Payment of bespoke trip to Spain | 1st – 8th of March 2025 | 3 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 Madrid train station and high-speed train to Seville. Then, an introductory e-bike tour of Seville city
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5:45am: upon arrival of your flight to Madrid airport (American airlines 748), collect your luggage and walk to the arrivals hall. Your private driver will be waiting for you there holding a sign saying “Julie, Chris and Brandon – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Madrid train station.
7am (estimated): upon arrival to Madrid train station, enjoy some free time for a quick bite before boarding your high-speed train to Seville. We will leave some margin here in case there’s a delay with your flight.
8am: departure of your high-speed train from Madrid to Seville (1st class seats).
10:43am: upon arrival of your train to Seville train station, collect your luggage and walk to the arrivals hall. Your private driver will be waiting for you there holding a sign saying “Julie, Chris and Brandon – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to your hotel in Seville.
11:15am: upon arrival to your hotel in Seville, 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), to have a rest, a bite and freshen up before your introductory e-bike your of Seville. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see and of places to eat in Seville during your free time. We will also book tables for you if you wish.
2:45pm: meet your personal local host at your accommodation in Seville and be escorted to a nearby bike rental point to collect your e-bikes and helmets for your discovery journey of Seville city.
3pm: start your e-cycling adventures! The iconic Guadalquivir river has shaped a very flat landscape in South West Spain that is ideal to explore by bike. The city of Seville is in the heart of this SouthWestern area and it features more than 160km of cycle lanes. This allows visitors and locals to pedal through its beauty, character and charm in a safe and pleasant way. This 3 hour cycle tour will take you on a discovery journey of its metropolitan area. You will start your adventure by cycling along the city walls, understanding at the same time the system of gates that the city featured in the medieval times. Then you will cross the river to discover the grounds where the famous 1992 world Expo was held.
From there, your will venture into the inner city to see (from the outside) its main landmarks to later explore the beautiful park of María Luisa, taking stops to enjoy the beauty of its many colorful constructions dating from the 1920s, being the gorgeous Plaza de España the absolute highlight of the tour.
Finally, you will make your way back along the most beautiful access to the old town of Seville, which is lined up with buildings designed by architects from different countries for the city’s 1929 Iberian-American exhibition.
6pm: end of the tour and rest of the evening at leisure.
Overnight in Seville: Victoria Eugenia suite with one extra bed in the living area and breakfast included at hotel Alfonso XIII (5*)
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2nd of March: half – day tour from Seville to a private farm of brave bulls and Spanish horses and lunch in the property’s farm estate with the owner. Then soccer match Betis F.C. – Real Madrid back in Seville
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9:30am: meet your personal local host at your hotel in Seville and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated driver to a selected farm of brave bulls and Spanish horses in the countryside outside the city.
10:30am: 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 tradition 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 behavior 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.
2:30pm: reconnect with your private driver and be transferred back to your hotel in Seville.
3:30pm: arrival to your hotel in Seville on time to attend the soccer match Betis Foot Club vs. Real Madrid at leisure. This match is expected to take place at 5pm or later. We will know for sure as soon as the tickets go on sale (and we will send you the link so you can purchase the tickets too). The match may take place on Saturday the 1st of March. In that case, we will cancel or reschedule the cycling tour originally planned for the 1st of March.
Overnight in Seville: Victoria Eugenia suite with one extra bed in the living area and breakfast included at hotel Alfonso XIII (5*)
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3rd of March: market tour and cooking lesson with your own personal cooking instructor and tile painting and pottery making workshop with local artisans in the late afternoon
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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 today’s 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 a taxi) 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 time at leisure before your hands-on tile painting and pottery-making workshop with local artisans from Seville.
4:30pm: meet your personal local host at your hotel and start a walk to the artisans quarter of Triana, also home to some renowned bullfighters.
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 about the quarter to later visit a ceramics and pottery workshop. At the workshop you will be explained briefly the different tile-making techniques that have been used in Seville since Medieval times until today. Seville tiles are unique and were popular around the world during the period when the city held the monopoly of all trade with the new world.
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.
7pm: 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: Victoria Eugenia suite with one extra bed in the living area and breakfast included at hotel Alfonso XIII (5*)
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4th of March: day trip from Seville to the sherry wine capital of Jerez to visit a Sherry winery with the owner and to have lunch in one of the city’s local taverns, then a sailing trip across the bay of Cadiz from the Marina of El Puerto de Santa María
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9am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the sherry capital of Jerez de la Frontera. Along the way you will be given an introduction about the lifestyle, culture, geography, economy and overall character of Southernmost continental Spain.
10:15am: upon arrival to Jerez, enjoy an introductory stroll around the old town aimed at learning about its origins and about the impact that the sherry industry had in the medieval social composition of the city, when the local wines (sherries) became probably the most fashionable drinks in the world.
Your tour will also include a private visit to the local market in order to see the produce that shapes the local gastronomy and to understand not only the essential proximity service it is for the local community but also the important role it plays in the social fabric of the city.
11:15am: end of your introductory walking tour in a selected sherry bodega and private visit with the owner aimed at learning about the aging process of the different types of sherry. This will be followed by the corresponding tastings and by some basic notions about the local art of pairing food and sherry.
12:45pm: end of the visit to the sherry bodega and short walk to a selected sherry and tapas tavern.
1pm: arrival to the sherry and tapas tavern and tapas and sherries lunch there. Further (practical) notions about the art of pairing food and sherry will be given through a pairing lunch including a selection of 5 – 8 dishes to share and up to 3 sherries per person.
2:30pm: end of lunch and private transfer to the nearby marina of El Puerto de Santa María.
3pm: upon arrival to the marina of El Puerto de Santa María, embark a private 12m sailboat with the captain and his assistant to go on a sailing trip across the iconic and legendary bay of Cádiz. The waters of the bay of Cádiz are naturally sheltered and they usually have gentle winds. This makes this Southern Spanish coastal spot ideal for sailing. Your trip will take you to the heart of the bay for lovely views of the Atlantic shores. Once there you may want to anchor in a good spot and jump into the Atlantic Ocean to enjoy an invigorating Winter swim or keep sailing pushed by the gentle breezes. Onboard, you will be offered a sweet treat to top up your day before returning to the marina.
5pm: end of your sailing trip and private transfer back to your hotel in Seville.
6:30pm: arrival to your hotel in Seville and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Seville: Victoria Eugenia suite with one extra bed in the living area and breakfast included at hotel Alfonso XIII (5*)
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5th of March: from Seville to Ronda visiting artisanal producers of olive oil and cheese and discovering small whitewashed towns along the way
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9am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan with a dedicated driver to a selected olive oil mill in the natural park of Grazalema, the hilly and mountainous region between Ronda and Seville.
10:15am: upon arrival to the olive oil mill, enjoy a private tour aimed at learning about the production of olive oil in Southernmost continental Spain, from the careful harvest of the olives to the later selection and pressing. The olive harvest takes place in November so the fresh olive oil of the year will be ready for you to taste. This is the part that will follow the explanations, a tasting of the different types of olive oil that are made in the mill.
11:45am: from the olive oil mill be transferred to the cheese-making workshop of an artisanal cheesemaker in the natural park.
12:15pm: upon arrival to the cheesemaker’s, be welcomed by the cheesemaker himself and learn about his particular and artisanal approach to making cheese, using milk from carefully selected farmers only. This will be followed by the corresponding tastings of different cheeses and possibly (depending on the production that day) of other produce that he makes with the premium milk he uses. These visits will allow you to learn about life in the middle of a natural park, where many activities and industries are restricted and about the people who live within its boundaries.
1:15pm: after the visit to the cheesemaker be transferred to the whitewashed village of Benaocaz, the highest in the natural park of Grazalema.
1:30pm: upon arrival to Benaocaz, enjoy a guided tour of the village, with a special focus on its history and houses of traditional Southern Spanish architecture. This will be followed by lunch in one of its local restaurants, where you will be able to enjoy the gastronomy of the area.
3:30pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred to your accommodation in Ronda maybe stopping along the way in the whitewashed village of Grazalema (which gives its name to the natural park) for a stroll and maybe a coffee there too.
5pm: 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 and also of places to eat. We will also book tables for you if you like. Ronda old town is just a short taxi ride from your hotel.
Overnight in Ronda: duplex suite with Breakfast included at hotel Fuente de la Higuera (4*)
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6th of March: day trip from Ronda to the nature reserve of the Genal Valley for an immersion into the life of one of its remote villages including a homemade lunch in the house of a local chef
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10am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the village of Benalauría, in the heart of the Genal Valley.
Along the way you will be explained about the geography, economy, lifestyle, history and customs of this unspoiled valley in the province of Málaga.
10:30am: upon arrival to Benalauría, you will be dropped off at the top of the village, to enjoy some beautiful views of its whitewashed houses and of the nature that surrounds them. Then it will be time to make your way down to the center of the town, where 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 take you to a private home where a local family makes and bakes their own bread in a wood oven. There you will be introduced to them to later make your own bread with them in a fun and interactive way that will allow you to meet and learn about the local community.
Your third stop will take you to the winery of a small local winemaker who is also a chef. There you will learn how the Genal Valley had a thriving wine industry until a devastating pest arrived in the late 19th century. Slowly, more than 100 years later, this wine scene is having a comeback and this winemaker is one of the pioneers in the recovery. At the winery you will enjoy a tasting of his red and white wines as well as a local pairing lunch cooked by himself. This 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 from Benalauría to Ronda.
4:15pm: arrival to your hotel in Ronda and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Ronda: duplex suite with Breakfast included at hotel Fuente de la Higuera (4*)
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7th of March: from Ronda to Madrid by high-speed train and farewell flamenco and tapas tour through Madrid old town quarters
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10am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation in Ronda and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Málaga train station.
11:20am: arrival to Málaga train station on time to take your high-speed train to Madrid.
11:57am: departure of your high-speed train from Málaga to Madrid (1st class seats).
2:50pm: upon arrival of your train to Madrid train station, collect your luggage and walk to the arrivals hall. Your private driver will be waiting for you there holding a sign saying “Julie, Chris and Brandon – Genuine Andalusia”. Then be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to your hotel in Madrid.
3:30pm: arrival to your hotel in Madrid and free time to check-in and freshen up before your farewell experience in the capital.
5pm: meet your personal local host by the reception desk of your hotel to start a guided walk towards a selected flamenco venue in Madrid old town.
This introductory walk is aimed at learning how flamenco music emerged from Spain as a result of a slow fusion of the ancient multicultural musical heritage of the country 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 6 people on stage (two singers, one guitarist and three dancers).
6pm: start of the flamenco performance.
7pm: after your flamenco performance, enjoy a tapas tasting tour through Madrid old town. Your tour will take you to 2 – 3 selected tapas bars where the locals like to gather with family and friends and where you will taste a selection of 6 – 9 local dishes to share. This will make an excellent opportunity to learn about Central Spanish gastronomy, about the connection of different foods to different festivities, regions and specific periods of history and also about the dynamics of tapas bars in the Spanish capital.
9:30pm: after your tapas adventure, be escorted back to your hotel, maybe stopping along the way for a sweet local treat.
10pm: arrival to your hotel and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Ronda: duplex suite with Breakfast included at hotel Fuente de la Higuera (4*)
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8th of March: departure from Madrid
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9:30am: meet your personal driver at your hotel in Madrid and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Madrid airport.
10am: arrival to Madrid airport on time to take your flight back to the US (American airlines 749)
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Pricing
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The cost of this bespoke trip for a private party of 3 pax is 20495 Euros
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This price includes
– 7 nights accommodation with breakfast included as per mentioned above.
– All high-speed train tickets (1st class seats) mentioned above.
– All private transportation services mentioned above in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan with a dedicated uniformed driver.
– All private tours and travel experiences mentioned above, led by a knowledgeable, personable, kind, flexible and interactive local host with a great command of the English language.
– E-bike and helmet rental for your e-bike tour of Seville.
– A private visit to a brave bull ranch, with also Spanish horses, including at the end an aperitif and some appetizers and then a homemade lunch there with the owner.
– A market tour and cooking lesson with your own personal cooking instructor including tastings of selected local produce and followed by lunch with all your preparations (3 starters, 1 main course and 1 dessert). We will send you a menu in advance for you to approve or suggest changes.
– A private tile-painting and pottery making activity in a selected artisan workshop in Seville.
– A private visit to a selected sherry winery with the corresponding sherry tastings there.
– A tapas and sherries lunch in a selected tapas and sherries tavern in Jerez and including a selection of 5 – 8 local dishes to share and up to 3 drinks per person (sherry, wine, beer, refreshments, water).
– A private sailing trip from the Marina of el Puerto de Santa María on a 12m sailboat with the captain and his assistant.
– Private visits to an artisanal cheesemaker’s and to an olive oil mill with the corresponding tastings there.
– Lunch in a selected local restaurant in the whitewashed village of Benaocaz including a selection of 2 – 3 starters to share, one main course per person, one dessert per person and up to 3 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– Private bread-making workshop with a local family in the village of Benalauría.
– Private visit to the small winery of a local chef in Benalauría followed by a homemade lunch there including a starter, a main course and a dessert, all paired with the wines he makes in the winery.
– Admission to a selected flamenco performance in Madrid with 6 artists onstage.
– A tapas and wines tour through Madrid old town including a selection of 6 – 9 dishes to share and up to 4 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– A list of recommended things to do and see in each of the places where you will be based.
– A list of recommended places to eat in each of the places where you will be based. We will also book tables for you if you like.
– 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
– Your tickets for the soccer match. We will send you the purchase link as soon as tickets go on sale.
– Any meals not mentioned right above
– Anything else not mentioned right above
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Confirmation and payments
In order to confirm this bespoke trip we require a 30% of the grand total no later than the 25th of September 2024 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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Grand total of this bespoke trip: 20495 Euros
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30% deposit needed no later than the 25th of September 2024 via credit/debit card to confirm the trip: 6148,5 Euros
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Final 70% needed no later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip: 14346,5 Euros
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Cancellation policy
– If you cancel the trip more than 30 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 30% of the full cost of the trip.
– If you cancel the trip between 30 and 15 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 45% of the full cost of the trip and will refund the remaining 55%.
– If you cancel the trip between 14 and 8 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 55% of the full cost of the trip and will refund the remaining 45%.
– If you cancel the trip 7 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 included in the trip.
(**) Genuine Andalusia strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance for any international trip. Most of our US guests buy their travel insurance from MedJet.
(***) If due to bad weather, we had to cancel the sailing activity, we will send you alternative plans for that time frame. If you didn’t like any of the plans, we will give you a refund of that activity.
