For George Scott, riding is second nature. Raised at the edge of the Sierra Morena in Andalucia, he spent his childhood on horseback, traversing hills and olive groves. His parents, Charlotte and Nicholas Scott, settled there in the 1970s and transformed a crumbling farmhouse into the stately finca Trasierra, which has since attracted everyone from Kate Moss to the Duchess of Cornwall.
In 2019, Scott turned that landscape into a three-to-five-day riding safari experience. Trasierra serves as the base camp, and each day he leads small groups through over 430,000 acres of protected nature reserve—past cork forests, abandoned shepherds’s huts, and wide, empty valleys where Iberian lynx roam.
Here, he shares his favorite tapas bars, hotels, and sights in Seville, the closest city to his home.
Corral del Rey
The sister to Hacienda de San Rafael, this lovely small hotel is owned by Anthony and Patrick Reid, who are friends of mine. Located in the center of the city, it’s within walking distance of pretty much everywhere. (corraldelrey.com)
Hotel Las Casas de La Judería
I also recommend Casas de la Juderia, a hotel that’s been taken over by Sol and Luna Medina, the daughters of the previous owners. Set in traditional Seville houses, with their typical patios, it’s cleverly connected through underground tunnels. Also incredibly central. (lascasasdelajuderiasevilla.com)
El Rinconcillo
I always say you should get to know Seville by foot, but another way is by hopping between tapas bars. Starting at El Rinconcillo and then heading to the following places makes for a perfect tour of the center. One of the oldest bars in town, El Rinconcillo is ideal for a glass of sherry and a plate of Jamón Iberico de Bellota. (elrinconcillo.es)
La Trastienda
The next stop is La Trastienda, a lively hole in the wall where you should sit at the bar. You can order by pointing at a limited yet exquisite selection of seafood, which they will either boil or grill for you. Be sure to try the manzanilla en rama.
Casa de Pilatos
Just around the corner from La Trastienda is the stunning Casa de Pilatos, an Andalusian palace that is well worth a visit and not usually on the tourist trail. (fundacionmedinaceli.org)
Catedral de Sevilla
From there, walk to the cathedral and admire how spectacular it is from the outside.
Bar Casa Morales
Around the corner from the cathedral, Bodega Morales is one of the oldest bars in Seville, and another one of my favorites. An old wine dispensary, it has a front and back that used to serve as a shop and cellar. Order the “poeta,” which is vermouth and soda. It’s also an excellent place for jamon or cheese. (casamoralessevilla.es)
Casa Moreno
Very near Bodega Morales is a wonderful little place called Casa Moreno, a traditional neighborhood shop that sells all the classic home necessities, from cured meats to delicious tinned fish, cheeses, and beans. The secret of this place is that you can walk behind the counter to find a hidden bar. Try some of their delicacies with a glass of wine. (casamorenosevilla.com)
Las Teresas
From here, it’s time to walk into the old Jewish quarter, where getting lost is part of the adventure. Las Teresas is the last great place worth visiting in the heart of the neighborhood. (lasteresas.es)
La Barra de Cañabota
For a more serious eating experience, I suggest La Barra. It’s the simplified version of the Michelin-starred Cañabota, located right next door. You’ll need to make a reservation in advance, but the seafood and fish are sensational. Sit at the bar. (canabota.es)
Antonio Garcia
When it comes to shopping, I tend to recommend traditional equestrian shops. This one has wonderful things, whether you ride or not. (sombrerosantoniogarcia.com)
Mercado de la Calle Feria
On Thursdays, there is a great flea market on Calle Feria, a really vibrant and authentic street in the city. The food market is worth a visit, but you can also eat at the market’s stalls.
Confitería La Campana
For those who have a sweet tooth, Confitería La Campana is a must. It’s an incredibly traditional place where you can have coffee and cake. (confiterialacampana.com)
