Seville

Take a stroll over to the colossal Plaza de España when you're in Seville. Nestled within the beautiful Maria Luisa Park, this architectural marvel was crafted for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929. The building presents a stunning fusion of styles — think Renaissance revival with a local twist — we're talking exposed brick and ceramics. This plaza isn't just about the building. It also embraces a 515-meter-long canal encircling the square. Fancy a bit of romance? Hop on a boat and take in the beauty of the place from a whole new perspective. Just imagine — you, the water, and an architectural marvel providing the backdrop. Quite irresistible.

Experience the true, captivating soul of Seville. The singing, dancing and flamenco guitar shows at Los Gallos have entertained guests since 1966, and is the most popular flamenco show in town.

Built in the 1360s by Moorish Muslim kings and surrounded by lush gardens, Alcázar is a spectacular palace still used by the royal family, making it the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe.

Stroll around in the heart of Seville and enjoy the charm of the quarter of Santa Cruz, with its winding alleys, picturesque houses and small squares. This is also where you can see important tourist attractions like the Cathedral, the Giralda, the Royal Alcázar, the Murillo gardens and the Archivo de Indias.

To learn more about the fascinating world of flamenco dancing, head to the Museo del Baile Flamenco. In this 18th-century building you can stroll around the exhibition hall, the basement and the dance studio.

The Torre del Oro, or Golden Tower, is a historic watchtower constructed in the early 13th-century by the Almohades, who ruled over Andalusia. The tower was in fact a part of the city's defensive walls. Now it is one of Seville's most photographed landmarks.

When visiting the Basílica de la Macarena, you will see one of the dearest treasures of Seville, the statue of la Virgen de la Esperanza (the Virgin of Hope), known as la Macarena, the same name as the quarter where the church is located. The statue is a 17th-century wooden sculpture of Christ's mother mourning his death, covered in tears. It is a modern church in the Neo-Baroque style, built between 1936 and 1941 by architect Gómez Millán.

Isla Mágica is an exciting and modern amusement park with seven different themed areas representing different episodes in 16th-century Spanish history. This is a place where the whole family can enjoy themselves, ride the roller coaster, play miniature golf, try one of the four different water rides or explore the pirate ship.

Make this an evening to remember and enjoy a lovely meal before you experience the opera itself. Make sure not to miss the Flamenco performance before the opera starts.

Take the chance to see a panoramic, 360 degree view of Seville. From the top of the Tower of Perdigones you will get the best view of the city, and the Camera Obscura technology at the top allows visitors to see it in all directions. The wonderful guides provide explanations about the technology and a great tour of the city from above.

The Roman city of Itálica is home to an ancient amphitheatre (you may know it as the Dragonpit in “Game of Thrones”), aqueducts, mosaics, and much more. Founded in 206 BC, it was one of the most advanced cities at the time. Itálica is located 7 kilometres outside of Seville, which makes a visit to the archaeological site a perfect day trip.

Inspired by the architecture of the Cathedral of Seville, the Metropol Parasol claims to be the largest wooden structure in the world. The spot chosen for the construction of this futuristic marvel turned out to contain ancient ruins of the Roman and Al-Andalus era, which were discovered during construction works for underground parking (learn more at the on-site archaeological museum). Don't miss the scenic rooftop walkway.

The Spanish province of Andalusia is among the top global olive oil producing regions. Consider joining a workshop or tasting centring around the oil, and learn about olive cultivation, plus take your pick of aroma and flavour profile. Some local providers include: The Olive Oil Workshop www.theoliveoilworkshop.com alexis@theoliveoilworkshop.com +34 687 224 928 Pure Andalusia www.pureandalusia.com info@pureandalusia.com +34 637 531 002

Built in the late 15th century in the Renaissance style with Gothic and Moorish influences, this palace belongs to the House of Alba. A series of ornate courtyards and cloisters combine with an impressive art collection to make this one of the most tasteful attractions in Seville. The art on display ranges from Roman sculptures to antique ceramics to contemporary design.

Seville's oldest market spreads over two buildings, separated by a small alleyway. Make sure to stop here to try delicious local produce such as meats, seafood, cheese, fruit, vegetables and wine. There are also a few local shops and a restaurant on-site.