Self-drive Tour of Classic Andalucía

Introduction

This classic journey around Moorish Andalucía, visiting the great cities of Granada, Seville, Cordoba and Malaga plus the stunning hilltop town of Ronda helps you to discover the true heart of this ancient land, uncovering its history and capturing the passion and intensity of all that is Andalucía today. The drive from each city takes you though much varied scenery from the wild sierra of Ronda to the crumbling castles of Jaen, discovering some of Europe's most precious treasures including The Alhambra Palace of Granada, the great mosque of Cordoba and the Royal Alcazar of Seville.

Classic Andalucía Tour Itinerary - 7 Nights

This holiday can start on any date you request.

Day One - Arrive Malaga or Granada airport, collect hire car and transfer to Granada for 2 nights

After you have settled into your hotel in Granada you can take a short walk to the souk like streets of the Alcaiceria surrounding the cathedral, here you can try the delicious array of tapas that Granada offers from broad beans cooked with ham, meat balls cooked with almond and saffron to crumbling slices of manchego cheese and the best jamon serrano from the Alpujarran village of Trevelez.

Day Two - Guided city walk of Granada

For 2 hours this morning you will be given a guided walking tour of the historical centre of Granada by a professional city guide. You will learn of the battles between the Moors and the Christians plus of the legends that surround the medieval area of the Albaicin.

Pre-booked visit to The Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens

The Alhambra Palace, was short-listed to be one of the New Seven Wonders of The World. It is an absolutely stunning complex of palaces, summer gardens, fountains and courtyards which once seen is never forgotten and often revisited time and time again. Built during the reign of the pleasure loving califas, every view inside the complex is a picture of harmony and balance with natural light and the sound of running water creating the perfect environment for meditation and relaxation; which was the essence of Moorish life at this time.

Early evening is the best time to wander around the Albaicin, the medieval quarter of Granada which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Winding your way up you will eventually reach the Plaza de San Nicolas where local flamenco artists gather to practise, overlooking the famous panoramic view of The Alhambra with the snow capped sierra Nevada behind.

Day Three - Transfer to Cordoba for 1 night

In medieval times Cordoba was the most advanced city in the whole of Europe, a centre of culture and learning where Christians, Muslims and Jews lived together in a thriving society. Today it is quite a sleepy Andalucían city with an unpretentious atmosphere, quite different from the passion and flamboyance of Seville. The streets surrounding the mezquita are filled with ancient bodegas and tapas bars and a glass of the local sherry like Montilla is an absolute must.

Day Four - Morning in Cordoba

The great mosque was built to rival Mecca and is a building of incredible mystic powers and the first glimpse inside is a jaw dropping experience. The jaw then drops further when you encounter a huge catholic cathedral almost hidden in the middle!

Surrounding the mezquita is the delightfully crumbling juderia; a fascinating place to get lost in as you wander around the narrow maze of streets, lined with geranium filled balconies and green shady plazas. There are many things to discover in the juderia from original Moorish bath houses, to one of the only three synagogues to have survived the expulsion of The Jews from Spain.

After lunch transfer to Seville for 2 nights

The flamboyant Andalucían capital city of Sevilla combines its Moorish history with the legacy of the Spanish Golden Age when Columbus brought back immeasurable wealth from The Americas. The beautiful Arabic minaret "la Giralda" towers over one of the largest gothic cathedrals in the world and the colourful Plaza de España contrasts with the Mudejar palaces of the Royal Alcazar.

Flamenco Show

For your first evening in Seville we shall make you a reservation at what is known as THE place to watch flamenco in the city. Unpretencious and authentic; it is where you can see the up and coming National stars who are studying the art of flamenco. The setting is also perfect; a traditional Andaluz patio on the edge of the barrio Santa Cruz.

Day Five - Guided walking tour of Seville

Local guide Concepción will give you a 2 hour walking tour of the city showing you the most famous historical sites plus many hidden gems that only the locals know. Her enthusiasm for her home town really brings the city to life and gives you an insight that the guide books never can.

After lunch you are free to further explore the city including a visit to the Royal Alcazar and cathedral, climb to the top of La Giralda, take a boat trip up the Río Guadalquivir or relax in the shade of the Marie Louisa park.

Day Six - Transfer to Ronda for 1 night

The hilltop town of Ronda sits on a ridge of The Serrania de Ronda and has been a strategic fortified village for thousands of years. Spread either side of the El Tajo gorge the old and new towns are joined by the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) which crosses the gorge. The views from Ronda are breathtaking and the excellent restaurants on the edge of the ridge offer lunch overlooking the sweeping views of distant mountains, deep green valleys and clusters of white villages.

Ronda is a great place to just walk out from your hotel and wander around seeing what you can see. There is no major site-seeing agenda to be followed, just meander through the narrow streets, stop for a beer, wander a bit more, and soak up the atmosphere of this ancient town.

Day Seven - Transfer to Malaga for 1 night

Malaga is a city often overlooked by visitors to Andalucía, who never get to experience the heart of this truly Spanish city and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. Tiny narrow streets lined with fresh fish restaurants and bodegas lead off from wide palm lined avenues with their majestic buildings and designer stores. The Malageños say the best fresh fish of Andalucía is found in Malaga, the best wine of Andalucía is made in Malaga and the best fiesta of Andalucía is celebrated in Malaga; their pride for their city and priorities in life make a stay here very pleasant surprise.

Visit to The Picasso Museum

Picasso was born in Malaga and in the city you can visit the Picasso Museum (which has remains of the cities Phoenician walls on the lower floor) and also the house of his birth in the Plaza de la Merced. Pictured above is the Alcazabar which has a Roman theatre and salting factiry excavasion going on at present, plus the cathedral - La Manquita, that was never actually finished! An evening stroll takes you along the seaside "paseo maritimo" where the air is filled with the aroma of skewered sardines "espetos" cooking on the open fires of the beach side "chiringuitos".

Day Eight - Transfer to Malaga airport, deposit hire car and say farewell to Andalucía!

What is included in the holiday

Accommodation
• 7 nights bed and breakfast in carefully selected hotels in the historical centre of each city, within a very short walking distance of all the major sites
• Breakfast is included in all hotels
• All rooms are en-suite and have air conditioning/heating

Activities
• Pre-booked visit to The Alhambra Palace
• Guided city walk of Granada
• Guided city walk of Seville
• Flamenco show in Seville
• Visit to The Picasso Museum

Transport
• 7 days hire of a Renault Clio type (5 door) model with air conditioning and a GPS navigation system

Plus
• A comprehensive guide pack for your trip including city maps, historical information, opening times for museums, art galleries and monuments plus recommended restaurants, pretty plazas, parks, view points and much more...
• A Tom Tom GPS system plus back up driving maps and directions of how to reach the hotel and parking information
• Access to our 24 hour telephone helpline if you need any assistance whilst you are in Andalucia
• A Spanish Phrase book
• All your pre-holiday and arrival information will be sent to you by email and your complete holiday guide pack will be waiting for you at your first hotel

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The itinerary

What is included

Current prices

Customer testimonials

Flights information

Read our "Terms & Conditions" of Booking

Your Accommodation

This holidays is offered in two different styles of accommodation

See our "Characterfull Hotels" Selection

See our "Boutique Hotels" Selection

Client's Comments

Peter Beaumont Self-drive tour of Andalucia February 2011 New Zealand

Thank you, thank you, thank you for a wonderful holiday in Andalucia. We loved the country, people, hotels, food, history and of course the wine. We greatly appreciated your notes and visited many of the sites and bars you recommended. We will return to Spain again now that you have whetted our appetite.

Jill & Tony Marlow, UK September 2010

We arrived home a week ago and have not had time to email you. Usual excuses! The holiday you organized went like clockwork! Everyone was most helpful and couteous. The places we visited were superb and we benefited from the guided tours in Granada and Seville, they were able to bring some local colour to the sites. All the hotels were comfortable and charming in their different ways, clearly all well situated and within easy walking distance of anything and everything. We would both like to thank you and your company for your help and be assured we will be recommending.

Heather Daniel UK February 2009

Thank you for arranging a really marvellous holiday. ALL your plans worked out perfectly with smooth connections and easy directions, we had no difficulties or hassles. We loved having the strain taken away without feeling organised. (I know we were organised but it was a gentle touch!!)

We especially loved the location for our hotels which were excellent. They were bang in the heart of things with character and we did not waste time getting to the historic and beautiful sights.

The holiday was everything that I had hoped for and more. I will certainly hope to return - the Alhambra particularly stole my heart!

Monica Davis USA November 2008

We arrived home a week ago after having a wonderful holiday. This was partly due to the fantastic organization by you of the Spanish section!

Thank you so much for the arrangements you made for us in all the parts of Spain that we visited. The Hotels, their situations, and the detail you provided for us was just fantastic. We could not have asked for anything better!

We had a marvellous time, thank you!

Charlotte Seymour UK March 2007

Having arrived back in London again, both Robert and I want to thank you for having organised such a lovely holiday. Everything was so well organised and worked like clockwork.

The hotel in Granada was like a dream, the one in Seville so central, Cordoba also full of character and Malaga fantastically comfortable, central and had a view out to see and the cathedral. The flamenco concert and the meal in Cordoba were excellent. An extra memorable event was witnessing some of the Semana Santa celebrations in Malaga.

Your information was so helpful and clear throughout. All in all, you provided us with a wonderful experience and we will be recommending you to all our friends.