CROSSROADS OF CULTURES
THE RICHES OF THE ANDALUCIA OF SPAIN

DAY 1 - October 13 (Sunday)    

Welcome to the Costa del Sol nestled along the Mediterranean. This evening a group ‘meet and greet’ cocktail before the beginning of your Andalucía cultural adventure.

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DAY 2 - October 14 (Monday):  Malaga

This morning a visit of the Buenavista Palais which will give us a first taste of the typical Andalucía architecture. Housed in the Palais, a visit of the Picasso Museum, Malaga’s native son, with his iconic style. Afternoon walking through the city streets for lunch, on your own, at the Mercado Central. Then a visit of the XI century Alcazaba (fortress) built on the hillside overlooking Malaga with a beautiful panoramic view of the port and the sea. Dinner this evening in a local restaurant.  2 nights lodging in Malaga.

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Meals: BREAKFAST | DINNER

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DAY 3 - October 15 (Tuesday): White Villages

This morning we will drive along the Mediterranean to the renowned “Pueblos Blancos” of the region with their beautiful flowered steep cobbled alleyways and spectacular views of the sea. We will visit the village of Nerja with the Balcon d’Europe where on a clear day you can see Africa across the sea. Then on to Frigiliana, to walk through the picturesque narrow winding streets of this exceptionally beautiful, whitewashed village.  Return to Malaga for a walk along the “Passeo”, the walkways along the beach that have been a central part of the village social life, where you will mingle with the Spanish families there to enjoy the afternoon together. We will stay on the beach for dinner in a “Chiringuitos”, local beachfront restaurants, to eat fresh grilled fish.

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Meals: BREAKFAST | DINNER

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DAY 4 - October 16 (Wednesday):  Ronda    

Today we will depart Malaga for the village of Ronda.  A quick walk across the impressive Tajo del Ronda, this 150-meter-deep canyon separates the old and new towns.  Lunch on your own. Continue to the city of Seville.  The Golden age of Seville, in the 1500s, became one of the economic centers of the Spanish Empire and the world, as its ports monopolized the trans-oceanic trade with the discovery of the Americas. Dinner on your own this evening in Seville.  2 nights lodging in Seville.

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Meals: BREAKFAST | DINNER

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DAY 5 - October 17 (Thursday):  Seville

After breakfast a visit of Seville situated on the Guadalquivir River, with its “Old Town”, an area of 2 square/miles, contains three UNESCO world heritage sites: the Alcazar, the Cathedral, and the Archives of the Indies. This evening we will have a late afternoon river cruise along the Guadalquivir for dinner.

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Meals: BREAKFAST

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DAY 6 -  October 18 (Friday):  Wine Tasting

Today we will have a wine tasting at the “Bodegas Tradicion” in Jerez de la Frontera. This Bodegas can trace its origin back to the 1600s and is a winery exclusively devoted to the elaboration and ageing of very old sherries and brandies from Jerez. With the tasting and lunch tapas we will also be able to enjoy the private collection of works by Spanish artists from the 14th to the 17th century, including: an altarpiece by Levi to Zurbarán, Velázques, Sorolla, Goya and El Greco. Return to Seville for the evening with dinner on your own.

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Meals: BREAKFAST | LUNCH

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DAY 7 -  October 19 (Saturday):   El Torcal / Hike 

Morning drive through the Andalusian countryside to the Antequera region. Those in the group that wish may go for a hike in the El Torcal Natural Reserve which contains dramatic limestone tower rock formations. For those who do not wish to hike enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the hotel with a leisurely countryside stroll. Dinner this evening at the hotel.  2 nights lodging in Torcal

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Meals: BREAKFAST | LUNCH | DINNER

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DAY 8 -  October 20 (Sunday):  Cooking / Wine

This morning take advantage of a relaxed wake-up and breakfast as our cooking class will be at our hotel. We will have half the group begin the cooking while the other half may enjoy optional visits to the El Torcal natural reserve as well as enjoy a tour and wine tasting of the organic vineyards of the Bodega Gross Hermanos, before inversing the groups. Dinner this evening will be your “superbly” prepared Andalusian dishes. 

d “Le Béarn.” 

Meals: BREAKFAST | DINNER

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DAY 9 -  October 21 (Monday):  Granada

After breakfast a bus transfer for Granada. On arrival walk through the picturesque market “Barrios Alcaiceria”, choosing your lunch tapas before a visit of the “Barrios Albayzin” with its splendid views of Granada, The Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada mountains. Granada this evening for dinner and a flamenco show.  2 nights lodging in Granada

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Meals: BREAKFAST | DINNER

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DAY 10 -  October 22 (Tuesday):  Granada

This Morning will be spent in the Majestic Alhambra (the Red One) palace/fortress with its many airy rooms containing delicately carved calligraphy walls to its lovely courtyards and the magnificent “Généralife Garden”. Dinner this evening on your own in Granada.

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Meals: BREAKFAST

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DAY 11 -  October 23 (Wednesday):  Cordoba

After breakfast depart Granada, for the charming city of Cordoba with its Cathedral and beautiful flower adorned patios. Dinner and evening on your own to explore Cordoba. (delete this line) In the afternoon visit the fascinating Cathedral of Cordoba which is a confusing and intriguing historical structure. After the Moors captured the city in 711 the Visigoth Christian church was split in two and used by both faiths until 70 years later when it was rebuilt as a mosque. Reclaimed by the Christians in 1236 and converted into a cathedral and finally in the 16th century Charles V added the Renaissance Nave atop the Moorish architecture creating the unique structure that exists today. Farewell dinner in Cordoba this evening.  Lodging in Cordoba

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Meals: BREAKFAST | DINNER

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DAY 12 -  October 24 (Thursday)

From Cordoba the participants that have requested will have a morning bus transfer to Malaga and its airport. 

For those who may wish to continue their adventure a Champlain Tours representative is ready to work with you, before your departure, on an extension to Madrid and/or Toledo.

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Meals: BREAKFAST

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