My amazing adventure in Seville

My experience in Seville began when one day i decided to go for the big adventure, try a new amazing experience with only a back pack, some clothes and a heart full of passion and love for adrenaline. 

In fact, my plan was to cross the borders between Portugal and Spain for the cheapest price and by the most amazing way that could allow me discover awesome landscapes of the two countries, experience an amazing travel, meet splendid and kind poeple and live the real and pure adventure ! 

Departing in the morning from Porto, i took the train high speed that connected Porto to Lisbon in a 313,3 km distance and that cost approximatively 33 euros for one way ticket. Then my plan was to take the Flexibus from Lisbon oriente road station to Seville with a distance of 450,7 km for only 15 euros which was way cheaper than taking the plane or driving the car but the bus had a duration of seven hours so it was the real road trip. In fact, the travel in the bus allows also a visit to three other cities in the way ; Albufeira, Faro in the south of Portugal, Huelva in Spain after crossing the border and finally Seville which was of course worthy.

Seville is the most impressive city of the south of Spain and is considered the capital of Andalucia, very rich by its historical heritage and breath taking monuments and so attractive by its famous flamenco dances and bull fights. The city is located in the south of Spain and crossed by the river Guadalquivir and very famous for its beautiful landscapes and warm weather even in winter that was actually the reason mainly that pushed me to try this amazing adventure. But i was not expecting what would in reality happen...

I took the train in Portugal connecting the two big cities Lisbon and Porto many times and it had never done any lates before so my plan was to take the train early in the morning 8.30 to arrive Lisbon approximatively 12.10, then i had to search for the road station of buses, take the Flexibus to Seville that would depart at 12.50, the problem was that the train did a huge late, i was really counting on that ideal planning that was characterised by a bit close timing, but each minute, each second was passing like hours and the train did not even move...i had in my mind clearly that it was impossible to catch the bus. This was a real lesson for me to know that the travel planning could be subject to many modifications and factors, the hours of any planning poeple do must not be close and exact because many factors can influence the course of facts. 

The waiting was so long, we had no information about what was actually happening, my hopes began to fade and my enthusiasm to go down, when finally..after waiting more than 40 min, the train decided to move so in my mind, following this new depart, i would arrive in Lisbon at 12.54 while the bus for Seville will depart at 12.50 which make the situation be more than impossible...

In the train i could be more calm and enjoy the landscapes of the sea in Vila do conde, Espinho, of many cities passing by such as Vila Nova de Gaia, Aveiro, Coimbra-B and finally Lisboa - Oriente. Arriving to Lisbon, knowing i was so late, i had to run  in the extreme speed to reach the bus, i was lost, did not find any buses, i asked poeple in the street, finally the Flexibus was waiting with very handsome and smiling driver that told me : we were still waiting for poeple, don't worry since you paid your place..it was a true releif.

In the bus, the real adventure began, we crossed many amazing roads in Lisbon, we saw many great and beautiful landscapes but the most impressive one was passing by the great Vasco da gama Bridge with 17 km making it one of the longest bridge in Europe, also it was constructed on the Tage river with the longest area of approximatively 12 km with a view on the river very far from the city.

The first city that we were expecting was Albufeira, a municipality in the district of Faro in the south of the country, a touristic city  famous for its amazing warm beaches and relaxing atmosphere. We could go out of the bus for three hours to refresh ourseleves. Then we continued our road trip to Faro which is located in the famous Algarve. This part of Portugal is very touristic especially in summer time, many luxurious homes, many residences and hotels could be seen in this very popular area. Arriving the borders, we were surprised by the changing of the landscape to a real tough place, mountains and forest everywhere, the night was coming by and the road was more deserted.

There was not any kind of controls or anything on the road, the atmosphere was really impressive, a bit scary as there was nothing beside trees and forest, then appread the first city in Spain Huelva which is the capital of the province of Huelva, famous for its Jardines del Muelle, its amazing Port and La Merced Cathedral. We were approching step by step to discover Spain, and step by step to the amazing city Seville..

1. The Giralda

We wanted at first to visit a real masterpiece inside of the city, it is the Gilarda ; the entrance to the cathedral gives us the right to access the Giralda, the most amazing architectural building of the whole city of Seville, Originally the architecture from outside represents a mosque; then it was converted into a cathedral with a spectacular Gothic appearance that was largely characterized by its massive size. Despite its reconstruction, two parts of the original mosque have been preserved: the amazing entrance and the Giralda.The mixture of various religions preserved in this monument would lead to the fabulous view of the building even from far away. We were wearing comfortable walking shoes during our visit to be able to walk freely and without any source of burden, Indeed, we observed the absence of stairs. During the spring and summer, this climb can be complicated by the constant flow of visitors climbing up and down the tower. People must be aware of this traffic when planning their visit. We could actually enter the cathedral from Puerta del Perdón (Gate of Forgiveness), which is a little gate very beautifully designed. Its size will really impress anyone visiting the city so much that the need for a strategy to visit the cathedral will become evident. The beauty of the cathedral is also due to the its Royal aspects, the unique architecture and its unique atmosphere also that is like a mosque from outside mainly, The cathedral and the Giralda are admirable both from inside and outide, we could poeple can visit it for free on the sunday also so it can be a great monument to take photos in. To appreciate the very beautiful side of the cathedral, the best views and pictures can be done from far away.

3. The Alcazar of Seville

Right next to the cathedral is Seville's second most important architectural masterpiece, we could discover the Alcázar de Sevilla (Real Alcázar in Spanish) which was actually a wonderful historical residence especially owned by the muslims as many inscription were written inside rocks in arabic language which prove the influence of that period on the history and the cultural aspects of the city. The royal residence offers the most amazing design and architecture ever saw before, much impressive decoration and very original way of construction. W e firstly discovered the garden of this Palace, the beautiful colors warmth both poeple's hearts and the palace, according to many poeple, we discovered a like a swimming pool or a source of water centering the main Patio de las Doncellas that was really splendid and impressive. I really like to speak with other people and be friendly with all nationalities and especially the locals to tell us the true stories of their country and not the stories we find usually in internet. We had therefore the most interesting conversations with local friends to know more about this masterpiece, the cause of its construction and the previous kings passing through the decades.

The city offers also sun in avery season of the year which make it very attractive as a touristic destination.

I had then a little walk through the palace's alleys and i could also buy some souvenirs that were very cheap since the three souvenirs cost 3 euros which make the cost of one souvenir 1 euro so it was amazing. in the different shops and restaurents near the palace i discovered that we could have many menues also for not so much expensive price. I could therefore have my favorite dish which was fish and potatoes, so if poeple adventure in the main streets of sevilla , they must expect to meet all tourist in every place especially around the shows of flamenco in the streets. I could meet a very kind women that was explaining to me as being alone to visit the city so we did not let her alone and we could after exchange of some words be friends very quickly, we had a tour by bus with multiple stops that stops in every main place and gives people the time to walk, do pictures and then go back to the bus to go for the next destination. We had great time together talking and loughing and doing much pictures, this is also travelling it is creating links with international poeple just by some words exchanged and with the heart so warm and the smile always present. We could also discover a central and so beautiful fountain and tin the main square. We had time to sit there and enjoy the moment while admiring the great atmosphere and the traditional dresses of flamenco dancers that were doing their shows in the streets for free.

The decorations inside the Palace were astonishing, green color everywhere and colourful flowers, we had this chance of admiring the palace in the shadows and the vegetation in the abandoned areas, since not la totality of the palace was maintained.

3- Place of Spain and Maria luisa park

The most amazing monument we discovered from the famous bridges of the city the spectacular, grandiose, splendid Plaza de España. This place is really the most wonderful i saw among all the places i went before and it is indeed  one of the most beautiful squares of Seville, if not the most beautiful of all the Spain south with its unique atmosphere and great architecture and beauty, it did not lost its originality as the famous shows of flamenco that are held sometimes inside the place‘s square. The masterpiece is until now very well conserved. Its shape firstly is very original, a demi circle of diameter and with amazing river part with so much clear water that we could distinguish some red fishs swimming happily in that amazing weather, in the other hand, the extern mosaic is telling the story of each district in Spain, each mosaic composition shows a city with its main characteristics and its position in the map,such as Valencia, Zaragoza and many others and to understand their history and the stories they went through to become right now the most modern. If poeple are fun of the andalucian style, they will be served 

Inside the central palace we could discover one of the most amazing flamenco shows free in the street in fact the square consists of a large central palace with a river with very clear water inside that we could see clearly some red fishes and some ducks. A pure wonderful masterpiece it’s a pure pleasure to discover such an amazing place, The canal centering the place offers also boat rides for 6 euros for a maximum of six people that pilote alone the boat. This place is sometimes called the Venice of Seville like Aveiro in Portugal and this is mainly due to its aspects of gandolas and families pilotting them. In the center of the square was built the central fountain. Some people were selling some souvenirs for very cheap prices I had therefore the opportunity to buy a fan and some souvenirs from this amazing place. Just by walking near by we could distinguish the Maria Luisa Park. Nearby, Maria Luisa Park is the largest park in Seville and is definitely worth a visit since it is characterised of Typical Andalusian style with its vegetation, palm trees and ceramic decorating the landscape, Knowing that we are not so far from the main river of the city Guadalquivir, we could also discover the little island of ducks to play with them. The Parque María Luisa is just opposite of the river. One important remark to note is the in summer time the place is really not approchable since the temperature can be so high to the point of hitting poeple like inside a big kitchen  machine.

Seville can represent a really original show in the heart of the Andalusian culture.

Therefore being into this typical place where Andalusian architecture shines and small gardens are mixed to the rhythm of the water coming from the fountain. I also remember that the fountain impressed me to the point of going back all the way by walking to it by night just to see the shows by the lights and to see how it would be looking a real show awaited me with so many amazing colors and at night a totally different aspect can be discovered of the city. At the discretion of the small shaded passages, 

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