Words by Mary Isokariari
Famous for its juicy oranges and colourful flamenco dancing, Seville is the perfect destination for a long weekend or short trip.
Perched in the Andalusia region, this southern capital combines exquisite culinary experiences tapas style with historical monuments and fascinating history against the backdrop of warm temperatures and blue skies all year around.
The fourth largest city in Spain, home to 700,000 inhabitants, Seville has something for everyone. Explore the Alcázar of Seville (The Royal Palace of Seville), visit the Seville Cathedral with the Giralda Tower located in the old city, and if you’re adventurous, climb to the top for magnificent views. Standing in Plaza de la Encarnación, is Metropol Parasol, also known as ‘mushrooms of Seville’ (Las Setas de Sevilla), the largest wooden construction in the world.
Hop on a bus to see Torre del Oro (Golden Tower), which dominates the banks of the River Guadalquivir and skyline. Stroll around The Plaza de España Square, a cultural meeting place featuring stunning painted ceramic benches representing all the provinces in Spain. And if you’re short on time, the horse and carriage tour is one of the most authentic experiences in Seville and offers a great way to see the city.
Accommodation is in abundance. Those looking for luxury can stay in the iconic five-star Hotel Alfonso XIII, a cultural landmark in the historic quarter of Santa Cruz, next to Reales Alcázares and Seville Cathedral. Or Palacio de Villapanés, a restored, 18th century Sevillian mansion just a short walk from the pulsating heart of Seville.
The city’s nightlife is thriving, from rooftop bars such as Hotel Doña María Sevilla with incredible views of the Cathedral, and Flamenco Esencia, a project of flamenco artists themselves who want to create flamenco like it used to be around a 100 years ago.
And then there’s Maquiavelo, an elegant and exclusive restaurant with a garden terrace boasting more than 1,000 plants and 90 different species and evening entertainment.
Food and drink take centre stage in Seville. While Sangria is the popular choice for tourists alongside tinto de verano (red wine mixed with a soft drink like Sprite), gin and tonic is also a trendy drink and it’s where Puerto de Indias dominates. It is the leading premium gin brand in Spain’s strawberry gin segment, and a pioneer in creating the first gin from natural strawberries.
Juan Miguel Perez, Puerto de Indias’ international director, said: “I think for the first time in history, a drink is designed for the female.”
The gin is produced at Carmona (Seville), in one of the oldest and most traditional distilleries in Andalusia. Sevillian brothers, Jose Antonio and Francisco Rodriguez Fernandez, founded the brand in 1880 when they decided to buy the distillery that was about to close, and bring it back to life.
Pink gin dates back to 1824, when German physician and adventurist Dr Johann Siegert went on a mission to find a cure for tropical stomach issues, which led to the creation of Angostura Bitters. By the end of this century, the cocktail was a huge hit worldwide and brought a revolution of flavour and a new way of consuming gin.
Rosy hue gin is now a staple in drinks cabinets everywhere with brands such as Gordon’s London Dry Gin launching their own versions and cornering the home market.
Despite its competition, Puerto de Indias has branched out into three other varieties, including blackberry, enriched with blackberries, cinnamon, violet and bilberry, which recently launched in the UK.
In the mood for gin tasting?
The distillery is currently open for group visits on requests. Guests will learn about each stage of the production process, from formulation, which uses various botanics such as juniper and orange blossom to the distillation process that involves separating ethanol from water. The aim is to get the perfect serve (5cl of Puerto De Indias strawberry, 20cl of tonic water, sliced strawberries and ice).
End your night at any of Seville’s tapas restaurants. I would recommend delicious dishes such as Gazpacho, Bacalo con tomate (cod with tomato), and cocido (Spanish stew), pescaíto frito (fried fish), and espinacas con garbanzos (spinach and chickpeas with garlic, cumin and olive oil).
Before you leave, don’t forget to update your Instagram page with a trip to café Moya Brunch, which does the best vegan and vegetarian breakfasts and smoothies with plenty of healthy options. Stop by El Rinconcilo, the oldest Tapas bar in Seville and still a must visit restaurant 350 years later.
