Jennifer Reoch and Joe Lindsay report from the southern Spanish city of Seville. Jennifer first visits the Real Alcazar, one of the city’s most impressive buildings, where she discovers a collection of palaces and gardens in exquisite Moorish and Renaissance styles.
Joe and Jennifer visit the cathedral, another architectural masterpiece in the city centre, and also the burial place of Christopher Columbus, as well as being home to a stuffed crocodile!
Next is a cyclo tour around the Maria Luisa Park, where the main attraction is the striking Plaza de Espana, built to show off the city’s many talents in building, design and craftsmanship. And they take in more palatial wonders at the Casa de Pilatos, another Andalucian palace, which has around 150 different styles of azulejo (Spanish glazed tiles) - one of the largest collections in the world.
Jennifer views the city from on high from the Metropol Parasol, also known as Las Setas, or 'the mushrooms', because of its resemblance to giant fungi. It is claimed to be the largest wooden structure in the world.
They then visit Triana, a neighbourhood famous for flamenco, and call into the Christena Heeren Foundation flamenco academy. Here, traditional dance, song and guitar playing are studied by aficionados who come from around the world to master the art. They see a performance that brings all these skills together in true Andalusian style.
Next up is a river tour on the Guadalquiver River, followed by a visit to the Macarena neighbourhood with its original city walls, tapas with some locals and an Arab bath, before ending up in a huge bathtub filled with red wine!
And in this week’s Short Getaway, Jean Johansson explores the fishing villages of East Fife. Show less