Sevilla! Tourism Chronicles - Day Five of Seven
- Charles Jordan
- Mar 2
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 1
Exploring the Rich History and Culture of Sevilla: A Series
Previously we wrote a Sevilla, Spain travel guide and the first four articles in this series of seven, chronicling our recent visit to Sevilla (Day One, Day Two, Day Three, Day Four). If you haven't already, you may wish to read them before this. Or maybe you're mostly interested in the places mentioned in this one. Whichever the case may be, we're glad you're here learning more about our magical trip to Sevilla.
Traveling with a Group
Unless you're traveling alone, as the trip planner, you should consider the needs of everyone in the group. There are things we've learned over years of traveling that you really don't need to learn by trial and error. So, we wrote this short article to provide a bit of guidance.
Basilica La Macarena (and stops along the way)
In the morning, we had a visit to the Basilica de la Macarena on our agenda. So, we left our hotel and made our way to the basilica through the charming Santa Cruz neighborhood. As we've noted in previous articles, this picturesque area is known for its narrow, winding streets, and historic architecture. As we strolled through Santa Cruz, we discovered quaint plazas like the Plaza de San Leandro, where we paused to admire the tranquil atmosphere and its babbling fountain.
Continuing our walk, we encountered beautiful little churches, such as the Church of Saint Marina (Iglesia de Santa Marina), each with its own unique charm and history. The architectural details and serene ambiance of these churches added to the magic of our exploration. Along the way, we also indulged in some window shopping. This leisurely morning stroll through Santa Cruz was a delightful way to immerse ourselves in the local culture and history, setting the perfect tone for the rest of our day's adventures.
Afternoon trip to Jerez de la Frontera
After enjoying morning activities in Sevilla, we took our rental car to Jerez. We had just two things on our agenda for the afternoon: a leisurely gourmet lunch, and a sherry bodega tour and tasting. While we relished our gourmet lunch and sherry, we were aware that Jerez has much more to offer. Unfortunately, time didn't permit us to explore further on this trip. However, we are eager to return and fully immerse ourselves in this charming city. In this article, we'll share details of our adventure and highlight the attractions we hope to visit next time, ensuring we get the full Jerez experience.
Lunch at Restaurante Albalá
We arrived at our restaurant in Jerez de la Frontera just in time. Because it was Thanksgiving, we wanted to enjoy a special meal together. We knew we were going to miss the traditional foods we typically enjoy on this holiday. We were very pleased with our leisurely gourmet lunch at Restaurante Albalá. It was an unforgettable experience. The menu was so creatively wonderful that it was difficult to choose just a few dishes. The friendly service, meticulously prepared and beautifully plated food made every bite delightful. We started with well-crafted cocktails and delicious artisan bread. We were very impressed with the creativity of the restaurant's offerings and we feel compelled share how they are described on the menu...
green gazpacho with sardines and pickled vegetables,
tomato salad with salted tuna belly and basil,
corn taco with baby squids and spicy brava sauce (we each had one of these),
cured pork tenderloin omelette with mushrooms and chili peppers,
lasagna noodles with galera prawn, squid, and saffron aioli,
sea bass with beans and clams stew,
Iberian pork meatballs with octopus, and
matured veal hamburger.
Each dish was truly a masterpiece. For dessert, we shared a heavenly pumpkin sponge cake with palo cortado sherry ice cream, honey, and orange. The restaurant, recommended by a college professor at the University of Sevilla, truly lived up to its reputation.
After lunch we moved our car from it's temporary parking near the restaurant and then walked around town a bit. We walked past the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art (Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre), an institution dedicated to preserving the equestrian arts in the Spanish tradition. The school is known for its impressive show "How the Andalusian Horses Dance," which showcases the skills of Andalusian horses and riders in a captivating equestrian ballet. We had not planned to go and it was closed at the time of our visit. However, you can visit the school and see the show if you're going to be there in the early afternoon. Check their website for more information.
Cayetano del Pino sherry bodega tour and sherry tasting
Our visit to the Cayetano del Pino sherry bodega was a delightful experience. Having made reservations a few weeks in advance, we initially hoped to tour the nearby Tío Pepe bodega, but their schedule didn't align with ours. A bit of research led us to Cayetano del Pino, where we did the "Cata 2 Vinos VOS" tour. This intimate tour, lasting about an hour, offered fascinating insights into the history of sherry, the various types, and the intricate production process. Our knowledgeable guide provided detailed information and anecdotes, making the experience both educational and engaging.
We all really enjoyed the sherry tasting, featuring two exquisite VOS (Vinum Optimum Signatum, or Very Old Sherry) varieties: Amontillado VOS and Palo Cortado VOS. We have a new found appreciation for this category of wine and we're trying to find a good source to purchase some at home. Our local shops don't carry much of a variety of sherry. So, we're probably going to have to drive a bit to find what we're in search of. The experience was enhanced by a visit to the bodega's charming gift shop, where we browsed a selection of sherries and related products. If you're a wine lover, whether or not you're familiar with sherry, we recommend doing a tour like this.
After the sherry tour, we made our way past the beautifully illuminated Alcázar, which stood majestically against the evening sky. We then walked along Calle Armas to Plaza del Arenal and then along Calle Larga, enjoying the Christmas lights as we went. We were wondering how we missed this vibrant part of town earlier in the day. This might have been the first night the lights were turned on, adding to the festive atmosphere. Many locals were out with family and friends, delighting in the display of lights and celebrating the season together. It was really nice to end our visit to Jerez among the local festivities.
Tapas in Sevilla
An hour later we were back in Sevilla and, after parking our car in an underground lot, we took a short walk over to La Isla on Calle Arfe, making it just in time for our reservation. We had reserved a table on the terrace in front of the restaurant and the weather was just warm enough for it to be comfortable for all of us.
We enjoyed cocktails and then shared a few "raciones" or sharable portions, including a cheese board, shrimp croquettes (croquetas de carabineros), and deep fried octopus. The octopus was quite a production. The whole octopus had been battered and deep fried to perfection. They brought out a special cart and the table side chef expertly carved and plated it while we watched. It was really a nice way to end the day. We called it a day a little earlier than usual (at least those of us of a more advanced age did) because we had an early day planned the next day and wanted a restful night sleep.
Our whirlwind day trip from Sevilla to Jerez de la Frontera was a fun adventure with history, culinary delights, and festive charm. From the enchanting morning stroll through the Santa Cruz neighborhood to the gourmet lunch at Restaurante Albalá, and the insightful sherry bodega tour at Cayetano del Pino, every moment was filled with discovery and enjoyment. Though our time in Jerez was brief, it left us with an appreciation for the city's culture and a desire to return for a more extensive exploration. As we ended our day with delicious tapas back in Sevilla, we couldn't help but reflect on the day's memorable experiences and look forward to sharing our next adventure.
Are you planning a trip to Ronda? What are you most looking forward too?
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