Seville

Seville's history is a whirlwind - founded by the Romans, conquered by the Caliphs and finally incorporated into the Kingdom of Castile in the 13th Century. The discovery of the Americas marked the beginning of Seville's heyday as the principal port of trade between Europe and the New World, and it is from here that the explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, began his circumnavigation of the world. Born of this varied heritage, Seville is unlike any other Spanish city; one that embraces the past but lives very much in the present. The city exudes a celebratory air, its old town the keeper of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Alcazar Palace, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See and the General Archives of the Indies. Alongside these stand marvelous examples of Baroque and Moorish architecture down winding Medieval streets. Colorful facades front sprawling plazas, which come evening are filled with revelers hopping between tapas bars. While any reason is a good reason to celebrate in Seville, the annual Semana Santa and Feria de Abril are greatly anticipated and the most genuine of Spanish fetes.