Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Spain - Andalucia
100% customisable for you
Pick up your hire car at the airport and drive to Ronda on the Costa del Sol, one of Andalucia's best-loved cities, a true eagle's nest on a rocky headland.
Things to see on the way - Mijas, a small white town up high, with narrow alleyways and elaborate wrought iron - old Marbella with its white houses and its balconies overflowing with flowers.
Your first night in a Parador, in fact, the old town hall of which only the facade has been preserved and which overlooks the Puente Nuevo and the Tajo ravine. We love its brightly-coloured interiors decorated with plants and its pleasant swimming pool for sunny days.
Optional - Private tour of Ronda.
Optional - A VIP meeting with a passionate bullfighting expert: visit to a breeding farm and local lunch.
Arrive in Grazalema on scenic roads which meander through landscapes of cork oak; Pinsapo pines, real living fossils that are unique in Europe, are not to be missed.
Continue on to Arcos de la Frontera, a beautiful Andalusian village perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the Guadalete River.
Not to be missed - The old and high part of the village - Cabildo Square.
Enjoy overnight accommodation in a superbly situated Parador above Arcos de la Frontera. It's a little difficult to get to, but when you arrive the panoramic view of the city and the valley is breathtaking.
Departure towards Seville, with plenty of detours on the way. Visit the old town of Cadiz, built on a rock surrounded by the sea, where you must see the Tavira tower, the cathedral and the Museum of Fine Arts; plus Jerez de la Frontera, famous for its vineyard, where you can visit the many bodegas and taste local wines. Jerez is also famous for its horses, so you can visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, and for its purist take on flamenco.
Optional - Private guided tour of Carmona, a small medieval city perched at over 1,300ft, which houses a number of very ancient churches and monuments, bringing together all Andalusian styles.
Accommodation for two nights in the heart of Seville, in the Santa Cruz district, close to the Cathedral and Giralda. We have found a traditional 19th-century home here, sympathetically restored and with some well-chosen added modern touches. Special mention should be made of the rooftop terrace with a pleasant swimming pool for sunny days.
Bordered by the tranquil waters of the Guadalquivir, Seville has all the charms of timeless Andalucia. Renaissance palaces, Gothic churches and shaded patios reveal a Mudejar elegance and the gentle Iberian way of life.
Included in the itinerary - An guided walk with an expert on Seville. Nothing is planned in advance: your guide knows their city perfectly and adapts to everyone's interests. A specialist in Andalusian culture, literature, architecture or music; they know all about the best places to eat and they want to share their passion for their city and a little bit of their life.
Things to see and experience - The Cathedral - the Real Alcazar - the Museum of Fine Arts - the Renaissance Palace of the Casa de Pilatos - the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza - strolling in the ancient gypsy quarter of Triana - enjoying a fried delicacy in one of the small restaurants on the Guadalquivir - cycling around the city and regaining strength with regular tapas breaks - contemplating the city from the top of the Giralda.
Make your way northeast to Cordoba, one of the oldest cities in Spain, located on the banks of the Guadalquivir. You settle in there for the night in a boutique hotel. On-site you'll find a beautiful garden, delightful pool, spa and modern rooms with exposed masonry.
Not to be missed - The patios - the picturesque Juderia district - the Calahorra tower - the famous Cathedral/Mosque 'la Mezquita', with its courtyard of orange trees - the Alcazar founded in the 14th century - the Museum of Fine Arts.
Continue east towards Ubeda, the UNESCO-listed Andalusian Renaissance 'capital', which overlooks a large valley planted with olive groves.
Things to see on the way - The small town of Baeza, also UNESCO-listed, rich in monuments. Here there are remains from the Iberian, Roman, Visigothic and Muslim eras.
Things to see and do in Ubeda - Stroll through the ancient streets of the city - Vazquez de Molina square and its impressive Renaissance buildings, consisting of the Davalos Palace and the Sacra Capilla de El Salvador.
Overnight again in the Parador, this time a Renaissance palace, located in Ubeda's historic centre and built around a beautiful interior courtyard with a double gallery whose upper part is glazed. The patio is huge, and the spacious rooms with their tall ceilings have a clear grandeur.
Road due south to Granada through the rocky landscapes of the Sierra de Cazorla, the source of the Guadalquivir.
Along the way - Plan a break in the village of Cazorla with its maze of alleyways, its high-up castle and its olive grove countryside: the authentic bright white Andalusian village.
Spend two nights in our last Parador, in the very heart of the famous Alhambra gardens. An ancient Franciscan convent combining Arab and Christian styles, the terrace has splendid views and gardens with orange blossoms.
Among the highlights - The Alhambra and Generalife gardens - the Cathedral - the Charles-Quint Palace - Plaza Nueva and Calle Recogidas on the outskirts of the modern city.
Included in the itinerary - A visit to the Alhambra with a private guide. This castle, built on a rocky hill above the city of Granada, was the residence of the kings of the court of Granada in the 13th century and was transformed into a vast citadel in the centuries that followed. It consists of two main parts: the Alcazaba (the military area which served as the barracks for the Royal Guard) and the Medina (palatine city) where the noblemen lived. The Nasrid palaces are in the centre of the Alhambra and were its political and religious heart until the 16th century. More than a palace, the Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage city surrounded by high walls with over 7,000ft of ramparts.
Return to Malaga, return of hire car and flight home.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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