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This holiday can start any
date you request
Day One - Arrive Granada
(or Malaga) airport, and transfer to hotel in
Granada for 2 nights
After you have settled into your hotel 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, and
meat balls 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 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, has been short-listed as 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 by train 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 Colombus 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.
The white washed barrio Santa Cruz is the perfect spot for a long lazy lunch in
Seville, as you shade under an orange tree in a tiny cobbled plaza.
Day Four - Guided walking tour of Seville
Local guide Concepción will give you a 2 hour guided walk 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
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 Five - Transfer by train to
Cordoba for 2 nights
 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 visit to one of the cities truly authentic flamenco
performances is an absolute must.
Day Six -
A Day in Cordoba
- see the Great Mezquita
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. This
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 that survived the expulsion of The Jews from Spain.
Other places of interest include the Posada del Potro, mentioned in
Cervantes' Don Quixote, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Alcazar (once home of The
Spanish Inquisition) and numerous Roman remains.
Day Seven -
Transfer by
train 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 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.
Visit to The Picasso Museum
Picasso was born in Malaga and a visit to the new Picasso Museum is a must
along with a walk around the Alcazabar & the cathedral, then an evening stroll
along the seaside "paseo maritimo" where the air is filled with the aroma
of skewered sardines cooking on the open fires of the beach side "chiringuitos".
Day Eight
Transfer to Malaga airport and say farewell to Andalucía!
¡Hasta pronto!
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Train Journey of Moorish Andalucía
Andalucía is a land crafted by the colourful and majestic Moorish history of
Spain. The four great cities of Seville, Granada, Cordoba and Malaga each have
their own distinct offering of Moorish flavour combined with the flamboyance and
passion of the Andaluz culture today. This great train journey takes you through
stunning mountain scenery into each provincial capital where the tapping of
castanets and a flamenco guitar can be heard as you explore some of Europe's
most precious historical treasures including Granada's Alhambra Palace, Cordoba's
great mosque and the Royal Alcazar in Seville.
