Seville, Spain

Seville was certainly a pleasant place to visit. I recall alleys festooned with large sheets in order to provide shaded relief from the intense sun during the day. Then, at night, the same streets transformed into alleys filled with glowing lights and meandering couples admiring them. I discovered several little gems along my wanderings through the city. 

Contender was a fantastic restaurant that sources local and organic vegetables on the menu with an owner who patiently and enthusiastically answered my many questions. Not only was the menu enticing, they boasted an extensive list of quality vermouths and sherrys. I had so many questions about the differences between them and she explained the unique characteristics of each, displaying easy knowledge of these Andalusian fortified wines.

I ordered their most notable plate, crispy mushroom and duck confit. The complex flavors of the sauce are impossible to explain. There was depth and warmth to the seasoning and it was endlessly enjoyable.

The Plaza de Espania was as mesmerizing as it is said to be with beautiful views in every direction.

The detailed tile and stone work was fascinating to view while slowly traversing the grounds. 

La Oleoteca was an outstanding shop with unusual and highly rated olive oils. They even boasted olive oil with plankton. After many little tastes of the oils, I selected an award winning supremo organic oil. This was the description: Fruity intense green olive oil, with great complexity and clean green leaf tones highlighting first of all green apple, green banana, artichoke and almond essences. As second aromas, citric tones remember the lemon tree leaf. It has a very elegant and complex taste with a pleasant and clean first contact in the mouth, remembering us the same olfactory perceptions but emphasizing the astringency of Cornezuelo Artichoke. With a light bitter and spicy chilly taste typical of Hojiblanca variety that you can taste later at the palate. Complex, attractive and surprising olive oil.

It sounded so enticing? I could not resist! 

I also walked around the largest wooden structure, Metropol Parasol!

As in so many cities in Spain, every direction I looked contained a picturesque vantage point, making the time in the city easily enjoyable and welcoming.