8 Days in Southern Spain

Your private driver meets you at the Seville airport for a smooth transfer to your luxurious and centrally located hotel housed in a former 18th century manor. Drop your luggage and meet your bike tour guide for a fun introduction to this friendly, vibrant and culturally rich city. As the capital of Andalucia, Seville has a deep historical legacy, blending Islamic, Jewish, and Christian influences due to its history as a major city under the Romans, Moors, and later, the Spanish Empire. This rich mix of cultures has left a lasting imprint on the city’s architecture, art, and way of life.

After your first full Spanish breakfast meet your private guide to discover the three most important monuments in Seville. Your guide will enlighten you about the awe inspiring Alcazar (royal palace), Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and La Giralda where you can climb to the top and take in the spectacular views. Your tour ends with a walk through the labyrinth of winding streets of the Jewish Quarter, known as the Barrio of Santa Cruz. The neighborhood still retains the traces of its medieval Jewish past where it was once home to a thriving Jewish community, especially during the Middle Ages, before the Spanish Inquisition and the eventual expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492. Today it is a lively neighborhood full of tapas bars, cafes, and shops.

This morning you begin your journey to the coast. Your private driver will transport you to Malaga with a couple of interesting and adventurous stops along the way. First, experience the stunning mountain town of Ronda known as one of the Pueblos Blancos for the whitewashed buildings. Ronda is perched atop a deep gorge (El Tajo) that divides the town into two parts and offers dramatic views of the town and gorge from the well known Puente Nuevo (New Bridge). Other notable sights are the Bullfighting Ring Museum, the cobbled streets of the Old Town, and the Palacio Mondragon. Enjoy a bite to eat and continue your journey to the caves of Benahavis where you will hike beautiful landscapes and jump into warm natural river pools. Continue on and arrive in Malaga in time to freshen up for dinner.

Wake up on the Costa del Sol and linger over breakfast as you can take this day at your own pace. Relax by your hotel’s spectacular pool or take a walk to the beach. Today is all about taking in the Mediterranean sun. For those who may get antsy there is plenty to see and do. Some suggestions include visiting the Picasso Museum housed in the beautiful Renaissance Palacio de Buenavista, the Moorish Fortress Alcazaba, the 14th century Castillo de Gibralfaro, or simply stroll the windy streets of the city center and sample the local cuisine.

Meet your private driver for a full day excursion. First you will venture to the mountains of Mijas where you will enjoy a thrilling guided 2 seater quad tour. Your off- road adventure takes you through typical farmlands and picturesque landscapes. You will enjoy beautiful views of the mountains and the Costa del Sol. Next your driver transports you to the trendy and elegant Puerto Banus Beach in Marbella. This broad sand beach has crystal clear water and a wide range of water activities including kayaking, boating, parasailing and an epic water slide. The pristine beach is flanked by a beautiful promenade full of high end shops, restaurants and bars. Return to Malaga for your final evening on the coast.

Today you begin your journey to Granada with a stop in the charming seaside town of Nerja. Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra de Almijara mountains, the historic town center features narrow, cobbled streets, white washed houses and traditional Andalucian architecture. You will also tour the Caves of Nerja, renowned for their impressive stalagmites and stalactites, including the world’s longest at 60 meters in height. Continuing on you will arrive in Granada in time to freshen up for dinner. I encourage you to choose one of the restaurants atop the Albacin neighborhood. The traditional cuisine is quite good and the terraces offer dramatic panoramic views of the Alhambra.

On your final full day you explore the enchanting city of Granada located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Meet your private guide to see La Alhambra in the daylight. This massive fortress palace is the crown jewel of Granada and no trip is complete without seeing the gardens of the Generalife. Take some time to wander through the Alcaicería areas, where you’ll find traditional Arab-style souks selling spices, handmade crafts, and textiles. In the evening stroll through the Sacromonte neighborhood nestled on the hillsides above the city famous for its traditional cave houses, which have been carved into the mountainside. Enjoy dinner and a mesmerizing flamenco show in one of these traditional caves.

This concludes your adventure in Spain. Your private driver transfers you to the Granada airport for a safe flight home.