Authentic Andalucia 8 Days

Overview

MALAGA – SEVILLE – CORDOBA – GRANADA – ALAMBRA – ALMERIA – SIERRA NEVADA – GUADIX – ΜΙΝΙ HOLLYWOOD

11 Days
Age 12+
Spain

Included:
• 3 nights in Seville at 4* Hotel with breakfast
• 4 nights in Almeria at 4* Hotel with breakfast
• Transfers, tours and excursions, with air-conditioned coach, according to the program
• English speaking guide
• 7 lunches
• 7 dinners
Not Included:
• Tips
• Accommodation tax for the Hotels which will be paid upon arrival by the guests at the reception at each Hotel
• Porterage service

Tour Plan

Day 01: Destination – Malaga – Seville

Arrival in Malaga. Malaga is today a thriving port just as were the Phoenician, Roman and Moorish period. Also flourished during the 19th century, when the sweet wine was the most popular drink in Europe, until the phylloxera (a parasite) destroyed the vineyards of the region in 1876. Our tour will start from the Cathedral of the 16th century, Alkacaba the palace, the best-preserved palace from the Muslim period in Spain and Castle Gibralfaro, where they create a beautiful architectural ensemble. We continue to Plaza de la Merced where the Picasso Museum located (birthplace of the famous painter) and has a collection of 155 works donated by his family members. Free time at Constitution Square which is the heart of the city, especially the tourist life as it is one of the few open spaces in the city and you will see the old town hall (1869), the house of the governor, the prison and the court. Transfer and check in at our hotel in Seville. Overnight. (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 02: Seville – city tour

Breakfast and begin our tour from the heart of the city. We will admire the Cathedral, which hosts art treasures of great value, but also the bones of Christopher Columbus, and the tower of Giralda symbol of the city. We continue with the palace Alcazar quintessence of Arab art. Vast luxurious rooms, courtyards, lush gardens with ponds and cloisters compose the palace picture. We wander into one of the most famous Jewish neighborhoods, Santa Cruz and admire squares with sculptured fountains, forged lamps, interior courtyards (patio) and potted geraniums that preserves the atmosphere of past times. We continue on the west bank of the Guadalquivir, which are the main attractions and next to one another. We will admire the famous Plaza de Toro with 200 years of history and baroque architecture, we see the Golden Tower, the Hospital of Karintat, tied to the legend of Don Juan and of course the Museum of Fine Arts. Next stop is Spain Square with white and blue ceramic tiles – representative of the Andalusian art and the magnificent Maria Luisa Park. This is the most important green zone in Seville, with wonderful buildings architecture in Mudéjar (newer version of Moorish architecture), created on the occasion of the great Ibero-American exhibition of 1929. The Spanish pavilion is one of the nicest you will see, with unique, colorful ceramic azulechos. We will admire the excellent and best hotel in Seville, the «Alfonso XIII» with the lush and colorful ceramic courtyards between railings and ironwork, and the huge former tobacco factory, today part of the university, reminiscent of the times when women like humble Carmen (the famous gypsy) worked here. Free time. Back at the hotel. Overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 03: Seville – Cordoba

Breakfast and departure to Cordoba. Built on the river Guadalquivir, Cordoba has a residential heritage of centuries, resulting from the fitting combination of Islamic and Christian architecture. This unique “blend” that perfectly defines the urban landscape of the Andalusian city of precious cultural load is mainly the reasons that the historic center of one from 1984 in the list of monuments of UNESCO World Heritage site. We begin our tour of the Roman stone bridge Puente Romano that connects the historic center to the opposite side of the city and entering the labyrinthine Jewish Juderia quarter with its narrow streets and whitewashed houses with iron balconies will lead to the city’s jewel, the Cathedral temple Mezquita. It is the largest – and oldest- mosque in Europe, a symbol of the golden age of Cordoba, is now a fine example of Christian coexistence with the Islamic element. Right next we will see the Palace of the Bishop since 1989 houses of the Museum of Fine Arts, and continue with the medieval palace Alcazar of Christian monarchs which held the first discussions about the historic voyage of Christopher Columbus to America. We will walk through the “Alley of flowers “, one of the most picturesque parts of the city and will be transferred to the Plaza Coredera where they started the first bullfights of Cordoba. Finally, we will arrive at the Plaza de las Tendigias in the heart of the most common youth meeting point for drinks and food. Free time to taste paella, gazpacho and tapas. Return to the hotel. Overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 04: Seville – Granada – Alambra – Almeria

Granada with the Arab, Jewish and gypsy district and numerous attractions on the special architectural literally will amaze you. We start our tour from the Plaza Isabel la Catolica to see the statue of Columbus who signs next to the Queen Isabella conditions of the first trip to America and we continue with the former main mosque of the city turned into a cathedral of the 16th century. Renaissance and Baroque style architecture is one of the most important buildings of Granada. Below the Plaza Nueva, the oldest square and the heart of the city’s tourist life lying just below the Palace of Alhambra and an entrance to the Arab neighborhood. Free time for lunch in the many restaurants and tapas bars and to visit the Church Santa Ana. Then we will go up the street del Dharma along the river, a very nice street in the shadow of the Alhambra palace and filled with hawkers and jugglers, will see the building that housed the city’s baths and wander the cobbled streets of the Jewish Quarter (Albaicin) with its picturesque houses and Arabic shops. Free time and visit the world famous Alhambra. Made after the conquest of Spain by Muslim kings, the Alhambra is the living representation of Muslim civilization in Western Europe. Heritage site by UNESCO, consists of the Alcazaba is the fortress, the Palacio Nazar is the main palace, the palace of the Roman emperor Charles 5th containing the Museum of the Alhambra and the Fine Arts Museum and the Generalife that is the incomparable beauty gardens. A masterpiece of art and unimaginable detail in the sound of the nightingales and running water from the many fountains and waterfalls, the Alhambra is in itself a reason to visit Spain. Transfer to Almeria, the coastal area Rockets de Mar, arrival at the hotel and check in. Dinner. Overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 05: Almeria

Breakfast and departure for your tour in Almeria. Its name comes from the Arabic Al-Mariyya which means mirror. The city was founded in 955 AD by Abd-AR-Rahman III and like all cities of Andalusia and Almeria so greatly influenced by the Arab element. Much of the city are modern zones with wide boulevards lined with palm trees. High on a hill you can admire the imposing Alcazaba, overlooks the city and is the most impressive and best-preserved fort throughout Andalusia. The historical center with the picturesque neighborhood of fishermen and gypsies, the La Chanca, yet completely Moorish appearance and colorful cubic houses look remains distant past. After our tour of the main attractions of the city, return to the hotel. Overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 06: Almeria – Sierra Nevada – Guadix

Breakfast and we start the excursion to the picturesque mountain villages of Almería. On our first stop we will try traditional wine region and we will continue south to Sierra Nevada, one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Europe. The mountains of Sierra Nevada (which is Spanish for “snowy mountain range”) is higher in Western Europe and the top (Mulhacén) reaches 3.478m above the sea level. He is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain, as the high mountains of enabling ski lovers to enjoy, while being mainly known for its warm climate and abundant sunshine. It has been declared by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 1986 and parts of the mountains including the National Natural Park since 1989. Next stop Guadix, famous for its district of troglodytes in 2000 inhabited caves. Half of the residents live in caves (cave houses) and the city seems even prehistoric today. We will visit Alfareria and Manners Folk museum where we will see how people live in caves and continue with the Cathedral. Free time and return to the hotel. Overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 07: Αlmeria – Μini Hollywood

Breakfast and departure for Almeria and the only desert in Europe, Prepare to visit the Mini Hollywood. The unique and enigmatic scenery provided the scenery for legendary films such as “Lawrence of Arabia”, “A Fistful of Dollars’,’For a Few Dollars More,” “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” “Indiana Jones” “The Last Crusade” etc. Hundreds of celebrities and actors have left their traces here, such as Sophia Loren, Clint Eastwood, Brigitte Bardot, Anthony Quinn, Alain Delon, Sean Connery and many others. It was paradise for cinema of Hollywood in the 60s and 70s. The saloon, the prison, the bank, the sheriff’s office and the garden with cactus will transport us to another time! We will see a real cowboys duel with horses and you will have time to eat and be photographed in costumes of that period. Return to your hotel. Overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 08: Almeria – Malaga – Departure flight

Breakfast and departure for Malaga. Transfer to the airport for your return flight. (Breakfast)