Page 44 - Cork & Tee Sample Program Flipbook, 2018

Day 11: Sevilla – The Very Best of Old World Spain. Seville is our favorite city in
Andalusia. She is captivating in the evening in particular and quite lively during the day. The
sizable old quarter, the largest such district in Spain, is exceedingly charming. Antonio, our
handpicked Seville guide, or another of our
Seville guides will meet you at hotel
reception this morning for a half-day,
private walking tour of the atmospheric,
old-world city. The historical tour will
include the impressive Alcazar (palace),
which was built in 1248 following the
Reconquest (almost 250 years before the
defeat of the Moors in Granada) and is
notable, although not as splendid as the
Alhambra. The visit will continue to
Seville’s enormous Gothic cathedral,
which features five naves and is the second
largest Gothic structure in Europe (second to the Kölner Dom in Cologne, Germany) and one of
the world’s largest churches. It is the resting place of Christopher Columbus (well, there’s some
debate on that). The cathedral was built to demonstrate Seville’s wealth, and plenty of gold and
lavish decorations adorn the interior. Next to the cathedral is the Giralda tower, which was
originally one of the towers of the ancient mosque and is a symbol of Seville. The imposing
tower adds an exotic element to the architectural landscape of Seville. With your guide, you will
also visit the charming Santa Cruz quarter, the city’s old Jewish quarter, which is full of narrow
alleys, former palaces and lively squares. Admission to the Alcazar and cathedral is included.

Spend the balance of the day at leisure. Antonio will provide some great suggestions. You
should visit Plaza de Espana, which is located in Parque de Maria Luisa and was built for the
1929 Ibero-American Exposition, and/or perhaps the Triana district, a former working-class
district which still is home to a number of ceramics workshops. Tonight, one word: flamenco!
We’ll direct you to one of the finest flamenco venues such as Museo del Baile; we favor more
intimate and authentic venues. This Andalusian dance form is an evolution of traditions brought
th
to Spain in the early 15 century by gypsy immigrants and was influenced by other cultures
(specifically, Jews and Moors, who were forced to convert to Christianity following the
th
Reconquest). The art form gained a level of respectability in the 18 century as attitudes
changed toward resident gypsies.

Proposed Accommodations: Hotel Alfonso XIII

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