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Heading south from Madrid, the temperature rises and the pace slows as we approach Seville, center of world attention during the 1992 Expo. It doesn't boast the great art museums of Barcelona or Madrid, but it does possess a stunning cathedral, along with truly incomparable Moorish architecture. Orange and palm trees line its streets, where panoramic vistas await at every turn. Chances are you won't be singing in the rain, as Seville is dry, dusty, and hot--in fact, it's the hottest city in Iberia.
Famed for its Easter festivities, when hooded and robed penitents march through the streets, Seville follows those events with its April Fair, a week of celebrations. Sevillanos ride on horseback looking like stage extras from Carmen, and the entire city celebrates with food, wine, and bullfights, followed by nightly flamenco dancing and the region's own special dance, the sevillanas. Almost any time of the year is ideal for a visit to Andalusia's capital, although we prefer the spring or fall. Seville's cathedral is one of the finest in Spain; the Alcazar evokes memories of a great Moorish civilization; and the Museo de Bellas Artes has one of the country's best art collections. But Seville offers much more: Visitors can enjoy the sensory pleasures of Andalusia itself.
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