Luxury Chauffeur driven tour of Andalucia

Introduction

This is the ultimate experience of Andalucia; staying in the most beautiful 4 and 5 star luxurious hotels as you are chauffeured around the great Moorish cities of Granada, Seville, Cordoba and the vineyards and bodegas of Jerez de la Frontera. In each city you will have your own personal, professional guide who will give you a fascinating tour of the main monuments and sights using their expertise to ensure that you get the very best out of your time and can tailor any visit to suit your particular or special interests. Your private chauffeur will drive you though stunning mountains scenery dotted with crumbling hillside castles as you seamlessly transfer from one city to the next, with maybe a stop for lunch along the way.

Chauffeur driven tour of Andalucia Itinerary - 6 nights

This holiday can start on any date you request.

Day One - Arrive Granada and be transferred to your Granada hotel 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 - Private Guided 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.

This morning you will be met by your own personal expert and guide who will give you a three hour tour of the palace complex and gardens that will bring every corner to life through its history and legends.

Early evening is the best time to wander around and loose yourself in 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 with your driver 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.

Afternoon private guided tour of Cordoba

For this afternoon you will have a three hour private tour of Cordoba including the mezquita, Juderia, Alcazar and synagogue. 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.

Day Four - Transfer with your driver 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 - Private guided tour of Seville

Today can be a day to explore Seville and for three hours you will be given an exclusive private tour of the highlights of the city with a professional local guide. Starting off in the cathedral, one of the largest Gothic churches of the world where from the Arabic minaret La Giralda you get stunning panoramic views of the city. Across the square is the Alcazar; a royal palace for over 1000 years and home to some of Spain's most beautiful Mudejar architecture and gardens, and behind the palace is the romantic barrio Santa Cruz, the medieval part of the city which is a labyrinth of narrow streets and white washed houses with iron grilled windows and geranium covered balconies.

After lunch you are free to further explore the city including maybe a boat trip up the Río Guadalquivir or relax with a book in the shade of the Marie Louisa park.

Day Six - Private guided Excursion to the vineyards and bodegas of Jerez de la Frontera

Jerez is about 85km from Seville and before reaching the town you will stop off at a vineyard to learn of the many factors which affect grape production and quality. Following this you will proceed to one of the bodegas to be shown around the spectacular buildings with rows upon rows of sherry butts stacked one on top of the other. These buildings are often compared to cathedrals and it is certainly true that they give the impression of being sanctified places. After a detailed tour including a complete explanation of the sherry-making process there will be a tutored tasting of the different styles of wine including high end wines not normally available. On the tour you will also find out how sherry vinegar and Jerez Brandy are made and you will also get the chance to sample some of the top brandies available. After this first visit you will then move on to a much smaller family bodega where as well as being shown around you will be able to taste some exceptionally fine wines unknown to all except a few select connoisseurs. To finish the day a late lunch will be enjoyed in one of the best restaurants in Jerez, accompanied, of course, by fine sherry wines.

Day Seven - Depart Seville and say farewell to Andalucia

Ideas .......

• Enjoy a giuded tapas tour of the best bars in Seville
• Substitute your day in Jerez to visit the ham producing farms of Jabugo
• Have diner in El Bulli - the restaurant of Ferran Adria with 2 Michelin stars
• Substitute your chauffeur for 1st class train travel
• Depart from Malaga and have lunch in Ronda on the way or combine this trip with train travel from and back to Madrid

What is included in the holiday

Accommodation
• 6 nights bed and breakfast in carefully selected luxury 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 superior in class
• All rooms have an en-suite bathroom and air conditioning/heating

Activities
• Private guided tour of The Alhambra Palace
• Private guided tour of Cordoba
• Private guided tour of Seville
• Flamenco show in Seville
• Private excursion to the bodegas and vineyards of Jerez, with tasting sessions and lunch

Transport
• Private chauffeur driven Mercedes for your airport transfers and transfers between Granada and Cordoba and from Cordoba to Seville

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...
• 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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Client's Comments

Christine Johnston Chauffeur driven Luxury Andalucía & Madrid July 2011 Australia

I am so sorry I have not emailed you before now to thank you for all your work on my behalf to ensure that I had a wonderful experience of the glorious Andalucia region. Every aspect of my tour worked out well and I was very impressed by the accommodation, the private tour guides, the chauffeurs and the the all-round good time that I had. And the guy who took us on the Tapas Tour in Madrid was delightful and entertaining – we had such a great night out on the town. My one regret is that I had to come home again – I so loved Spain and all it has to offer – what a vibrant and exciting place to be. I will certainly be recommending your services to anyone who is thinking of getting a "taste" of Spain Once again thank you for making my special holiday even more special!

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 sea 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.