Seville, Spain

Seville - or Sevilla, as it’s called in Spanish - has long been considered one of Europe’s most romantic cities. Ruled in turn by Romans, Moors, and Christians, the city gained impressive works of art and architecture, and drew many great minds of each age. Today, Seville is the capital of the southwestern province of Andalusia. And while it is indeed a romantic-looking place, it’s packed with attractions that will stir youthful imaginations.

What to do:

Start at La Giralda, the Moorish tower that gives you an unparalleled view of the city; getting to the top is an amazing experience, because there are no steps, just a seemingly endless ramp. The entrance to La Giralda is through Seville’s mighty Cathedral, which has an eerie secret that some kids will love: within its Treasury, there are skulls on display in glass cases. The Alcazar - a 14th-century palace - will appeal to kids of all ages; not only is it massive and mysterious (you get the sense that there are secret passages behind the walls), but this was where Christopher Columbus was welcomed by Ferdinand and Isabella when he returned from the New World. Another attraction with wide appeal is Parque Isla Magica - literally the magical island park - which is themed like a 16th-century country fair but has modern amenities such as a Ferris wheel and a carousel and countless theme-park rides. The Museo Arqueologico Provincial has a large collection of Roman artifacts, as well as Moorish and Visigoth pieces. If your children are particularly fascinated by history, you’ll want to take a couple of side trips that are less than an hour away from Seville. The first would be to Italica, just 5-1/2 miles northwest of Seville. This ancient Roman town was the birthplace of the emperors Trajan and Hadrian, and you can tour the Amphitheater and other ruins, and see statues and mosaics from two millennia ago. The other day trip would be to Carmona, a town twenty-one miles east of Seville; there are many Roman ruins here as well, but the three Moorish fortresses are the biggest draw.

Where to Stay:

The historic Hotel Doña María (011-95-422-49-90) has an excellent location - it’s steps away from the Cathedral and La Giralda - and it’s almost like a mini-museum itself. There’s a lovely garden and a rooftop pool, which will be appreciated by the whole family; doubles start at 100 Euros. For travelers looking for American-hotel-style amenities, a good choice is the Hotel Melia Sevilla (1-800-336-3542 in the US or 011-95-442-26-11). This eleven-story property has spacious rooms, babysitting services, an outdoor pool, several restaurants, and a fitness center. Doubles start at 190 Euros.

For More Information:

Visit www.spain.info.

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