The Majestic Cities of Andalucia

Itinerary

• Day 1
  You’ll land in the cosmopolitan city of Malaga, located on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain and be met by your local tour manager. A coach will then take you to your centrally located hotel, where you can check in and have the afternoon and evening at leisure.  Perhaps take a walk into the historic centre, visit one of the nearby beaches and enjoy some traditional Spanish tapas for your first dinner.
• Day 2
  This morning after breakfast, you’ll check out and travel to Ronda, a mountaintop city, set on the edge of the dramatic El Tajo gorge. A local guide will lead you around its new and old towns, and across the remarkable stone bridge, Puente Nuevo straddling the gorge and boasting impressive views.   Another notable historic sight is the 18th-century Casa del Rey Moro, the Moorish King’s Palace. This beautiful structure is home to a museum, hanging gardens, and a former Arab water mine with an ancient staircase descending into the Guadalevín River.   Further on, you’ll find the 13th-century Arab baths, similar in design to the Roman baths, except steam was used to sweat out pollutants from the body rather than soaking in hot water. These are the best preserved of their kind on the entire Iberian Peninsula.  Some time will also be spent in the old town, encircled by ancient city walls. You can wander the cobblestoned streets, lined with traditional whitewashed Andalusian houses, and decorated with colourful flowerpots and ornate wooden doors. The main square, Plaza del Socorro can be found in the centre surrounded by taverns and artisan workshops.   Later in the day, you’ll continue to lively Seville, abounding with grand monuments, and famed for flamenco dancing. Check into your hotel for the next two nights, which is housed within the highest building in Andalucía.  
• Day 3
  Today, after breakfast, join your tour manager for a walking tour of Seville. You’ll traverse its narrow lanes, bordered with tightly packed shops, cafés, and bars by foot, pausing to rest in the shade of orange tree-ringed piazzas.   Towering over Seville, the Giralda bell tower is an unmissable highlight, as is the grandiose Royal Alcázar of Seville, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its chambers, towers, and gardens adorned in vibrant Moorish tiles. The tour will enter this historic royal palace that was formerly a fort, which dates back to the 11th century and was revamped over time.   As you walk through the property, you’ll notice a blend of Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles. Elaborate tilework, carved arches, and ornate ceilings add to its splendour, and surrounding the central building, pretty courtyards and lush gardens with fountains and pavilions can be found.   Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cathedral of Seville, is one of the largest churches in the world, as well as the largest Gothic church, and houses 80 chapels. The city’s biggest and most eye-pleasing piazza, Plaza de España, built in 1928, will also be sought out, with its canal, mosaic-lined alcoves, fountains, and Venetian-inspired bridges.   You’ll then have some free time to explore at your own pace and have lunch, which is best enjoyed in one of the tapas bars – tapas is an integral part of life in Seville after all.  
• Day 4
  Following breakfast, you can choose to relax at the hotel, taking advantage of the luxurious spa, indoor swimming pool, and assortment of dining options. Alternatively, you can discover more of the city, covering any sights remaining on your wish-list. You might want to stroll through Barrio Santa Cruz, the Jewish Quarter, with its multi-hued tiles and decorative architecture or return to the Plaza de España to purchase some souvenirs and have a coffee.   This afternoon, you’ll board the coach and travel to the city of Córdoba, known for its grand mosque and UNESCO-listed old town. Your hotel here is near the city centre, making it ideal for sightseeing.
• Day 5
  Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll join your tour manager and local guide for an exploration of Córdoba.   The first stop will be one of the city’s most famed landmarks, Mezquita-Cathedral or the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, an 8th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site. Constructed with Moorish and Christian-inspired styles, this mosque’s remarkable and expansive interior encompasses high ceilings, towering columns, and horseshoe arches.   You’ll get to walk through the sprawling prayer hall, the delightful courtyard Patio de los Naranjos (Courtyard of Orange Trees), and see the bell tower, Torre del Campanario. This prominent feature was originally built as a minaret during the mosque’s Islamic period and later converted into a bell tower.   The tour will then visit the 14th-century Córdoba Synagogue or Casa de la Memoria, a Jewish place of worship. Situated in the Jewish Quarter, this notable religious edifice dates back to the medieval period and its attractive interior features carved horseshoe arches, Hebrew inscriptions, and complex stucco decorations. The building is small in size but incredibly significant given that it’s only one of the three synagogues still existing throughout Spain.   The rest of the afternoon will be free, and you can visit more historic marvels, like Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, a medieval fortress-palace, and the Roman Bridge, which crosses the Guadalquivir River and provides an excellent viewpoint. Calleja de las Flores is one of the city’s most photographed cobbled alleys, featuring whitewashed walls and flowerpots overflowing with carnations and geraniums. Heading to the atmospheric medina is also recommended to browse the markets and find a spot for lunch, another opportunity to have tapas.
• Day 6
  You can enjoy a relaxed morning before checking out of the hotel and travelling to Priego de Córdoba, known as the ‘Baroque Jewel’ of Andalucía’. Located in the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park and backed by limestone mountains and olive groves, this town has a beautiful historic centre.   A chance for independent exploration will allow you to meander around the windy streets and whitewashed houses and see an abundance of fountains and manicured gardens. Its baroque design can be observed by visiting the Church of La Asunción and the Church of San Francisco, and there’s a Moorish castle and the remains of the city walls.   Back on board the coach, you’ll continue to Granada, a former Moorish capital positioned in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Once you’ve arrived, check into your hotel in the heart of the city and relax, perhaps admiring the vista from the rooftop terrace.
• Day 7
  It’s your last day, and you’ll make the most of it by touring Granada, starting with the Alhambra, a grandiose palace and fortress complex. This famous monument of Islamic architecture is one of the world’s best-preserved palaces. The name Alhambra has its origins in an Arabic word meaning ‘red castle’, perhaps owing to the shade of its towers and high walls.   Constructed in the 13th century, this former symbol of Islamic power is spread over a plateau overlooking Granada’s Moorish old city. You’ll have an opportunity to stroll through the complex and its tree-lined walkways, passing several courtyards and trickling fountains. With Islamic geometric patterns, detailed stucco work, and vibrant tiling, this UNESCO-listed sight is a spectacle to behold.   Key features of the palace include the Nasrid Palaces, the living quarters of monarchs and their servants, the oldest building, the Alcazaba citadel, and the Torre de la Vela (watchtower), presenting panoramic views over the city. The Generalife, near to Alhambra was a summer palace and country estate, and you can survey its exquisite gardens, too.   You’ll then head towards the city centre and the streets of Albaicín, Granada’s Moorish quarter and continue on to view the major landmarks, like Granada's Renaissance cathedral and the adjacent Royal Chapel and the Renaissance Monastery of San Jerónimo.   A free afternoon allows you to discover more at your own pace, perhaps the neighbourhood of Sacromonte, known for its cave dwellings, or the Alcaicería, Granada’s silk market, where you can purchase some final keepsakes of your trip. Carrera del Darro, the riverside promenade, running along the Darro River, is ideal for a walk into the old town, and Granada’s assortment of traditional tapas bars provide the perfect setting for a farewell meal.  
• Day 8
  Enjoy breakfast before travelling to Malaga airport for your flight back to the UK.