dossier

Highlights of Andalucia

CLASSICAL SPAIN  |  WHERE YOU STAY

Hotel Los Castanos, AAAA
Ronda, Days 1+2+3

Day 1    Arrive in Ronda

We meet you at Malaga airport and take you (90 mins) to your hotel just outside Ronda where you'll spend the next three nights.

Day 2     Exploring Ronda

Today we drive into Ronda, the largest of the white villages. Here you have free time to explore this strikingly beautiful town, popularized by Romantic travellers: step out on to the arena of the famous Bull Ring; cross the new bridge into the old town where you can visit the Museo Municipal, one of Ronda's most beautiful mansions, and the church of Santa Maria, once a principle mosque.

Day 3     Grazalema National Park  12km/7mi/4hr

We drive into Grazalema town and on to the start of one of the Sierra's most beautiful walks, the famous Goatherd's Leap. The scenery changes with every turn of the path and the wild flowers are amazing. As we wind our way through cork oaks and evergreen oaks keep an eye out for hoopoes, wheatears, oriol, warblers and a whole lot more besides in this ornithological wonderland.

Day 4      Ronda to Seville

Today we leave Ronda and head for Seville. After a tapas lunch (payable locally) wander along the banks of the Guadalquivir or maybe visit the famous Palacio de Lebrija which houses the most wonderful collection of mosaics.

Hotel Becquer  ****
Seville, Days 4+5

The 4**** star Hotel Becquer is a pleasant hotel situated just 10-minutes from the old quarter of Santa Cruz. All rooms have ensuite facilities, television, air conditioning, minibar and have double glazing. There is a large airy lounge with plenty of seating, a breakfast room and attached tapas bar.

Further details on the hotel website.

Day 5     Exploring Seville

Our orientation tour in the morning takes in the unforgettable Alcazar and Gothic Cathedral. Time then to make your own discoveries in this fascinating city: there’s the Fábrica de Tabacos where Bizet’s Carmen fell in love, or the galleries of the Museo de Bellas Artes, housed in a beautiful former convent

Day 6      Cazalla de la Sierra  9km/5.5mi/3hr

We head off today for the cattle country of the Sierra del Norte mountain range. Walking on trails past whitewashed córtijos (farmhouses) lined with abundant blackberries, fig and poplar trees, we reach our picnic spot by a shady river where we can paddle. We return through giant cork oaks and agaves to Cazalla, then it’s on to Córdoba and our hotel (2 nights) by the world famous Mezquita.

Hotel Conquistador  ****
Córdoba, Days 6+7

The Conquistador is a beautiful 4 star hotel opposite one of the walls of the Mezquita. With a pretty, central patio to relax in, the atmosphere is definitely Moorish, with well-appointed bedrooms decorated with quality furniture and Moorish touches and lots of marble throughout. Some of the newer public rooms in the hotel have glass floors’, incorporating the Roman remains under the building. The hotel is within walking distance of everything in the centre of town.

Further details on the hotel website.

Day 7     In Córdoba

We discover Córdoba’s Mezquita in the morning – a stunning fusion of Moorish and Christian architectural splendour . After lunch we visit the beautiful Alcazar and gardens and the amazing Arab Baths, leaving time to visit the Jewish quarter with it's narrow streets and fascinating Jewish Museum.

Day 8      Sierra Subbetica  10km/6mi/3.5hr

We drive deep into the hidden valleys of Córdoba to delightful Zuheros – a tiny white village perched on a hillside in the Sierra Subbetica National Park. We stroll down to the village to the tinkle of goat’s bells for a drink by the tiny Moorish castle, and continue on to Granada, nestling in the foothills of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada where we spend our final three nights. 

Hotel Dauro II  ***
Granada, Days 8+9+10

This modern 3* hotel is situated in an ideal position, just 200 metres from the Cathedral and a 2-minute walk from the Plaza Mariana Pineda, the location of the municipal tourist office. The hotel itself offers 53 modern and well-equipped rooms with a few traditional touches. Facilities include air-conditioning, direct dial telephones, color television and hairdryer.

Day 9       In Granada

Free time in arguably Spain's most beautiful city. Highlights include the Arabic Albaicin, Royal Chapel and Cathedral and the curious Sacromonte where gypsies live in caves.

Day 10      Alhambra Palace

Today we have included entrance fees for the world famous Alhambra Palace, possibly the most exciting and romantic of all Moorish monuments.  Our final dinner is taken in one of the most beautifully situated restaurants in Granada, overlooking the Alhambra Palace.

Day 11  Return home

Leave Granada after breakfast.

WALKING DETAILS

This holiday is a mixture of sightseeing and gentle walking, with minibus assistance for all transfers. There are no challenging ascents or descents but walking boots are essential.

For extra nights we recommend Granada.