Cordoba

Morning: Guided tour of the Mosque & Cathedral (1hr)
Your art historian guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and lead you on a walking tour to discover the Mosque/Cathedral (La Mezquita), a monumental site which embodies the city’s identity. Each layer of history within the building details its rich history, diverse cultures and civilisations that have helped shape this fascinating city.

Córdoba is a city in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. A great cultural reference point in Europe, this ancient city has been declared a World Heritage Site and contains a mixture of the diverse cultures who have taken up residence throughout history.

Few places can boast of having been the capital of a Roman province, the capital of an Arab State, and a Caliphate. The city famously houses the Mezquita, a symbol of the worldly, sophisticated culture that flourished here more than a millennium ago when Córdoba was western Europe’s biggest, most cultured city.

Late morning: Montilla olive oil & wine experience
On this exciting tour, we venture into the countryside to explore the beautiful hills of Montilla (still a very unspoiled wine region south of Córdoba). Olive oil, gastronomy, and wine are part of Andalusia’s popular wisdom and with this tour, you will delve into this fascinating world.After your tour, your private driver/tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and will take you to Montilla (approx. 40 min ride).

Your first stop will be a family-run olive oil mill where you will discover the full process of olive oil making. Included is a tour of the family groves to learn about the different characteristics, culinary uses and health benefits of olive oil. After a visit to the mill and museum, you will enjoy an interesting video about oil production followed by a tasting of two of their delicious varieties along with freshly baked bread made nearby.

The second experience of the day is a visit to a local family-run boutique winery located right in the heart of the Sierra de Montilla, a stunning rural landscape with endless vineyards and rolling hills. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a passionate viticulturist who will show you the family vineyards and talk you through the history of this ancestral winery. Next, you will be guided into the wine cellar where their oldest wines are kept. On this educational tour, you will learn about the unique grape variety that grows exclusively in Montilla, the popular and worldwide known “Pedro Ximenez”. You will also learn about the wine producing process for these unique dry and sweet wines, a process that is probably the oldest in Spain. The visit will end with a delicious tasting of five different varieties followed by a traditional tapas lunch home made by the winery owners.

After lunch, you will be transferred to your hotel in Cordoba where the rest of the day is at your leisure. We will provide you with wonderful recommendations for dinner (not included).

Meals included: Breakfast, olive oil tasting & lunch

The quintessential Spanish delicacy

Full day Iberico ham experience (approx. 8h)
This very exclusive experience makes for a thoroughly enjoyable day in the Spanish outdoors. Your driver will pick you up from the hotel in Cordoba and take you to the Los Pedroches Natural Reserve (1h drive from Cordoba) to visit a family-run Iberian pig farm.

First you enjoy a tour of the property set in the unique landscape of the Spanish Dehesa, a grassy land dotted with Oak trees, the natural habitat of region’s native black pigs. Iberico pigs are bred here and freely roam these lands eating fallen acorns from the months of November through to February.

You will then head to the family’s country house where you will enjoy an Iberian ham slicing workshop lead by a master craftsman together with a ham tasting. This lovely day in the country culminates with a fantastic homemade lunch including grilled vegetables, beef and pork, a fresh tomato salad and a traditional dessert.

After lunch, you will transfer back to the hotel in Cordoba where the rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, ham tasting & lunch

Accommodation

Hotel in Cordoba

Orange Delights and Flamenco Sensations

Today, we will take you off the beaten path for the most unique experience for the 5 senses in the idyllic setting. An old Moorish courtyard of a private manor house surrounded by orange trees and the Guadalquivir river.

Your driver will take you to Portocarrero Palace (approx. 1h), located in Palma del Rio, right in between the historic cities of Cordoba and Seville, by the riverbank of the Guadalquivir. You’ll enjoy a private guided tour of approx. 1.5h of the Palace, courtyards, and gardens. This lovely visit will be accompanied by fresh orange juice from the orchards, as well as tea and fresh pastries.

Cristina Ybarra, the current owner has her art studio inside the palace and is always pleased to share her artwork with those discerning travellers who are interested in painting. After this magical escape to paradise, it’s off to the picturesque town of Carmona (approx. 45mins, en route to Seville) where you will enjoy a delicious lunch at the Parador Hotel. The restaurant here offers the most spectacular views over the Guadalquivir valley. After lunch, it’s off to Seville which is just 30 min away.

Evening Flamenco & tapas tour (approx. 4h)
Live the passion and drama of flamenco, sampling Seville’s finest cuisine as you go. On this gastronomic and folkloric tour, you’ll discover and taste why Seville is the true home of tapas, and experience the mystery, emotion, and the power of true flamenco!

Too many people visit Seville without really understanding why locals eat tapas or finding where the best tapas are served. Or they see a flamenco show but never truly grasp the origins or meaning of this magical art form. On this evening tour, we’ll fill your bellies and minds – giving you the keys to eating tapas like a local and a rich, lasting flamenco experience.

The evening begins as you dive into two of our favourite family-run taverns where your expert, English-speaking guide will serve up local delicacies and drinks and give you a crash course in eating tapas in Seville (an art form in its own right!).

Then, over plates of delicious acorn-fed Iberian ham and local wines your guide will then lead you through a fascinating explanation of the roots and mysteries of flamenco – from its unclear origins to its current worldwide fame. You’ll learn how Seville fits into this remarkable story.

Then, we head for the show! Tucked away in the city’s gorgeous Santa Cruz neighbourhood, in a fabulous 15th-century building, you’ll experience the power, passion, and sheer drama of flamenco. With your new-found knowledge about flamenco, you’ll be able to savour this spectacular performance by world-class dancers, powerful singing, and magical guitar playing.

After the performance, we’ll sit down for dinner at our final stop of the evening in a hidden family-run tapas bar that serves up incredible freshly cooked tapas, local wines and, of course, dessert. It is the perfect end to a magical evening in Seville!

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, tapas dinner

Accommodation

Hotel in Seville

The Flavours of Seville

Morning market tour and hands-on cooking class in the Triana neighbourhood (approx. 4h)

Today, you will be heading to Seville’s famed Triana food market for a tour and a 3-hour hands-on cooking class at Taller Andaluz de Cocina, a cooking school that is located inside the market. You will learn about fresh and seasonal products, locally grown and produced, such as olive oils and table olives, Iberian hams and other cured meats, cheese, seafood, fruits, and vegetables…

You will discover the fascinating history of the Triana Market and shop for the products you will use later in the cooking class. This is a great chance to meet and talk with the vendors, some of whom have been there for generations.

The Spanish cooking class will be taught in English by a professionally trained chef. Since classes are designed for both novice and experienced cooks, you can easily develop new techniques and skills. You will have the chance to get involved in the preparation of the dishes.

Menu (varies depending on the day/season)

• Salmorejo, Gazpacho or Ajoblanco (cold soups and creams)
• Spinach with chickpeas, Spanish potato omelette or Codfish fritters
• Paella (normally chicken paella)
• Light dessert (normally a lemon sorbet or similar)

All ingredients and materials will be provided by the school. In addition, you’ll enjoy complimentary sangria and table olives during the class. This experience could end no other way than with you enjoying the food you have prepared (there will be a choice of soft drinks, Spanish wine, or local beer).

*All of the recipes can be adapted to any type of dietary restriction. Please make sure to let us know ahead of time so we can best accommodate you.

Afternoon: Guided tour of Sevilla (approx. 2h)

Your art historian guide will meet you at the Triana Market for an introductory walking tour to discover the main historic sites in Seville. These include a guided visit to the magnificent Royal Alcazar/Palace (*), a beautiful example of Mudéjar architecture in the Iberian Peninsula and a stroll through the Santa Cruz old Jewish quarter – a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys.

* Subject to availability: Being an active residence of the Royal Family, the Alcazar Palace is occasionally closed to the public. For security reasons, the information is never provided ahead of time.

After the guided tour, you will have the rest of the evening free time to relax at your hotel or visit some other areas of the city at your own leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation

Hotel in Seville

You say Sherry, we say Jerez

Discover and enjoy the beauty, wine, and gastronomy of Jerez
This city takes pride in being the home of Sherry wine, but also in an invaluable historical legacy, ever-present in its culture and cuisine. Your private driver and tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and will drive you to Jerez de la Frontera (approx. 1h)

Start your visit with a short introductory stroll through the winding streets of the old town. You’ll join the locals at Calle Larga, their favourite meeting point, for some quick shopping or maybe even a tapa. Speaking of which, how about some Sherry? After your walk, its time to uncover the secrets of these unique wines and their many varieties. You’ll visit some of the finest bodegas in town for a tasting.

And finally, your tastiest stop yet will be for lunch where Sherry wines will share the table with outstanding seafood, premium quality meats, charcuterie, olives, and olive oil. You’ll enjoy these authentic flavours at what was once a beautiful wine cellar, now converted into a beautiful traditional restaurant serving the best of local cuisine.

Your menu will be made of a variety of home-style dishes, paired with fine Sherry wines, all curated by your travel designers at just explore to perfectly cater to your personal preferences. After lunch, sit back, relax, and enjoy the short ride to your charming hotel in the beautiful village
of Vejer. The perfect chance to discover the benefits of a siesta!

Evening hands-on cooking class (approx. 3.5h)
The best way to appreciate the culture of any area is through its food and wine and nowhere is that truer than of Southern Spain. After a couple of hours of rest at your hotel, your tour guide will take you to a nearby local house for an extraordinary hands-on cooking experience.

Depending on the season, the dishes which you will help prepare are likely to include gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), tuna & red pepper salad, gazpacho (melon and mint, traditional tomato, or almond and garlic). Fresh boiled octopus and boquerones (anchovies) are also, a delicacy of this region as it is close to the sea!

Your passionate cooking guide will help you uncover the secrets for the perfect tortilla (Spanish omelette), introduce you to albondigas (Spanish meatballs) and treat you to a yummy cake for dessert. Being in the province of Cadiz, this culinary experience would not be complete without
sampling the region’s specialties, which is why you will enjoy a preserved tuna and sherry tasting!

Meals included: Breakfast, Sherry tasting, lunch & dinner

Accommodation

Hotel in Vejer

Almadraba, a millennia-old tradition

Full day trip with driver & guide (8hrs)
Today you’ll experience the annual ‘Almadraba’ first-hand, a traditional fishing method of the Bluefin tuna whose origins can be traced back some 3000 years! This exclusive journey includes a tasting of the Bluefin tuna, one of Spain’s most treasured delicacies.

Your private driver & local guide will pick you up from your hotel in Vejer to take to the port of Barbate (approx. 30 min). The day begins with a small and intimate 2-hour boat trip* (maximum 8 people on board) where you’ll learn about this unique fishing techniques and its history.

*NOTE: Due to weather conditions, season, timings, and fishing restrictions the departure of the boat trip may not always be possible. There may also be some participants who prefer not to take the boat trip. In which case, we have an alternative activity available detailed below.

In the Spring, you could even get to witness (conditions permitting) one of the four unique Almadraba traps being lifted, a truly singular and exciting experience. On this boat trip, you will also pass the Cape of Trafalgar where the famous battle took place between the British and the French navies back in 1805. You’ll learn about the history and observe several watch towers dotted along the Cadiz coastline and on the way back to the port, you’ll get to enjoy the spectacular views of the cliffs and pristine turquoise waters of las Breñas Natural park.

Back on dry land, you then visit the fish market of Barbate which boasts wonderful displays of tuna and other varieties of seafood plus other regional products. This is a great place to speak to the local vendors and watch people go about their daily routines. For lunch, enjoy an unforgettable tasting menu at the tuna temple that is El Campero, widely regarded as one of Spain’s top seafood restaurants; all top chefs and connoisseurs flock here during the Almadraba season (April-June).

After this delicious meal, you’ll head to Baelo Claudia archaeological site, just outside Tarifa, for a healthy helping of history. This Roman city-factory is amazingly well preserved and one of the finest known examples of a Roman town. From Baelo Claudia, Romans caught Atlantic Bluefin tuna, using a similar technique to the Almadraba method used today and exported it to the rest of the Empire. It was also here where they made the traditional Garum sauce that was used as a brine and was considered a delicacy in Imperial Rome. The visit includes the museum and the ruins.

You then return to your hotel in Vejer, where you will have the rest of the evening free to enjoy at your leisure.

NOTE: Due to weather conditions, season, timings, and fishing restrictions the departure of the boat trip described on the previous page may not always be possible. There may also be some participants who prefer not to take the boat trip. In which case, we have the following alternative
activity available:

ALTERNATIVE MORNING: A fully guided visit to the Tuna Museum in Barbate (approx. 1.5hrs). The tour begins with learning how the Bluefin tuna, a true jewel of the sea, is captured. The entire Almadraba fishing method will be completely explained with the help of a fantastic audio-visual display which will provide you with a real understanding of this ancient technique.

Then you will see a recreated chanca (old processing room) in which the fishermen of Barbate, back in the 50s cleaned and prepared their catch.

After that, you will visit a true-to-life reproduction of a factory of fish preserves, in which the current techniques are explained, these combine both artisanal processes with the latest technologies. You will also learn the about salted and smoked fish production.

This will be followed by a live demonstration of tuna cutting known as Ronqueo. Here you’ll learn about the different parts of the tuna fish which you will be having for lunch later. The visit ends with a delicious tasting of the different salted, canned, and smoked products accompanied with a drink. The itinerary will then continue to the fish market of Barbate.

Meals included: Breakfast, Tuna tasting & lunch

Accommodation

Hotel in Vejer

A Farm to Table Kind of Day

Rural adventure and gastronomic experience (approx. 8h)
Your private driver will pick you up from Vejer and will take you to a private owned organic farm (approx. 2h drive) for a uniquely beautiful day in the countryside. Today, we invite to you explore the wilderness of the Natural Park of Grazalema, take in the natural beauty and tranquillity of the Andalusian countryside and learn about organic farming. This visit will be done aboard an eco-friendly 4×4 car which will allow you to have access to all the various areas of the farm.

You will have the chance to be in direct contact with animals such as the beautiful Lusitano horses. There will be a dressage during which you can see first-hand the strength of these noble animals in the farm’s arena. You will visit the vegetable garden to learn how they prepare it by using their own compost and applying their biodynamic techniques.

There is no better way to end this fabulous morning than by sitting down and getting to taste all the flavours of the surrounding countryside, don’t you agree? This farm-to-table experience will include a lunch with dishes made using the farm’s own olive oil, wine, seasonal and organic drinks, produce harvested in their garden, and homemade bread (yummy and healthy!). After lunch, you will be driven to your hotel in Ronda (approx. 40 min), where you will have the rest of afternoon free to relax.

NOTE: This experience will normally take place rain or shine, however it may be rescheduled or cancelled if the weather is exceptionally bad.

Ronda sunset walking tour (approx. 2h)
Your historian guide will pick up from your accommodation and will take you for an introductory walking tour which will begin just before sunset for the best light to explore the main landmarks of this magnificent town: the Old Town, the cliffs, the gorge, and the New Bridge. This guided tour will end at a local bar where you could have a drink or some tapas (cost not included).

Meals included: Breakfast & lunch

Accommodation

Hotel in Ronda

Around Vineyards and Mountains

Amazing landscapes, breath-taking views, and fantastic wines! This could simply be the answer to the question: why is Ronda in this itinerary? We have hand-picked two of our favourite wineries in Ronda to provide the most memorable experience based on two values: soul and essence.

The first bodega is just a short pleasant downhill walk from your hotel. On arrival you will be surrounded by extraordinary views of the vineyards and the sprawling El Tajo gorge below. This is indeed one of the most unique places of this area and is where you will get the chance to indulge in some of the best wines in Southern Spain. This winery dates to the sixteenth century when it was originally built as a Trinitarian monastery. The current owners purchased the property in 1998 and restored it from an almost ruined state. The project resulted in the recovery of the convent, its beautiful gardens, orchards, ponds, and fountains. Most remarkably, the original frescos on the high alter were discovered under layers of limestone by chance; having miraculously survived despite the humidity. Today the ancient frescos seem to proudly stand guard over of the tall metallic tanks of wine, elegantly bringing together the old and the new. The guided tour of the winery takes around 2h and includes a visit to the cellar, gardens, and a tasting of 3 wines paired with cured Iberian meats and artisanal goat cheese.

The second wine experience is in a different location on the other side of town (just a 10 min drive away). You will meet Miguel and Isabel, a lovely Spanish couple who own and run this small family vineyard. Here, you will learn all about wine production in Ronda and sample the most delicious tapas dishes. After a brief tour of the winery and vineyard, you will be seated for lunch in either the dining room or the guest house courtyard (depending on the weather). A great selection of homemade products including bread, jams, Spanish omelette and of course an amazing paella are some of the dishes you will taste during this generous lunch, all of which will of course be accompanied by their fantastic wines. A beautiful setting, passionate and friendly hosts, lovely wines, and delicious home cooked food are what are in store for you in this memorable experience! After lunch, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Ronda where you will spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, wine tasting, tapas and lunch

Accommodation

Hotel in Ronda

A Culinary Voyage into Rural Andalusia

Full day trip with private driver/guide (8hrs)
This unique and immersive experience led by a local, will introduce you to the authentic lifestyle and customs of a white village. Experience rural Spain first-hand, breath the fresh country air and bake your own bread!

Your private driver/guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the small town of Benalauria, located in the heart of the Genal Valley (approx. 40 min drive). With only 400 inhabitants, this whitewashed hilltop village is certainly off the beaten path and preserves the essence of rural life in Andalusia. Your host for today will be Pepe, a friendly local guide, entrepreneur, cook and wine producer. He will first take you on a short hike to various viewpoints around the town from where you will get to admire the spectacular surroundings of this charming town.

Once you reach the main square, you will wander through the narrow streets of the village and visit a family run bakery, where you will get to bake your own bread. Whilst your bread is baking, Pepe will take you to visit his small winery for a delicious homemade lunch accompanied by his very own wines (red and white) and or course, the fresh bread you prepared yourselves! After lunch, you will be transferred to your next and final destination, the great Mediterranean city of Malaga (aprx.2h).

Farewell dinner
After checking-in and a short rest at the hotel in Málaga, we have the cherry on the cake of this fantastic journey across the many flavours and fragrances of our beloved Andalusia: a delicious farewell dinner to reminisce the last 10 days and say ‘cheers’ to the end of a wonderful trip.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation

Hotel in Malaga

Tour finishes after breakfast

Wishing you a safe trip home with a bag full of Andalucian memories!