With Nomago’s ex-colleagues, we planned a trip to Seville in 2023, but it didn’t happen because of work obligations. This year we tried again. After a trip to Asia, I was tired and forgot about Spain. Just 10 days later I was packing again.

Friday

After a busy week at work, as that was not enough, I went to Gea College to have a first 4-hour lecture after work on Friday. I returned home late, ate something, packed and it was time to leave home. Borut picked me up around 11 PM. Andrej and Blaž were already in the car. On arrival at Nova Gorica, we moved to Robert’s car and continued towards Bologna. The road was empty, we stopped twice for the toilet and drinks (11+25 €). Parking at the airport was 48 € (paid twice, no refund). The airport surprised me with the number of flights and people. But it is not well equipped for this kind of volume, crowded, no seats, no smoking area.

Saturday

Flight with Ryanair 5:45-8:25 to Sevilla (57 €), B737-8200. As expected, no leg space, window seat, some views of fields in Spain, no luck with sleep. We moved to the city by bus (5 €). We stopped for breakfast and refreshments on our way to accommodation (Bar El Rincón de Antonio, 130 €).

Accommodation (60 € per night per person) was clean, big apartment close to Parasol/Setas de Seville. The only minus was it had no balcony. I laid down a bit and the rest went out. Outside were pro-Palestine protests. After some sleep, showering and shopping (12 €) I joined the group. We had a drink at San Francisco Square (32 €), a short walk, and confused shopping (76 €). Then we went home for dinner. Now it was time to chill out.

Later I went out again with Borut and Andrej. The highlight was flamenco at La Carboniera. Free entrance, just need to buy a drink, cozy atmosphere, and cheap beer 3 €. They have 3 shows for half an hour per night, each night different artists, start with songs and finish with dance. I suggest arriving at the end of the previous show so you get good seats for the next one. There are no mics and speakers so silence is required. Also no pics or videos. Later there was one old local guy who sung with his friend accompanying him on guitar. With Borut, we took our time to return home.

Sunday

Slow morning before we went out for breakfast (Banderas, 70 €). We walked around town to the cathedral (Arabic tower) and Spanish square (representing cities from the whole country). Beautiful and big buildings but already saw them on 2 occasions. We stopped for a beer bucket (La Sureña, 1 € per beer) close to Torre de Oro. Blaž was a target of a pigeon so he went back to change. For lunch we had paella (El 3 de Oro, 116 €).

We moved to Benito Villamarín Stadium of Betis with Uber (20 €). We tried to buy tickets but you need to be a supporter for that. So we chose the next option and bought tickets from a guy on the street, 90 € per ticket. Inside no beer, smoking outside seated area. But the atmosphere in the stadium was one of the best so far. Great fans cheering for their team. The home team lost in the end 0:2 against Real Sociedad. They had possession, hit the woodwork, missed a penalty, and VAR canceled one goal, no luck. And it was important for placement in La Liga. If they won they would be directly in Conference league, now they need to pass qualifications.

Uber back home (25 €) was a bit of a challenge in the crowd. We had dinner around the corner, some fusion tapas-croquets, gyoza, and potatoes (Perro Viejo, 76 €). Again part of us stayed at home and part went out. Late return back home.

Monday

Breakfast at home. In the morning we had a long walk to the train station where we rented a car (Jeep Renegade, 48 €+43 € insurance). We moved to Cordoba, empty and not the best roads on our way, one-stop. There we parked (6 €) at the garage after some searching. First, we crossed the Roman bridge. Then we visited Mezquita (13 € ticket), a mosque turned into a cathedral. Even though I had already seen it, it amazed me with its size and all those columns. From there we walked into the old town and sat for lunch (Restautante Rincon Andaluz, 169 €), tasty but touristic-price and bad toilet. Later we sat for coffee and dessert (25 €).

It was time to get back. We stopped in Carmona for a short walk and a drink. Also needed to fill the gas tank before returning the car (37 €). Another long walk home, stop for a drink (37 €) and shop (37 €). Last evening the whole group went to La Carboneria for a flamenco show. Again group divided and some took a longer path home.

Tuesday

Getting up at 6:30 after a few sleepless nights was a bit of a problem. We tried with Uber but in the end, took two taxis (50 €). At the airport, we went to the lounge, 4 got free entrance because of credit card advantages and we paid for fifth 41 €. It was not the greatest of lounges but still, enough space, drinks, and some basic food was there. Now it was time to fly back, another Ryanair flight, 44 €, window seat, 9:05-11:40. On arrival with the car to Nova Gorica we had pizza (51 €) before continuing to Ljubljana (gas for 30 €). I arrived on time for my next lecture. But at least it was over a conference call.

Summary

I saw Sevilla twice before, I was tired from work and the previous trip, but still I wouldn’t miss this boyz weekend. It was tiring and it was expensive, I didn’t see anything new, but we had lots of fun on each step of our journey. Most costs mentioned before were for the whole group, 5 people. Now I will write just about my part. Transport cost: flight both ways 101 €, parking 18 €, gas 15 €, car 18 €, uber 9 €, taxi 10 €, bus 5 €, sum 176 €. Accommodation 180 €. The Mezquita ticket was 13 € and the one for the football match was 90 €. Food was with all meals and shop around 150 € per person. Drinks: small beer in the shop was 0,5 €, small beer in a bucket 1 €, big beer from 3 to 5 €, gin tonic was 6,4 €, and wine 4 €. Budget was quite high but we didn’t spare to indulge in whatever we wished for.