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Day 2: 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. Or maybe you’d prefer a boat trip along the river that runs through the city ’s heart, or maybe take a siesta in Maria Luisa Park – just like the locals.

Day 3: The Roman city of Italica
With its Roman mosaics and amphitheatre, Italica, just outside Seville, is beautifully preserved, and our guided tour brings the birthplace of Trajan and Hadrian back to life. Time in the afternoon to enjoy exploring, perhaps discover the cobbled streets and Andaluz patios of Barrio Santa Cruz and the incredible Casa de Pilatos.

Day 4: Cazalla de la Sierra 9km/5 1 /2 mi/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.

Day 5: Córdoba
We discover Cordoba’s Mezquita in the morning – a stunning fusion of Moorish and Christian architectural splendour. After lunch in one of the many tapas bars, we can visit the beautiful Alcazar and gardens, then onto the Medina Azahara (once the most extravagant palace in the known world), built by Caliph Abd ar- Rahman in the 10C.

Day 6: Sierra Subbetica 7km/4mi/3hr
We drive deep into the hidden valleys of Cordoba to delightful Zuheros - a tiny white village perched on a hillside in the Sierra Subbetica National Park.  We ascend an easy trail past pink rock caves and poppies to Bramadero Hill, where we picnic in the cork oaks.  We stroll down to the village to the tinkle of goat's bells for a drink by the tiny Moorish castle, and continu to gorgeous Ubeda, Renaissance capital of Andalucia in time for dinner.

Day 7: Úbeda and Baeza
A rich mix of art, architecture, history and stunning views make the UNESCO towns of Ubeda and Baeza a joy to discover.  We have plenty of time to explore Renaissance gems like the Iglesia de Santa Maria and the many palaces lining the leafy plazas.

Day 8:  Cazorla National Park  10km/6mi/4hr
A short drive takes us into one of Spain's most spectacular National Parks and we follow a track eastwards through the rusing Borosa River Gorge.  As we walk, eagles and buzzards wheel in the thermals overhead.  On the way back we pass rocks overgrown with thyme, and have time to explore the Moorish alleys and radiant white house of Cazorla, before returning to Ubeda for dinner.

Day 9/10: In Granada
This mornings drive takes us through the foothills of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada and on to Granada, arguably Spain's most beautiful city, where we'll spend the next two nights.   Highlights include the Arabic Albaicin where you can take tea in a Moroccan patisserie, curious Sacromonte where gypsies live in cave house and, of course, the world-famous Alhambra Palace, retreat of the Princes who governed here in the Middle Ages.

Day 11: Return home
Flights home from Granada airport.

Extra nights:

Room upgrade: Hotel Becquer, superior room (larger room with balcony and new bathroom) $33 pppn.  Hotel Conquistador, Cordoba Junior Suite (larger room with hydromassage bath & shower) $87, Suite (duplex suite with spa bathroom) $163.  Prices from $33 per person, per night, based on 2 sharing.

All extra night prices are per person, per night based on 2 people sharing a double room.