Andalusian Adventure

Welcome to Spain, or Bienvenido a España as they say in Spain! Your bilingual Spanish guides will meet you at the airport and will be with you for the entirety of your time in Andalusia. After getting you checked into your hotel, your guides will take you out to enjoy traditional Spanish tapas.

After a meal filled with new flavors, wander through the bustling capital of the south to Las Setas. This massive wooden structure is built over ancient ruins and gives you a panoramic view of the city you will spend the next few days exploring.

Buenos dias, Sevilla! You will spend most of today at the Real (Royal) Alcazar de Sevilla, the ancient palace first inhabited by Moorish royalty, and then later by the royal Catholic family. Here you will see a one of a kind clash of culture and style, where Muslim design is interwoven with Catholic art and architecture.

This afternoon head across the bridge to Triana. On your way, stop at El Torre del Oro, The Golden Tower, where you will have a fantastic view of the Guadalquivir River, an important passageway used in past centuries where Spain traded with countries throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Your guides will take you through Triana, which in the past was an entirely separate city known to be inhabited by gypsies and textile workers. Notice the brightly colored buildings, the tiles ordaining every building and the flowers around every corner. Trina is most famous for Flamenco, a traditional style of music and dance. Attend a flamenco show where you will see Andalusian culture come to life before your very eyes.

Today you will get to know many of the unique and beautiful areas of the city. Begin the day at Plaza Espana, the site Sevilla is perhaps best known for. This stunning plaza was built in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exposition, and its vast and open architecture symbolizes openness to the future and Spain embracing trade and collaboration with the West. Get lost in the stunning tilework of this plaza and the breathtaking combination of Moorish and Spanish architecture.

Just behind the plaza, you will find Maria Luisa park. Here you will encounter enchanting pathways curving through lush gardens and trees as old as the city itself. Take a seat at one of the many fountains to escape the heat, then take time to wander through the adjoining Plaza de America adorned with roses of every color imaginable.

Take a break in the shade of this plaza and enjoy a classic Spanish Cafe con Leche or Churros con Chocolate before heading into the city center, where you can see the Universidad de Sevilla. This is Sevilla’s main University and was converted into the University from a 20th-century tobacco factory.

Take a walk through the main area of town where you will find many shops, restaurants, bakeries, and plazas. Later, tour the Cathedral of Seville, Cathedral Santa Maria, which is the 2nd largest cathedral in Europe, after St. Peter’s in the Vatican, Italy. As you tour the cathedral, you will see impressive feats of building and architecture, astonishing stained glass windows, and the tomb of Christopher Columbus. You will then tour La Giralda, the bell tower of the cathedral. The tower’s initial construction began in 1171 under caliph rule but was finished in the 14th century when the city came under Christian rule. Notice the contrast of the two styles at the bottom and top halves of the tower as you climb up the many ramps to the top.

Vamos por Granada! The city is only about 3 hours from Sevilla, but you will notice a sharp contrast between the cities. In Granada, you will be surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains and will quickly notice a much stronger Moorish presence than in Sevilla.

Today you will tour the different areas of the city, where you can walk through the city center and wander the winding streets through the rock caves where people still live today, in the Sacromonte neighborhood. You will also experience the Albacin neighborhood, the oldest area of the city and still most prevalently influenced by the Moors. Take in dramatic views of the Alhambra and the Sierras, and navigate the bustling streets lined with shops selling stained glass lamps and fragrant teas and spices.

Today you will spend your day in the city’s Alhambra. This palace/ fortress first came under construction in AD 889 under Moorish rule, but like the Real Alcazar, it was molded to fit the needs of the Christian rules after the Reconquista.

It is easy to get lost in the beauty and magnitude of the Alhambra. Your guides will take you back in time as you see the numerous palaces, gardens and military fortresses- guaranteed to leave any visitor in awe. Pay close attention to the intricate detail of the Alhambra, as sometimes the smallest details tell the biggest stories of all.

Today you will tour Cordoba, where you will become mesmerized by this charming city. First visit the Mezquita, where the bold colors and alluring designs will capture the awe of anyone lucky enough to tour this place. Learn about the history of the Mezquita, as it has been passed through the hands of many of the region’s powerful military and religious.

You will then embark on a city tapa tour, where you will see both the sights of the city paired with the fantastic gastronomy it has to offer. Your guides will take you to some of the most famous restaurants and tapa bars of the region, so come hungry and we hope you aren’t afraid to try new foods and flavors!

Today you will experience the Spanish countryside as you journey to Ronda. Ronda, established in 1st century AD by Julius Caesar, is infamous for its bridge, or puente. The bridge, taking over 42 years to build, was completed in 1792. It bridges the city over a vast ravine that rapidly plummets over 300 feet. Take a walk over the bridge and hike down to see this architectural feat from all angles and take in views the stunning landscape surrounding the town.

You will then take a tour of the bullfighting ring of Ronda, where tradition and culture is combined into an artform that showcases both beauty and despair. Learn about the history of bullfighting in Spain, and how the tradition is carried on today.

Take a quick ride through the rolling hills of the area to the small but charming town of Zahara. This picturesque town is one of the Pueblos Blancos, or white towns, of Andalusia. Here you will see visit a castle situated on the top of the tallest mountain in the town. Take in the stunning views of seemingly endless green pastures dotted with small towns. Head to the town of Zahara to enjoy your favorite tapas one last time before heading to the airport. We hope you enjoyed your journey through Andalucia!