Itinerary Highlights
    • Combine flagship towns, country lanes and the charm of Paradors. Stroll through the alleyways filled with flowers in white villages


    • Our selection of typical Andalusian accommodation


    • Seville accompanied by a local amd a guided tour of the Alhambra are included, plus private guides in Ronda and Carmon


    • You'll have access to our additional services, including our local Concierge

Contact one of our specialists + 44 (0) 20 3958 6120

Experience Andalucia as a couple, from unmissable landmarks to secret cities

In Andalucia, there are the iconic Seville, Cordoba and Granada; but there's also the lesser-known Ronda, Arcos de la Frontera, Carmona, Ubeda, Grazalema, and Cadiz. For all the flagship cities and villages this itinerary highlights, it also showcases Mudejar elegance and the gentleness of Iberian life, from Renaissance palaces to Gothic churches and shaded patios. Between two urban hubs you will breathe the air of the Andalusian countryside; vast plains planted with olive fields spread out before you, castles built in eagles' nests and pristine villages that slumber come siesta time.

Your accommodation
- This trip is designed for couples interested in the beauty and history of southern Spain and the slow pace of the simple life. This focus on couples is reflected in our selection of charming accommodation, mostly Paradors, but also an independent hotel, all combining an excellent location, buildings steeped in history and personal service.

As for logistics - A rental car and GPS are provided. You take the route at your own pace and choose where to stop and which detours you make. We have already included an impromptu walk with a resident in Seville and a guided tour of the Alhambra in Granada; as for the rest, you can request a guide or explore on your own. Not forgetting the assistance of our local Concierge on hand to accompany you throughout the trip.



On route, you'll love...

The consistently excellent location of the Paradors: in the historic centre, overlooking a valley or on an iconic square - eat up the miles in the Andalusian countryside and take as many detours as you like to discover a village with whitewashed walls, enjoy the panorama or indulge in a gourmet meal - on fine days, seek out the coolness of the patios and enjoy an invigorating swim at your overnight accommodation - recruit a private guide in Seville so you don't miss a thing - the subtle mix of age and design and the exceptional pool at your hotel in Cordoba (the only time you'll be unfaithful to the Paradors!) - at each stop, the opportunity to visit the great sites in the company of private guides - a visit to the Alhambra (already included), a beautiful palatial city perched high above Granada, witness to the Muslim presence in Spain from the eighth to the 15th centuries - in any season: from November to discover the sites away from the crowds in the beautiful winter sunshine, in spring when nature is reborn or in summer to experience siestas on the patio.

Route

Everything is 100% tailored to you
DAY 1

Flight to Malaga - Ronda

Pick up your hire car at the airport and drive to Ronda on the Costa del Sol, one of Andalucia's best-loved cities, a true eagle's nest on a rocky headland.
Things to see on the way - Mijas, a small white town up high, with narrow alleyways and elaborate wrought iron - old Marbella with its white houses and its balconies overflowing with flowers.
Your first night in a Parador, in fact, the old town hall of which only the facade has been preserved and which overlooks the Puente Nuevo and the Tajo ravine. We love its brightly-coloured interiors decorated with plants and its pleasant swimming pool for sunny days.
Optional - Private tour of Ronda.

DAY 2

Ronda - Grazalema - Arcos de la Frontera

Optional - A VIP meeting with a passionate bullfighting expert: visit to a breeding farm and local lunch.
Arrive in Grazalema on scenic roads which meander through landscapes of cork oak; Pinsapo pines, real living fossils that are unique in Europe, are not to be missed.
Continue on to Arcos de la Frontera, a beautiful Andalusian village perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the Guadalete River.
Not to be missed - The old and high part of the village - Cabildo Square.
Enjoy overnight accommodation in a superbly situated Parador above Arcos de la Frontera. It's a little difficult to get to, but when you arrive the panoramic view of the city and the valley is breathtaking.

DAY 3

Arcos de la Frontera - Seville

Departure towards Seville, with plenty of detours on the way. Visit the old town of Cadiz, built on a rock surrounded by the sea, where you must see the Tavira tower, the cathedral and the Museum of Fine Arts; plus Jerez de la Frontera, famous for its vineyard, where you can visit the many bodegas and taste local wines. Jerez is also famous for its horses, so you can visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, and for its purist take on flamenco.
Optional - Private guided tour of Carmona, a small medieval city perched at over 1,300ft, which houses a number of very ancient churches and monuments, bringing together all Andalusian styles.
Accommodation for two nights in the heart of Seville, in the Santa Cruz district, close to the Cathedral and Giralda. We have found a traditional 19th-century home here, sympathetically restored and with some well-chosen added modern touches. Special mention should be made of the rooftop terrace with a pleasant swimming pool for sunny days.

DAY 4

Seville

Bordered by the tranquil waters of the Guadalquivir, Seville has all the charms of timeless Andalucia. Renaissance palaces, Gothic churches and shaded patios reveal a Mudejar elegance and the gentle Iberian way of life.
Included in the itinerary - An guided walk with an expert on Seville. Nothing is planned in advance: your guide knows their city perfectly and adapts to everyone's interests. A specialist in Andalusian culture, literature, architecture or music; they know all about the best places to eat and they want to share their passion for their city and a little bit of their life.
Things to see and experience - The Cathedral - the Real Alcazar - the Museum of Fine Arts - the Renaissance Palace of the Casa de Pilatos - the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza - strolling in the ancient gypsy quarter of Triana - enjoying a fried delicacy in one of the small restaurants on the Guadalquivir - cycling around the city and regaining strength with regular tapas breaks - contemplating the city from the top of the Giralda.

DAY 5

Seville - Cordoba

Make your way northeast to Cordoba, one of the oldest cities in Spain, located on the banks of the Guadalquivir. You settle in there for the night in a boutique hotel. On-site you'll find a beautiful garden, delightful pool, spa and modern rooms with exposed masonry.
Not to be missed - The patios - the picturesque Juderia district - the Calahorra tower - the famous Cathedral/Mosque 'la Mezquita', with its courtyard of orange trees - the Alcazar founded in the 14th century - the Museum of Fine Arts.

DAY 6

Cordoba - Ubeda

Continue east towards Ubeda, the UNESCO-listed Andalusian Renaissance 'capital', which overlooks a large valley planted with olive groves.
Things to see on the way - The small town of Baeza, also UNESCO-listed, rich in monuments. Here there are remains from the Iberian, Roman, Visigothic and Muslim eras.
Things to see and do in Ubeda - Stroll through the ancient streets of the city - Vazquez de Molina square and its impressive Renaissance buildings, consisting of the Davalos Palace and the Sacra Capilla de El Salvador.
Overnight again in the Parador, this time a Renaissance palace, located in Ubeda's historic centre and built around a beautiful interior courtyard with a double gallery whose upper part is glazed. The patio is huge, and the spacious rooms with their tall ceilings have a clear grandeur.

DAY 7

Ubeda - Granada

Road due south to Granada through the rocky landscapes of the Sierra de Cazorla, the source of the Guadalquivir.
Along the way - Plan a break in the village of Cazorla with its maze of alleyways, its high-up castle and its olive grove countryside: the authentic bright white Andalusian village.
Spend two nights in our last Parador, in the very heart of the famous Alhambra gardens. An ancient Franciscan convent combining Arab and Christian styles, the terrace has splendid views and gardens with orange blossoms.

DAY 8

Granada

Among the highlights - The Alhambra and Generalife gardens - the Cathedral - the Charles-Quint Palace - Plaza Nueva and Calle Recogidas on the outskirts of the modern city.
Included in the itinerary - A visit to the Alhambra with a private guide. This castle, built on a rocky hill above the city of Granada, was the residence of the kings of the court of Granada in the 13th century and was transformed into a vast citadel in the centuries that followed. It consists of two main parts: the Alcazaba (the military area which served as the barracks for the Royal Guard) and the Medina (palatine city) where the noblemen lived. The Nasrid palaces are in the centre of the Alhambra and were its political and religious heart until the 16th century. More than a palace, the Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage city surrounded by high walls with over 7,000ft of ramparts.

DAY 9

Granada - Malaga - Return flight

Return to Malaga, return of hire car and flight home.

A la carte

Private trip to Ronda

Apart from its whitewashed houses and its important Roman, Moorish and Christian remain, Ronda's peculiarity is that it is divided into two by a 500ft deep ravine, the Tajo, formed by the Guadalevin River. Connected by three bridges, including the spectacular Puente Nuevo, the old walled town, on the South Bank, guards churches and palaces built during the Arab and Christian conquests. Ronda is also the spiritual capital of bullfighting; its arenas have seen the birth of great bullfighting dynasties. The Plaza de Toros is one of Spain's biggest arenas and the oldest, after Seville.

Option - With a private guide



Meet Spanish Fighting Bulls with a specialist

Rafael Puerto is a bullfighting expert, well-known in his field and passionate about bull breeding, their way of life, the selection process for bullfighting and the history of these legendary animals. Enter the gates of a prestigious breeding farm with him to discover bulls destined for bullfighting (toros bravos - Spanish fighting bulls) in their natural environment, as well as Andalusian horses. And to prolong this immersion in Andalusian culture, the tour also includes a three-course lunch in a local restaurant.

Optional - With a private guide



Carmona, the medieval city

Smaller and more intimate than its flamboyant neighbour Seville, Carmona plunges us into tormented and fascinating Andalusian history. It is one of the oldest cities in Andalucia, home to an extraordinary number of churches and monuments that bear witness to its rich past, bringing together all styles, from Roman simplicity to subtle eastern beauty. In this itinerary, you'll have guided tours of the necropolis, Saint Peter's church, the Gate of Seville, the Prioral Church of Santa Maria, the Gate of Cordoba and the Parador of Carmona.

Option - With a private guide



A Rough Idea of Price

Dependent on season, accommodation and activities
The estimated cost for this trip starts from £2,600 to £4,145 per person. All of our holidays are tailor made so prices will vary dependent on a number of factors, such as seasonality, level of accommodation and how far in advance you book. The final cost will vary according to several factors, including the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be shown on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £3,315 per person.
  • International flights with a commercial airline


  • Airline taxes and fuel surcharge


  • Overnight stay in the Parador de Ronda in a superior double room with breakfast included


  • Overnight stay in the Parador de Arcos de la Frontera in a superior double room with breakfast included


  • Two-night stay in Seville in a premium double room with breakfast included


  • Overnight stay in Cordoba in a double room with breakfast included


  • Overnight stay in the Parador de Ubeda, in a superior room with breakfast included


  • Two nights in the Parador de Granada, in a superior room with breakfast included


  • Car hire for nine days


  • Half-day walk with an expert guide in Seville that's tailored to your interests


  • Visit to the Alhambra in Granada with a private guide


  • Our local Concierge service
A few of the benefits of travelling with us
Get in touch
Our experts have the inside track on the destinations they sell and will tailor-make a holiday to your unique requirements.
Contact one of our Spain specialists