Seville Excursions

One of the benefits of studying abroad is the ability to venture outside your host city and explore the surrounding area. Excursions are offered for all semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered two to three excursions and summer students are typically offered one to two excursions. You will receive a calendar of the specific CEA excursions offered for your program during orientation. To give you an idea of the possibilities, we have collected typical experiences from some of the day trips and weekend tours offered to our students in the past.

Córdoba

Cordoba is as impressive and surprising to today's visitor as it was in the past. Not many know that in the 11th century it was one of the most important capitals in Europe; Jews, Muslims, and Christians were living peacefully together and important philosophers, scientists, and artists emerged from this city. Understanding Cordoba's cultural background will enrich the experience of exploring its great monuments, such as the world-famous Mezquita, the Moorish mosque, and various museums. Nothing compares to Cordoba’s Mosque, with its Cathedral right in the center of the structure. Rows and rows of arches with more than 850 columns take students’ breath away. Cordoba is also a very lively town in the Andalusian tradition, a town of flamenco and bullfighting, and is certainly one of the most attractive destinations in southern Spain. Students take a walking tour of the labyrinthine streets, admiring the balconies decorated with colorful flowers and white washed patios. The old Jewish quarter introduces the 1315 synagogue, one of the only three left in Spain. The trip is concluded with a visit to the elaborate Alcazar, both a fortress and a residence in the 1300s.

Lagos, Portugal

An important tourist destination, there are still many architectural signs from the ancient past of this southern Portugal town, including a building that dates from around 1445 that is recorded as being Europe’s first building used as a slave market. The original walls of the town remain around a majority of the city after its restoration. A small museum of regional items is attached to the famous 17th century "gold" church of Santo Antonio. CEA’s trip to Lagos includes a fun-filled day at one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, from its beautiful white sand to the crystal clear water. The four star hotel also stands out with its indoor and outdoor pools, weight room, rich cuisine, winding maze of rooms, and views of the ocean. Students also visit the Piedra de La Piedad, with its incredible rock formations and caves formed by the erosion caused by ocean waves. The trip concludes with a visit the Cabo de San Vicente, considered the “corner” of Europe.

Granada

On CEA’s overnight trip to Granada, students visit Spain’s most visited monument, the Alhambra, the 14th century Arab palace with its magnificent architecture and lush Generalife gardens. Students will also become aware of the Moorish influence that is present everywhere as they stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Albaicin. Tea is served in the city’s fine tea houses, accompanied by amazing views of the city. Students will visit Granada’s Cathedral in all its grandeur, as well as the Royal Chapel in which the Catholic King and Queen rest. In the 8th century Spain was conquered by the Moors and was conquered in increments by Christians until 1492, when Granada was the last city to surrender to the Catholic Kings. At this time Spain was completely Christian again. Due to seven centuries of Moorish control, Granada has all the flavor of the Arabic world in a western country.

Ronda

American authors Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles spent many summers in Ronda and wrote about its beauty and traditions. It is famous worldwide for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge that carries the rio Guadalevín through its center. Visitors make a beeline for the 18th century Puente Nuevo 'new' bridge, which straddles the 100m chasm below, for the unparalleled views out over the Serranía de Ronda mountains. Ronda is also famous as the birthplace of modern bullfighting.

Jerez de la Frontera

This is the largest city in the Cadiz region with a population of 180,000. Jerez is a frontier city dating from around 1380 and the time of Moorish rule; it also changed hands many times during the “Reconquista.” Due to its historic legacy it has numerous monuments to visit and social activities to enjoy throughout the year. Jerez is only 12 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean and is the national center of sherry wine. Students love to visit the famous Gonzalez Byass sherry wine cellar to taste a sample of this fine wine and learn about the sherry making process that is the city’s trademark. A tour of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art introduces students to the place where the famous Jerez bred Carthusian “dancing horses” are trained. They will also visit the Alcazar, with its camara oscura that presents an interesting panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.