Ask any local about Anselma and a smile is sure to appear on their face. For those adventurers who are young at heart and looking for the late night action, Seville’s Casa Anselma is a unique and lively experience. This small flamenco bar remains unmarked in the Triana neighborhood, but is a local gem for a true, speakeasy-style flamenco experience. Have the concierge at your hotel call ahead of time to inform Anselma herself of your arrival, and at your designated hour she will open the doors into her one-of-a-kind bar, home to thick cigarette smoke and outbreaks of fantastic Flamenco dance. Anselma, herself a celebrated Triana performer, is an outspoken, no-nonsense gal who makes her guests feel instantly transported into a bygone era.

This private palace, which has been home to the Dukes of Medinaceli since its construction in the 1500s, is today open to visitors. A more manageable complex than the Alcazar, Casa de Pilatos is an excellent representation of smaller royal residences. Its azulejos-tiled interiors are charmingly run down and spartan but the gardens are lush and dotted with faded yellow walls and ancient Roman artifacts.

Seville's cathedral, the third largest in the world, was built on the site of a Muslim mosque, beginning in the 15th century. The Giralda belltower is a renovated version of a minaret, which visitors today can climb. Rather than the typical European cathedral that is long and skinny, with a nave and apse and shaped like a cross, the Seville cathedral (because its footprint was partially dictated by the foundation of the mosque) is more square shaped. The result is that the cathedral feels utterly vast, but unlike any other.

Much debated is whether the mausoleum in the cathedral's center actually does hold the remains of Christopher Columbus. (Spaniards say yes, Italians say no). Nevertheless—and there have been DNA tests completed—the stone tomb is beautiful and dramatic, upheld by sculpted pallbearers that each represent one of Spain's empire's regions.

The centered choir and screens, which were originally built to separate the privileged from the peasants, help break up the soaring interior. Though monumental in size, the cathedral still manages to highlight its multiple stunning details, including 17^th-century Mexican and Argentinian silver accents, the 18^th-century culled Cuban mahogany that adorns the organ and stained glass windows from Flanders and Germany. Though the cathedral's construction began before the discovery of the New World, it was finished afterwards, in time to source raw materials from the unchartered lands. Other highlights are the Madonna of Antigua fresco painted on one of the mosque's original walls and the Murillo painting of St. Anthony.

Located in the historic center of Seville, CICUS operates with the University of Seville to host cultural events. The center exhibits some of the most contemporary art in Seville and encourages artistic and cultural creation from the university community. Most events are free and open to the public; past events include an African film festival and a poetry battle.

The city of Cordoba is a 45-minute train ride or 90-minute drive northeast of Seville and makes for an excellent day trip. The city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is typical of southern Spain filled with courtyards, private homes, narrow alleyways and tapas bars beloved by locals. What makes Cordoba such a special destination is La Mezquita, the 8^th-century mosque that is also home to the 16^th-century Roman Catholic cathedral. One of the most beautiful examples of Moorish architecture, the mosque features iconic red marble columns and arches. Visitors enter through the Patio de los Naranjos, an idyllic Muslim court filled with orange trees where devotees performed ablutions before entering. The historic old city surrounds the Mosque, which contains the Jewish Quarter, Roman Bridge and Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, all of which are worth exploring.

Even before reaching the city of Granada, its beauty is evident as the landscape transforms into a lush hilltop paradise. Two-and-a-half hours by car from Seville, Granada is charming, offers great shopping and is easily explored on foot. The city was the final Muslim colony in Spain until it was conquered by Catholics in 1492, but remnants of the past remain; Albaicín, a Muslim neighborhood, is a must for all visitors. The main purpose for a visit to Granada is to see the Alhambra: an expansive ancient town built in the 13th century that includes a military palace, private residences, convent, medina and much more. Towering above modern day Granada, Spain's most popular tourism site, which in turn inspired the Taj Mahal, is a feat of Arabic styling with luscious gardens and abundant fountains fed by the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains. For those who would like to spend the night in Granada, the best choice in town is the centrally-located Hotel Hospes Palacio de Los Patos.

Those with extra time in Seville or continuing on to Marbella, greater Malaga or Mallorca, should consider taking advantage of the interesting, lesser-known towns of Andalusia. Driving south from Seville, the landscape opens up into verdant countryside filled with green rolling hills, farmlands and vineyards. In just a one-and-a-half hour picturesque drive, travelers find themselves in unique mountainside villages with distinctive character and awe-inspiring topography.

Some beautiful little towns worth visiting include Montejaque, which offers sweeping views over the Sierras, and the astounding village of Setenil de las Bodegas, built into the rocks of a bluff set above a sharp bend in the narrow river gorge below. Not only are these places rich with Moorish and Roman history, but they also offer a sense of locality that can only be found in some of the world’s most remote places. The medieval town of Antequera is filled with church spires and Moorish fortress walls, and is overlooked by an enormous crag of limestone called The Lover’s Leap, so named after a local legend about an impossible and tragic love affair between a young Christian man and Moorish woman. The well-known town of Ronda is built at the top of a canyon with panoramic views over the valley below.

Perhaps the best part about exploring these small, remote towns is the local meal or winery visit that becomes part of your day. Enjoy, for instance, a delicious lunch at Almocobar, set in a quiet square away from the tourists in Ronda. Contact Indagare’s Bookings Team for tailor-made suggestions.

This photography institution hosts training, exhibitions and events including book presentations and expert lectures. One of the leading centers for photography in the city, El Fotómata also welcomes students and guests to browse through its specialized photography library.

Entretejas and Redetejas is one initiative divided into two programs, dedicated to hosting cultural events on the rooftops of Seville. Entretejas aims these cultural events at public and private intuitions, while Redetejas hosts on the private roofs of citizens. Exhibitions include mostly musical concerts and improvisational theater. Organized by CICUS University of Seville, the event takes place monthly between March and October.

Indagare members can contact our bookings team for assistance planning specialized tours of the city's best tapas bars and nearby wine and sherry vineyards and arranging for private cooking classes.

Indagare members can contact our bookings team for assistance planning specialized tours of the region's equestrian pursuits.

Indagare members can contact our bookings team for assistance planning private flamenco lessons and invitations to underground flamenco performances

For those who have an "in," Spanish culture is incredibly welcoming to visitors. Indagare members can contact our bookings team for help arranging special access to private homes, magnificent castles, fascinating people and intimate events.

Opened by Sevillano architects, La Casa China is a culture and language institute. The center shares its experiences in China through a host of exhibitions and classes that exclusively feature Chinese artists. Visitors to Seville should make an effort to see one of the art shows or theater and music performances on offer.

Many travelers in search of an authentic experience in Seville tend to leave Flamenco shows off of their itinerary, as performances often feel staged and distasteful. It is true that locals do not frequent these (instead impromptu dances are performed in homes and local bars), but Flamenco can still be a fun and interesting cultural experience if done right. Los Gallos is one of the few Flamenco shows that feels authentic. Yes, there will be mostly Americans attending the show; once it begins, however, you are sure to forget who your neighbor is, as you will be mesmerized by the enchanting performance.

An alternative art gallery, publishing house and design center, Lugadero brings a fresh perspective to the Seville art scene. The space is designed to be a place where architecture, art and the contemporary city can partake in conversation.

This museum of flamenco hosts small performances that are as much about the style of dance as its music. Though the small stage area will be filled with tourists, the space does not feel commercial or cheesy. This is a good option to understand the experience in a reliable fashion—most real flamenco happens late at night in a tucked-away bar and comes about spontaneously.

Considered the most important bullfighting ring in the world, this plaza hosts live bullfights during the season (which begins around Easter). During the off season and when there is no event scheduled, guided tours are available of the ring and the surrounding buildings, which have been turned into a museum to the sport and its celebrities.