Once the opulent capital of the Moorish kingdom, Seville is a vibrant city awash with flamenco, fiestas, ancient streets lined with orange trees and flower-filled balconies.
It lies on the banks of the Guadalquivir in the southwest corner of Spain and is the capital of Andalusia. With sights galore and a touch of serendipity, you are never far away from the city’s Moorish heritage. Discover it in the 14th century Alcazar Palace and relax in the wonderful gardens.
Admire the magnificent Gothic cathedral, standing on the site of a 12th century Arab mosque, La Giralda, its bell tower and the Patio de los Natanjos, legacies of its Moorish origins. Other treasures include Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter, a delightful network of whitewashed alleyways and patios, possibly the most picturesque corner of the city.
Within it are some of Seville’s best known sights, among them the Archivo de Indias, where the archives relating to the discovery of the American continent are kept.
History aside, Seville’s cultural heart can be seen in the Fine Arts Gallery, the second largest picture gallery in Spain, while many visitors are drawn to the spectacular Plaza de Espana, one of the most impressive squares in the whole of Spain, complete with moat, bridges, fountains and intricate tiles depicting each of the country’s provinces.
An Andalucian Evening
For this exclusvie evening your coach will take you on the 30-minute drive from Seville to the beautiful Hacienda Benazuza hotel in the village of Sanlúcar la Mayor, on a hill dominating the Guadiamar river valley.
Careful and detailed renovation has transformed a beautiful Moorish farmhouse dating from the 10th century into a wonderful 5-star grand deluxe hotel just 12 ½ miles from the city. World famous Spanish chef, Mr. Ferrá Adriá runs the kitchen and you will enjoy a wonderful dinner with a menu specially designed by Mr Adriá.
You will be entranced by the originality, uninimaginable combination of flavours, and exquisite presentation of the dishes. Musical entertainment will further enhance this delightful experience, which is sure to be a highlight of your cruise.
Optional excursion
Duration: 3 1/2 hours
An Estate in Andalucia
A perfect way to spend a day in Southern Spain – enjoy exploring a country estate and try your hand at cooking paella! On this fascinating tour you will visit a typical Spanish finca (country estate) about 20 miles from Seville.
This lovely old ranch specialises in breeding the Lora Sangran bull, a popular breed in the world of the corridas (bullfighting). The finca is set in 2,000 hectares of open landscape, giving you the opportunity to appreciate the countryside that is characteristic of Andalusia.
On arrival at the finca, there will be jeeps waiting to take you through the fields, where you can see wild bulls grazing and learn all about traditional bull breeding and rearing techniques. Afterwards you will be driven up to the house where you will be welcomed and shown to the pleasant gardens where you can enjoy a refreshing aperitif.
You will then be given a demonstration of how to cook Spanish paella, which traditionally uses seafood, chicken and saffron as its ingredients.
You will then split into groups and be supplied with ingredients to make your own paella following the recipe. As a fitting end to the tour, a late lunch – including your freshly-made paellas! – will be served at the house.
Optional excursion
Duration: 5 1/2 hours
Artistic Seville
Kings, queens and aristocracy have all left their mark on the beautiful city of Seville in the shape of castles, palaces and wonderful parks and gardens.
Many contain a treasure trove of precious artefacts and you can catch a glimpse of some of these in two of the city’s palaces Your first visit is to the Casa de Pilatos, so called because it was thought to resemble Pontius Pilate’s home in Jerusalem.
Today it is the residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli and one of the finest palaces in Seville. Of particular note is the Patio Principal, a striking courtyard adorned with azulejos (decorative tiles), and the splendid ‘half orange’ cupola on the roof of the upper floor.
A walk through the old quarter brings you to the Casa de la Condes Lebrija, a 15th century private mansion owned by the Countess Lebrija who lives in the upper part of the palace. Among the treasures on display is a Roman mosaic from the nearby ruins of the Roman city, Italica.
Included excursion
Duration: 3 hours
Historic Seville
Discover some of Seville’s ancient and most impressive sights on this tour which starts in the old part of the city where you will visit the magnificent Gothic cathedral, built on the site of a mosque.
Work on the Christian cathedral began in 1401 and took just over a century to complete. It is the world’s third largest cathedral, after St Peter’s in Rome and St Paul’s in London. See the immense nave with its beautiful carved choir as well as some of the side chapels housing art treasures from the great masters such as Murillo and Goya.
Next stop is the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, Seville’s famous bullring, built from 1761-1881, and restored in the last century. Arguably, the most outstanding of Spain’s bullrings, its museum exhibits memorabilia from some of the greatest toreros of all time including costumes, swords, posters and paintings, including a purple cape painted by Pablo Picasso.
You then walk through Santa Cruz, Seville’s old Jewish quarter and one of the most picturesque corners of the city. Noble families used to reside among the maze of alleyways with their gleaming whitewashed houses and colourful flower-filled balconies.
A panoramic drive of the city rounds off the tour and takes you past the beautiful Colon avenue, with its typical Sevilian houses. Other sights along the way include the palm tree avenue, where most of the buildings from the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition are located and the Maria Luisa Park, with its impressive Espana square.
Seville in Depth
Your first visit will be to the 15th century Casa de Pilatos. The house has two floors and is made up of various patios and gardens.
The main patio, predominantly Moorish in effect, is really an extraordinary combination of Medieval, Gothic, Muslim and Renaissance elements. Moving on, you will visit the Santa Cruz quarter, a gleaming maze of white houses and flower-filled patios where Seville’s noble families resided.
After lunch in a restaurant where you will enjoy delicious traditional food while admiring the beautiful views, your coach will take you on a panoramic tour of the city.
You will see the beautiful Colón avenue with its typical Sevillian houses, the neo-classical Maestranza bullring (the largest in Spain), the palm tree avenue, where most of the beautiful buildings left from the 1929 Iberian-American Exhibition are located, and María Luisa Park.
In the old part of the city, you will visit the 15th-century late Gothic Cathedral built on the site of a Mosque. The immense nave with the beautiful carved choir, and numerous side-chapels are filled with art treasures, including works by Murillo, Goya, and others.
Optional excursion
Duration: 6½ hours
Seville's Real Alcázar
On this evening's visit, the Seville's Real Alcázar will be opened exclusively for Spirit of Adventure passengers.
Home of Spanish kings for almost 700 years, the Seville's Real Alcázar palace is one of the finest remaining examples of Moorish architecture in Spain. It was created on the instructions of Pedro I in 1364 and took craftsmen from Granada and Toledo two years to build.
The end result was the Palacio Pedro I, now at the heart of Seville’s Real Seville's Real Alcázar, and a jewel among Spanish royal residences.
Through time various monarchs have added their own individual features, such as the flamboyant apartments of Carlos I. The gardens of the Seville's Real Alcázar are said to be the oldest in Spain.
Included excursion
Duration: 2 hours