Seville, Spain

Posted 19.March, back dated to be in chronological order.


Several stops back, we had been told that we could stay in Dos Hermanas and easily manage a day trip to Seville. My camping book lists two campgrounds and the larger of the two turned us away. (We could have parked alongside their reception office just fine and there was still ample room for parking but they wouldn't hear of it.)

We rerouted to nearby Alcala de Guadaira which on first look was close by, but we wouldn’t fit down the streets of Dos Hermanas so had to go back up the freeway and around. After 50 km, we arrived and there was no signage. Directions in the camping book are vague but say to follow the signs to the Hotel Oromana. I found the hotel in AutoRoute and mistakenly routed us directly there. The access road to the campground lies just before the entrance to the hotel – big rigs have no business driving up the hotel driveway. We had to back down. Rough road doesn’t begin to describe the next segment of driving.




Alas, we finally get to the campground. They speak no English. I speak virtually no Spanish. After some deliberation, they agree to let us stay and Dan walked the site to find the best route in. The site is on a hill and the access roads are being eroded by water! It was a bit of a rolling ride to the pitch – but there are 4 pitches that are almost suitable for pull through spots! Water is not potable and the drainage is nowhere to be found. The kids made quick friends with two Spanish children…who abruptly made us a flower garden in an old wooden box. Very sweet!


The next morning we were awoken by roosters. Actually, the crowing started around midnight and just didn’t stop until around 9am. Jumped on the bikes and headed to the bus stop – which I had been able to get directions to with much pointing at the map. No matter how many times you say the name of the street, if the person listening can’t understand it, you won’t get far. Regardless, the reception desk was helpful and we did find the way!



Bus to Seville was full – it took about 30 minutes to get there. We wound up stopped outside the Captania General building and should have gotten off one stop earlier. Wandering on, we quickly found our way to the tram – which for 1.20 EURO per person takes you from the central bus station to the Cathedral and Plaza Neuva. We wound up getting off at the Cathedral – there was a Starbucks, Post Office and hey – a really cool cathedral!







Dan had to get manager’s approval for two venti drip coffees! They just don’t do drip coffee here. The kids grooved on their hot chocolates and we all basked in the very warm sun. Only thing is, virtually everyone round us is dressed up to the hilt! Fancy suits, funny hats on the women… we have no idea what’s going on but I was starting to feel out of place in my shorts. After a bit of hemming and hahhing, we finally decided to join the line for the Cathedral. Loved the sign at the entrance… fee is 7.50 per person unless you are a native to Seville or unemployed. We were wondering if we could make our case as unemployed. In the end, we paid our 7.50 per person (kids are free) and for the first time, I bought in to the audio guide gimmick. Megan promptly took my audioguide receiver and I virtually didn’t get to use it again during our visit (I’m not really complaining…it was fun to see her getting excited about the history of the Cathedral). The Cathedral is built on the site of an old mosque. It is one of the longest and the central altar took 80 years to build. We were awed by the rich designs and intricate detailing. Loved the walk up the bell tower too with little glimpses of the city below. 38 flights of ramps later, we were at the top, admiring a fantastic blick of the city, including the bull ring. Then, back down again to the orange courtyard, where we decided to call the Cathedral visit to an end. I think we really only saw half of it!












View of Cathedral from Starbucks











Inside the Cathedral.






Descending from the tower.




View from the tower.



Megan swiped my audioguide!




This is where you exit the Cathedral.




Random pictures of Seville.








Onward to Madrid... our moms are coming to Paris to meet us on 12.March and we have over 1,000 km to go.



Ciao for now!