Captivating and beautiful, the capital of Andalucia intoxicates and excites. It is the city of flamenco, bulls, Carmen and Don Juan; its history and culture give rise to pride, tradition, passion and joy. One is quickly seduced by strolling through the enchanting barrios or neighbourhoods, where the colours of the south reign supreme. The most delightful of all is the barrio de Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter. Lose yourself in the twisting narrow streets, stunning patios and squares lined with orange trees. In this area, as in most of the city, there are some wonderful bars, serving up chilled finos and a whole selection of tasty tapas.
Sevilla is such an atmospheric city, never more so than during the Semana Santa or Holy week. Religious processions bearing immense images of Christ and the Virgin Mary, carried by caped and occasionally barefooted bearers of the brotherhoods, progress with drum rolls amongst an absorbed audience.
Not long after in Sevilla's calendar, the Feria de Abril commences, thus unleashing the joy and abandonment of the locals after the intensity of Semana Santa. More significantly, it inaugurates the bullfight season. Guitars, singing, traditional dresses, horses and carriages are all on display and plenty of Spain's oldest wine 'sherry' is knocked back too!
Since the highly successful Expo of 1992, Sevilla can be easily and quickly reached from Madrid on the fast AVE train. To explore the other areas of interest in the province of Sevilla and further afield, we recommend that you hire a vehicle.
Just nine kilometres north of Sevilla lies what was once, in its heyday, the third largest city in the Roman Empire - Italica. Here, Roman ruins including the old amphitheatre and some fascinating mosaics can be viewed. Also close to Sevilla is the picturesque small town of Carmona, whose origins go back to the Carthaginian period of 3rd century BC. The remarkable Roman necropolis is the main attraction.
