Wonders of Andalusia...

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  France - Ronda

  

  Flight to Malaga. Welcome at the airport, then transfer to Ronda. Depending on the arrival time, first discovery of the small bullfighting town of Ronda. Transfer: private vehicle, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Accommodation: hotel. Meals included: evening.

• day 2

  Ronda - Sierra de Grazalema - Ronda

  

  Early departure for the village of Cortes de la Frontera. Superb hike in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and discovery of the vast high-altitude meadows of Libar. The limestone rock contrasts beautifully with the greenery of the meadows. A typically Mediterranean landscape with some olive and almond trees, but especially with carob trees and cork oaks. A beautiful discovery hike and a great view of the sea from the top. Picnic during the hike. Return to Ronda in the afternoon. Free visit of the city to discover some of the architectural wonders, both of the village itself and of certain monuments. The must-sees remain the 18th-century New Bridge over the Tajo, which is the symbol and soul of the city; the Plaza de Toros, recognized as the most monumental bullring in existence; the Islamic gates and walls to defend the city; the Arab thermal baths, which are the best preserved in the entire Iberian Peninsula; and pretty, typically Andalusian alleys with their wrought iron grilles and typical architecture... Transfer: private vehicle, 2 x 40 min. Walking time: about 4 hours + the visit of Ronda. Positive elevation gain: + 500 m. Negative elevation loss: - 500 m. Accommodation: hotel. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 3

  Ronda - Seville

  

  Transfer to the city of Seville; arrival in the morning, then departure for a "city hike" accompanied by a cultural guide, to discover the history of the city and its architectural features starting from the Torre del Oro. Along the way, we will discover the Plaza de Toros, the Basilica of Santa Maria de la Sede, the Giralda, the Alcazar, the tobacco factory that served as the setting for Bizet's opera Carmen, and finally the Santa Cruz district, the oldest in Seville... where our hotel is located! This establishment is indeed situated in the heart of the historic district. Lunch on your own and the rest of the afternoon free to discover, if you wish, at your own pace, and with or without your guide, the must-see monuments such as the Alcazar of Seville, a masterpiece of Mudejar architecture, the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Sede, one of the largest cathedrals in the world with its former minaret, the Giralda, and its impressive tomb of Christopher Columbus. Audioguides will allow you to better understand and discover these different monuments (optional and at your own expense... we highly recommend them, especially for the visit to the Alcazar). Depending on your wishes, a flamenco show will complete this day... (optional and at your own expense... see the technical sheet in the section GOOD DEALS). Transfer: private vehicle, about 1 hour 45 minutes. Walking and visits: all day. Accommodation: hotel. Meals included: morning. Meals not included: lunch - dinner. Note: if you wish to visit the Alcazar of Seville, you have the choice between: - Booking yourself on the reservation center website by choosing a time slot from 2 p.m. onwards (website: https://realalcazarsevilla.sacatuentrada.es/). - Letting us know when you register that you would like us to take care of your reservation for the Alcazar visit: €12.50/person + €10 agency/administration fee. For your information, entry is free every Monday at 5 or 6 p.m., but there are a lot of people. Through us, you will not be scheduled during these time slots so you can better enjoy your visit.

• day 4

  Cordoba

  

  Early departure for the city of Cordoba. Guided tour of the city for 2 hours, discovering the little stories of Cordoba and its architectural features, such as the famous Roman Bridge, the walls, towers, and gates that allowed the defense of the city, mainly the wall on Kairouan Street, the Almodovar Gate, and the Tower of Malmuerta; but also the Juderia district and its medieval synagogue in the Umayyad style. The tour ends in the heart of the Mezquita, the mosque-cathedral of Cordoba, the most important monument of the entire Islamic West and of the purest Umayyad style... magnificent! Free lunch and the rest of the afternoon free to discover, at your own pace, the must-sees of Cordoba such as the Alcazar of the Catholic Monarchs, the former fortress-palace initiated by the Caliphate of Cordoba and restored by the following kings, and the Caballerizas Reales, the monument dedicated to the preservation of the pure Spanish breed of the Andalusian Horse. Built in 1570 by order of King Felipe II, this stud farm, now classified as National Heritage, gradually made Cordoba known throughout the world. Even today, it is world-renowned in the equestrian field for its perfect and continuous preservation of the Andalusian Horse breed. But a simple stroll through the old town will complete this visit, as there are many streets and squares that offer walkers magnificent architectural ensembles. Your hotel is located in the historic district of Cordoba. Transfer: private vehicle, 1 hour. Walking and visits: all day. Accommodation: hotel. Meals included: morning - evening. Meals not included: lunch.

• day 5

  Sierra de Antequera Natural Park - Granada

  

  Early departure for the Sierra de Antequera Natural Park. This park is known for the whimsical shapes created by erosion. The erosion has shaped the limestone rock, creating a spectacular karst landscape. Recognized as a "Protected Natural Area" since 1929, it became a Natural Park in 1978 and, in 2013, it was chosen as the 2nd finalist in the ranking of the most beautiful Spanish landscapes by the Repsol guide (Spanish tourist guide). Your hike to the Torcal de Antequera will allow you to explore the labyrinth of this astonishing massif, between limestone blocks and short grass meadows, between summer grazing herds and shepherds' shelters, and to discover some magnificent viewpoints over the sea and the surrounding valleys... Picnic during the hike, then we will continue the road to Granada. Welcome and check-in at the hotel. Transfer: private vehicle, about 3 hours. Walking time: about 5 hours. Ascent: + 200 m. Descent: - 200 m. Accommodation: hotel. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 6

  Pomegranate

  

  Day dedicated to discovering the city. A guided tour of the Alhambra, the must-see masterpiece of all Andalusia, is scheduled at a specific time. You will be informed by your guide of the meeting place and time for this visit. The entrance ticket and guided tour will give you access to the areas of the Alcazaba, the Nasrid Palace, the Generalife, the Mosque Bath, and the gardens. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours to visit the Alhambra, but you can easily plan for 4 hours. Next, we recommend taking a short walk in the Albaicín district; listed as a World Heritage site, it is the old Muslim quarter of Granada. Narrow streets, lush gardens, latticework and carmenes, ancient walls and thermal baths will make this walk a charming and romantic moment, especially in the evening at dusk. Afterwards, you should also take a short walk in the gypsy district of Sacromonte, whose particularity comes from its troglodyte houses. There you will also discover many flamenco halls and schools, as flamenco was born in this district. But there are also many monuments to visit in Granada. The must-see is the basilica Nuestra Señora de Las Angustias, patron saint of the city, built in the 8th century with a baroque-style altarpiece, and the city cathedral, built in the 16th and 17th centuries in the Spanish Renaissance style. For historical monuments, there is the Corral del Carbón, a kind of old Arab caravanserai intended for the wheat trade and dating from the early 14th century; it cannot be visited but you can admire its entrance gate and inner courtyard, which well illustrate the architecture of caravanserais; the Madraza Palace, a former Quranic school now integrated into the University of Granada; the Arab baths of Granada, which were built in the 11th century and are in perfect condition. Your hotel is located in the historic district of Granada, near the Alhambra. Walking and visits: all day. Accommodation: hotel. Meals included: morning. Meals not included: lunch - dinner. Note: in the evening, possibility of attending "Flamenco" shows of a different style than in Seville (see the technical sheet of the stay in the paragraph "Good tips").

• day 7

  White villages of the Alpujarras - Malaga

  

  Morning transfer to the Alpujarras region and its white villages. After a stop at the Sierra Nevada National Park information center, departure for a lovely hike on the southern slope of this Sierra. Starting from the small white village of Pampaneira, the trail climbs between agricultural terraces, passes through the white village of Bubion, and winds between some chestnut groves before reaching the village of Capileira, the pearl of the white villages of the Alpujarras. A beautiful day to discover the life of yesteryear in this remote mountain of Europe... Picnic during the hike. Depending on the group's condition, a loop return is possible. Continue to the village of Trevelez, the highest village in Spain, renowned for the superior quality of its cured hams; visit to a ham drying facility. Then departure for Malaga. Dinner en route, then arrival and check-in at the hotel. Transfer: private vehicle, about 1 hour 30 minutes + 2 hours. Walking and visits: about 4 to 5 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 280 m. Accommodation: hotel. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 8

  Malaga - France

  Depending on your flight schedule, free visit of the city of Malaga or early transfer to the airport. Return flight to France. Transfer: private vehicle, about 30 min. Meals not included: morning - noon - evening.