In honor of their illustrious founder and his purpose, Sevillanos have cultivated a high art out of the act of enjoying themselves, whether that means cheering until hoarse at a bullfight or reclining in a crowded, sun-drenched plaza. From Semana Santa (Holy Week) and Feria (fair), the city's lively spring festivals, to the vivid colors of flamenco dresses, the underlying theme in the Andalucían capital is vibrant, passionate, intensely lived life.

It's romantic too. Narrow, winding stone streets lead ambling dreamers into aromatic hidden plazas that feel like The Secret Garden with an exotic Spanish flair. The fortress/palace Alcázar, with its serene fountains and ornate walls, is pregnant with the spirit of the exotic Moorish empire that once dominated all of Andalucía. And its massive expanse of gardens, with lush greenery, sultry grottos, and quaint ivy-covered bridges, beg strolling travelers to get lost in them. Add a rich, long history into the mix and you have yourself a city with endless allure.