Santa Cruz Quarter is the most picturesque and delightful part of the city, it will be one of the more memorable experiences of your visit to Seville. It was formerly the Jewish quarter and some of the churches were originally synagogues. Nowadays the narrow winding cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, where you can wander through centuries-old gardens and relax on beautiful tiled benches. It is an incredible place full of history and stories, with many old palaces, churches and hidden passageways.

Walking round the small squares lined with orange trees. There are narrow alleys, where the ancient houses lean so far towards each other that they almost seem to touch, and the leafy patios of private mansions through their iron gates.

Originally a Moorish fort, the Alcázar is one of the finest remaining examples of predominantly Mudéjar architecture in the country. This exquisitely designed palace, still an officially designated as royal residence; has in fact been added to continuously over the centuries.

It was at the beginning of the 10th Century that the original building was started, but during the following century the ruling Almohades began to fully develop their royal fortress (on the western side of the current site). Following the reconquest, successive kings augmented the buildings but the predominant figure in this part of the Alcázar’s history was the controversial Pedro I. Who added, amongst other things, the mighty Palacio de Don Pedro. However, the fascinating thing is that, with this profusion of Mudéjar, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles; the Alcázar has such a wonderful feeling of unity and harmony about it.

No reference to the Alcázar would be complete, though, without reference to the delightful gardens. 

The Cathedral of Seville is the third largest in the World just after Saint Peters (Rome) and Saint Paul (London).

The cathedral was completed in just over a century (1402-1506), quite an achievement given its size and Gothic details.

Of the many things you will find inside the Cathedral one of the main attractions is the sarcophagus where Christopher Columbus is buried.

Along with the city's Alcazar and Archivo de las Indias, Seville Cathedral was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.

Most of the grounds that were used for the park were formerly the gardens of the Palace San Telmo. They were donated to the city of Seville in 1893 by the Infanta Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier, for use as a public park. Starting in 1911, Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier rearranged the gardens into their present shapes. In 1914 the architect Anibal Gonzalez began construction for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, which was held partly within the park. The new buildings of the Plaza de España were used as the office of the fair.

In preparation for the exhibition, the entire southern end of the city was redeveloped into an expanse of gardens and grand boulevards. The centre of it is Parque de María Luisa, a 'Moorish paradisical style' with a half mile of tiled fountains, pavilions, walls, ponds, benches, and exhedras. There are lush plantings of palms, orange trees, Mediterranean pines, and stylized flower beds and with bowers hidden by vines.

The park serves as a botanical garden. Many plant species, native or exotic, are represented, along with educational panels to inform the visitors to the park. Many birds make their home in the park, which is known for its large population of doves (for which a part of the Plaza de América is called the Parque de las Palomas, or Dove Park). There are also many green parrots living in the center of the park and ducks and swans in the fountains and lake.

During this visit students will visit the Sánchez Romero Carvajal slaughterhouse, enjoy a guided food tasting of ham and other Iberian products, explain the characteristics of the Iberian pig, why it is so valued, how the company emerged, how they take care of their brand, their international protection and their incorporation into the Osborne group; the importance of image for Osborne (the famous “bull of the highways”).

During this visit, students will visit the Bucarito  cheese factory and the different elaboration processes, see the livestock of flowery goats and Iberian pigs, make their own cheese, and attend a raptor (birds of prey) training show. In addition, this visit will include a tasting of El Bucarito cheeses. 

Students will have breakfast at the Farm “Bucarito”.

Visit the breeding farm that belongs to the famous Spanish bullfighting Family the “Domecq”.  Here students will enjoy the visit to the brave cattle named Torrestrella and the andalusian and classical dressage of the pure Spanish horses, a very entertaining visit.

Students will visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez. Here students will visit an equestrian art exhibition and visit to a riding school/ranch.

Students visit the Jerez wineries – Gonzalez Byass. We will visit the wine cellars and here they will talk about the history, how its produced and where its exported around the world. Students will also get the chance to participate in a wine tasting.

Students will visit the Olive Oil Company Basilippo. Here students will take a tour around Basilippo company and received an explanation of all its products.

The Olive Oil Company Basilippo facilities have the most modern machinery on the market to extract the “olive juice” and a acclimatized wine cellar (18 º C), well as a system for the inertization of the tanks via nitrogen to assure optimal conservation and quality in all of our Extra Virgin Olive Oils.

Students on this trip to get to visit the local brewery Rio Azul (First one in Seville). During their visit to the company they will learn about its production elaboration and where/how they distribute their product.

As one of the oldest towns in Spain you'll find history around every corner in Ronda. There are traces of Ronda's origins from the Neolithic age, through the era of the Romans, the Arab age and the conquest of the ancient city by the Catholic Monarchs in 1485 through to the 19th century when Ronda was best known for the banditry in the surrounding hills and the origins of bullfighting in the Ronda bullring which still stands.

It's a town that you'll need to come back again and again to visit and you'll make new discoveries and friends every time you visit!

Winter 2019 Dates: January 5-20, 2019

PROGRAM COST*

Program Cost Includes:

• UW-Platteville administrative fees
• 3 credits
• Textbooks
• International airfare
• International medical and accident insurance
• SAIIE full-time tuition, fees, and support services before, during, and after the program
• Airport reception and on-site orientation
• 24/7 on-site support throughout the term
• Accommodation with most meals and one load of laundry per week
• Program excursion - Day Trip to Ronda - includes tour guide in English
• The following trips for the Monuments course:
  
       - Walking tour through Barrio de Santa Cruz (Old Jewish Quarter)  
       - Visit to The Alcazar of Seville 
       - Visit the Cathedral of Seville
       - Visit María Luisa Park and Plaza España 
  
  
• Agribusiness course trips to the following companies:
  
      - Sánchez Romero Carvajal
      - Bucarito
      - Finca los Alburejos
      - Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez
      - Gonzalez Byass 
      - Basilippo
      - Cervezas Río Azul 

• Welcome and Farewell meals
  
  

APPLICATION DEADLINES

** Applications must be completed by the App Deadline stated above.