04 The Essentials: Seville

SpainThe EssentialsEurope
Written By Whitney Shindelar

Seville embodies what travelers imagine when they think of ‘classic Spain’—flamenco, tapas, Moorish palaces, and lively plazas. Sam Lister, Founder & CEO at Tailormade, shares why this southern city is both a cultural icon and a versatile base for travel advisors planning Spain. From must-sees like the Cathedral and Alcázar to unique experiences like flamenco jam sessions, tapas in local barrios, and art restoration studios, Sevilla offers something for every client profile. Learn how to structure itineraries, when to avoid the summer heat, and why 4–5 nights in Seville unlock both the city and its rich day-trip options, from Córdoba to Ronda, Cádiz, and jamón farms.

Key Takeaways

  • Why Sevilla feels like the “Spain” travelers dream about—and how to present it to clients.

  • The surprising way to structure itineraries so clients enjoy the city without rushing.

  • How to elevate a Sevilla stay beyond monuments with unique, insider-only experiences.

  • Which day trips advisors can recommend to add variety and depth to a Sevilla itinerary.

  • The key expectations to set with clients before they arrive.

About the guest: 

Sam Lister is the Founder and CEO of Tailormade, a destination management company specialising in travel across Spain and Portugal. Originally from the UK, Sam has lived in Seville for over 16 years, where he designs unique travel experiences that connect visitors to the culture, history, and people of Southern Spain. His expertise helps travel advisors and their clients move beyond the guidebooks to uncover the authentic heart of Spain.

Whitney Shindelar

Undiscovered Sunsets was a long time in the making, even if I myself didn’t realize it. During my time at the University of Northern Iowa, I studied abroad in New Zealand. Upon graduating, I bought a one-way ticket to France, lived with a French family and studied with classmates from Turkey, China, Russia, Germany, Italy, and everywhere in between. In 2010 I began teaching English as a foreign language. This job quickly took me to China, where English teachers were in high demand and within three years, I began working in a 5-star hotel, speaking Mandarin throughout most of my day. In total, I lived abroad for 7 years.

I consider Undiscovered Sunsets to be the perfect mélange of my personal experience traveling the world and my professional experience working in the hospitality industry.

I look forward to designing your next adventure!

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03 The Essentials: Liguria