A Week In Andalucia at Christmas
Overview
A Week In Andalucia at Christmas
This relaxing holiday gives you the chance to unwind and soak up the sun whilst discovering the best of Andalucía. From your base in Antequera historically dubbed ‘the crossroads of Andalucia’, you’ll visit the cities of Cordoba and Seville before heading to Granada, home of the stunning Alhambra Palace. Step inside to discover grand halls, courtyards and fountains, then explore the Generalife Gardens. If you want to see more, there’s the option to visit cliff-top Ronda and cosmopolitan Malaga, or if you prefer you can just relax and unwind at the hotel – it’s entirely up to you.
What's Included:
- Return flights from London
- 7 nights in a 4-star hotel
- 15 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 7 dinners including a Festive Gala Dinner on Christmas Day and welcome drink
- Travelsphere Holiday Director and Specialist Local Guide
Overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage
Included Holiday Highlights:
- Sightseeing in the city of Cordoba
- Explore Andalucia's regional capital, Seville
- Enjoy a light lunch at one of Seville's fine tapas bars
- Granada tour and the Alhambra Palace
Operator: Travelsphere
Full Itinerary
Day 1: UK - Malaga
Depart on your flight to Malaga today. On arrival, we'll transfer you to your hotel and you'll have time to relax and unwind before dinner this evening.
Day 2: Granada
You really can't visit this region of Spain without a trip to the stunning Alhambra Palace, so that's where you are going today. Standing high on a hill overlooking Granada, this magnificent complex was built by the Moors in the 13th and 14th centuries and added to over time. Your tour not only includes the grand halls, courtyards and fountains of the palace, but also the lovely Generalife Gardens. Later, we'll explore Granada, where you'll see a mix of Moorish and Spanish architecture amongst its narrow, winding lanes.
Day 3: Antequera - of leisure
Today you can choose to explore on your own, or join us on this optional excursion to experience authentic Andalucia in medieval Antequera, whose landscape is punctuated by the towers of Moorish fortresses and Gothic churches. Highlights include El Torcal National Park and the Dolmens, the enormous burial chambers dating back to prehistoric times.
Day 4: Cordoba
Today you're going to discover the city of Cordoba, which sits in a beautiful position on a bend of the Guadalquivir River. It's a fascinating place and the highlight of your visit is sure to be the dazzling Mezquita, or Great Mosque, which dates to the 8th century. Inside what is said to be one of the world's greatest Islamic buildings, you'll see more than 850 granite, jasper, and marble pillars. You'll also spend time exploring the labyrinth of winding streets and flower-filled courtyards in the Jewish quarter, before we head back to Antequera.
Day 5: Antequera - Christmas Eve
Time at leisure may be just what you need today, so why not relax at your hotel. However, if you're keen to discover more of Andalucia, your Holiday Director will be hosting an optional excursion to the cliff-top town of Ronda. You'll see the 600ft deep gorge, El Tajo, which divides it in two and is spanned by an ancient stone bridge, the Puente Nuevo. We'll also leave time for a leisurely stroll around Ronda's cobblestone streets lined with the typical whitewashed houses of the region.
Day 6: Antequera - Christmas Day
Today is yours to enjoy. Perfect for relaxing, reading and catching up with fellow travellers and looking forward to this evenings Festive dinner. You can,if you wish, join us on an optional excursion to Malaga, a cosmopolitan city on the Costa del Sol, famous as the birthplace of the celebrated artist Pablo Picasso. The city is set on a beautiful bay of the Mediterranean and we’ll take in wonderful views from the two Moorish citadels, the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro.
Day 7: Seville - Boxing Day
You’re heading to Seville today. This is Andalucia’s regional capital, and if you’re an opera fan you’ll know it as the atmospheric setting for Bizet’s Carmen and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. On your tour, highlights include the Gothic Cathedral and Plaza de España which displays a beautifully tiled alcove for each of Spain’s provinces. We'll also take a wander through the Barrio Santa Cruz area. Tapas bars are plentiful in this maze of lanes, and is the perfect location for us to end our tour with a light lunch at one of these fine tapas bars. You might sample dishes such as bravas patatas, chorizo and calamares a la romana – Seville is credited with its invention after all!
Day 8: Malaga - UK
We'll transfer you to the airport for our flight to the UK today.
Hand Picked By
I’ve been fortunate enough to experience many escorted tours so I know what the perfect ingredients are to create the perfect itinerary. I know that your trip with Travelsphere will be planned to perfection, with many excursions included and opportunities to experience local culture and cuisine; they also give you an opportunity to explore for yourselves. Travelsphere takes customers to all corners of the Globe; not only does the Tour Manager enhance the experience, the use of Local Guides really brings the destinations to life.
Clare Hughes
