After the hustle and bustle of our 14-day tour, Karen and I spent two extra days in Sevilla to wind down from our Rick Steves adventure. It was time to relax and take in some lesser sights and pleasures.
We chose the Hop On – Hop Off bus to take us to parts of Sevilla outside the Old Town confines and got off when the mood struck us. The Plaza de Espańa’s massive Spanish Square was a set for Star Wars and The Dictator movies.
Karen joined Flamenco Dancers, who were putting on spirited performances under the portico of a Renaissance Revival building.
In Plaza de la Encarnación the Metropol Parasol looms above the bustling locals that attend events in the popular square off the main tourist paths.
Residents of Spain’s fourth largest city call the honey-comb structures made of wood Las Setas or “The Mushrooms.” The six connected structures were built to provide shade in this sizzling city and have a walkway on top for panoramic viewing.
Beneath “The Mushrooms,” Spanish cheesemakers set up booths to sell their exotic cheeses, and we swarmed the tables with the natives to scarf up generous samples.
After all that cheese, we needed liquid refreshment. The Spanish are proud of their unique version of vermouth or “Vermut,” which they drink on the rocks. Bar El Comerica has produced their Vermut since 1904, and for 1,90 Euro at the sidewalk window, we could not pass it up. It’s potent and delectable.
Walking narrow streets with no cars and lingering in the small shops or grabbing a gelato along the way is quite relaxing. The unexpected horse and carriage blended with the easy-going ambiance.
Karen read about a superb tapas restaurant in the Triana district of Sevilla. We crossed the Guadalquivir, hopped off the bus, and searched for the legendary local watering hole.
The third generation of the family-run Bar Bistec produces inexpensive tapas the locals rave about. They offer plenty of seating, but we learned that a free tapa comes with each drink if dining at the bar, so we bellied up for the experience. We needed help interpreting the large selection on the blue sign and enjoyed everything we tried.
The Parque de Maria Luisa borders the Guadalquiver, or “Great River.” It’s filled with welcome shade from Mediterranean trees and known as “An oasis of peace.”
We’ve had a great time in Sevilla. Tomorrow, we will take the train to Cordoba. We walked to the train station to see if schlepping luggage from our Airbnb in the morning was doable and to buy tickets. We opted for a short cab ride and were glad we got the tickets in advance. Chao, Sevilla!