Riffic, if you are still in Sevilla, we enjoyed the tapas at Belmonte - it was recommended by the staff aat Amadeus.

Riffic - Thank you for the directions to Casablanca. I'll put them in with Maribel's Seville file for the next trip. Believe it or not, I think we walked the length of Calle Zaragoza looking for Casablanca in rainy, rainy weather. I was so disappointed we missed finding this fabulous place. Thank God for future opportunities... and thank you for your easy directions.

-Sharon

I was very disappointed to hear that in your wonderful trip to Seville you had to patronise Starbucks. This establishment has no place in Spanish society and as a tourist I am amazed that you felt the need to go where you literally have hundreds of cafes you wont find anywhere else in the world that you could drink better coffee in. A Starbucks in Seville, this is news to me because I havent been in a few months but I think it is a cultural travesty in a city that has always prided itself on sophistication. Please tell me it was a joke!

Chano: Sorry but even in "sophistocated" Seville, supply, demand, and profit have loud voices.

I'm sorry but that argument isn't acceptable. Does this mean that as long as there is a market for it, or there is money to be made, that profit trumps asthetics and good taste, morals for that matter? Lets assume that you open a Block buster, a MacDonalds, or any number of International chains creeping across the world, right there next to the Starbucks. As a tourist, don't you feel that something of what we as tourists go to experience is being sacrificed? The fact that it is SEVILLA, and not just some other city like any across the great US of A with its endless procession of franchises.
I currently live in Fez and I cannot tell you the outrage that was caused when a McDonald's was opened between the new city and the old medina, on protected "no build" land aquired through kickbacks to the local government. It is losing business here, what I can only hope for this Starbucks, through boycotting by conscientious consumers...

Riffic: We are headed to Sevilla after Xmas. Thanks for a great diary and tips.

I just returned from a trip to Spain, and Seville was as enjoyable as ever. This time we stayed at Hosteria del Laurel and absolutely loved it, more so because of the ambience and location; unbeatable (Capitan Centella is the triple room; 85 Euro/night). This Hostel was mentioned by Jose Zorrilla in his novel "Don Juan Tenorio"; it's been a hostel/restaurant for more than 250 years and we were so happy to stay there. Their restaurant is great; the Chicken w/Garlic and Beef Stew was to die for.

Riffic, thank you for your great report. It makes me want to return to Sevilla, and try some of these places. If you've not been in Spring, I recommend it for the wonderful fragrance of orange blossoms in the air.

I love your trip Report.I have saved the wonderful information about Sevilla, and know it willl be helpful for my trip to Sevilla in the near future. This report is one of the reasons I like this travel board. Than you Riffic.