Essence of Andalusia

Arrival at Seville Airport and meeting with our representative. After a brief welcome we take our private vehicle to the hotel. Once you have settled in, we start to get in touch with the city on an orientation walk through the historic centre: narrow streets, small squares and whitewashed façades create a welcoming atmosphere. As evening falls, the centre fills with life: terraces, tapas bars and the scent of olives and olive oil… Seville greets you with its own rhythm.

After breakfast at the hotel we take a panoramic tour of Seville to get our bearings in the city: modern areas, bridges over the Guadalquivir River and general views of the main monuments help us understand its layout. We then enter the Barrio de Santa Cruz, where narrow streets and whitewashed houses with flowered balconies form the most picturesque area of the old town. We continue to the emblematic Plaza de España, one of the most spectacular squares in Spain. Its semicircular shape, ceramic benches representing the country’s provinces and central canal create an almost cinematic image. Nearby María Luisa Park adds a touch of greenery and shade, ideal for a leisurely stroll. Afternoon at leisure to keep discovering Seville on your own: enjoy tapas, soak up the atmosphere or, optionally, attend a flamenco show in the evening.

After breakfast we leave Seville for Córdoba. As we drive, the landscape changes and olive groves –symbol of inland Andalusia– become more frequent. On arrival, the undisputed protagonist is the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba (interior visit according to program). Its forest of columns and two-tone arches reveals one of the most fascinating architectural fusions between the Islamic and Christian worlds. Inside, the mix of styles becomes a journey through different eras. We then stroll through the Jewish Quarter, with its narrow lanes, flowered patios and small squares. Here you can feel the echo of the three cultures –Christian, Muslim and Jewish– that coexisted in this city for centuries. Free time to continue exploring the historic centre, enjoy a coffee in a little square or try typical Cordoban dishes such as salmorejo.

After breakfast we head into Andalusia’s mountainous interior. Our destination is Ronda, one of Spain’s most unique cities, built on the edge of an impressive gorge. The New Bridge, linking the two sides of the town, rises high above the ravine. From its viewpoints, the sight of houses perched on the cliff edge and the valley below is truly unforgettable. We take a walk through the historic centre, with its bullring, cobbled streets and corners full of history. In the afternoon we continue to Granada. On arrival you have free time for a first contact with the city or simply to rest at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we visit Granada’s great icon: the Alhambra and the Generalife gardens (tickets subject to advance reservation and availability). The Alhambra is far more than a palace; it is a collection of courtyards, halls and decorative details forming the last great chapter of Islamic art in the Iberian Peninsula. Water channels, lace-like arches, inscriptions and the play of light in the courtyards create an atmosphere that is hard to describe. The Generalife, former summer residence of the sultans, adds the serenity of its gardens, fountains and terraces overlooking the city and the mountains. Afternoon at leisure in Granada: wander through the streets of the Albaicín, admire the Alhambra from a viewpoint at sunset or simply enjoy the atmosphere of the teahouses and squares in the centre.

Breakfast and departure towards the Mediterranean coast. We arrive in Málaga, a port city with a cheerful, cosmopolitan atmosphere. On our panoramic tour of Málaga we see the seafront promenade, the harbour area, views of the Alcazaba and, depending on available time, we take an orientation walk through the historic centre. It is a good opportunity to feel the mild Mediterranean climate, have a coffee by the sea or taste an espeto of sardines. In the afternoon we continue our journey back to Seville, where we spend the last night of the circuit. On arrival, free time for a final Andalusian dinner or a stroll through the illuminated city centre.

Breakfast at the hotel (depending on flight schedule) and free time until the transfer. You may use these last hours for some final shopping, a short walk through the centre or simply to rest at the hotel. At the agreed time, transfer to Seville Airport for your return flight to Istanbul. End of our services, hoping that each city you visited has become a vivid memory of Andalusia.