Andalusian Soul with Portugal

Welcome to your tour with Europamundo!Our highspeed train will depart around 11:00 a. m. (time to be confirmed). In less than two hours, traveling at speeds of up to 300 km/h, we’ll arrive in Córdoba, the former capital of the Caliphate during the Islamic period. You’ll have free time to stroll through the city and enjoy lunch at your leisure. Later, we’ll meet our local guide for a visit to the city’s most iconic landmark, the stunning Mosque–Cathedral (tickets included), a true gem of both Islamic and Christian art. We’ll also wander through the charming Jewish Quarter, known for its narrow streets and flowerfilled patios—true symbols of the city’s identity. In the late afternoon, when Medina Azahara, the majestic palacecity of the Umayyad Caliphate, is open to the public (from June 21 to September 20), we’ll enjoy a magical nighttime visit (tickets included). During the rest of the year, or if the visit is not possible, we’ll extend our panoramic tour with a visit to one of Córdoba’s most iconic courtyards (tickets included).

After breakfast, we’ll drive through vast olive groves to Baena, a town with Roman roots, renowned for its highquality olive oil production. We’ll visit the Núñez de Prado Olive Oil Mill, one of the oldest in the Mediterranean, housed in an 18thcentury building. Here, we’ll learn about olive oil production and enjoy a tasting of pan con aceite (bread with olive oil). We’ll then continue to Granada, famous for the Alhambra (admission and guided tour included), a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch will be included. You’ll have free time in the afternoon to visit the cathedral or take a stroll through the Albaicín neighborhood, where you’ll find spectacular views of the Alhambra.

We’ll enjoy spectacular scenery as we cross the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Our journey will then take us along the Mediterranean, through the socalled Costa Tropical, where the mild microclimate yearround allows the cultivation of tropical fruits and crops such as guavas, mango, and avocado, and in the past, sugar cane. We’ll stop in Nerja, a charming coastal village with impressive cliffs. Next, we’ll head to Frigiliana, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Andalusia, with its steep streets lined with whitewashed houses, where you’ll discover charm in every corner. Our journey will continue to Malaga, capital of the Costa del Sol, known for its many museums, as the birthplace of Picasso, and the unfinished cathedral La Manquita, meaning in English “The OneArmed Lady”. You’ll have time for lunch and to explore the city center, or if the weather allows it, you can enjoy a visit to the beach for a swim.

Today we’ll enjoy one of the most beautiful stages of the trip, traveling through the White Villages and the Andalusian mountains. We begin with a visit to Puerto Banús in Marbella, one of Spain’s most luxurious marinas, famous for its yachts and highend boutiques. After a stroll, we continue to Setenil de las Bodegas, a spectacular white village with houses built into the rock, and then to Ronda, a picturesque city set above the dramatic Tajo Gorge. A typical lunch is included, followed by free time for a stroll before visiting the bullring, one of the oldest and most monumental in Spain (entrance included). We then arrive in Jerez de la Frontera, where we’ll have time to wander through the historic center and enjoy tapas in the traditional tabancos.

We’ll find ourselves in the heart of Andalusia, in jerez, a city renowned for its winemaking tradition, equestrian culture, and flamenco art. After breakfast, we’ll visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art (tickets included), where we’ll explore the Carriage Museum and witness the training of the majestic Andalusian horses. Before leaving jerez, we’ll make a brief stop to photograph the exterior of the Moorish Alcázar, a historical gem that echoes centuries of heritage. We’ll then continue to el Puerto de Santa Maria, a coastal town famous for its fine wines and seafood. Here, we’ll visit the Osborne Wineries (tickets and tasting included), immersing ourselves in the rich winemaking traditions of the region. After some free time to enjoy the surroundings, we’ll board a boat bound for Cádiz, in a scenic journey of approximately half an hour. In this city—one of the oldest in Europe—you’ll have free time to explore its impressive cathedral and charming old town. Later in the afternoon, we’ll cross the magnificent bridge heading toward Seville, where we’ll arrive by the end of the day.

After breakfast, we depart for ITALICA (entrance and guided tour with a local guide included), an ancient Roman city where the emperors Trajan and Hadrian were born. We will visit its amphitheater, which once held 25,000 spectators, as well as its baths and mosaics. Next, we head to PALOS DE LA FRONTERA, the port from which Columbus’s ships set sail for America in 1492. We will explore the Monastery of La Rábida, where Columbus found support for his expedition, and the Wharf of the Caravels (entrance included), where we’ll see replicas of his ships. We’ll have free time for lunch in HUELVA. In the afternoon, we continue along the Atlantic coast, near Doñana National Park, famous for its biodiversity. We’ll stop in EL ROCÍO, a village renowned for its pilgrimage and rural charm, where we’ll visit its sanctuary and enjoy views of Doñana. Return to SEVILLE in the late afternoon.

In the morning, we´ll embark on a city tour of Seville, where you´ll see the cathedral with its famous Giralda, the banks of the Guadalquivir River, and the popular neighborhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana. After the tour, enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Guadalquivir River offering stunning panoramic views (included). In the evening, you´ll have the option to attend a popular flamenco tablao.

We’ll leave Seville, traveling through pleasant landscapes of rolling hills and expansive pasturelands as we head towards Extremadura. In Mérida, admission is included to the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida, which features a Roman Theater and Amphitheater. This site is renowned for its excellent preservation and its designation as a World Heritage Site. You´ll have time for lunch and a stroll through the vibrant pedestrian historic center, filled with restaurants and local charm. We will then continue to Portugal, stopping in Évora, another World Heritage Site, known for its whitewashed streets, Renaissance palaces, and cathedral. We’ll arrive in Lisbon in the evening.

In the morning, we´ll embark on a sightseeing tour of Lisbon, exploring the Portuguese capital of the seven hills, with its charming alleys, iconic tiles, the feeling of "saudade," and the beautiful Atlantic light. We’ll also visit the Belem neighborhood, from where the great Portuguese navigators set sail to cross the oceans in the 15th century. Free time in the afternoon to walk and go to the Bairro Alto and its viewpoint; if you’d like to, you could take an optional trip to the towns of Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening, we’ll return to the hotel from the lively Restauradores Square, filled with vibrant bars and cafes.

We’ll depart from Portugal early, crossing the picturesque region of Alentejo. Our journey will include a coffee stop in Estremoz, a charming town known for its medieval castle, cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, and calming atmosphere, all of which reflect Portuguese authenticity. We’ll then cross into Spain. In Cáceres, you’ll have the chance to enjoy lunch and explore its historic center, renowned as one of the bestpreserved medieval and Renaissance urban complexes in the world. We’ll continue to Madrid, arriving in the evening. Our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful and lasting memories. Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night.