Seville

With the clear Andalucían sunlight flooding Plaza del Triunfo, Seville's historic maxim "Qui non ha vista Sevilla, non ha vista maravilla" is indisputable: "He who has not seen Seville, has not known wonderment". Or, put another way, city breaks to Seville are liable to knock your socks off.

Throughout history, Andalucia's sunny capital has been one of Europe's charmers. Its zest for life, romance, myriad relics and treasures make short breaks to Seville a vibrant, vigorous experience.

Generations of settlers have left their architectural imprint on the city. A highlight for visitors on short breaks to Seville is La Giralda, a 12th-century Moorish minaret overlooking the city. Inside, a spiral of ramps (originally designed so the Imam could reach the top on horseback and call the faithful to prayer) climbs 76 metres for dizzying views.

Other unmissables are the 15th century Catedral de Sevilla - the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, constructed so that those who saw it would believe the builders "madmen" - and the Alcázar, on the Plaza del Triunfo.

Spain's fourth city glitters with architectural gems and it's no surprise that so many artists have chosen Seville as the backdrop to their greatest works. Anyone on city breaks to Seville should bear in mind it gave life to Bizet's Carmen, Lord Byron's Don Juan and Rossini's The Barber of Seville.

Try to time short breaks to Seville to coincide with some of the local festivals. Fiestas in Spain don't get much more spectacular than Semana Santa (Holy Week), when all of Seville gets swallowed up in parades re-enacting The Passion. For something more upbeat, the Feria de Abril (Seville Fair) starts two weeks later and is both a showcase for the city's main musical export - flamenco - and also marks the start of Andalucia's bullfighting season.

The exuberant street spirit in Seville continues until well, well after sunset. A balmy night on Seville's tiles is wandering happily from tapas bar to tapas bar, washing down local delicacies with a spot of fino.