Seville certainly is one of the most lovely cities to visit in Spain. It has more than 700,000 inhabitants, nearly half the population of the whole province. Although today Moorish influence is architectonically most evident - Andalusia was occupied by Moors for about 800 years - it was a cultural center long before. The fertility of this land and its favorable climate with mild winters and about 3000 hours of sun per year made Phoenicians and Carthaginians settle here. (Aside from the month of August, where temperatures can get up to 47°C !) The Romans arrived later on, like almost to any place in Europe, and two of their emperors, Trajan and Hadrian, in fact were born here.

Seville is the very heart of Andalusian culture, the center of bullfighting and Flamenco music. It lies on the banks of the Guadalquivir and is one of the largest historical centres in Europe.

In Seville, you will want to visit the old city, starting with the Cathedral of Seville. The Cathedral occupies the site of a great mosque built in the late 12 th century and still mainains the bell tower Giralda, which is a Moorish legacy. Work on the Christian cathedral began in the 13th century, under the reign of King Fernando the III of Castile. The Cathedral also pays homage to Chrisopher Columbus. The remains of this Italian navigator were brought here from Havana when Cuba became independent. There are also many treasures and works of art to be viewed and admired here, from the naves to the stained glass windows.

The Giralda was once one of the tallest towers in the world. A variety of different architectural styles make up the structure of the bell tower. You can climb the steps inside the tower for a magnificent view of the City! Very close by is the royal Mudéjar palace known as the Alcazar with marvellous gardens. The Alcazar is made up of a series of palaces which are the most important example of civil architecture in Seville.

Nearby is the Jewish Quarter, Santa Cruz, with narrow streets, flowered balconies, richly decorated facades, and hidden patios. Full of curious little stories and legends, this area of Seville exudes an air of mysticism which can be felt in such places as the convent founded by Saint Teresa or the house in which the famous Seville painter Marillo lived.

Other places of interest are the Plaza de España, the Maria Luisa Park with its beautiful squares, fountains, lakes, and wide variety of plants and flowers. There is also the Golden Tower, the Maestranza Bullring, the Town Hall, the Fine Arts Museum, the Royal Shipyards, The Church of El Salvador and the list justs keeps on going.

In terms of shopping, the most typical items one can purchase are the fans, the lace mantillas which are embroided by hand, ceramics from Triana, guitars and of course, sweets and marmalades.

Between sightseeing and shopping, don't miss out on the tapas, those typical "small spanish dishes" and a glass of Sherry wine. The city is credited with the invention and has more than a thousand bars where the choice of food, is virtually unlimited, from seafood to ham and sausage and from vegetable to cheese. The Sevillians actually make a meal of. them, moving from bar to bar and trying one dish at a time.

When in Seville you don't want to miss the opportunity to take in a little flamenco. It can vary from seeing a more professional show in a tablao to watching locals perform in a bar. Flamenco is a genuine Spanish art, and to be more exact a genuine Southern Spanish art. It exists in three forms: Cante, the song, Baile, the dance, and Guitarra, the guitar.

Gypsies are very often named as its fathers, and (it can at least) be taken for certain that they played an important part in its creation. However, the popular songs and dances of Andalusia have also influenced early Flamenco considerably.

The inhabitants of Seville know how to enjoy their free time and the city offers a wide selection of night spots. The area surrounding the Cathedral contains a large number of quiet bars and cafeterías, ideal for having a drink and talking with friends.

Andalusia celebrates its festivals with passion and abandonment. Seville, as the region's capital, hosts some of the most important events. When the orange trees begin to blossom, Seville decks itself out for its famous Semana Santa (Easter Week) and Feria de Abril (April Fair). There is also World Tourism Day, which is celebrated every September 27. This has been going on since 1980 to emphasize the importance of tourism internationally and where more appropriate than in Seville. To sum it up, there are numerous reasons to visit Seville, the third most visited city in the second most important tourist destination in the world.