Magnificent Buildings and Rugged Coastline: Andalucia and the Algarve Combo

To help you get to know this historic city, we’ll arrange for you to explore it this morning with a local guide. They know the city’s past and present like the back of their hand, and will put together a programme that takes into account the things you’re most interested in. You’ll have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure, whether that means sipping sherry in the city’s oldest bar, tucking into some tapas or visiting one of Seville’s many museums or art galleries.

To make sure you don’t miss Seville’s must-sees, we’ll get you queue-jumping tickets to three of its most important attractions. Built on the foundations of an Arab fortress, the Alcazar Palace is the oldest royal palace in Europe, and an extraordinary example of the city’s architectural history, full of rooms with golden domes, walls covered with azulejos (glazed tiles) and magnificent gardens. The Gothic Cathedral is the largest of its style in the country; inside, you’ll find the remains of Christopher Columbus. Finally, there’s the Church of the Divine Saviour which is built on the site of the former Great Umayyad Mosque and boasts a majestic brick facade with sculpted reliefs. After the Cathedral, this is the most important church in the city. If you want to soak up a different kind of culture, we can also get you tickets to a traditional flamenco show.

It’s time to move on to Portugal. Today you’ll be privately transferred to Faro (just over two hours away) where you’ll pick up your hire car and drive for an hour until you reach the village of Carvoeiro. You’ll spend four nights here on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean, with plenty of time to enjoy the spa, tennis courts and swimming pool. Break up your day with lunch with a view, or walk down to the small beach that’s just moments away.

Today you’ll take a private guided hike to Cape Saint-Vincent, the most south-westerly point in Europe. Because of its rugged terrain and windy weather, this region has mostly been spared from tourist development. Accordingly, you’ll find yourself in the midst of wild and untouched nature. Clusters of menhirs (large standing stones erected in the ground) testify to human presence dating back to the Neolithic era; much later, the Phoenicians built a sanctuary dedicated to Hercules here. Your hike begins in the scrublands of Charneca do Farol and leads you to Telheiro Beach, one of the most important geological sites in Portugal. You’ll return via the cliffs, between limestone formations and dunes.

The former fishing village of Carvoeiro has retained its old soul. While you’re here, stroll along the cobbled streets of its small centre and sample some of the delicious fresh seafood on offer. A little further along are the rocky coastlines that offer sublime views across the ocean. The beaches around Aljezur are a must-visit too. Located in the Vicentine Coast Natural Park, these long stretches of sand are among the most beautiful in the country, and they’re also perfect for surf lovers. If you like, we can arrange for you to take a boat trip to the Bénagil caves.