Spain Walking & Food

Independent arrival into Sevilla. At 6pm, your Tour Leader will meet you in the lobby of your hotel for a brief overview of the trip before heading out for a stroll around the intriguing narrow streets of the Juderia (a name which comes from the fact that this was the Jewish ghetto in Medieval times), where we will get to know the neighbourhood through its bars (!) as we enjoy drinks and tapas, and see how the locals like to socialise.

Meals Included: Dinner (tapas)

A full day to explore the historic centre of Sevilla, one of Europe’s great cities, with a local guide introducing us to its incredible history and vibrant culture on a two and a half hour guided visit, which will take us into the Gothic cathedral and the Real Alcázar.

In the afternoon you will have free time to further explore the city on your own, perhaps strolling through Maria Luisa park, or crossing the river into the colourful Triana district.

Meals included: Breakfast

Today we depart Sevilla and head to the city of Jerez de la Frontera, famous for its distinctive sherry wines, flamenco and equestrian shows. We will see inside one of Jerez’s most famous bodegas where aged sherry and brandies are produced according to artisanal methods and which has the added attraction of a superb private art collection that includes works by Goya, Velázsquez and El Greco. After lunch in the old centre of Jerez we continue our journey south to the beautiful “white town” of Vejer de la Frontera. The narrow lanes of the old town are a delight to explore, and you will find some excellent options for dinner this evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we get to enjoy a wonderful Cookery Experience, which will include some food shopping, preparation and demonstrations in the kitchen and a lazy lunch on the terrace with views afterwards. The first walk of our tour takes us from the town to the Atlantic ocean: we’ll head through farming land, with views towards the coast, before a final section through forestry takes us down into the laid-back beach town of Caños de Meca. After a deserved drink we will walk on to the lighthouse at Cape Trafalgar (site of the famous sea battle won by Nelson in 1805) before taking taxis back to Vejer, where you will spend an evening in this tranquil, picturesque town.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Heading inland from Vejer we will pass by another hilltop town, Arcos de la Frontera, and then begin to ascend across a terrain of limestone mountains, cork oak and pine forests into the Sierra de Grazalema National Park. On arrival we will have a guided walk in the Park on a trail known as Valle del Endrinal. Some superb views as well as exceptional flora are sure to make this a delightful walk.|
Free time in Grazalema village after the walk, before getting the coach to our hotel, which is situated 4kms outside the village.

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we take a coach to the lovely village of Benaoján, where we will have a guided walk. This takes us from Estación Benaoján through to Ronda. You can grab some lunch in Ronda (at your own expense) after which you will have some free time to explore and take in some of the main sights of Ronda, including the emblematic Plaza de Toros (bull-ring) and the 12th century Arab baths. There will be a coach back to Grazalema and then the remainder of the day is free

Meals Included: Breakfast

Leaving Grazalema, we drive to Granada via El Torcal, where we will take in the spectacular karst limestone rock formations on a guided walk. There is also a visitor center, which explains the fascinating geology of the area. We recommend you pack a picnic lunch to enjoy after the walk. This afternoon you will want to begin exploring Granada, perhaps taking a stroll up to one of the scenic lookout points that afford views of the Alhambra set against a backdrop of the Sierra Nevada. We will meet again in the evening for dinner in a gourmet food store, where you will taste local cured hams, cheeses, pates, preserves and of course, wines. On our second day in Granada you will have the morning at leisure to explore. You can also choose an optional visit to the incredible Alhambra Palace, undoubtedly well worth a visit. Tickets for the Alhambra are an optional extra that you will need to purchase in advance before you arrive in Spain. In the afternoon your Tour Leader will take you on a guided countryside walk through pine & oak woods above the Alhambra and the river valley of the Darro where you will visit the singular Cave House Museum of Sacromonte. The evening will be at your leisure

Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts and 1 Dinner (Tapas)

We journey into the mountains of the Sierra Nevada range for the next two days with a visit to the Alpujarra, a hidden corner of Andalucía which shows rural life as it was lived for centuries. We hike along trails which meander through orchards and cultivated terraces, woods, meadows and crystal-clear mountain streams. We stay in the small village of Bubión, where the clear mountain air is sure to invigorate you and recharge your batteries for the remainder of the trip.

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast we will have a guided walk to Busquistar. Home of ham secadero (curing and drying factory) en route, with tapita of cured ham and home-made wine. We recommend you pack a picnic lunch to eat on the walk but there are also bars and cafes in a few of the villages. In the afternoon we will take the public bus from Basquistar back to Bubión, where you will enjoy some free time and the evening to explore

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our journey from the Alpujarra to Córdoba takes us through one of the greatest concentrations of olive trees anywhere in the world. In the village of Zuheros we will visit a private olive grove, where we will have a short talk on olive agriculture, followed by lunch in private home with a tasting of olive oils. After checking in to our hotel in Córdoba we will head out on a guided walking tour which will reveal the city’s historical riches in the late afternoon/early evening. Farewell Drinks bring the tour to a close and we say goodbye to our Tour Leader, after which the remainder of the evening is at your leisure, so why not pick one of the city’s fabulous restaurants to taste more of what Andalucía has to offer.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is departure day. From Córdoba there are high-speed train connections to Málaga or Madrid, from either of which you can connect with flights to all major cities in Europe and beyond. Alternatively, should you wish to linger for longer in this part of Spain consult us for Extension Packages and Extra Nights

Meals Included: Breakfast

A driver will meet you at your hotel in Córdoba this morning and drive you to the historic city of Ubeda, a UNESCO World Heritage site on account of its collection of religious and civic buildings dating from the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. You will join a small group with an expert local guide, on an engrossing two hours walking tour. Free time to further explore on your own, and enjoy lunch, before continuing with your driver to your overnight accommodation. This is in the spectacular natural setting of the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park, Spain’s largest protected area and a superb place for forest & mountain walks. You will stay two nights in the Hotel Spa Coto del Valle, located in the heart of the Natural Park.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Today you will explore the Natural Park in the company of a local walking guide, who will take you on a hike of between 5-6 hours duration (exact route to be determined in advance in accordance with your interests and walking ability), showing you some of the wonderful flora and fauna of the Park, which is also a UNESCO biosphere reserve. A packed lunch is included. You’ll have the later afternoon and evening back at the Hotel Spa Coto del Valle to enjoy its facilities such as its spa, take a stroll in the surroundings, or read a book in the lawned gardens.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

You’ll be provided with self-guided Route Notes for a short hike this morning, starting and ending at your hotel. Then around noon, transfer to Córdoba (2 hours 45 minutes), so that you can take a mid-afternoon high-speed train either to Málaga or to Madrid or Barcelona (for further stays or air connections) or stay further nights in Córdoba & around.

Meals Included: Breakfast