Madrid & Southern Spain - 9 days

Welcome to Madrid, the Spanish capital! You will be collected at the airport and transferred to our hotel, where the evening is at leisure.

Madrid - Cordoba. Today, we embark on an all-encompassing coach tour of Madrid. The highlights of our excursion include the historic Barrio de la Morería, the Habsburgs District, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa. We will explore the Madrid of the Bourbons, including the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, and visit the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains, and the Puerta de Alcalá. In the more contemporary part of the city, we will see areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the Salamanca district, as well as the commercial and financial zones of Modern Madrid.

We will also visit the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium, home to Real Madrid. During the tour, we will enjoy a taste of the typical Madrid-style snack, chocolate with churros. We have a tasty Welcome Dinner this evening at an authentic Tapas restaurant.

Madrid - Merida - Cordoba. After breakfast, we say farewell to Madrid and head south. Before reaching Cordoba, we visit Mérida, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved Roman ruins, including the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre. Explore its rich historical heritage before continuing to Cordoba, once the capital of the Caliphate. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Cordoba - Seville. This morning, we embark on an impressive tour of Cordoba's Mosque (entrance included) and other sites that will ease our minds and spirits as we stroll through the narrow, winding streets of the Jewish Quarter, accompanied by our expert local guide. In the afternoon, we continue our journey towards Seville, the capital of Andalusia. Tonight, we have the opportunity to discover Andalusian cuisine at a local restaurant with our fellow travelers.

Today we explore Seville on a guided tour. Entrance to the city's cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world, is included. We also visit the Santa Cruz Quarter, where the famous opera 'Carmen' is largely set, also known for the myth of Jon Juan. Wander through Maria Luisa Park and the picturesque Plaza Espana. After our tour, the afternoon is free for you to further explore Seville at your own pace.

Seville - Jerez - Ronda. After breakfast, travel south through Andalusian villages to Jerez, where you will be captivated by two of the essential elements of the Andalusian soul: wine and horses. We will visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and enjoy a wine tasting in one of the famous local wineries.

Continue to Ronda, where you will visit the olive oil production facility at LA Organic and taste their organic olive oil. The rest of the day is at leisure to discover the secrets of Ronda.

Ronda - Malaga - Granada. After breakfast, we head to the coastal city of Malaga. We can spend some time exploring the city's Roman and Arab past before continuing to Granada, located at the foot of Sierra Nevada. We will enjoy an included Flamenco dance masterclass before attending an included dinner and Flamenco show. After dinner, we will head to one of the city viewpoints to take in our surroundings.

Granada - Madrid. This morning we visit the world-famous Alhambra. This stunning palace and fortress complex was built during the Nasrid Dynasty in the 13th and 14th centuries. Originally constructed as a small fortress in 889 AD on Roman remains, it was later transformed into a royal palace by the Moors. The Alhambra showcases exquisite Islamic architecture, with intricate carvings, stunning tilework, and tranquil gardens, reflecting the cultural zenith of Islamic Spain before the Christian Reconquista in 1492, when the Alhambra was surrendered to Ferdinand and Isabella.

After our included visit to the Alhmabra, we make our way back to Madrid, and there is an included farewell dinner this evening.

Enjoy a final breakfast in the hotel before our tour comes to an end. There is an included transfer to the airport.