Brittany V. studied abroad this past spring semester at Universidad Pablo de Olavide in Sevilla, Spain. As a Spanish minor, she wanted to expand her studies in a place full of culture and identity. Sevilla is a hot spot for tourists because of its beautiful architecture, scenery, food, and more. Here is what Brittany had to say about her top pick of a traveler’s destination in Sevilla!
When you think about Spain, the first few things that come to mind are the tapas, the siestas, and the beautiful people. Most people’s popular travel destinations include the major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, but there’s one city that travelers just can’t seem to get enough of: Sevilla.
Picking just one “traveler’s destination” in Sevilla is nearly impossible. From the beautiful riverfront, to the Real Álcazar (an old Arab palace that was actually the filming location for Game of Thrones), to the quaint streets of never-ending shops and restaurants, to the incredibly expansive fairgrounds, to the ancient, stunning Catholic cathedral that’s the largest in the world, selecting just one part of Sevilla to be the “top destination” is an unbelievably challenging task. However, one standout destination in Seville, whether you’re studying abroad there, or just visiting for a day, is the Plaza de España, located inside of Parque de María Luisa.
Parque de María Luisa is an incredibly expansive park filled with many wondrous sights. In the early months, orange trees line every pathway, creating a sweet scent throughout the entire city. There’s impeccable landscaping and so many tucked away corners that take many trips through to stumble upon. The Sevillan phrase “NO8DO,” which is a symbolic transctiption of “no me ha dejado” meaning “[Sevilla] has not abandoned me” is littered through the park, on every bench, lamppost, and trash can. Sevillanos love their city.
Also inside the park are two “pavilions” built around 1928 for the 1929 Ibero-American World Exposition. The word “pavilion” makes these buildings sound like they are small shacks, but in reality they’re ginormous works of art. The architecture and detail in the structures are astounding. Today, these two buildings function as museums that only cost two euro to visit, as long as you’re a student!
But by far the singular most impressive thing inside of this park is the Plaza de España. Also built in 1928 for the same expo to serve as the “Spain Pavillion”, the word “pavilion” doesn’t do the Plaza justice. It’s a masterpiece. It’s one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in the world, and one of the most relaxing places to spend an afternoon. The structure itself is amazing to look at. The minute details in everything, from the railings on the bridges, to the mosaics on the walls, are mesmerizing. There are dozens of benches surrounding the building’s base, each painted differently to represent a different region of Spain. The small moat surrounding the Plaza is a great place to rent a rowboat and hang out with friends, and relaxing on one of the multitude of benches, or on an upper balcony, is a great place to watch the sunset. You could easily spend an entire day in this beautiful location and not even realize it – and that’s why it’s the #1 traveler’s destination in Sevilla.
Brittany studied abroad for over three months in the spring during her sophomore year in Sevilla, Spain through an affiliate company, CEA. Sevilla can easily be visited from other European countries and especially other Spanish host cities. Interested in visiting or perhaps living in Sevilla next spring or fall? Make an appointment with us today to select your future host city!
Applications are now being handed out and accepted for any spring 2017 study abroad program. Interested in Spain? Then watch out for the early deadline of September 15th!
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