Orange Blossoms and Jackaranda Trees

Sevilla's typical blue and white Azulejo ceramic tiles
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In spite of having heard so many good things about Seville we only gave ourselves one night in the city - really because we wanted enough time in Morocco to get a good feel for the country. It was a tough decision because Seville is seductive - once you get there you feel like you would like to stay for a while at least.

It is a very pretty city - but rather spread out - which makes walking around the center rather tiring. Dominant impressions include the always-present orange trees and jackarandas. If we had the time I guess the Hop On Hop Off Bus would have worked or possibly hiring some bikes. We would also have liked to spend some time rowing on the river. The major sites that we managed to get to included the bridges over the river, the Parque de Maria Luisa (nice green belt with water in the middle of the city) and the iconic Plaza de Espana - a huge semi-circle of massive buildings decorated with the typical Seville ceramic tiles, towering over what is supposed to be an area encircled by a moat (it was dry when we were there). The effect is still impressive - although the tacky tourist stalls do detract from the impact.

We Would Have liked to Spend More Time in the City

Sunset over the Guadalaquivir river with the Golden Tower
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We were in the city the same day as the EUEFA Cup finals - and Seville was playing another Spanish team from Barcelona. Seville won and you can imagine how the city erupted - fireworks, singing, dancing in the street, and endless hooting by drivers on their way to the nearest pubs to celebrate. We took the opportunity to hit the streets and look around the cathedral area, the Alcazar (fortress) and the old jewish quarter - it was a festive night.