Family Travel
Sevilla, Ronda, and the White Cities
On Friday, December 30th we traveled from Lisbon to Sevilla so that we could experience New Year's like a Spaniard. I had many fond memories of going to Sevilla and Madrid in my twenties and I was excited about my family seeing this beautiful part of the world.
Here is the itinerary for the Spanish portion of our journey you can read about the Portugal Adventure here.
Day 4: Sevilla
On our first day, we did an Airbnb tour of the Cathedral, Giralda, and Reales Alcazar. It was hard to find the guide because there were 10 other tours starting at the same time and place. It was also hard to hear because it was so crowded and the equipment provided by the tour made the audio choppy. I wish we had visited the Real Alcazar without the guide because we felt rushed. If you are doing this, start your visit at the Plaza de Triunfo. The Cathedral is one of the most magnificent structures that I have ever seen and I could have spent a few more hours here easily.
We climbed to the top of the Giralda Tower (the bell tower) of the cathedral. It is also a UNESCO site. Our pictures do not do the Real Alcazar and Cathedral justice. I highly recommend seeing this on a trip to Sevilla, it is breathtaking.
Next, we visited Las Setas de Sevilla. Visiting Las Setas de Sevilla, also known as the "Mushrooms of Spain," with our family was an ideal way to spend a couple of hours in this charming Spanish city. As you ascend the spiral walkways of this contemporary architectural marvel, you'll be treated to panoramic views of Sevilla's historic skyline, including the Giralda Tower and the Cathedral. The children enjoyed walking the honeycomb-like structure, which offers a modern contrast to the city's architecture. At the top, there's an observation deck where you can relax, watch a video about the structure, take photos, and soak in the picturesque scenery. Las Setas is a unique blend of past and present, offering a glimpse of both the city's heritage and a modern marvel. A visit to Las Setas is a must during your visit to Sevilla.
We finished our day with dinner at El Rinconcillo. We chose El Rinconcillo because they have been open since 1670 and I wanted a true Andalusian meal for our family's first dinner in Sevilla. We made reservations months in advance to get seated at prime time. This restaurant is not just a meal; it's an immersion in Spanish Cuisine.
Day 5: Sevilla
We started our day at the beautiful Plaza de Espana! This is one of my favorite places in Sevilla! We met a photographer we booked through AirBNB called the Sevilla Photo Tour. The pictures were not the best but the plaza was stunning.
The Plaza de España in Sevilla is an architectural masterpiece and a must-visit destination for anyone exploring this Spanish city. This is a stunning and huge semi-circular structure adorned with colorful ceramic tiles for each of the regions. The plaza also features ornate bridges and a majestic central fountain, Visitors can take leisurely strolls along the canal, admire the intricate blue and white tiles that represent different regions of Spain, and soak in the serene atmosphere. Whether you're a history buff, an architecture lover, or simply seeking a picturesque setting for pictures, the Plaza de España offers a unique blend of beauty and cultural significance.
For Dinner, we did the "Ugly Delicious Food Tour". It was definitely ugly food like bull parts but not necessarily delicious to our family. We enjoyed the drinks and location. We met the guide at the churro station at the entrance to the Puente de Triana. The churros were delish and you dip them in this rich chocolate which I could not get enough of. We walked the bridge to Triana and explored the Triana Market.
Our 5th day in Sevilla was New Year's Eve and we spent the evening like the locals. We prepared our grapes, and our "Sidra" and headed to one of the squares where we stood with the Spanish and waited for the New Year. At midnight, the crowd erupted with cheers as everyone kissed and hugged their loved ones.
Day 6: Sevilla
We started the day by making traditional Spanish Espadrilles. The entire family enjoyed making Espadrilles. We were able to choose, the style, and ribbon color then spent a couple of hours making them. The store was clean, well-organized, and inviting. I booked this through Airbnb and I would recommend it to anyone!
The store where we made Espadrilles
The guide that helped us was amazing
The finished Espadrilles
More of the adorable store where we made the Espadrilles
Day 6 Flamenco:
We explored Sevilla on New Year's and took the day to relax a bit since the next day would be a big one! That evening we experienced a Live Flamenco Dancing Show Ticket at the Theater. The kids were mesmerized by the power and beauty of seeing Flamenco for the first time and in person. We all enjoyed the evening. It was a powerful show complete with a guitarist and beautiful costumes.
Day 7: The White Cities
This was my favorite day in Spain. We did a tour with Paul McGrath of Ronda and the "Pueblos Blancos". Paul picked us up at our AirBnB in a comfy van. We drove through the mountainous region to arrive at the white cities. I loved the scenery en route to our first white city which was Olivera. It was a rainy day but still so beautiful. Then we traveled to Setenil de Las Bodegas, Cádiz, Spain. This city had stores and restaurants that were built into these huge caverns. I had never seen anything like this. We enjoyed breakfast within this massive cave and then walked the city before continuing our tour. We purchased souvenirs in the stores that were built into the caves and enjoyed the views.
City in the cave
Restaurant built into a cave
View from our walk in Setenil
View from our walk
Next, we traveled to nearby Ronda in Malaga Spain. We loved Ronda for the stunning El Tajo Gorge, its historic architecture, and its bullfighting heritage which was seen throughout the city. The views in Ronda were some of the most beautiful of the trip. I would have liked more time in Ronda, there was a Palacio de Mondragón and wineries where I would have liked to spend more time.
