, traditional districts such as the Triana and Santa Cruz, where the gypsy lifestyle and folklore are deeply and perceptively ingrained. A visit to Seville is a visit to a world where one delightful minute follows another. Immerse yourself in the city and succumb to its inhabitant´s joy for living. In Seville, no one is a stranger for long.

Panoramic of Seville

You begin by discovering modern Seville with its bridges and pavilions built for Expo 92, and later the traditional Seville of the 1929 Iberoamerican Exhibition with its palm treed venues, Plaza de America, with its marvelous pavillions and ubiquitous pigeons, and the imposing Plaza de España. You will also visit the cathedral, the third largest in the christian world built along gothic, renaissance and mannerist styles. The cathedral was built on the site of an ancient mosque from which only remain the Patio de los Naranjos and the Giralda Tower. The latter has become emblematic of the city. Next, comes a visit to the royal palace or Alcazar, the oldest residence of the Spanish Crown, dating from Almohade period, and then a stroll through the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz Quarter.

Important

There are frequent tour buses, many with an open second floor. They follow a "hop-on, hop-off" system which allows you to get on and off at any of the frequent stops along the trajectory.

Suggested tours:
Personalized City Walk Old Town of the Old Quarter of Santa Cruz and the cathedral and Royal Alcazares. Riverside Cruise.

At your leisure:
You can be kept hopping as there is so much to see and do under its usually clear, sunny skies. Try Maria Luisa park where you can take a horse carriage ride, sip some sherry on a cruise along the Guadalquivir River, do some tavern hopping in Triana Quarter, or take in some flamenco in the Santa Cruz Quarter late in the evening.

Best time to go:
All year round, although the mid-day sun during July and August can be brutal. Best months are March, April, May, not just for the weather and fewer tourists, but also because there is a lot of local color with a multitude of local Festivals and Fairs.

Where to eat:
Seville is a major city and as such has a great variety of cuisines available for all tastes and pocketbooks, including international. But, when in Rome or rather, Seville... why not follow the example of its inhabitants and savor some tapas (appetizers) at a bar in one of the plazas such as Salvador. There are great restaurants in the Santa Cruz Quarter and Arenal District for lunch and dinner. The Triana Quarter is also well worth a visit for its tapas bars, ancient taverns and restaurants. Remember to consult our dossier to get up-to-date, detailed information.

Where to shop:
Sierpes and Tetuan Streets, La Campana and Plaza Nueva.

Where to sleep:
Try any of our favourite "charming" hotels at the heart of Santa Cruz Quarter such as Casas de la Juderia, Casa Imperial or Casa Mercaderes. Also there are superb haciendas and cortijos (country estates) nearby, such as the Hacienda Benazuza, Torre de la Reina or Aguila Real, as well as the Inn Carmona, the Casa de Carmona, the Alcazar de la Reina and the Parador

Interesting half day/full day side-trips, with tour guide or driving yourself:
Jerez and the White Villages and Puerto de Santa Maria (8 hours)
The Bull Route, White Villages and Gibraltar Strait.
Undeveloped beach areas of Cadiz
Cordoba (an hour away)
Carmona (a half hour away)
Roman City of Italica (a half hour away)
Costa del Sol: Malaga or Marbella (4 hours away)
Ronda (3 hours away)
Gibraltar (3 hours away)

* We suggest that when taking any of these side trips from Seville, you enjoy the services of our private car/driver/English-speaking guide packages.

Cordoba

Only an hour away by expressway from Seville, Cordoba was once one of the largest cities in Europe. Although somewhat diminished in population and importance, it is a fabulous city to explore. First, its mosque is unique in the world with the center of its enormous area having been taken over by a massive and ornate gothic-baroque-rococo styled cathedral. Also well-worth visiting is the Juderia, the former Jewish Quarter. As you follow you guide about the city, keep an eye out for the exquisite inner patios and beflowered balconies that are common to the traditional white-walled, red-tile roofed andalusian houses. If you have some extra time and energy you might ask your guide to stop in one of the many interesting villages (Carmona, for example) along the route back to Seville.

Important

We can also arrange for you to join a tour group for your visit to Cordoba with guided visit to the city and its monuments included. But, please remember that for more than two people, the difference in price between our private service and a bus tour is negligible.

Suggested tours:
Visit the Mosque and Jewish District (private visit or join a small group) Festival of the Patios each year during May and the local Fair.

At your leisure:
Once the usual crowds begin to disperse as the sun sets, take a stroll around the Mosque and the Tendillas neighborhood. The Plaza del Potro and the taverns around Tendillas are justly famous. The citizens of Cordoba are proud of their patios and some of the best examples to be found of these unique, colorful, flower-scented open-air courtyards are at the Palace of Viana, Julio Romero de Torres Museum and the Archeological Museum. The Palace of Medina Zahara and the Alcazar of the Christian Kings are well worth a visit as are the Jewish district and its Synagogue and the innumerable baroque churches.

Best time to go:
All year round, although the mid-day sun in July and August can be brutal. Best month is May and not just for the weather but also because there is a lot of local color with a multitude of Festivals and Fairs.

Where to eat:
Try the tapas at the Taberna el Pisto. The Caballo Rojo and Restaurant Almudaina, close to the Mosque, are two of our favourite spots for full-course meals. Remember to consult our dossier to get up-to-date detailed information.

Where to sleep:
In the city itself, we recommend the Hotel Alfaros, Amistad, Hesperia Cordoba, the Parador and the Occidental. Close-by, in the countryside, the Hospederia de San Francisco, an old renovated monastery located between Cordoba and Seville, in Palma del Rio, is a real jewel.

Interesting half day/full day side trips, with tour guide or driving yourself:
You can visit rural towns, such as Cabra, Montilla, Aguilar, Priego de Cordoba, or on route to Seville, Carmona.
Medina Zahara (remains of the Caliphate palace are 20 minutes away)
Montilla and Moriles Wine Region and White Villages (an hour away)
Seville (an hour away)

Driving time to principal Andalusian cities:
Granada (2 hours)
Malaga (2 hours)
Seville (1 hour)
Madrid by AVE (bullet train) is just an hour and a half away. Seville, half an hour.

Sherry & White Villages

No, it´s not a fairy tale, although you might feel like your guide has taken you into one when you see the beauty of some of the white villages. Your tour begins almost an hour´s drive from Seville when you arrive at Jerez. The city is well known for three things - bulls, horses and sherry, the latter unique to the region because of the climate and-chalky soil, ideal for palomino grapes. Indeed the name of the city is the Spanish word for sherry. You will stop at one of its internationally known bodegas or wine cellars to see the tradition process of aging the sherry in oaken barrels, a tradition that has been followed for centuries. And, of course, you might want to partake of a sample. The tradition of the legendary Cartujano horses began in the eighteenth century with Carthusian monks. You will be able to stop in to see the Andalusian Royal Equestrian School, and, if you are there on a thursday, will have the chance to see the "horse ballet", a combination of classical and country dressage, with music, horses and riders in a harmonious and colorful symphony of motion. After, it´s bull country. You will pass by some of the famous ranches specializing in the breeding of the "bravo" bulls, those raised with the destiny of one day facing a torero in a bullring. After your guide will take you to Arcos de la Frontera, one of the prettiest towns of the White Villages. Then back to Seville.

Granada

Andalusia´s second most important city reflects the blue hues of the not-so-distant Mediterranean and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains. Its many archaeological ruins are witness to the diversity and depth of its past. The city is still today proudly marked by centuries during which it was under Moorish influence. A city that has been the inspiration to poets, painters, musicians and intellectuals from around the world. Granada reached its pinnacle of splendor in the 14th century with the construction of the world-renowned Palaces and Gardens of the Alhambra and Generalife, both of which have been designated World Heritage Monuments. But there is more: the impressive fortress, the secluded Royal Chapel, the Audience Palace, the Bullring, the Arabic Walls, the Red Tower,… Special attention should also be paid to the city's oldest districts: the Albayzin and the Sacromonte. Arabic tradition vibrates to the rhythmic clapping and sounds of the gypsy guitar. All this and its charming citizen make Granada a city of mythical poetic serenity.

Important
Due to the distances and high costs involved in this trajectory for a private car/guide, we recommend you join a group tour to Granada. The tour bus will pick you up at your hotel in Seville, early morning, and arrive in Granada two hours later. You will visit the Alhambra and have time to walk around the city a bit before the return trip. These tours are recommendable as the groups are small and they include a guided visit to the Alhambra and return trip. Another option is to travel independently and stay overnight at a hotel in Granada.
Suggested tours:
Private visit to the Alhambra (better in the afternoon) and stroll on your own through the Albayzin district.

At your leisure:
Aside from the Albayzin district, we recommend the Mirador de San Nicolas, the Cuevas del Sacromonte (flamenco), the Arab baths, Calle Elvira, the Calle Teterias and the area around Plaza Nueva.

Best time to go:
All year round, but be aware that Granada is close to the Sierra Nevada Ski Resort and during the winter months the temperature can dip to around zero at night. During high season (summer months), it is a very popular tourist destination, so, expect crowds.

Where to eat:
In addition to the restaurants of the Albayzin district, like the Mirador de Morayma, there are many bars and taverns with patios, the perfect spots to try local tapas, such as the embutido (sausage) de Alpujarras, cheeses and other delights, all as you sip a glass of flavorful, wine. Remember to consult our dossier to get up-to-date, detailed information.

Where to sleep:
Among our favorites are the Alhambra Palace, the Parador and two hotels in the Albayzin district: Carmen de Santa Ines and Palacio de Santa Ines. Also, the Reina Cristina, Anacapri, and the Tryp Albayzin are excellent.

Interesting half day/full day side trips, with tour guide or driving yourself:
The Alpujarras (southern slope of the Sierra Nevada), the Costa Tropical and Motril, the Sierra de Jaen (olive orchards), as well as the White Villages between Granada and Cordoba or Malaga. The Costa del Sol is only an hour and a half away.