Payment of bespoke trip to Southern Spain | 1st – 21st of March 2024 | 2 pax
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Description and schedule of services
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1st of March: arrival of your flight to Madrid airport, private transfer to your hotel and day at leisure to recover from your journey
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3:40pm: upon arrival of your flight to Madrid airport (UA9229), collect your luggage and walk to the arrivals hall. Your private driver will be waiting for you there holding a sign saying “Kathy and Michael – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to your hotel in Madrid.
5pm (estimated): arrival to your hotel in Madrid and rest of the day at leisure to recover from your journey. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Madrid and of places to eat. We will also book tables for you if you wish.
Overnight in Madrid: premium double room with breakfast included at Hotel Only you Boutique (4*)
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2nd of March: introductory tour of Madrid old town including the Prado Museum
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9:30am: meet your personal guide at your hotel to go on an introductory tour of Madrid old town aimed at setting the context for your stay in the city and in the country.
Your tour will take you through the oldest quarters of the Spanish capital in order for you to understand where Madrid has its roots and from where it has evolved until becoming the vibrant and cosmopolitan capital it is today.
A first highlight of your walk will be the iconic Plaza Mayor where you will be explained about the important historical events that have happened there over the past 400 years and their importance in the history of Madrid and of Spain. Another highlight will be learning about the history of the Spanish monarchy while you stroll along the grand façades of the Royal Palace, to later enjoy a panoramic view of its gardens and of the nearby opera house.
11:30am: after this introduction to the Spanish capital, take a taxi with your guide to the Prado Museum. There your guide will take you on a private tour that will allow you to travel through Spanish history of art while you enjoy the remarkable works of Spanish master painters such as Velazquez, Goya and El Greco amongst others. This will allow you to understand how different historical periods shaped the artistic creation at each time and how much of Spain’s culture and sentiment is expressed in the works of its main artists.
1:30pm: after your tour of Madrid, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Madrid: premium double room with breakfast included at Hotel Only you Boutique (4*)
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3rd of March: day at leisure in Madrid
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All day: enjoy your day at leisure in Madrid, maybe following our recommendations.
Overnight in Madrid: premium double room with breakfast included at Hotel Only you Boutique (4*)
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4th of March: day trip to Toledo from Madrid
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9am: meet your personal driver at your hotel in Madrid and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Toledo old town.
10am: upon arrival to Toledo, meet your personal local host to start a panoramic tour that will take you to see excellent views of the city first to later start a private walking tour of the old town with a special focus on its Jewish, Hispanic-Muslim and Christian history.
Along your tour you will visit the synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, which is an extraordinary example of the Jewish-Sephardic heritage of the city.
Your tour will also take you to see some remarkable evidence of the presence of the Hispanic-Muslim culture in the city, such as the former Mosque of el Cristo de la Luz.
You will then visit the former church of San Román which is the most exquisite example of the interaction between the three great Mediterranean cultures that took place in Toledo. This is especially present in the architecture and iconographic program of the church which features some impressive frescoes from the Middle ages.
Finally, to top up your tour you will visit the Cathedral of Toledo, which is one of the most important ones ever erected in Spain.
2pm: end of your private walking tour of Toledo and free time for lunch at leisure before your return to Madrid.
5pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle back to your hotel in Madrid.
6pm: arrival to your accommodation in Madrid and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Madrid: premium double room with breakfast included at Hotel Only you Boutique (4*)
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5th of March: from Madrid to Córdoba via high-speed train and introductory tour of Córdoba including the Great Mosque – Cathedral
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9am: meet your personal driver at your hotel in Madrid and be transferred to Madrid train station.
9:20am: arrival to Madrid train station on time to take your high-speed train to Córdoba.
10am: departure of your high-speed train from Madrid to Córdoba (1st class seats).
11:52am: upon arrival to Córdoba train station, walk to the arrivals hall and meet your personal driver there. He will be waiting for you holding a sign saying “Kathy and Michael – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to your hotel in Córdoba.
12:30pm (estimated): arrival to your hotel in Córdoba and free time to check-in, to have lunch and to freshen up before your introductory walking tour of the city. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Córdoba and of places to eat. We will also book tables for you if you wish.
2:30pm: be met by your personal local host by the reception desk of your hotel to go on a 3h discovery journey of the historical center of the city.
A UNESCO site since 1994, Córdoba is an inspirational city, which during the Middle Ages, saw a peaceful interaction between the three great Mediterranean cultures. Jews, Muslims and Christians coexisted then in the city turning it into a unique intellectual hub that gave birth to very renowned philosophers, poets, scientists and doctors. This also resulted in the construction of unique buildings of remarkable historical significance.
During your private walking tour, you’ll learn about the period of maximum intellectual splendor of the city and you will see beautiful examples of architecture and urban planning that will allow you to recreate all the grandeur of this era, which has the Great Mosque – Cathedral, the synagogue and the Chapel of Saint Bartholomew as its most representative constructions.
The Great Mosque-Cathedral is probably the most thought-provoking building in Spain and your personal local host will uncover all its beauty and complexity for you. You will understand its origins, its different enlargements and the role that the building has played in the culture and social fabric of the city throughout the centuries.
The synagogue will allow you to understand the very important Jewish – Sephardic community that Córdoba once had and how much it embraced Hispanic-Muslim decorative arts in its places of devotion.
In the Chapel of Saint Bartholomew you will be explained about the transformations that the Jewish quarter of Córdoba suffered after the pogrom of 1391 and how it was repopulated with Christians, who were also very heavily influenced by Hispanic-Muslim decorative arts.
5:30pm: end of your tour at the impressive Roman Bridge of the city and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Cordoba: Junior Suite with terrace with breakfast included at hotel El Balcón de Córdoba (4*)
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6th of March: half day trip from Cordoba to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Medina Azahara
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9am: be met by your personal driver at your hotel and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the archaeological site of Medina Azahara.
9:25am: upon arrival to Medina-Azahara, meet your personal local host and start a private walking tour of the site to understand the massive palatial complex that it once was, the different parts it featured, their functions, the relationships between the people who inhabited it, its defensive system, the political role it played during the caliphate of Córdoba and the reasons that led to its decay and abandonment.
12:30pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred back to Cordoba.
1pm: arrival to Córdoba and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Cordoba: Junior Suite with terrace with breakfast included at hotel El Balcón de Córdoba (4*)
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7th of March: from Cordoba to Seville stopping along the way to visit a premium olive oil producer with the corresponding olive oil tastings there and introductory flamenco and tapas tour of Seville in the evening
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9am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation in Cordoba and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan to the olive grove and pressing facilities of a selected olive oil producer.
10:30am: upon arrival to the olive grove, be welcomed by your personal host from the company to enjoy a private tour of the olive grove and of the production facilities. Along the tour you will learn about their trees, the particular types of olives they work with and the very modern extraction methods that they use to produce some of the best olive oil in Andalusia. After your introductory tour you will enjoy a comprehensive professional tasting of different types of olive oil from different olives and using different techniques.
12:30pm: end of the visit to the olive oil manufacturer and private transfer to your hotel in Seville.
1:15pm: arrival to your hotel in Seville and free time to check in, to have lunch and to freshen up before your introductory flamenco and tapas tour in the evening. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Seville in your free time and also of places to eat. We will also book tables in restaurants for you if you like.
6:30pm: meet your personal local host at your accommodation to go on an introductory flamenco and tapas tour of Seville old town.
This tour will start with an introductory walk aimed at learning how flamenco music emerged from Southern 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).
After the flamenco performance you’ll be taken on a discovery journey of the fabulous tapas scene of Seville old town by going to 2 – 3 selected tapas bars where the locals like to gather with relatives and friends and where you will try a selection of 6 – 9 local dishes to share and up to 4 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water). Finally and after a sweet local treat, you will be escorted back to your accommodation.
11pm: end of your tour at your accommodation.
Overnight in Seville: superior double room with breakfast included at Hotel Casas del Rey de Baeza (4*)
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8th of March: late morning walking tour of Seville UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Alcazar or Moorish palace, the Cathedral and the Archive of the Indies
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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.
Overnight in Seville: superior double room with breakfast included at Hotel Casas del Rey de Baeza (4*)
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9th of March: day trip from Seville to the natural park of Aracena to learn all about the production of Iberico Ham in a family owned farm
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9am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation in Seville and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated driver to the natural park of Aracena, home of the best Iberian Ham in the world.
Along the way, you will be given some explanations about the geography, landscape, economy, culture, agriculture and farming of South West Spain.
10:30am: upon arrival to the natural park of Aracena, visit a private extension of dehesa forest with an expert, to learn about the habitat where free range, acorn-fed, Iberian pigs live and about the animals themselves. Dehesa is a unique type of ecosystem ideal to raise Iberian pigs for the production of top-quality Iberian ham. During your visit you will discover the particularities of this ecosystem and about its connection to the breeding of Iberian pigs.
11:30am: after your visit to the dehesa and with all the knowledge acquired there, be transferred to the facilities where the Iberian ham of this farm is cured.
11:45am: upon arrival to the curing cellars, you will be taken on a private tour aimed at learning about the very specific artisanal treatments and particular humidity and temperature conditions to cure Iberian pig meats. This will be followed by a guided tasting of iberian ham, which will make a great end to your discovery journey of the most iconic food from SouthWest Spain.
1pm: after your visit to the iberian ham farm, be transferred to the whitewashed village of Aracena for lunch.
1:30pm: arrival to Aracena and lunch in a selected local restaurant.
3pm: after lunch, you may want to take a stroll around Aracena to enjoy its picturesque streets and traditional architecture.
4pm: end of your visit to Aracena and private transfer back to Seville.
5:15pm: arrival to Seville and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Seville: superior double room with breakfast included at Hotel Casas del Rey de Baeza (4*)
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10th of March: from Seville to Jerez with a cycle ride through the rolling hills of the Sierras of Cadiz and a visit to the town of Arcos de la Frontera along the way
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8:30am: be met by your personal local host and a dedicated driver at your accommodation in Seville and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the start of your cycling route in the Southern Spanish countryside.
10am: arrival to the start of the cycling route and delivery of bikes and helmets to start a picturesque 36km cycling route going slightly downhill along a former railway. Your personal host (an experienced local touring cyclist) will accompany you along the journey to show you the way, to assist in case of emergency and to provide you with water and some small bites for the adventure. You will cross farms, tunnels, bridges and olive groves for approximately 3 or 3,5 hours before arriving to your destination, where you will drop off your bikes and meet your driver again.
1:30pm: arrival to Puerto Serrano, bike drop-off and private transfer to Arcos de la Frontera.
2pm: arrival to Arcos de la Frontera and lunch in a selected local restaurant in the village.
3:30pm: after lunch, enjoy a private walking tour of the old town with a special focus on its Hispanic – Muslim urban planning and traditional constructions, on its Christian monumental buildings, on its traditions and on its breath-taking viewpoints. Understanding of what life on the frontier between the Christian Kingdom of Castilla and the Muslim Kingdom of Granada was like in the 14th and 15th centuries.
4:45m: private transfer from Arcos de la Frontera to your hotel in Jerez.
5:15pm: arrival to your accommodation in Jerez and end of services for the day. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Jerez in your free time and also of places to eat. We will also book tables in restaurants for you if you like.
Overnight in Jerez: deluxe double room with breakfast included at hotel Casa Palacio María Luisa (5*)
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11th of March: an immersion into the world of Sherry wines in the sherry capital of Jerez with a visit to a sherry bodega and to a vineyard in the country including a homemade lunch there with the owners
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9:30am: meet your personal local host at your hotel (a certified Sherry Educator by the Sherry Regulatory Board and fully licensed guide) and start a private walking tour of the old town aimed at learning about its Hispanic-Muslim origins and about the transformations in experienced (architecture, urban planning, social composition and overall character) in the 13th century with the Christian Conquest and later in the 18th and 19th centuries when the local wines became the most fashionable in the world. Your tour will also include a visit to the local market in order for you to see the ingredients that shape the local gastronomy and also to understand the important resource it is for the local community and the key role it plays in the social fabric of the city.
11am: end of your introductory tour in a selected sherry bodega and private tour with the owner aimed at learning about the aging process of the different types of sherry. This will be followed by the corresponding tastings (some of them straight from the cask). For the driest sherry, you will be offered a vertical tasting aimed at learning how the base wine evolves in the aging system until becoming a sherry.
12:30pm: after your visit to the sherry bodega take a taxi to a selected private vineyard in the country outside Jerez.
12:50pm: arrival to the vineyard and meeting with the owner to later take a walk through his vines, aimed at learning about the particularities of the soil, of the grapes, of the climate and of the vines 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. This will be accompanied by a selection of tapas.
2:30pm: then be called to the dining area of the house for a homemade country lunch cooked on site by the owner’s wife. This will make a great opportunity to interact further with your hosts and ask as many questions as you like about them and their fortified wines.
4pm: after lunch, enjoy a farewell sherry cocktail to learn how versatile sherries can be for these types of drinks.
4:30pm: taxi transfer back to Jerez.
5pm: arrival to your hotel in Jerez and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Jerez: deluxe double room with breakfast included at hotel Casa Palacio María Luisa (5*)
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12th of March: day trip from Jerez to the natural park of the straits of Gibraltar to hike there, to visit the Roman archaeological site of Baelo Claudia and to visit the whitewashed hilltop town of Vejer de la Frontera, finishing in Cadiz.
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8:30am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation in Jerez and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated driver to the hamlet of Betis in the heart of the natural park of the straits of Gibraltar.
10am: 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 different views of this unique reserve in Southern Europe.
12:15pm: arrival to the bottom of the mountain range and private transfer to the archaeological Roman site of Baelo Claudia.
12:30pm: 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.
1:30pm: end of the walk through Baelo Claudia and private transfer to a coastal family restaurant for lunch.
1:45pm: arrival to the restaurant and lunch there.
3:15pm: end of lunch and private transfer to the hilltop whitewashed village of Vejer de la Frontera.
4pm: arrival to Vejer de la Frontera and private walking tour of the old town with a special focus on its Moorish architecture and chic-bohemian halo. In Vejer you will also learn about some particular local customs that are still in full swing thanks to the participation of the local community.
5:15pm: private transfer from Vejer to your accommodation in Cadiz old town.
6pm: arrival to your hotel in Cadiz old town and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Cadiz: junior suite with balcony and breakfast included at hotel Casa Cánovas (4*)
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13th of March: Cadiz Culture and Gastronomy tour
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10am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation in Cadiz to start a private walking tour of the old town with a special focus on the foundation of the city by the Phoenicians 3000 years ago and on the period when the city held the monopoly of all trade with America, formerly established in Seville.
You will start this tour seeing incredibly well preserved evidence of the Phoenician past of the city. This will allow you to understand who the Phoenicians were, where they came from, why they based themselves in Cadiz 3000 years ago and the impact that their arrival had in the present history, culture, gastronomy and wines of Southern Spain.
Later, you will travel forward in time to the 18th century, when the city held the monopoly of all trade with the Americas, formerly established in Seville. The bourgeoisie that settled down in Cádiz in this period transformed the city completely into a refined and cosmopolitan colonial hub. These new inhabitants of the city brought to Cádiz not only gold, silver, mahogany and other precious materials but also new ideas that transformed the mentality of the city and later of the whole of Spain.
Along this second part of the tour you will visit some selected buildings that will reveal the wealth, refinement and change of mentality that the city enjoyed in this colonial period.
12:30pm: end of your introductory walking tour in the local market of Cádiz with tastings of selected local produce in hand-picked stalls. Explanations about the similarities and differences between the markets in Jerez and Cadiz and between the gastronomy of both cities.
1pm: end of your tour of the market and and short walk to a selected local tavern to learn about the famous fortified wines that traveled from Cádiz to América. Tasting of selected local fortified wines there.
2pm: small walk from the tavern to a selected tapas bar for a tapas and wines lunch there including a selection of 6 – 9 dishes to share and up to 3 wines per person.
3:30pm: after lunch, be escorted back to your hotel.
3:40pm: arrival to your hotel and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Cadiz: junior suite with balcony and breakfast included at hotel Casa Cánovas (4*)
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14th of March: from Cadiz to Ronda with a hike on the summit of Las Palomas (Cerro Coros hike) and with visits to the villages of Grazalema and Zahara de la Sierra
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8:30am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with 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.
9:50am: 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 settlement. 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 medieval configuration of the town, but also beautiful views of the nearby lake of Zahara – El Gastor.
10:50am: private transfer from Zahara de la Sierra to the Summit of Las Palomas, in the heart of the natural park of Grazalema.
11:10am: 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.
1:10pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the village of Grazalema for lunch.
1:30pm: arrival to Grazalema and lunch in a selected local restaurant. Lunch will be followed by a small private walking tour of the old town aimed at enjoying the beauty of its charming location in the middle of a natural park and its picturesque architecture and urban planning.
3:40pm: private transfer from Grazalema to your accommodation in Ronda.
4:25pm: arrival to your accommodation in Ronda and end of services for the day. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Ronda in your free time and also of places to eat. We will also book tables in restaurants for you if you like.
Overnight in Ronda: superior double room with breakfast included at hotel Parador de Ronda (4*)
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15th of March: an e-mountain biking adventure in the Sierra de las Nieves National Park with a homemade lunch in a private country home
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9am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable vehicle to the e-bike collection point in the Sierra de las Nieves National Park.
10am: arrival to the e-bike collection point, which is located in the middle of an olive grove where also mango, avocado, orange and kumquat trees grow. There you will meet your personal local host for the day, who actually lives there. Then, you will be given your e-bikes and helmets to start your 3h ride (37km and 1200m of cumulative elevation gain). During the ride, you will enjoy a rather undiscovered part of Southern Spain dotted with small villages, fertile valleys and rocky mountains.
1pm: the ride will finish in the country home of a local farmer who will prepare a country lunch for you. This will make a great opportunity to have some more interaction with the local community, to learn about their lifestyle and gastronomy and to recover some energies before your transfer back to your hotel in Ronda.
3pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred back to your hotel in Ronda.
4pm: arrival to your hotel in Ronda and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Ronda: superior double room with breakfast included at hotel Parador de Ronda (4*)
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16th of March: day trip from Ronda to the valley of the Genal river for a hike there and for an immersion into the life of one of its rural villages including lunch in the house of a local chef who is also a winemaker
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9am: meet your personal nature guide at your accommodation in Ronda and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle 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 6km 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 visiting some selected local spots and meeting the local community.
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 house of a local family. There you will enjoy a local homemade lunch. The father of the family is a winemaker too and you will get to tour his winery and pair his wines with your lunch. This will make a wonderful opportunity to get to know the lifestyle of those Southern Spanish people who have embraced village life and will be the icing on the cake for your immersion into the life of a remote mountain village in South West Spain.
3:30pm: end of lunch and private transfer back to your accommodation in Ronda.
4:15pm: arrival to your accommodation in Ronda and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Ronda: superior double room with breakfast included at hotel Parador de Ronda (4*)
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17th of March: from Ronda to Granada via Antequera to take a hike in the nature reserve of El Torcal and to visit the UNESCO site of the dolmens
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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. Your hike will include a stop along the way to enjoy a picnic lunch.
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.
1:30pm: after the hike and lunch, reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the UNESCO site of the Dolmens of Antequera.
2pm: 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.
3:30pm: end of your private tour of the UNESCO sites of the dolmens and private transfer to your hotel in Granada.
4:45pm: arrival to your hotel in Granada and end of services for the day. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Seville in your free time and also of places to eat. We will also book tables in restaurants for you if you like.
Overnight in Granada: deluxe double room with breakfast included at hotel Seda Club (5*)
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18th of March: introductory walking tour of Granada old town and of the quarter of el Albayzin
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10am: meet your personal local host by the reception desk of your hotel to go on a 3’5h walking tour of Granada old town that will allow you to discover, learn about the history and architecture and experience the beauty of three different quarters of the city.
These are three key areas in the history of the city that also stand out for their beauty and authenticity.
You will start visiting the first quarters that developed in Granada after the Christian conquest of the city in 1492. It is in these areas where the Cathedral of Granada was erected and in one of its chapels, the so-called Royal Chapel, you will visit the tombs of the monarchs that were responsible for the conquest of the city (Isabel of Castille and Ferdinand of Aragón). Their tombs are an exquisite sample of Spanish renaissance sculpture.
Near this chapel, you will also visit the palace of la Madraza: a unique building that originally was a medieval Quran School and that later was used as a residence by the Spanish nobility. During your visit, you will see beautiful evidence of its original use and of the one that followed.
From there you will be taken to the nearby quarter of El Realejo. This part of Granada was once home to the Sephardic community that lived in the city from the 8th century until 1492. Your tour of El Realejo will take you to the spot where the main synagogue was while you are explained about the origins of this Hispanic-Jewish settlement and about the events that happened in this part of the town during the centuries when it was inhabited by Jewish people. Along your tour you will also learn about important members of the Sephardic community of Granada and about their contribution to subjects such as medicine, poetry, philosophy and translation in medieval Spain.
Later, you will be taken to the iconic quarter of el Albayzín, located on top of a hill and overlooking the Alhambra. El Albayzín was the part of Granada where regular people would live: people whose social scheme inside the walls of the palatial areas of the Alhambra was rather unclear.
The quarter of Albayzín is a UNESCO site and it treasures some of the most beautiful corners and views of the Alhambra that the city of Granada has to offer. Your local host will share the most special ones with you, while you are explained about the architecture and infrastructures that the quarter had in the mediaeval times and of which you will see beautifully preserved evidence.
This introduction to the city of Granada will set the historical context for your tour to the Alhambra and el Generalife the next day.
1:30pm: end of your tour and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Granada: deluxe double room with breakfast included at hotel Seda Club (5*)
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19th of March: half day walking tour of the Alhambra and el Generalife
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9:30am: be met by your personal Alhambra expert and be transferred by taxi to the top of the hill of la Sabika, where the Alhambra and El Generalife are located.
9:45am: start your private walking tour of the Alhambra and el Generalife. This tour will allow you to enjoy the exquisite refinement of the most splendorous construction that the Muslims built in Spain: the Alhambra. The Alhambra was a palatial town, formed by different parts, all of which you will get to discover with your local host in order to understand how they all worked together, the role that each of them had and the different people who inhabited them. After your tour of the Alhambra you will be taken to the Generalife or summer palace of the Nasrid Sultans, where they would go to get away from the hustle of life in the Alhambra. The Generalife is a magical place designed for relaxation and contemplation and its gardens, architecture and views are simply spectacular.
1:30pm: end of your private tour of the Alhambra and rest of the day at leisure in Granada.
Overnight in Granada: deluxe double room with breakfast included at hotel Seda Club (5*)
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20th of March: from Granada to Madrid via the UNESCO World Heritage Renaissance cities of Ubeda and Baeza
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9am: be met by your personal driver at your hotel in Granada and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the UNESCO city of Úbeda.
10:40am: upon arrival to Úbeda, meet your personal local guide and take a private walking tour aimed at discovering its splendid monumental legacy made up of churches, palaces and noble houses.
Ubeda’s Renaissance Monumental Ensemble has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and your tour will take you to visit the interiors of its most exquisite temple: the Chapel of El Salvador. Then you will be taken to discover the Sephardic history and heritage of Úbeda, while you learn about the important Jewish community that lived in the city in the middle ages.
1:30pm: end of your private walking tour of Úbeda and free time for lunch at leisure. Your guide will point you in the right direction for lunch and will ask your driver to pick you up at the restaurant after lunch.
3pm: reconnect with your private driver and be transferred to Baeza.
3:20pm: upon arrival to Baeza, meet your personal local guide again to start a private walking tour of the old town.
Baeza has also an incredible Renaissance legacy, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where the carved stone contrasts with the whitewashed farmhouses. Your tour will take you to stroll through the main medieval streets while admiring (outside only) the Plaza del Pópulo, the Puerta de Jaén, the Arco de Villalar, the Plaza de Santa Cruz, the Plaza de Santa María, the Palacio de Jabalquinto, the old University, the Cathedral and the Iglesia de Santa Cruz. This will make a delightful afternoon stroll to top up your visit to NorthEast Andalusia.
4:50pm: end of your tour of Baeza and private transfer to your hotel near Madrid airport.
8:15pm: arrival to your hotel near Madrid airport and end of services for the day
Overnight near Madrid airport: premium guest room with king bed at hotel Marriott Auditorium (4*) (room only)
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21st of March: departure from Madrid airport
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4:40am: take the hotel shuttle to the airport.
4:50am: arrival to Madrid airport on time to take your flight back to the US.
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Pricing
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The cost of this bespoke 20 day trip for a private group of 2 people is 22925 Euros (of which 450 Euros have already been paid), so the balance is 22475 Euros.
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This price includes
– 20 nights accommodation with breakfast included (except for the night at Madrid airport hotel) as per mentioned above.
– All private transportation services mentioned above in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a personal driver.
– All private tours and experiences mentioned above with a knowledgeable, personable, kind, flexible and interactive fully licensed guide with a great command of the English language.
– All entrance tickets and admissions for all the guided tours.
– High-speed train tickets (1st class seats) to travel from Madrid to Córdoba on the 5th of March.
– A private visit to a selected olive oil manufacturer with the corresponding tastings.
– Admission to a selected flamenco performance in Seville with 4 people onstage (2 dancers, 1 guitarist and 1 singer)
– A tapas and wines dinner in Seville old town including a selection of 6 – 9 local dishes to share and up to 4 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– A private visit to a selected iberian pig farm with its corresponding curing cellars and followed by a tasting of different types of Ibearian ham.
– Lunch during your day trip to the Sierra de Aracena natural park including a selection of 2 starters to share, one main course per person, one dessert per person and up to 3 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– Bike and helmet rental for your bike ride through the sierras of Cadiz.
– Lunch during your day trip to cycle in the Sierras of Cadiz, including a selection of 2 starters to share, one main course per person, one dessert per person and up to 3 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– Delivery and return logistics of the bikes during your day trip to cycle in the sierras of Cadiz.
– Private visit to a selected sherry bodega in Jerez with the corresponding tastings there.
– Private visit to a selected sherry vineyard in the country outside Jerez with the corresponding tastings and tapas there and followed by a homemade lunch including starters, mains, desserts, sherry and a farewell sherry cocktail.
– Small mid-morning picnic atop the sierras of San Bartolomé during your day trip to the natural park of the Straits of Gibraltar.
– Lunch during your day trip to the natural park of the Straits of Gibraltar, including a selection of 2 starters to share, one main course per person, one dessert per person and up to 3 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– Tastings of selected local produce during your Cadiz walking tour.
– A wine tasting in a selected local tavern in Cadiz old town including a selection of up to 3 wines to taste per person.
– A tapas lunch in a selected tapas bar in Cadiz old town including a selection of 6 – 9 local dishes to share and up to drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– Lunch during your day trip to the natural park of Grazalema, including a selection of 2 starters to share, one main course per person, one dessert per person and up to 3 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– E-bike and helmet rental for your cycle ride in the Sierra de las Nieves national park.
– A homemade lunch cooked and served in a country home in the Sierra de las Nieves national park including a series of starters to share, one main course and drinks (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– A homemade lunch cooked by an ex-chef in the village of Benalauría including a starter, a main course and a dessert, paired with the wines that the chef, who is also a winemaker, makes.
– A picnic lunch during your hike in El Torcal de Antequera including bread, cheese, cold cuts, fruits and water.
– All taxi rides mentioned above for the small distances to cover between places.
– A list of recommended things to do and see and of places to eat in each of the cities where you will be based. We will also book tables for you if you wish.
– 24h guardian angel service throughout your trip for any emergencies you may have.
– All taxes.
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This price excludes
– Your international flights
– Any meals not mentioned right above
– Anything else not mentioned right above
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Confirmation and payments
In order to confirm this tour at this price we require a 30% deposit of the balance no later than the 23rd of December at 11:59pm (Madrid time) via credit/debit card. The final 70% must be paid via the same method no later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip.
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Balance of this bespoke trip: 22475 Euros
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30% deposit needed no later than the 23rd of December 2023 at 11:59pm (Madrid time) to confirm the trip: 6742,5 Euros
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Final 70% needed no later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip to pay it in full: 15732,5 Euros.
This has been split into two payments of 35%, which is 7866,25 Euros
Payment 1: 7866,25 Euros
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Payment 2: 7866,25 Euros
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Cancellation policy
– If you cancel your trip more than 30 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge the 30% deposit only.
– If you cancel your trip between 30 days and 15 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 45% of the full cost of the trip and we will refund the other 55%.
– If you cancel your trip between 14 days and 7 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 60% of the full cost of the trip and we will refund the other 40%.
– If you cancel your trip between 6 days and 4 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 70% of the full cost of the trip and we will refund the other 30%.
– If you cancel your trip 3 days or less prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 100% of the full cost of the trip.
(*) Please note that partial cancellations won’t result in partial refunds. This applies to the group size and to the activities / services included in the trip.
(**) Genuine Andalusia strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance for any international trip. Most of our US guests buy their travel insurance through Medjet.
(***) If Spain closes its borders due to a national or global emergency and you are not able to enter the country due to this circumstance, we will give you a full refund.
