Payment of bespoke trip to Southern Spain | 19th – 25th of October 2022 | 2 pax
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Description and schedule of services
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19th of October. Flight from Barcelona to Seville and introductory flamenco and tapas tour of Seville old town
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11:40am: departure of your flight from Barcelona to Seville (Vueling airlines).
1:20pm: upon arrival to Seville airport, collect your luggage, head to the arrivals hall and make your own way by taxi to your hotel in Seville.
2pm: upon arrival to your hotel in Seville, enjoy some free time to check-in, have lunch (recommendations will be given and a table will be booked for you if you wish) and freshen up before your introductory flamenco and tapas tour of the city.
6:30pm: meet your personal local host by the reception desk of your hotel to start a guided walk towards a selected flamenco venue in Seville old town. This introductory walk is aimed at learning how flamenco emerged from South West Spain as a result of a slow fusion of the ancient multicultural musical heritage of Southern Spain with the original gypsy rhythms and musical roots. This will set the context for (and enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of) the flamenco performance in a small and intimate venue that will follow, with 4 people on stage (one singer, one guitarist and two dancers).
6:30pm: start of the flamenco performance.
8:30pm: after your flamenco performance, enjoy a tapas tasting tour through Seville old town. Your tour will take you to 2 – 3 selected tapas bars where the locals like to gather with family and friends and where you will taste a selection of 6 – 9 local dishes to share and up to 4 drinks per person (wine, beer, refreshments, water). This will make an excellent opportunity to learn about Southern Spanish gastronomy and wines, about the connection of different foods to different festivities, regions and specific periods of history and also about the dynamics of tapas bars in Southern Spain.
10:30pm: after your tapas and wines adventure, be escorted back to your hotel stopping along the way for a sweet local treat.
11pm: arrival to your hotel and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Seville: superior double room with breakfast included in Hotel Casas del Rey de Baeza (4*)
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20th of October: morning walking tour of Seville World Heritage Sites and rest of the day at leisure in Seville.
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10am: be met by your personal local guide at your hotel in Seville to start a private walking tour that will take you to visit its impressive World Heritages Sites: the Alcazar or Moorish palace, the Cathedral with its Giralda tower and the Archive of the Indies.
You will start your discovery journey by visiting the Alcazar, which is a massive complex of palaces erected in different periods and of breath-taking gardens of different styles. The Alcazar has stunning historical constructions featuring a very particular crossover between Hispanic-Muslim and Christian architecture styles, called Mudejar. This style became very fashionable in Spain in the 14th and 15th centuries amongst the Christian nobility and it reached its maximum splendor in Seville. Another essential part of the Alcazar is the famous house of Trade, which once hosted the offices from where all the commerce with the New World was managed. After enjoying these inner areas, you will be taken to the gardens, which are an exquisite sample of European landscaping from the 16th until the 20th centuries.
Then you will be taken to visit the Cathedral, which is the largest gothic temple in the World and where Christopher Columbus is buried. The Cathedral of Seville was built on a vast extension of land where previously a Mosque had been erected. An important part of the Mosque was preserved and it is now a part of the Cathedral. This makes it a unique construction featuring styles as diverse as Hispanic-Muslim, Gothic, Renaissance, Neoclassical and Baroque. A most important part of the Cathedral is its bell tower known as la Giralda, which is a perfectly preserved Hispanic-Muslim minaret from the period when a Mosque occupied the grounds where the Cathedral stands today. During your tour you will be taken to the top in order to enjoy the wonderful views of Seville that one can admire from there.
To finish you will visit the Archive of the Indies. The Archive of the Indies is an iconic neoclassical building erected to keep invaluable documents from all those commercial expeditions that took place between Seville and the New World. Learning about it will uncover probably the most glorious period of the history of Seville and how it connects to the American continent and to the present character of the city.
1:30pm: end of your tour and rest of the day at leisure. We will give you recommendations to make the most of your time in the city.
Overnight in Seville: superior double room with breakfast included in Hotel Casas del Rey de Baeza (4*)
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21st of October: from Seville to the hilltop town of Vejer de la Frontera via the city of Jerez de la Frontera for an immersion into the world of Sherry wines and a homemade Southern Spanish country lunch in a private vineyard.
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9am: private transfer in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan with your own personal local host and a dedicated driver from your hotel in Seville to Jerez old town. Explanations along the way about the geography, history, landscape, economy and character of Southernmost continental Spain.
10:15am: upon arrival to Jerez start a private walking tour of the old town with a special focus on its Hispanic-Muslim origins and on the transformations that it experienced (architecture, urban-planning, social composition and overall character) with the Christian conquest in the 13th century and later in the 18th and 19th centuries when the local wines (sherries) became probably the most fashionable drinks in the world. Your tour will also include a private visit to the local market (one of the most vibrant in Southern Spain) in order to understand not only the essential proximity service it is for the local community but also the important role it plays in the social fabric of the city.
11:50am: after your introductory walking tour of Jerez, reconnect with your driver and be transferred to a private vineyard in the countryside outside Jerez.
12:10pm: upon arrival to the vineyard be welcome by the owner to take a walking tour of his Sherry vineyard. This tour is aimed at understanding the particularities of the soil, of the climate, of the vines and of the grapes that make Sherry so unique. This will be followed by a tasting of the sherries that the owner makes and ages only for him and his family in his own private sherry bodega. The tasting will be accompanied by a selection of tapas.
2:15pm: then, you will be called for a homemade country lunch in the vineyard house of the owner, cooked on site by his wife and including starters, mains, desserts and of course sherry. This will make an excellent opportunity not only to enjoy the Southern Spanish country gastronomy but also to interact with the owners in their private house accompanied also by your local host.
3:45pm: after lunch, enjoy a farewell sherry cocktail and discover how versatile sherries can be for the preparation of long drinks and how they are now used by mixologists from different parts of the world.
4:15pm: after bidding farewell to the owners of the vineyard, be transferred from the vineyard to your hotel in Vejer de la Frontera.
5:05pm: arrival to your hotel in Vejer de la Frontera and end of services for the day. Recommendations will be given for you to make the most of your stay there.
Overnight in Vejer de la Frontera: special double room with breakfast included in Hotel La Casa del Califa.
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22nd of October: day trip from Vejer de la Frontera to the natural park of the Straits of Gibraltar and to the quaint coastal town of Tarifa.
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9am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan with a dedicated driver to the hamlet of Betis in the heart of the natural park of the straits of Gibraltar.
9:45am: upon arrival to Betis, start a hike to the summit of the sierras of Saint Bartholomew. You will walk through a forest of Mediterranean pines that slowly will become less and less dense, giving way to different lower Mediterranean bush and allowing for breath-taking views of Southernmost Spain, Northernmost Africa, the Mediterranean sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
11am: arrival to the summit and small mid-morning picnic to celebrate the simply spectacular views and the achievement of having made it to the top of this mountain range.
11:15am: start of your walk down to the bottom of the mountain range, enjoying the views that our your way up, you left behind you.
12pm: arrival to the bottom of the mountain range and private transfer to the archaeological Roman site of Baelo Claudia.
12:20pm: arrival to Baelo Claudia and private walking tour of the site aimed at understanding the very important Roman settlement that it once was. This was thanks to a particular local industry that produced a fermented fish sauce, called Garum, that was an absolute delicacy for the Roman empire. You will be explained how this sauce was produced and the industrial configuration that this Roman city had.
1:10pm: end of the walk through Baelo Claudia and private transfer to a coastal family restaurant for lunch.
1:20pm: arrival to the restaurant and lunch there overlooking the straits of Gibraltar and the African continent.
2:45pm: end of lunch and private transfer to the village of Tarifa, the southernmost point of continental Europe.
3:05pm: arrival to Tarifa and small walk through the old town to learn about its history and about its evolution towards a quaint, cosmopolitan, chic and bohemian Southern Spanish town.
4:15pm: private transfer from Tarifa back to Vejer de la Frontera.
5pm: arrival to Vejer de la Frontera and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Vejer de la Frontera: special double room with breakfast included in Hotel La Casa del Califa.
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23rd of October: from Vejer de la Frontera to Ronda via the natural park of Grazalema for a hike in the park and a visit to the picturesque mountain villages of Zahara de la Sierra and Grazalema.
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8:30am: private transfer from your accommodation in Vejer in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with your own personal local host and a dedicated driver to the whitewashed hilltop town of Zahara de la Sierra. Explanations along the way about the agriculture, farming, rural landscape and geography of the mountainous areas of the province of Cádiz.
10:15am: arrival to Zahara de la Sierra and private walking tour of the old town aimed at enjoying its traditional Southern Spanish charm and to learn about its history and evolution from a fortified settlement on top of a rock to a more spread-out rural village. During the tour you may also want to walk to the top of its Moorish castle, which offers not only very representative evidence of the Hispanic-Muslim medieval configuration of the town, but also beautiful views of the nearby lake of Zahara – El Gastor.
11:25am: private transfer from Zahara de la Sierra to the Summit of Las Palomas, in the heart of the natural park of Grazalema.
11:45am: upon arrival to the summit of las palomas, start a circular 3,4km hike around Mount Coros (Cerro Coros in Spanish).
Cerro Coros is a small mountain in the middle of the natural park that offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes of Spanish Firs, pine trees and of the lake of Zahara – El Gastor. Hiking around its perimeter will allow you to enjoy the views of the surrounding nature from every possible angle. Halfway along the hike, you will take a trail that will take you to the very top of the mount. Once at the top, you will have the very best views of the natural park and you will celebrate it with a light snack that will keep you going until lunch time.
1:45pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the village of Grazalema for lunch.
2:05pm: arrival to Grazalema and lunch in a selected local restaurant. Lunch will be followed by a small private walking tour of the village, aimed at enjoying the beauty of its charming location in the middle of a natural park and its picturesque architecture and urban planning.
4:30pm: private transfer from Grazalema to your accommodation in Ronda.
5:15pm: arrival to your accommodation in Ronda and end of services for the day. Recommendations will be given for you to make the most of your free time in Ronda.
Overnight in Ronda: executive double room with breakfast included at hotel Soho Boutique Palacio de San Gabriel (4*)
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24th of October: day trip from Ronda to the Genal Valley for a hike there and for an immersion into the life of one of its rural villages.
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9am: meet your personal nature guide at your accommodation in Ronda and be transferred in a modern and comfortable minivan with a dedicated driver to the village of Benadalid, in the heart of the valley of the Genal river, a magical unspoilt reserve south of Ronda.
9:30am: arrival to the village of Benadalid to start an easy 5km guided hike towards the village of Benalauría. You will first be explained about the Berber origins of Benadalid, which still keeps its Moorish castle. Later you will take the old paths that the cork workers used to use in the past to transport the cork that they would harvest every 9 years and that are actually still in use today. You will cross a vast extension of Mediterranean forest filled with old olive trees, chestnut trees, holm oaks and cork oaks while you are explained about the many species of flora that you will see and how they have been used by the people of the area throughout the centuries.
11:30am: upon arrival to Benalauría, you will have an immersion into its present culture and lifestyle through visits to some selected local spots and meeting the local community along the way.
Your first stop will take you to the old local mill (not in use anymore), where you will understand how the local chestnut wood and stone allowed for the construction of very robust houses and local infrastructures until the late 20th century. The old mill is in an excellent state of conservation and the local population has donated several old artifacts to create a little exhibition space representing its roots and ancient industries.
Your second stop will be the local bakery, founded in the 19th century by the same family who owns it today and where bread and cakes are still made following traditional recipes. At the bakery, you will meet the owners, learn about their business and about the important proximity service they operate for the local population as well as for the surrounding towns.
Your third stop will take you to the winery of a small local winemaker. There you will learn how the Genal Valley had a thriving wine industry until a devastating pest arrived in the late 19th century. Slowly, more than 100 years later, this wine scene is having a comeback and this winemaker is one of the pioneers in the recovery. At the winery you will enjoy a tasting of his red and white wines as well as a local pairing lunch cooked by his wife. This will be the icing on the cake for your immersion into the life of a remote mountain village in South West Spain.
3pm: end of lunch and private transfer from Benalauría back to Ronda.
3:45pm: arrival to your accommodation in Ronda and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Ronda: executive double room with breakfast included at hotel Soho Boutique Palacio de San Gabriel (4*)
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25th of October: from Ronda to Málaga airport via Antequera to hike the UNESCO Nature Reserve of el Torcal and to visit the UNESCO site of the dolmens. Lunch in Antequera old town and evening flight to Barcelona from Málaga.
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9am: be met by your private driver by the reception desk of your hotel in Ronda and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan to the UNESCO nature reserve of El Torcal de Antequera.
10:30am: upon arrival to the UNESCO nature reserve of El Torcal de Antequera, meet your personal guide there and start a guided hike through the reserve. El Torcal de Antequera features some of the most spectacular karst landscapes in Europe.
The shaping of this unique landscape started around 150 million years ago when this whole area was safely tucked under the Tethys Sea. One day, the seabed was pushed upwards by a massive tectonic shift, which created a series of mountains, some of them up to 1300 meters high above sea level.
The following millions of years, the erosion from rain and wind slowly turned this part of the world into some of the most impressive limestone landscapes on the European continent.
12pm: after the hike, reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the UNESCO site of the Dolmens of Antequera.
12:30pm: upon arrival to the UNESCO site of the Dolmens of Antequera, meet your personal local expert again to start a tour of the site, which treasures some of the best preserved and most important megalithic monuments in Europe.
It is the number, size, weight and volume of the stone blocks transported and assembled in the basin of Antequera, using rudimentary technology, and the architectural characteristics of the monuments formed by these megaliths, what makes the Antequera Dolmens one of the most important engineering and architectural works of European Prehistory. Antequera Dolmens Site provides an exceptional insight into the funerary and ritual practices of a highly organized prehistoric society of the Neolithic and Bronze Age in the Iberian Peninsula.
2pm: end of your private tour of the UNESCO sites of the dolmens and private transfer to Antequera old town for lunch at leisure.
2:05pm: arrival to Antequera old town and lunch at leisure there. We will give you recommendations of places to eat in the city and will book a table for you if you wish.
3:30pm: end of lunch and private transfer to Málaga airport.
4:15pm: arrival to Malaga airport on time to fly to Barcelona at 7:30pm (direct Vueling airlines flight) and end of services for the day.
7:30pm: departure of your flight from Málaga to Barcelona.
9:10pm: arrival to Barcelona and end of the trip.
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Pricing
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The cost of this bespoke private trip for a private group of 2 pax is 6230 Euros
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This price includes
– 6 nights accommodation with breakfast included as per mentioned above.
– All private transportation services mentioned above in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a professional uniformed driver.
– All private tours and experiences mentioned above with a personal local host from Genuine andalusia (a fully licensed, knowledgeable, personable, kind, flexible and interactive guide).
– Admission to a selected flamenco performance in Seville old town with 4 people onstage (2 dancers, 1 singer and 1 guitarist).
– All entrance tickets for all the sites included in the trip.
– A tapas and wines dinner in Seville including a selection of 6 – 9 dishes to share and up to 4 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water) finishing with a sweet local treat.
– A sherry tasting accompanied by some tapas in a private sherry vineyard in the heart of the sherry triangle.
– A homemade country lunch in the vineyard including starters, mains, desserts, sherry and a farewell sherry cocktail.
– Lunch in a selected local restaurant in the natural park of the Straits of Gibraltar including a selection of 2 starters to share, one main per person and up to drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– Lunch in a selected local restaurant in the natural park of Grazalema including a selection of 2 starters to share, one main per person and up to drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– Private visit of a selected winery in a rural village of the Genal Valley including tastings and a homemade pairing lunch there including a starter, one main, dessert and wines from the owner’s winery.
– A list of recommended things to do and see and of places to eat in each of the places where you will stay. – Tables will be booked for you if you wish.
– 24h assistance during your trip.
– Petrol, parkings and tolls.
– All taxes.
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This price excludes
– Any flights (domestic or international).
– Any meals not mentioned right above.
– Anything else not mentioned right above.
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Confirmation and payments
In order to confirm this bespoke private trip we need a 25% deposit of the grand total via credit/debit card no later than the 14th of June 2022. The final 75% must be paid via the same method no later than 20 days prior to the start of the tour.
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Grand total of this trip: 6230 Euros
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25% deposit needed no later than the 14th of June to confirm the trip: 1557,5 Euros
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Final 75% needed no later than 20 days prior to the start of the trip: 4672,5 Euros
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Cancellation policy
– If you cancel the trip more than 20 days prior to scheduled departure, we will charge the 25% deposit only.
– If you cancel your trip between 20 and 10 days prior to scheduled departure, we will charge 50% of the full cost of the trip.
– If you cancel your trip between 10 and 3 days prior to scheduled departure, we will charge 75% of the full cost of the trip.
– If you cancel your trip 2 days or less prior to scheduled departure, we will charge 100% of the full cost of the trip.
*If Spain closes its borders due to a national or global emergency and you are not able to enter the country because of this closure, we will give you a full refund.
