In working on an article for The Spain Scoop, I paid a visit to the Seville Tourism Board’s website. On the main page, to coincide with the World’s Fair in Seville’s 20th anniversary, the board proposes 92 reasons to visit Seville.
Among my favorites are things I enjoy about living here, like 88 (eat a montaíto de pringá), 74 (buy a flamenco dress), 55 (eat el jamón bueno bueno) and 58 (sleep a siesta). Then I remember the insane amount that I still have before me to do, like visit Doñana National Park, spot the Duquesa de Alba, see the Derbi between Mi Betí and Sevilla FC, walk el Rocío to Almonte.
I do think they gave up towards the end, as the last reason is, because you feel like it. So, so sevillano of you, VisitaSevilla. But who really needs to list 92 things to do in and around this glorious city whose history stretches back over 2000 years, whose sunsets are breathtaking and whose cuisine is tó lo bueno. Seville is more about feeling it and living it than seeing it.
Take a look, and tell me what’s on your Seville itinerary, or the reasons you’ve been here before. The Tourism Office hooked me up with this year’s Fiestas de la Primavera poster, and it can be yours if you’re chosen!
What a great list! So easy to hang out in Seville and never be bored. Thanks!
I must admit I’ve never been to Seville. Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, and Villalba round the list of my Spain experiences. That said I will now have another reason to return. Regarding siestas I promise those can be found all throughout the Hispanic worlds (I was about to take one myself until I decided to check out the blogosphere). I take it you’re an Expat from Chicago. What do you miss from home, how long have you been abroad? (am I not in the running for the poster?)
Hola! I’ll put you in the running!
I am from Chicago, and have been living in Seville since September 2007. I have learned to cope with missing things, though my first stop upon landing in Chicago is always for a deli pickle and a Chicago Style Dog! Of course, my dog, my family, Hawkeye football, real american BBQs (spanish ones are just nto the same), central air and carpet…but my lie here is pretty, pretty good! Thanks for stopping by!
I don’t even need 1 reason!!!
I love this story, I hope you will too I was part of bunch of students from Cal State colleges/universities that spent a year in either Madrid or Granada in 1980-81. Our short visit to Sevilla was on a group trip to drop the Granada students there and then we returned to Madrid. Enter about 3 years ago while I was planning a 2 week trip with my husband and daughter to celebrate my 50th birthday. I came across the alcázar while researching things to do in Sevilla. All these years later my memory told me that we spent one night in Sevilla on our way to Granada so when I saw pics of the beautiful alcázar I kept wondering why we did not see it in 1980. We saw the cathedral and Plaza de España but not the alcázar?? I knew I had to see it and it was, hands down, my favorite site on our trip 2 years ago. But, it really bugged me that we did not go on that group trip. When we returned home from our trip 2 years ago, I showed my daughter the scrapbook I made of my year in Spain and what did I find? We did NOT spend the night in Sevilla!! What we must have done then was the quickest tourist stops at both Sevilla and Córdoba ever on our way to Granada. We then spent the night in Granada. We must have seen the Alhambra the next day and then headed back to Madrid. So, when asked, I always tell people you must see the alcázar!!
My parents have a similar story! I agree with you on the Alcázar: many people overlook it because of the grandeur of the nearby alhambra, but it’s got a lot of charm and is part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage site, clustered around the Plaza del triunfo. My favorite spots in Seville are Triana (where I used to live), the Triana bridge and Plaza de España. Thanks for sharing your story!
Une ville magnifique!