Sevilla, Andalusia 2012

I've been keeping my ticket stubs of the Museo Del Baile Flamenco for the best must-do when in Sevilla. Flamenco dance performance.  http://www.flamencotickets.com/seville/museo-del-baile-flamenco.htm )  Sure, it's made for tourists but the performance is one of the better ones and professionally done. When I was researching on Flamenco shows, many addresses came up. And after screening and reading other people's comments, I choose this and didn't regret it.

Walking tours are the best way to have a crash course about a small city and Pancho Tours is a good way to go. http://www.panchotours.com/ciudades/sevilla.php. It's free and the all you do is tip the guide at the end whatever amount you want to. The guides are usually youngsters who are proud of their city and  make some extra pocket money. The guide we had gave us the normal "tour sites talk" plus lots of anecdotes about what young people think about their society.

Where to stay ?

We booked ourselves into Hotel Monte Triana - a small chain of spanish hotel on the west bank of the river Guadalquivir. The river divides the city into the old part ( touristic ) and the local part ( residential ). My hotel is in the local area and if wondering around and hoping to merge like the local townsfolk is your thing, then this is a nice area. I went into the neighbourhood fruit grocer and bought a bagful of fresh, succulent figs ! Later that evening, we wandered into a bistro for some local tapas.

If you prefer to be close to the monuments, museums, old cities and forts - than the old part if better.  However be warned that prices are steeper and very touristy. Nonetheless, the bigger hotel chains like Sofitel are here and the grand dame of hotel : Hotel Alfonso XIII is a must see.

Eats?

Churros and hot chocolate are mid morning snacks typical in Spain. Dip the fried dough sticks into the gluey chocolatey concoction and forget about calories for a moment.
Also try Tapas. Spaniards go tapas bar hopping before they settle on a proper dinner by 9 0r 10pm. Tapas are a selection of small eats - ranging from garlic shrimps, marinated mushrooms, octopus, tortilla and many many more. There are hundreds of Tapas places and so it is hard to choose.
One area that we stumbled into was in Calle ( Street ) Toneleros. A bunch of restaurants serving nice tapas and regular restuarants. For Paella - there was El Buza around the corner - but it's pricey for what you get. I won't recommend.

My favourite restaurants are time-honored and family-run establishments where even the local priest visits. There are Restaurant Casa Robles, they have a few outlets in Sevilla old town and Meson Don Raimuno. The former is very good for tapas and regular meals. The later is set in an old monastery and the best Andalusian cuisine we've eaten. For seasoned palates like mine & my other half - we rated it number one!

Shopping ?

Paradise. Remember to keep Saturday and Sundays for walking tours, visiting museums and sightsee.
Shops are closed on weekends and on weekdays from noon till 5pm as it is siesta time. So keep weekdays for shopping.

Sevilla is known for its Flamenco dresses, fans, shoes and paraphernalia. Spain is known for its fashion, leather and shoes.  Home-made brands include ZARA, Camper, Narcisco Rodriguez among others. Cortefiel is an off-shoot of Zara and worth a browse through. There are many boutiques on Calle Tetuan and Calle Sierpes but do visit  EL Corte Ingles, which is the all-under-one-roof department store. A bit like Marks & Spencers but a lot more hip & chic. Somewhat like Selfridges with a friendlier price tag but everybit like Harrods -iconic to the country.