According to legends, Hercules founded Seville and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilization. It was called Hispalis under the Romans and Isbiliya with the Moorish.

Seville lies on the banks of the Guadalquivir and is one of the largest historical centers in Europe, it has the Mohammedan minaret of La Giralda, the cathedral (one of the largest in Christendom), and the Alcázar Palace. Part of its treasure includes Casa de Pilatos, the Town Hall, Archive of the Indies (where the historical records of the American continent are kept), the Fine Arts Museum (the second picture gallery in Spain), plus convents, parish churches and palaces.

Sevillia is the administrative capital of Andalusia. The quarter of Triana on the other side of the river, La Macarena, Santa Cruz and San Bartolomé, the street of Las Sierpes, plus La Maestranza bullring, María Luisa Park and the riverside walks are all a part of Sevilla.

Sevillia has important monuments and fascinating history, but is most famous for being a joyous town. The Sevillians are known for their wit and sparkle and the city is striking for its vitality. It is the largest town in Southern Spain, the city of Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro.

The Sevillians are great actors and put on an extraordinary performance at their annual Fería de Abril, a weeklong party of drink, food and dance that takes place day and night in more than a thousand especially mounted tents. Above all, it allows the men to parade on their fine horses and the women to dance in brilliantly colored gypsy dresses.

Immediately before that is Holy Week, Semana Santa, a religious festival. In long processions followed by huge baroque floats on which images of -the Virgin or Christ are placed.

Visit the old city, with the Cathedral and the Giralda tower at its heart. (You can climb the steps inside the tower for a magnificent view of the City) Very close by are the royal Mudéjar palace known as the Alcazar with marvelous gardens. The Santa Cruz quarter, with cramped streets, flowered balconies, richly decorated facades, and hidden patios are not far.

The Casa de Pilatos, a large sixteenth-century mansion where Mudejar, Gothic and Renaissance styles blend harmoniously amidst exuberant patios and gardens, crossing the Triana bridge over the large Guadalquívir river and the church of Santa Ana very worth while visiting.

Don's miss out on the tapas. The city has more than a thousand bars where the choice of food, is virtually unlimited, from seafood to ham and sausage, from vegetable to cheese. Have dinner by moving from bar to bar and trying one dish at a time.

In the Santa Cruz quarter, try Bar Giralda, Modesto, Las Teresas and Casa Robles.

In Triana, El Kiosco de las Flores, Casa Cuesta and Bodeguita Sanlúcar. In Santa Catalina, El Rinconcillo, El Bacalao and Quitapesares (Bar Peregill).