The essentials of Andalusia

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Seville

  

  Arrival in Seville, capital of Andalusia, renowned for its gentle way of life and its monuments inherited from the various civilizations that have inhabited it. Pick up your rental car at the airport. Drive to Montellano, a typical Andalusian village located between Seville, Ronda, and Jerez, on the route of the white villages. Check-in at the hotel. ANDALOU HOTEL *** Nestled at the entrance of the village of Montellano, the Andalou hotel offers an exceptional view of the surrounding landscape. Inside, a patio and typical Andalusian decor. The hotel has a bar and a terrace with a swimming pool. Welcome aperitif on the terrace of the Andalou hotel in the company of a member of Andalucia Aficion. Dinner at your leisure in the village, which has 64 bars and tapas bars. You will find our restaurant recommendations in your road book. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 2

  White Villages

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the White Village of Zahara de la Sierra (38 km) Zahara de la Sierra could be called "the lookout village"; this is what sets it apart from the rest. Its location on Mount Jaral, at more than 500 meters above sea level, explains why just walking through the village allows you to discover wonderful balconies offering magnificent views of the Sierra de Cadiz and the beautiful lakes whose waters take on turquoise reflections under the bright sun. Lunch at your leisure, you will find our recommendations in your travel file. Drive to Grazalema (21 km) Discover this village whose tradition is the Toro à la corde during the village's popular festival every year in August. This tradition is beautifully represented by a large statue in the very center of the village. Stroll through Grazalema and feel free to enter one of its cheese shops, which have made the village famous. Return to Montellano (56 km) Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.

• day 3

  Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Ronda (68 km) Nestled in the heart of Andalusia, Ronda is a spectacular city perched atop a deep ravine, offering breathtaking panoramas. It is now famous for its three iconic bridges, true witnesses to its fascinating history through the centuries. Free visit of the city OPTION: Private French-speaking guide on request The city is in two parts, naturally separated by the Guadalevín River. The two ends are connected by bridges. These promontories offer a splendid view of the 150 m gorge, at the bottom of which the river winds. Starting your visit from the historic center offers excellent perspectives. There you will see the town's bullring. Built in 1785, it is among the oldest bullrings in Andalusia. Don't miss admiring, in the eastern part of the old city, the Xijara walls. Built in the 11th century, they include a gate whose structure attracts tourists. You will see three arches there, two of which are semicircular and the third is a horseshoe arch. The gate known as Philip V is another curiosity to see in the heart of Ronda. Lunch at your leisure. Drive to Setenil de las Bodegas (24 km) At an altitude of 640 meters, the center of this municipality is embedded in the gorge formed by the Trejo River. This is precisely what makes the village a very special place, as several streets are sheltered under the shadow of the rock, forming a curious scene. Discover the streets of Cuevas del Sol and Cuevas de la Sombra. Return to Montellano Dinner at your leisure, overnight at the hotel.

• day 4

  Pomegranate

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Granada (240 km) Located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, discover one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in Andalusia. Check-in at your hotel located in the historic center of Granada. 3 or 4* hotel in the city center, PALACIO DE SANTA INES or equivalent. Lunch at your leisure. Free afternoon: freely visit the Albaicin and Sacromonte districts, formerly the souks and gypsy quarters, birthplace of flamenco in Granada. Dinner and flamenco show. Enjoy a delicious dinner in the gardens of Zoraya, then attend an authentic flamenco show. Flamenco, an art born from the cultural blending of Andalusia between Moors, Christians, Jews, and Gypsies, will transport you to the heart of Andalusian culture. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 5

  Granada and Cordoba

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Guided tour in a small group of the Alhambra with a French-speaking guide (tickets included). The Alhambra is a rich complex of palaces and fortresses where the monarchs of the Nasrid court of Granada resided. Its true appeal, like other Arab constructions of the time, comes not only from its interior decorations, which are among the most beautiful in Andalusian art, but also from its location, originally at the heart of a landscape perfectly integrated into the pre-existing setting. Lunch at your leisure. Drive to Cordoba (201 km). First a Roman city, it later became the capital of the caliphs. Located on the north bank of the Guadalquivir, the city remains an incredible example of the blending of cultures. Check-in at your hotel located in the historic center of Cordoba, POSADA VALLINA 3* opposite the Mezquita or equivalent. Free afternoon, visit the famous patios of Cordoba. Starting from 5 pm, the houses open their doors to let you discover their magnificent flower-filled patios. Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  Cordoba and Seville

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Guided small group tour of Cordoba with a French-speaking guide (tickets included). Visit the city's famous monuments: the impressive Mosque-Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos and its magnificent gardens, as well as the old synagogue. Lunch at your leisure. Drive to Seville (145 km). Check-in at your hotel located in the center of Seville, PETIT PALACE PUERTA DE TRIANA 3* or equivalent. Return your rental car in the city center. Seville, the beautiful Andalusian city, will delight you with its dynamism and beauty. It boasts a rich historical past, still reflected today in its fabulous monuments. Free afternoon, take the opportunity to discover the Santa Cruz district, known for its narrow and colorful streets: the former Jewish quarter of Seville. OPTION: Access to the Arab Baths. A unique experience awaits you in the ancient Arab Baths of Seville. Enjoy a real moment of relaxation. Evening and dinner at your leisure. Overnight in Seville.

• day 7

  Seville

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the famous Alcazar of Seville with its rich decor inherited from the Arabs as well as its splendid gardens. Then, visit the cathedral with its immense altarpiece, one of the largest in the world, and its beautiful Giralda, a former minaret. (Ticket included) OPTION: French-speaking guide on request Lunch at your leisure. Free afternoon, stroll through the streets of the city or reserve some time for shopping to bring back a small souvenir from your getaway in Andalusia. Last evening in Seville at your leisure, take the opportunity to soak up the warm and festive atmosphere of the city and have a drink with some tapas in the many bars of the Andalusian capital. Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.

• day 8

  Seville

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Free day in Seville. OPTIONAL EXTRA: Private guided tour with a French-speaking guide. We will show you the old town or the Jewish quarter (today known as Santa Cruz), a labyrinth of narrow and colorful streets. Discover Seville in a different way with all the legends and stories, its sumptuous squares, its architecture, and its traditions. We will accompany you throughout this visit and we will talk about history, art, gastronomy, lifestyle, and current events in Seville and Andalusia. The visit will end at the famous and magnificent Plaza España. You will find our best tips in your travel file. Dinner at leisure in Seville.

• day 9

  Back

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer included to Seville airport. End of our services.