By Carol Cain, on January 2, 2015

Road trip to Seville

The Griswolds (the hilarious family in the National Lampoon’s movies) were on to something.

Ever since my storybook adventure through France this past summer, I am convinced that the best ways to enjoy the views and get knee-deep in the culture of Europe are to take a river cruise like the one I did with Uniworld, or to drive.

Road-tripping is exactly what I did from Madrid to Seville earlier this year when I traveled with Insight Vacations on a luxury tour through southern Spain. By train, this trip is a short 2.5-hour trip. But if you drive or take a bus tour, you can take your time. Along the way, you’ll find many spots with tons of history and beautiful architecture, making the trip worth every second.

Here are some of the highlights of what I discovered during my road trip.

Find El Quijote between Madrid and Sevilla

In Puerto Lapice, home of La Venta, you’ll find an inn that was a rest stop for El Quijote de La Mancha when he was in town.

Cordoba

Make sure to stop into the historic city of Cordoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has a colorful history of art and religion.

Visit the mosque

The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba originally was a Catholic church and was converted into an Islamic mosque in the Middle Ages. Today it is a Catholic church again, but the Moorish architecture and artistry remain, making this one of the most beautiful and visited structures in the area.

Have hot chocolate in Seville

There are many cute cafes in Seville. As tempted as you may be for a cafecito, the porras (or churros) and hot chocolate are the best.

A gift from the Moors

The beautiful tiles seen throughout Seville were introduced to Spain during the 12th Century by the Moors. These people decorated everything from the ceilings and floors to exterior and interior facades of their religious buildings.

The Cathedral of Seville

This is the largest Gothic cathedral (and the third-largest church) in the world. It also is home to more than 500 priceless works of art. It is a UNESCO Heritage Site.

The Jardines del Prado de San Sebastian

This park is central to the city’s urban core, and is where many social and cultural events are celebrated. The park has fountains, ponds, and even small waterfalls, and makes for a wonderful escape from the busy city around it.

Universidad de Sevilla

The city’s university was founded in 1505 and today is one of the top-ranking universities in the country. Its international student population is 65,000 strong, and touring the campus amidst this fun group makes for a lovely afternoon walk.

Sunsets are the best

I’ve seen some beautiful sunsets in my time, but the sunsets in Spain are among the best I’ve ever witnessed. In my opinion, the combination of the natural beauty and the architectural artistry of the city seems to take the experience to the next level.

Reserve a night for Flamenco

We were told that the best Flamenco in Sevilla is at El Patio Sevillano Tablao. Order sangria, sit back, and enjoy three fabulous hours of this stunning traditional dance.