The passion, romance, mystique, beauty and history of Spain are nowhere more evident than in ancient Andalusia, the vast southern region, with a name that became a byword for Spanish culture. This fascinating eight-day self-drive tour gives you the chance to discover the cultural riches of Andalusia, from Phoenician times through the Roman, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian periods. Visit spellbinding world heritage sights such as the Alcazar and cathedral in Seville, the Great Mosque of Cordoba, and contemplate great views of the Alhambra in Granada.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Ronda: This charming city hugs the edges of a 120-metre gorge and is packed with historic churches and palaces, as well as Spain’s oldest bullring.
Jerez de la Frontera: A beautiful baroque city, which gave its name to sherry, is considered the spiritual home of Spanish horsemanship.
White village route: Journey through the picturesque highlands of the Sierra de Grazalema and behold the rustic beauty of its whitewashed villages.
Seville: Explore the elegant capital of Andalusia, visiting the world-famous Plaza de España, the former royal palace and cathedral as well as strolling through old Jewish quarter.
Cordoba: Discover the magnificent Great Mosque, wander through the former Jewish district and visit the synagogue.
Granada: Be dazzled by the jewel in Andalusia’s crown with a photo stop to the awe-inspiring Alhambra palace as well as a stroll through the ancient Albaicin district.
Day 1: ARRIVAL SEVILLE
Arrive at Seville airport and pick up your car. Discover Seville and visit some of the capital’s top attractions such as the Royal Alcazar palace and the cathedral – both UNESCO World Heritage Sites – as well as Santa Cruz, its most picturesque inner-city neighborhood. The Royal Alcazar traces its origins to the 10th century when it became the palace of a Moorish caliph. Visit the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea and see its glorious Giralda belfry, Seville’s most iconic symbol. The building, a former mosque from the 12th century, is now the third-largest church in the world. Explore lively Santa Cruz, the former Jewish quarter, and today the most traditional neighborhood in the old town. It is a warren of whitewashed lanes, alleys, archways, and patios, each with a historical tale to tell. Enjoy a tapas lunch in a typical restaurant (not included).
Overnight in Seville.
Day 2: SEVILLE – JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA (90 Km – 1.5 hrs)
Have a tasty breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a picturesque drive to Jerez de la Frontera, passing through some of the most beautiful countryside areas in Andalusia, which is dotted with rustic villages known as pueblos blancos. See Moorish citadels, romantic farmhouses nestling in verdant valleys, historic hilltop hamlets and towns perched precariously on precipitous ridges. Arrive in Jerez de la Frontera and check-in at the hotel.
Overnight in Jerez de la Frontera.
Day 3: JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA – RONDA (115 Km – 1.5 hrs)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for Ronda, taking a scenic inland route and passing red earth hills dotted with olive plantations. On arrival, admire the well-preserved ruins of five defensive walls testifying to Ronda’s turbulent past. Today, this history casts an enchanting spell over Ronda, retaining a beguiling timelessness in the maze of whitewashed cobbled alleys leading to the famous New Bridge over the 120-metre-deep El Tajo Gorge. Admire the Mudejar towers, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches during your visit. Discover the imposing Gothic-Renaissance Church of Santa Maria la Mayor, built in the 1480s by the Castilian conquerors on the site of the Moorish great mosque and see what a traditional Andalusian house looks like inside with a visit to the eclectic-modernist Casa de Don Juan de Bosco. Also, explore the oldest bullring in Spain and its museum.
Overnight in Ronda.
Day 4: RONDA – GRANADA (180 Km – 2.5 hrs)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before exploring the historic city of Granada and photographing its greatest treasure, the Alhambra palace. For more than 1,000 years, this ‘pearl set in emeralds’ has stood atop Sabika hill overlooking the city, gaining in importance during the Moorish Nasrid dynasty, which turned the original castle into the palace of today. The royal complex and gardens were built to be 'heaven on earth', with cool patios, fountains and intricate carvings. Marvel at the rooms such as the Court of the Myrtles and the Hall of the Ambassadors, which are decorated in elaborate honeycomb arabesque plasterwork.
Overnight in Granada.
Day 5: GRANADA
Indulge in a tasty breakfast at the hotel and continue exploring Granada. Cross the verdant ravine of the River Darro to the historic Albaicin quarter, which has existed since Moorish times and still maintains its original chaotic layout. Narrow cobblestone alleys of tightly packed whitewashed houses snake their way upwards to the various vantage points offering breathtaking views of the Alhambra nestled under the Sierra Nevada.
Overnight in Granada.
Day 6: GRANADA – CORDOBA (200 Km – 2.5 hrs)
Have a tasty breakfast at the hotel and head towards Cordoba. Arrive in Cordoba and enjoy the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cordoba was the capital of the Moorish Caliphate of Al-Andalus during the height of its powers and glory, and nowhere is this wealth more evident than in the magnificent Great Mosque, which is now the Catholic cathedral. Wander through the collonaded prayer halls, which are decorated with hundreds of marble columns joined by two-tone arches. Admire the mihrab and the side chapels, with their eclectic mix of arabesque and baroque styles. Stroll through the Patio of the Orange Trees, an oasis of peace cooled by the shade of 100 trees, and admire the arabesque decorations of exterior doorways. Continue by walking to the former Jewish Quarter to visit the 14th-century synagogue.
Overnight in Cordoba.
Day 7: CORDOBA – SEVILLE (140 Km – 1.5 hrs)
After a tasty breakfast at the hotel, drive back to the capital city and take the opportunity to visit and enjoy the wonderful city of Seville again.
Overnight in Seville.
Day 8: DEPART SEVILLE
Bid farewell to Seville after a tasty breakfast at the hotel, driving towards the rental car office to return the vehicle. The rent-a-car shuttle service will transfer you to the terminal to catch your departure flight back home.
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Spain. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent in summer can be very useful during your stay
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