Payment of bespoke trip to Spain | 13th – 23rd of March | 3 pax
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Description and schedule of services
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13rd of March: arrival of your flight to Seville airport, private transfer to your hotel and rest of the day at leisure
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7:35pm: upon arrival of your flight to Seville airport (BA2650), collect your luggage and walk to the arrivals hall. Your private driver will be waiting for you there holding a sign saying “Jen, Kate and Emily – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to your hotel in the city.
8:45pm (estimated): arrival to your hotel in Seville and rest of the day at leisure. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Seville and of places to eat. We will also book tables for you if you wish.
Overnight in Seville: 1 Junior Suite (twin beds) and 1 deluxe room, both with breakfast included at Hotel Mercer (5* GL)
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14th of March: introductory morning tour of Seville by horse – drawn carriage and by boat and hands-on ceramics and pottery workshop in the afternoon
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10am: be met by your personal local host at your accommodation and be escorted to a nearby spot where a horse-drawn carriage (previously arranged) will be waiting for you.
10:10am: once on the horse drawn carriage, enjoy a panoramic tour of Seville that will take you to see its World Heritage Sites, its other iconic landmarks and its beautiful gardens from a privileged perspective. Along the way, your personal local host will give you the corresponding explanations about each of them. This will offer you an excellent overview of the city.
10:55am: your horse drawn carriage will finish on the banks of the Guadalquivir river, where you will be dropped off to board on a private electric boat with a comfortable outdoor seating area.
After boarding, your private captain and your personal local host will offer you a boat ride that will allow you to enjoy beautiful views of Seville’s river fronts. Along your 60min ride, you will be explained the importance that the river has had in the history of the city, the long commercial trips that connected Seville with America departing from its medieval port and what the river represents today for the city and its inhabitants.
12pm: after your introduction to Seville, take a picturesque walk to the iconic quarter of Triana across the Guadalquivir river, stopping along the way for a quick bite.
The city of Seville is divided into two parts by the famous Guadalquivir river. The Western part concentrates the impressive World Heritage sites of the city and the vast majority of its attractions. Because of this, travelers rarely venture into the Eastern quarter of Triana, historically famous for its bullfighters, flamenco dancers and skilled ceramicists and potters.
Your walk will take you across the river into this unique area of the Andalusian capital. Once in Triana, you will be given a short introduction of the quarter to later visit a ceramics and pottery workshop.
1:30pm: At the workshop you will be explained briefly the different tile-making techniques that have been used in Seville since the Moorish times until today. After this, you will be given your own tile to paint under the supervision of a skilled local ceramicist. Then, taking turns, every member of the family will be called to the potter’s wheel, where a local potter will assist them while they make their own piece of pottery on the wheel, which of course they will be able to take home along with the tiles once they are fired.
3:30pm: after this hands-on experience, you will be escorted back to your hotel or be invited to enjoy the rest of your day in your own leisure in the quarter of Triana.
Overnight in Seville: 1 Junior Suite (twin beds) and 1 deluxe room, both with breakfast included at Hotel Mercer (5* GL)
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15th of March: market tour, hands-on cooking lesson and lunch with a personal cooking instructor in her cooking studio
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9:30am: be met by your personal cooking instructor at your accommodation. Then, together with her, you will be taken to a local market to buy all the necessary fresh ingredients for lunch.
Along your shopping route, your personal local host will provide you with some important explanations about the origins and quality of different produce. This will allow you to understand how the Spanish like to carefully select the ingredients they use for their dishes. Then, walk (or take two taxis) to her cooking studio.
Upon arrival, you will be offered something to drink and then your culinary experience will continue with some further explanations about the origin and quality of some selected produce, this time through tastings. Then it will be time to cook a selection of regional recipes that will make an excellent and comprehensive lunch that you will be able to enjoy in the dining area of the cooking studio. Finally and after a sweet treat, your culinary experience will finish leaving you with a happy belly and a happy soul!
Every trip to Spain should include at least one meal cooked by a caring and knowledgeable Spanish host. Spanish home food is the best that can be found in the country, so a homemade Spanish feast is a must on every trip to Spain for any food lover.
Besides, learning how to cook some Spanish recipes will allow you to travel back to Spain from your own kitchen whenever you like! All this and more is what you will get to experience and learn during this tour.
2:30pm: end of lunch and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Seville: 1 Junior Suite (twin beds) and 1 deluxe room, both with breakfast included at Hotel Mercer (5* GL)
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16th of March: from Seville to Ronda via the hilltop whitewashed towns of Grazalema, and Zahara de la Sierra with a picturesque hike along the way
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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 Southernmost continental Spain.
9:55am: 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.
10:55am: private transfer from Zahara de la Sierra to the Summit of Las Palomas, in the heart of the natural park of Grazalema.
11:15am: 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: two superior double rooms (one with twin beds), both with breakfast included at hotel Parador de Ronda (4*)
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17th of March: introductory tour of Ronda in the morning and rest of the day at leisure in town
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10am: meet your personal local host at your hotel and take a short taxi ride to the start of an easy walk just outside Ronda.
10:10am: upon arrival to the immediate surroundings of Ronda, start your picturesque walk back to town through the Ronda valley.
To really capture the best of Ronda it is important to see it from both the top and bottom of the cliff it is perched on, so this walk starts descending to the foot of the cliff, revealing an endless array of viewpoints along the way.
From the bottom of the escarpment, you can gaze up at the buildings perched precariously on the edge and admire the Guadalevín River which erupts from the Tajo Gorge in an impressive series of cascading waterfalls. From here, the Puente Nuevo bridge is revealed as an impressive piece of architecture. The rest of the walk will take you through the fertile valleys that surround Ronda while you see some old watermills, vineyards and local farms.
Then you will walk up to the top of the medieval part of town. This second part of your private walking tour of Ronda will give you an excellent overview of the Hispanic-Muslim origins of the city and of the transformations that it started to experience in 1485 when it was conquered by Christians. It was then when many wealthy military orders settled down in Ronda in order to defend its strategic location near the straits of Gibraltar and very well connected to the main Southern Spanish cities.
These new inhabitants erected many noble residences and funded the construction of impressive religious constructions too. In the 18th century Ronda experienced a time of maximum splendor and its main landmark was built: the majestic New Bridge, which you will visit during your tour.
Ronda also has stunning nature in its surroundings and your tour will take you to the best viewpoints. This will allow you to understand why this whitewashed gem attracted so many romantic travelers in the 19th century during their Grand Tour and the impact that their written, drawn and painted portraits of Andalusia had in the international perception of Spain in the following decades until today.
1pm: end of your walk and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Ronda: two superior double rooms (one with twin beds), both with breakfast included at hotel Parador de Ronda (4*)
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18th of March: from Ronda to Cadiz visiting along the way a rural cheese producer and a miller who is also a bread maker for a hands-on bread making workshop with him
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7:45am (Kate only): meet your personal driver and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Seville airport.
9:30am (Kate only): arrival to Seville airport on time to take your flight back to London.
9am (Jen and Emily only): meet your personal local host at your hotel in Ronda and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan with a dedicated driver to the farm of a local goat shepherd in the mountains between Ronda and Cadiz.
10:30am: arrival to the farm, meeting with the shepherd, understanding of his very artisanal approach to cheese making and tasting of selected cheeses in the farm with him.
11:15am: reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the river mill of a local miller in a nearby village.
11:30am: upon arrival to the village you will be introduced to the local miller who owns a river mill dating from the 17 hundreds. After this introduction, he will show you his water mill to later grind some wheat to obtain the necessary flour for the bread-making workshop that will follow.
Seeing the water mill in full operation will allow you to travel back in time to an era when electricity or petrol didn’t exist and when machines were powered by natural forces. Once you obtain the flour, you will start a bread-making workshop with the miller himself (who is also the local baker). This will make a fun and interactive way to learn further about the lifestyle of rural villages in Southern Spain.
1:30pm: after your wheat-grinding and bread-making workshop with the miller, be taken for lunch to a restaurant in the village.
3pm: after lunch, reconnect with your driver and be transferred to your hotel in Cadiz.
4:05pm: arrival to your hotel in Cadiz and end of services for the day. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Cadiz and of places to eat too. We will also book tables for you if you wish.
Overnight in Cadiz: premium double room with breakfast included at hotel Palacio Sagasta (4*)
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19th of March: half day trip from Cadiz to a farm of brave bulls and Spanish horses to learn about the breeding and raising of these animals and to have lunch in the farm estate of the owner with her
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10am: meet your personal local host at your hotel and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan with a dedicated driver to a selected farm of brave bulls and Spanish horses in the countryside outside Seville.
10:45am: upon arrival to the farm, be welcome by the owner, who will show you first the family estate while giving you an introduction about the history of breeding brave bulls in the family. Then it will be time to get on a 4 x 4 vehicle to go and explore the areas where their brave bulls are bred.
Along the journey you will learn about the art of breeding brave bulls. From the selection of the mother cows and breeding bulls, to the identification of the characteristics that are demanded by different bullrings in Spain for the bullfights. Then you will learn what being a farmer of brave bulls is like in the middle of the 21st century. Then visit the family stables to see the Spanish horses they have. Learn about their morphology and history and also about the special occasions when the family ride their horses and use their horse carriages for festivals and traditional events.
Back at the house of the family, you will be able to enjoy some relaxed time with the owner and ask as many questions as you like while you are served some appetizers. Then you will be called for a homemade lunch that you will enjoy with the owner and your personal local host. This will make an excellent opportunity to immerse yourselves into the life of a farmer of brave bulls in Southern Spain and to learn some very interesting facts about this Spanish tradition.
2:15pm: reconnect with your private driver and be transferred back to your hotel in Cadiz.
3pm: arrival to your hotel in Cadiz and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Cadiz: premium double room with breakfast included at hotel Palacio Sagasta (4*)
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20th of March: from Cadiz to Madrid by high-speed train
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8:30am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation in Cadiz and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Seville train station.
10am: arrival to Seville train station on time to take your high-speed train to Madrid at 10:39am.
10:39am: departure of your high speed train from Seville to Madrid.
1:24pm: upon arrival of your train to Madrid train station, collect your luggage, walk to the arrivals hall and meet your personal driver there. He will be holding a sign saying “Jen and Emily – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to your hotel in Madrid.
2pm (estimated): arrival to your hotel in Madrid and rest of the day at leisure. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Madrid and of places to eat too. We will also book tables for you if you wish.
Overnight in Madrid: executive double room (twin beds) and breakfast included at Gran Hotel Inglés (5*)
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21st of March: day at leisure in Madrid
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All day: spend the day at leisure, maybe following our recommendations.
Overnight in Madrid: executive double room (twin beds) and breakfast included at Gran Hotel Inglés (5*)
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22nd of March: day at leisure in Madrid
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All day: spend the day at leisure, maybe following our recommendations.
Overnight in Madrid: executive double room (twin beds) and breakfast included at Gran Hotel Inglés (5*)
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23rd of March: departure from Madrid
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Time TBC: meet your personal driver at your accommodation in Madrid and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Madrid airport.
Time TBC: arrival to Madrid airport on time to take your flight and end of trip.
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Pricing
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The cost of this bespoke trip for a private group of 3 people (2 people as of the 18th of March) is 14225 Euros.
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This price includes
– 10 nights accommodation with breakfast included 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 travel experiences mentioned above with a personable, kind, flexible, engaging and interactive fully licensed guide with a great command of the English language.
– All entrance tickets and admissions during these tours.
– A private 45 min horse drawn carriage ride in Seville.
– A private 60 min boat ride in the Guadalquivir river in Seville.
– A private ceramics and pottery hands-on activity in the workshop of two local artisans in Seville.
– A private market tour, tasting workshop and cooking lesson with a local chef in Seville followed by lunch in her cooking studio.
– Lunch during your day trip from Seville to Ronda, in a selected local restaurant and including a selection of starters to share, one main course per person, one dessert per person and up to 2 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– A wheat-grinding and bread-making workshop with a local miller and baker in the sierras of Cadiz.
– A private visit to a cheese maker with the corresponding explanations about cheese making there and followed by a cheese tasting.
– Lunch during your day trip Ronda to Cadiz, in a selected local restaurant and including a selection of starters to share, one main course per person, one dessert per person and up to 2 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– A private visit to a farm of brave bulls and Spanish horses with the owner followed by lunch with her in the private farm estate of the family.
– High-speed train tickets (1st class seats) to travel from Seville to Madrid.
– A list of recommended things to do and see and of places to eat during your free time. We will also book tables for you if you like.
– 24h Guardian Angel service for any emergencies you may have.
– Petrol and parkings.
– All taxes.
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This price excludes
– Your international flights.
– Any meals not mentioned right above.
– Shipping costs of your pieces of pottery and of your tiles (they can be shipped nationally to your hotel in Madrid or internationally to your address in the US if you like).
– Anything else not mentioned right above.
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Confirmation and payments
In order to confirm this trip at this price we require a 30% deposit of the grand total no later than the 27th of January 2024 at 11:59pm via credit/debit card as well as your full names and passport numbers. The final 70% must be paid no later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip.
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Grand total of this bespoke trip: 14225 Euros
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30% deposit needed no later than the 27th of January at 11:59pm (Madrid time) to confirm the trip: 4267,5 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: 9957,5 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 and 10 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 40% of the full cost of the trip and we will refund the other 60%.
– If you cancel your trip between 9 and 4 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 60% of the full cost of the trip and will refund the other 40%.
– 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 duration, activities and services of the trip.
