A friend of ours just got back. She is not a DDFer but wrote up a pretty darn good TR and was happy to allow me to share here. So, HT to her!
Highlights:
1. Very nice hotel, though not in the center of the city (other side of river, near university): Barcelo Sevilla Renacimiento. Was part of Expo 92.
2. Went to shul Friday night, 6 men, 1 other woman, orthodox, sefardi, hidden in unmarked building in city. Surprisingly, people not so friendly ,but may have been their discomfort with English.
3. Ordered kosher food for Friday night with colleague – local community member, Moises Hassan, gets the food from Malaga (I think) – not great, but nice to have it
4. Went to Flamenco performance (3rd on tripadvisor – yours was sold out, I think) Sunday night – enjoyed – thnx for suggestion
5. Private tour of Jewish Quarter with Moises Hassan – very interesting – he is extremely knowledgeable – lectures on Holocaust but lawyer by training – thinking of moving to Boston to send son to Maimonides. Only 25 Jewish families remain. Tour was very worthwhile and I learned a lot.
6. Went to Palace – amazing!
7. Walked all around
8. Don’t miss the river next time!! (Editor: we were there last summer. )
Conclusion: I would love to go back with (NAME REDACTED) – beautiful city! Sadly, Jewish life is almost non-existent.
Travel details: I took the train there from Madrid (which I think you did, too). Very easy from Madrid airport. I flew from Seville to Madrid for my return. Almost missed my flight from Madrid (extreme fog in Madrid delayed flight from Seville), but didn’t, though my bag did. Since the next Iberia flight from Madrid-TLV was actually an El Al flight, they wouldn’t take my bag, so had to wait >24 hours for next real Iberia flight to take it. Oh well. They will be delivering it to me. (Editor: bag delivered today. I suggested she seek compensation. She said she was just happy to have her bag!)
Sorry no pics.