Classic Andalucia Tour

About the tour

The Full Andalucia Itinerary

Day 1  (D)

We will meet at our hotel just after lunch for a welcome coffee and introduction.  Then we will begin a walking tour with a local guide.

We visit Seville’s cathedral — its sheer size may take your breath away. It’s not just the lofty height of the Giralda, the city’s most emblematic structure, that’s striking, but the vastness of the entire building, which takes up an entire city block. Started in 1434, the cathedral was intended to be “a church which those who see it finished will think we were mad for attempting.” Today it’s considered the largest church in the world — larger in volume than St. Peter’s in Rome.

The 12th-century bronze doors have inscriptions from the Koran.  Indeed, it was on this site that Christians worshipped in a mosque after they reconquered the city from the Moors (Islamic North African rulers). At its highest point, the central nave rises to almost 140 feet, supported by 12-foot-thick columns.  The centrepiece of this magnificent cathedral is the dazzling retablo (altarpiece) in the Capilla Mayor. An extraordinary work begun in 1482, it was completed a century later.  The largest altarpiece in the world at almost 120 feet, it features more than 1,000 wood sculptures painted in gold.  At one corner of the cathedral is the entrance to the Giralda, the former minaret which is a symbol of Seville and a landmark visible from almost anywhere in the city.

We’ll also visit the Alcázar, built by Pedro I (“the Cruel”) in the 14th century. This magnificent mudéjar fortress-palace south of the cathedral is the oldest royal residence in Europe still in use: on visits to Seville, King Felipe and Queen Letizia stay here. From the intricate carvings of the Dolls’ Court to the exquisite arches, sunken garden and pool of the Maidens’ Court, with the dramatic high point of the gold-domed Ambassadors’ Salon, it is undoubtedly one of Spain’s most beautiful palaces.

The Alcázar contains the finest examples of 14^th-century Moorish architecture outside the Alhambra. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the “Catholic Kings” who lived in the Alcázar at one time and influenced its architectural evolution, welcomed Columbus here on his return from America.

After some relaxing time at our hotel, we will meet and walk together to a local restaurant for our Welcome Dinner.

Day 2 (B)

In the centuries after the discovery of the Americas, Seville became the only port of entry for all the wealth being poured into the Spanish coffers. A hefty tax was placed on all goods (15%), much of which was spent building lavish palaces and incredibly ornate churches, chapels and convents. Seville became known as “The Cradle of the Baroque” and there are few better places in the world to see such magnificent testimony to this ornate artistic style.

This morning is given over to discovering the more secret side of Seville. We will walk its maze of back streets to uncover some real treasures that are hiding behind closed doors. We will go into a monastery which is still lived in by an order of cloistered nuns, whose motto is “ORA ET LABORA” – pray and work. When they are not in intercession, they make heavenly jams and cakes that we will be able to purchase. Our mission is to find a special key, one that opens the door of their private chapel, so you can see first hand where some of the phenomenal wealth from the Americas ended up!

We will also visit a private palace to see Roman mosaics saved from the nearby archaeological site of Itálica. After, we head to a country estate for lunch and a private flamenco lesson. After a siesta at the hotel and an independent dinner, we will reconvene to enjoy a flamenco show together, so you how the professionals do it!

Day 3 (B, L)

After a leisurely breakfast and some freetime in Seville, we will make our way to the city of Carmona where we will enjoy a wonderful lunch in the famous Parador with their gigantic dining room. After lunch we will continue on and check into our hotel.

As an introduction to the city with your Toma & Coe Tour Director, in the early evening, you will take a stroll. You will visit a Mudejar chapel, Christian in purpose but built in Arabic style and stroll the Old Jewish Quarter. We will also see the Roman bridge and visit some of the lesser known corners of the Old City.

This evening is free for you to enjoy meandering the tiny streets of the city centre and soaking up the atmosphere of Cordoba after the tourists have left.

Day 4 (B, D)

Today you will enjoy an indepth tour of Cordoba with our local guide. The highlight of your tour will be visiting the Mezquita, the Great Mosque of Cordoba which has a cathedral inside it, one of the most unusual and beautiful buildings in the world. You will also see one of the two remaining synagogues in the whole of Andalucia. Delve into the gorgeous gardens of the Alcazar to complete this marvellous walking tour of Cordoba.

This afternoon will be free for you to retrace your steps at your own pace and lose yourselves in this marvellous city. We will give you all sorts of ideas for your freetime. Perhaps, the Fine Art Museum, perhaps an Arabic Hammam and massage or maybe a siesta at your beautiful hotel.

This evening you will re-convene with your Toma & Coe Tour Director for a delicious local meal.

Day 5 (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will head westwards towards Granada. En route, we will stop somewhere marvellous for a hearty lunch!

Once we have arrived in Granada and checked into our hotel, we will begin our exploration of this wonderful city.

This evening we will walk up the hill together, to visit the Arabic Quarter of the Albaícin and to enjoy the spectacular views of the Alhambra from the Mirador De San Nicolás. We will enjoy a meal in a local restaurant.

Day 6 (B, D)

Today we visit the amazing Alhambra.  Nowhere else in Spain can evoke past Islamic glories with such power. A Moor from medieval times would have considered the Alhambra as paradise on earth.  The most complete surviving example of its kind in the world, this remarkable palace is the most-visited monument in Spain and ranks high in all of Europe.

This truly is one of the most extraordinary collections of buildings and gardens on the Continent. Although the complex started life in the 11th century, its most spectacular period of architecture came in the 14th century. It was then Granada saw the construction of the Palacio de los Leones (the private living quarters of the sultan and his family) and the Palacio de Comares (where emissaries and important guests were received).

Many would say that the subsequent additions made by Christian rulers upset the aesthetic unity of the Alhambra, yet the Palacio de Carlos V and the Convento de San Francisco (a fine expression of Italian Renaissance) are beautiful in their own right and add to the broader sense of history.  Just outside the Alhambra walls is the Generalife, a wonderfully lush area of walkways, fountains, and garden patios. The name derives from the Arabic phrase for “garden of the architect”: these were the pleasure gardens of the sultans. The Generalife is a delightful place to rest and contemplate after seeing the rest of the Alhambra. The gardens also offer stunning views over the complex and across to the Albaicín district of the city.

After our visit you have the afternoon free, to have lunch in one of the city’s tapas bars or restaurants and perhaps indulge in a little shopping. In the early evening we will reconvene for a pre-dinner drink and a celebratory farewell dinner.

Day 7

Departure from our hotel in Granada.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE LOGISTICS

Day 1: Seville has flights to Madrid with Iberia, and to Barcelona with Vueling and Ryanair. From Seville there are also flights to Paris with Vueling and Transavia, and to Amsterdam with Transavia/KLM. This is just a general guide. Flight service is subject to change.

The train from Seville to Madrid takes about 2 1/2 hours.

Day 7: At the time of publishing this itinerary, Granada Airport offers flights to Madrid, Barcelona and London, with excellent links to the rest of Europe, as well as a train service to Madrid.

You are most welcome to join us as a solo traveller or book as part of a group.