In a fragrant courtyard where orange trees bloom, a flamenco rhythm weaves its way through green leaves and marble columns as a wandering musician strums his guitar. Every archway frames a breathtaking scene in this seductive Andalusian capital where great vines of purple bougainvillea cling to the glazed tiles of a wall, and the willowy blossoms of an apricot-tinged angel's trumpet drapes gracefully over an iron gate. But it is the city's complex past, threaded with Roman, Moorish, and Christian traditions that has produced such a vivacious atmosphere. From a lofty spire of its cathedral, to a candlelit table at a tapas bar, Seville's vibrant spirit shines clearly.

• Distinctive Details
• The ruffled hem of the dancer's red dress flares out as she beats her heels against the wooden floor. In Seville, the heart of Andalusia, where flamenco originated, hundreds of performances take place nightly.

• Hotel Alfonso XIII

  San Fernando 2
  Seville, Spain
  Phone: (34)(95) 4917000