If anyone had to ask us how was SEVILLE, don’t expect a wonderful answer.

I cricked my neck on the train and could not move my head. Declan had to carry my backpack and his, and then cricked his neck. We walked for miles and couldn’t find our hotel. It rained. We crashed a boat and had to ask for help. I got badly sunburnt and came out in an all over body rash. And finally, we celebrated Declan’s birthday with a supermarket meal of chocolate truffles, vacuum packed Spanish omelette, a pasta pot that tasted like plastic and two litres of water.

SEVILLE itself is a tale of two cities. On one hand there is a list of tourist attractions that people flock to see. On the other, if you stray too far from the city centre you run the risk of being robbed. According to one of the teachers at the school “they will steal the clothes from your back”.

The GUADALQUIVIR river that runs through the centre leads to the city’s historical area. First stop, we encountered LA CATEDRAL DE SEVILLA (unfortunately we don’t have any photos as it rained that day). It was a breathtaking sight, with the size and structural detail admirable from the street, and it’s presence on the city’s skyline - best viewed from the ESPACIO METROPOL PARASOL. The PARASOL claims to be the largest wooden structure in the world at 85ft above the ground. When I walked across the top decking, I couldn’t help but note the fragility of the giant sculpture (it is wood after all.)

Onto the ALCAZAR DE SEVILLA which is situated next to LA CATEDRAL. It is one of the oldest palaces in the world. The 11th century construction produces a historic ambience that allows you to feel its antiquity. The gardens, water features, outdoor patios and terracotta tiled courtyards are extensive and its no wonder they are known as “The Royal Gardens”.

Finally, we visited the PLAZA DE ESPAÑA. This was by far our favourite attraction in seville. What’s not to love? They have a little canal where you can rent a row boat and row until your hearts content (or crash the boat into the wall where someone had to give us a wee push). All of the provinces of Spain are tiled onto the wall just in case you forget. Families flock here for picnics, cycling or to relax in the gardens. It’s filled with tourists, but for a reason.

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