The Golden Age of Spain: Andalucia Tour

Today you’ll start out with a tour of the Real Alcázar Palace, where to this day the King and Queen of Spain reside when they visit Seville. The palace dates back to the Almohad rulers but was expanded and rebuilt by Peter the Cruel during the 14th century. Here you can see the finest example of the Mudéjar-style architecture that is so typical of Andalusia. The palace is a stunning mixture of both the Moorish design and Christian aesthetic. Then spend some time wandering through the palace gardens. Next you will continue on to the western part of Seville. After strolling past the world-renowned university and contemplating what it must have looked like in its previous incarnation as a tobacco factory, you will arrive at the beautiful María Luisa Park. The site of the 1929 Ibero-American Expo, this pleasant oasis of shady trees, hidden paths, and freshwater pools was landscaped in the French, Anglo-Saxon and Arabic styles. Here you may wander peacefully, while exploring the lovely restored pavilions that now serve as art and archeology museums. After your tour, you will enjoy an authentic paella lunch. For the rest of the day, you may choose to participate in optional excursions or you may take a siesta so that you’ll be fresh for the evening. Tonight you’ll experience a passionate flamenco performance at a tablao flamenco (traditional flamenco venue in a small intimate space).

Upon arrival in Granada, you’ll check into your hotel and then enjoy an early lunch by Spanish standards. Today will be dedicated almost entirely to the exploration of Granada's most revered monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Alhambra. Granada was the last bastion of Islamic rule in Andalusia, and this Moorish stronghold survived until the Catholic Reconquista led by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel in 1492. The majestic Alhambra palace, perched high above Granada on the Sabika Hill, serves as a testament to the enduring influence of Moorish culture in Spain to this day.

The Alhambra is the largest and best-preserved medieval fortress in Europe: an artistic and architectural wonder that owes its cultural wealth to the greatest Moorish sultans, architects and artists. The first wave of Moors who swept into Spain in 711 AD were nomadic tribes of the desert, and they viewed Granada as their oasis. As the Alhambra was being built, water became the dominant theme, and everywhere you turn you’ll see fountains, pools and water channels. Your guide will share the stories behind the many towers and rooms and discuss the significance of illustrious historical characters. Later today, you’ll have free time to continue exploring Granada. You might visit the outdoor cafes on the Plaza Nueva to relax in the sunshine, or enter one of the tea shops behind the plaza to try sample a Moorish pastry with an herbal tea infusion. Later this afternoon or evening, try some of the city’s tapas bars that are well off-the-beaten tourist path—for an authentic cultural experience.

Today you’ll explore the city of Granada more in depth on a guided tour. Among the tour's highlights are visits to the Cathedral and Royal Chapel, where the Catholic Kings Ferdinand and Isabel are buried, the Alcaiceria (the old Arab marketplace), and the Plaza Bib Rambla (also called the Plaza de las Flores) with its 17th-century Gigantones Fountain as the centerpiece. Next, you’ll meander through the narrow labyrinthine streets of the old Arab quarter, the Albaicín. Admire the peaceful courtyards, hidden lookouts and immaculate gardens. For lunch, you’ll enjoy the local specialties at an open-air restaurant, and finally you’ll climb to the highest point of the Albaicín to be awed by the extraordinary views of the Alhambra from the Plaza de San Nicolas. Bill Clinton recently revisited this spot as he had been there during his college days and never forgot the place. You too may feel that a part of you will be left behind after you leave Granada, joining the millions of souls who have come before and have been inspired by this beautiful city!

In the distance, looking beyond the red towers of the Alhambra, you can see a majestic mountain range called the Sierra Nevada. Nestled between these snowcapped mountain peaks lies a captivating region of ancient villages and blossoming valleys, called Las Alpujarras. Once remote and inaccessible, the high-pastured Alpujarras region was the stage for many Moorish-Christian battles throughout the 14th and 15th centuries and has also been the backdrop for many literary escapades. This rugged mountainous country of ethereal waterfalls, sun-drenched olive groves, and gushing rivers will provide an enchanting setting for your two-day stay. Your lodging is in Capileira, a whitewashed village high above the Poqueira Gorge. From afar, the village looks like a glistening cascade of bright white houses spilling over from the edge of the valley down into the lush green ravine below.

You'll begin the day with an ascent into the Sierra Nevada Mountains, winding your way through several towns of Las Alpujarras including Lanjarón, the source of Spain's most abundant spring for bottled water. Upon arriving in Capileira, you'll begin your first day's walk. Climbing east out of Capileira into the Barranco del Cerezo, the ravine of the cherry trees, you'll be awestruck by breathtaking vistas of the five other Alpujarreña towns in the valley below. You'll pass through the winding streets of Capileria and Pitres, another ancient mountain village. Then you'll continue down into the valley, stopping for photo-ops or to taste the spring water flowing from roadside fountains, finally descending into the town of Mecina Fondales, a tiny village in a beautiful, scenic location. Your bus will pick you up for the drive back to Capileira, where you’ll enjoy a hearty lunch on a sunny rooftop patio. The day wouldn't be complete without a visit to a traditional ham-drying tavern. Enjoy a private tour by a local, who will show you how Spanish Serrano ham is cured, and then will allow you to sample some of his finest handcrafted Jamón Serrano.

Your second day in Las Alpujarras promises to be an exhilarating one. You may choose to participate on an all-day hike that starts in the highest village in Spain, Trevélez, and finishes back at your hotel. Along the way you'll picnic beside a gentle mountain stream and admire the exceptional views from high above the rolling green valleys. Season permitting, you'll also see many varieties of wildflowers as well as herds of mountain goats. For those looking who prefer a more relaxed pace, you may select two shorter, more leisurely walks to nearby villages where local artisans sell their traditional handicrafts. This afternoon will include free time for a swim in the pool or to take a siesta. In the evening, you'll have refreshments under a canopy of elm trees and then enjoy a typical dinner of Patatas a lo Pobre (which translates to “potatoes of the poor man” but is truly delicious!) made with potatoes, onions, and green peppers slowly sautéed in a olive oil, and served with green salad, chorizo sausage, homemade gazpacho soup and refreshing Vinello (a local wine produced in Las Alpujarras region).

From Las Alpujarras, you’ll be transported by bus to Córdoba, a marvelously preserved historic city with a fascinating Moorish past. Córdoba was one of Europe’s greatest cities during the 10th century. At the time, the city had 10 times the population that Paris and was the capital of Al Andalus, the Islamic kingdom. In Córdoba, classical knowledge was resuscitated in the West by great Cordovan scholars, such as Jewish philosopher Maimonides and Arab philosopher Averroes. The influence of these two men has left an indelible print on human history.

After lunch, you’ll set out for a guided tour through the narrow streets of la Judería, the old Jewish quarter. The district buzzes with activity and is filled with souvenir shops, yet the solemn reign of history pervades. You will visit one of the three remaining synagogues in all of Spain, built during the era when the Jewish population of Córdoba flourished. Then pay homage to the great humanists and scholars of Córdoba as you pass by their statues. You will also see how today’s residents of Córdoba live in this charming quarter, with lovely homes featuring enchanted patios and decorated iron-grill balconies. Your last evening will be one to remember: You will be treated to a fabulous gourmet dinner of exquisite seafood, eggplant in honey sauce and carnes a la brasa (grilled meat). This exquisite meal is served on the rooftop terrace of an atmospheric Córdoba restaurant overlooking the Mezquita, accompanied by a live Spanish guitar performance. Make a toast to the wonderful experiences that you’ve enjoyed during your trip!

Your last day in Córdoba could be the highlight. You will have a chance to see one of the most amazing monuments in Europe, la Mezquita (the old mosque). This breathtaking architectural wonder, with its graceful rows and rows of candy-striped arches, has a surprise at its center: a soaring a cathedral! The awe-inspiring mosque was built in the 8th century and converted to a cathedral in the 16th century after the Christian Reconquest. No other site in Spain so wonderfully exhibits the fantastic blend of cultures that defines Andalusia. After your visit to la Mezquita, the tour concludes. You’ll be provided a private transfer to the airport in time for your return flight home. It is time to say, "Adios" to Andalusia, until next time.