Payment of bespoke trip to Spain | 1st – 13th of January 2025 | 2 pax
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Description and schedule of services
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1st of January: flight from London to Málaga and day at leisure in Málaga
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8:35pm: upon arrival of your flight to Málaga airport from London Gatwick (departure from Gatwick at 4:40pm), collect your luggage and walk to the arrivals hall. Your private driver will be waiting for you there holding a sign saying “George Seitz – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to your hotel in the city.
9:35pm (estimated): arrival to your hotel in Málaga and rest of the day at leisure. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see and of places to eat in Málaga and we will book tables for you if you like.
Overnight in Malaga: double Palacio room with breakfast included at hotel Palacio Solecio (4*)
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2nd of January: History, art and architecture tour of Málaga old town
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11am: be met by your personal local host at your hotel in Málaga to start your discovery journey of the city’s history, art and architecture.
You will start your private walking tour by learning first about the origins and evolution of the city. This first part of the tour will take you to see the oldest (and most impressive) landmarks: the Roman theater and the Moorish fortress: the so-called Alcazaba. This will allow you to travel back in time in order to understand the important settlement that the city was both in the Roman and in the Hispanic-Muslim periods as well as its evolution until the present times. The Alcazaba is a fantastic sample of Hispanic-Muslim architecture that also offers beautiful views of the city due to its location on top of a hill.
After your introduction to the history and architecture of Málaga you will be taken on a private relaxed tour of the Picasso Museum. There you will learn about the life and work of the most iconic local artist through some of the most representative paintings that the museum collection has.
2:30pm: end of the tour and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Malaga: double Palacio room with breakfast included at hotel Palacio Solecio (4*)
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3rd of January: day trip from Málaga to the historic hilltop town of Ronda
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11am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the historic hilltop town of Ronda.
12:15pm: upon arrival to Ronda, meet your personal local host and enjoy a private guided tour of its bullring (the oldest in Spain). This tour will allow you to learn about the origins and evolution of bullfighting in Spain, while you see the different sections of the bullring, from the pens where the bulls are kept before the fight, to the arena where the actual fight takes place, from the chapel where the matadors say their prayers before the fight, to the areas where the audience and the bullring authorities sit.
You will also be explained about brave bull breeding and about how different bullrings choose different bulls with different characteristics for their fights.
After your tour of the bullring, enjoy a private walking tour of Ronda old town with a special focus on its history, most representative landmarks, viewpoints and picturesque locations.
This private walking tour of Ronda old town 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 built 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.
3:15pm: end of your tour of Ronda and private transfer back to your accommodation in Málaga.
4:30pm: arrival to your hotel in Málaga and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Malaga: double Palacio room with breakfast included at hotel Palacio Solecio (4*)
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4th of January: from Málaga to Granada and introductory history and architecture tour of Granada old town
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11am: meet your personal driver at your hotel in Málaga and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to your hotel in Granada. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in your free time and also of places to eat in Granada. We will also book tables for you if you wish.
12:30pm: upon arrival to your hotel in Granada, enjoy some free time to check-in (subject to your room being ready. We will be on top of things so you can occupy your room as soon as possible but please bear in mind that standard check-in time in Spain is 2 – 3pm) and have a bite before your introductory tour of Granada old town.
2:30pm: 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.
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 medieval times and of which you will see beautifully preserved evidence.
From El Albayzin, you will continue on towards the quarter of el Sacromonte. This hilltop quarter is probably the most unique in Granada. Perched on a hillside offering the most beautiful views of the Alhambra and with a very particular residential architecture of cave houses, el Sacromonte also has some very interesting inhabitants. This tour offers a visit to this magical area of the city aimed not only at enjoying its rustic beauty but also at learning about the arrival of the first gypsy communities to Granada and about the impact that this had in the origins and evolution of flamenco music and dance in Granada. Finally from el Sacromonte, you will be escorted back to your accommodation by taxi.
This introduction to the city of Granada will set the historical context for your tour to the Alhambra and el Generalife the next day.
6pm: end of your tour and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Granada: suite with breakfast included at hotel Seda Club (5*)
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5th of January: half day tour of the Alhambra and el Generalife
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11am: 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.
11:15am: 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.
3pm: end of your private tour of the Alhambra and rest of the day at leisure in Granada.
Overnight in Granada: suite with breakfast included at hotel Seda Club (5*)
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6th of January: half day tour of the Alhambra and el Generalife
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All day: enjoy your day at leisure in Granada, maybe following our recommendations. There are a number of very nice walks that can be taken from Granada city, even taking you to the surrounding nature.
Overnight in Granada: suite with breakfast included at hotel Seda Club (5*)
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7th of January: from Granada to Córdoba via the UNESCO World Heritage Site towns of Ubeda and Baeza
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11am: be met by your personal driver at your hotel and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the UNESCO city of Baeza.
12:40am: upon arrival to Baeza, be met by your personal local host to start a private walking tour of its historic center.
Declared a historic-artistic site, Baeza has also an incredible Renaissance legacy, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where the carved stone contrasts with the whitewashed farmhouses.
Your journey will start by visiting the old Market Square and today’s heart of the city. The Market Square is the symbol of the evolution of the city through the centuries and will allow you to understand its Islamic and Renaissance roots. Later, you will enter the Old town through its main gate, a 12th century Islamic arch transformed into a stunning Renaissance construction for the visit of Emperor Charles V.
Once inside the city walls, you will find a maze of cobblestoned alleys, churches and palaces in an impeccable state of conservation. There you will visit the cathedral, an eclectic combination of Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles to later get to the Mirador del Guadalquivir, a breathtaking spot overlooking the Valley of Guadalquivir river. From there, you will get to see an endless ocean of olive trees. It will be then when your guide will explain to you why this region in Northeast Andalusia is the main producer of olive oil in the world.
Finally, to top up your tour, you will be taken to the old Seminary of Baeza, the evocative palace of Jabalquinto and the Old University. This will make a delightful visit to top up your history and architecture exploration of Baeza.
2:40pm: after your tour, enjoy some free time for a rest and a light bite in Baeza.
3:30pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the nearby town of Úbeda.
3:50pm: upon arrival to Úbeda, reconnect with your personal local guide to take a private walking tour of the old town, aimed at discovering its splendid monumental legacy made up of palaces, noble mansions and majestic temples.
Before that your guide may choose to use the vehicle and the driver to go on a panoramic tour of those parts of town accessible to cars to later help you to choose a nice square for Erna to sit and enjoy the beauty of Úbeda while Bill and the guide tour the city.
Úbeda is a unique example of the arrival of Renaissance trends in Spain in the 16th century and its monumental old town section has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Your tour will allow you to understand why this town in Northeast Andalusia became one of the most prosperous in the Christian kingdom of Castilla in the 16th century while you are taken to visit the interiors of its most exquisite temple: the Chapel of El Salvador, which is considered one of the best examples of funerary architecture in Europe. Then in the surroundings of the chapel, you will be taken to see and learn about some of the best Renaissance constructions in Úbeda.
5:20pm: end of your private walking tour and private transfer to your hotel in Córdoba.
7pm: arrival to your hotel in Córdoba and end of services for the day. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Córdoba and of places to eat too. We will also book tables for you if you like.
Overnight in Cordoba: dreamer’s room with breakfast included at hotel Palacio del Bailío (5*)
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8th of January: history and architecture tour of Córdoba old town
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11am: be met by your personal local host by the reception desk of your hotel to go on a 3,5h 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.
2:30pm: end of your tour at the impressive Roman Bridge, with an introduction to its history and architecture and also of the Torre de la Calahorra, located on the far end of the bridge and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Cordoba: dreamer’s room with breakfast included at hotel Palacio del Bailío (5*)
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9th of January: from Cordoba to Seville via the UNESCO archaeological site of Medina – Azahara and evening flamenco and tapas tour through Seville old town
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11am: 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.
11:25am: 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.
2:25pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred to your hotel in Seville.
4pm: arrival to your hotel in Seville and free time to check-in and freshen up before your introductory flamenco and tapas tour of the city. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see and of places to eat in Seville. We will also book tables 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: deluxe double room with breakfast included at hotel Mercer (5*)
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10th of January: half day walking tour of Seville UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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11am: 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.
3pm: end of your tour and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Seville: deluxe double room with breakfast included at hotel Mercer (5*)
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11th of January: day trip from Seville to the city of Cadiz
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11am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation in Seville and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the city of Cadiz.
12:30pm: upon arrival to Cadiz, pickup your local guide and enjoy first a panoramic tour of the perimeter of the city aimed at discovering its peculiar geography and also its defensive colonial architecture resembling the one in Havana, San Juan de Puerto Rico, Cartagena de Indias in Colombia and Montevideo in Uruguay.
After your panoramic tour, 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.
Also, halfway along your tour you may want to stop at the city’s central market to learn about the produce that shapes the local gastronomy and to have a light bite there.
4pm: end of your tour of Cadiz and private transfer back to your hotel in Seville.
5:30pm: arrival to your hotel in Seville and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Seville: deluxe double room with breakfast included at hotel Mercer (5*)
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12th of January: half day trip from Seville to the Roman archaeological sites of Itálica and Carmona
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11am: 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 archaeological site of Italica to start your day trip to this site and to the archaeological site and town of Carmona.
Located only 15km and 35km respectively outside Seville, the archaeological site of Itálica and the town of Carmona are a must for those travelers willing to learn about Hispania: the Roman territory that Spain once was. The proximity to Seville of both places and the very reasonable distance that separates one from the other (a 35min drive), make an ideal combo day trip from the Andalusian capital.
This day trip will take you first to Itálica. This former Roman city was built in 216 B.C. as a fortified military settlement and it soon became a prestigious city with impressive constructions such as a theater, an amphitheater, Roman baths and several grand residences. This tour aims at recreating the splendor of a city that saw the birth of emperor Trajan in the 1st century A.D. and arguably of Hadrian too. Amazing mosaics in a surprising state of conservation, streets with their original paving, an urban planning of perfect square blocks and the breath-taking space where gladiators would fight each other in front of more than 20000 people will make you understand the level of refinement and development of the Roman empire 20 centuries ago.
From Itálica, you will travel to Carmona where you will visit its vast Roman necropolis, which features several extremely monumental tombs as well as other types of funerary chambers that reveal the level of economic, cultural and spiritual development that the city enjoyed during the Roman times. Then, you will be transferred back to Seville.
3:30pm: arrival to Seville end of services for the day. Your guide can give you recommendations for lunch in Seville and your driver can drop you off at a lunch place in Seville old town if you like.
Overnight in Seville: deluxe double room with breakfast included at hotel Mercer (5*)
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13th of January: departure from Seville
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10am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Seville airport.
10:30am: arrival to Seville airport on time to take your flight to London Gatwick at 12:40pm and end of services for the day.
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Pricing
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The cost of this bespoke trip for a private party of 2 pax is 13720 Euros, of which 450 Euros have already been paid, so the balance is 13270 Euros
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This price includes
– 12 nights accommodation with breakfast included as per mentioned above.
– All private transportation services mentioned above in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated driver.
– All private tours mentioned above, led by 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 your guided tours.
– Taxi ride to get from your hotel to the Alhambra on the 5th of January.
– Admission to a selected flamenco performance in Seville with 4 artists onstage (2 dancers, 1 singer and 1 guitarist).
– A tapas dinner in Seville through 2 – 3 selected tapas bars and including a selection of 6 – 9 local dishes to share, up to 4 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, alcohol-free beer, water) and a sweet local treat to finish.
– A list of recommended things to do and see and of places to eat in each of the places you will visit.
– 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
– Any tastings you may want to do in the local market in Cadiz.
– Anything else not mentioned right above.
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Confirmation and payments
In order to confirm this trip we require a 30% of the aforementioned balance no later than the 7th of October 2024 at 11:59pm (Madrid time) via credit/debit card. The final 70% of the balance 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 to Spain for 2 pax: 13270 Euros
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30% of the balance needed no later than the 7th of October 2024 at 12pm (Madrid time) via credit/debit card to confirm the trip: 3981 Euros
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Final 70% of the balance needed no later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip to pay it in full: 9289 Euros
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Cancellation policy
– If you cancel your trip more than 30 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 30% of the aforementioned balance.
– If you cancel your trip between 30 and 16 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 45% of the aforementioned balance and we will refund the other 55%.
– If you cancel your trip between 15 and 8 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 55% of the aforementioned balance and we will refund the other 45%.
– If you cancel your trip between 7 and 4 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 75% of the aforementioned balance and we will refund the other 25%.
– If you cancel your trip 3 days or less prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 100% of the aforementioned balance.
(*) 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.
(**) Genuine Andalusia strongly recommends buying travel insurance for any international trip. Most of our US guests buy their travel insurance from MedJet.
