Seville has some of the most important historic monuments in Spain. Although you won't have them to yourselves, these are special places that you really must see.

Top of the list is the Alcázar Palace. Begun by the Moors and finished off by the Christians, it is a great introduction to both the architecture and history of Andalucía. Each room is adorned with exquisite tiling and ceilings, whilst the citrus trees and the gentle trickle of water invite you to find a quiet corner in the beautiful patios and gardens.

You should also visit the enormous cathedral to see the tomb of Christopher Columbus and walk up the Giralda tower for views across the entire city. The climb is by spiral ramp rather than stairway, so it is surprisingly easy to get to the top. The ramp is a relic from its days as a mosque, when the muezzin would ride his horse up the minaret to perform the call to prayer.

You can finish the day browsing the wonderful shops of Calle Sierpe, seeing a flamenco performance, or simply sitting back on a warm terrace with a glass of fino sherry and a bowl of olives to watch the world go by.