Sevilla Charm and Joy
Seville is the Andalucian capital, the third largest city in Spain and is among the most beloved tourist desinations. Visitors get a real snapshot of Andalusia in Sevilla, as it encapsulates the region’s identity: Orange trees line the streets; ubiquitous "mantillas" and "abanicos" (Spanish fans) decorate the walls; bustling sidewalk cafes abound; centuries-old palaces and churches are abundant. Arabian influences are found in the narrow streets and primarily in the city’s historic center. The Real Alcazar, a flamboyant 3-building royal palace built in the 13th century, the Arabian belltower Giralda, the city’s landmark, the enormous cathedral Torre del Oro, and the old district Barrio Santa Cruz are among the highlights. History fans will appreciate the Columbus Library, which preserves millions of original maps, documents and literature of the New World voyage. About the Andalusia region Spain’s region of Andalusia is composed of eight provinces, stretching from the south-east to the south-west of the country, each one named after its capital city: Cadiz, Cordoba, Jaen, Huelva, Almeria, Malaga, Granada and Sevilla. Andalucia has 500 miles of coastline 70% of which are sandy beaches. The Mediterranean coast is graced by the Costa de Almeria, Costa Tropical and the glamourous, cosmopolitan Costa del Sol, while the Costa de la Luz lies along the Atlantic shore to the west of Gibraltar. Andalusia has been a favourite destination for sun-seeking travellers for decades and with an average of over 320 days of sunshine a year there is no wonder why. The attractions on offer for visitors are extremely varied, from golden beaches to those beautiful mountain ranges with their highly interesting fauna, and the famous "white villages" rich in folklore and local crafts. There are also many varied sporting possibilities, from skiing in the Sierra Nevada to surfing at the coast of Cadiz. With strong Islamic roots, Andalusia is perhaps the least European part of western Europe. It gave us Velázquez, Picasso and Lorca, and is also a hotbed of flamenco, fiesta and bullfighting. The Islamic palaces, picturesque little villages, ragged mountains and endless coastline make it unforgettable. Happy hours start at midnight and the cities of Seville and Malaga have a vibrant nightlife. You can party, hike, sunbathe and sightsee: it's no wonder Andalucía is such a heart-stealer.
El Ancla Hotel
