Grand Tour of Spain’s Andalucía: Seville, Granada & Malaga

After breakfast, we'll take a drive into the hills forming the beautiful backdrop to the coast. Our destination? Ronda: a city widely acknowledged as one of the most spectacular in Spain with a setting so naturally dramatic it could be in a fairy tale.

Built on a ridge and split by a most impressive gorge plunging down hundreds of feet, much of Ronda’s appeal lies in its spectacular views and clear mountain air – Andalucía at its best.

We'll continue our drive into the countryside beyond, which is both very scenic and quite isolated, so much so it is not unusual to see eagles and vultures soaring above or ibex roaming the mountains. Another treat awaits this evening at our next destination, Seville, where we'll enjoy an introduction to tapas.

It is said that tapas dishes were originally slices of bread or meat used by sherry drinkers in Andalucían taverns to cover their glasses and keep fruit flies away. Over the centuries, with the introduction of olives, tomatoes, peppers and potatoes, tapas dishes gradually evolved into a most delicious tradition.

Flamboyant, seductive, fascinating … Seville is all these and more. It is simply one of the most beautiful and charismatic cities in the world, with the serene River Guadalquivir flowing through its centre, a history spanning the centuries, a wealth of historic buildings, colourful back streets and peaceful parks.

It has its origins in Roman times – Emperor Hadrian, builder of the famous wall, came from here. During the 8th century, the Moors arrived, stayed for five centuries and left a unique legacy still visible today. However, if one event changed Seville, it was the discovery of the New World (fittingly, Columbus is buried in the city's imposing cathedral). Immense wealth poured in from Spain’s new empire and catapulted Seville into one of the largest and richest cities in Europe.

Much of Seville was built during this time and it seems to have changed little in the last 500 years, with tiny twisting streets and hidden squares where the locals hide from the midday sun in high summer. Today, though, it possesses a vibrant, cultural spirit that is very special.

The city of Figaro, Seville is the setting for another classic opera, Carmen. It’s also the home of flamenco, the origins of which are lost in the aeons of time. In short, this is the essence of Spain.

After breakfast, we'll take a tour of this beguiling city, during which we’ll see the awe-inspiring semi-circular Plaza de España, a fine example of Renaissance Revival and Moorish Revival styles of Spanish architecture. You’ll also see the Tower of Gold, so named as it was used to store plunder from the Americas, and much more. 

During the afternoon, you’ll be free to explore Seville at your leisure. You could visit the world’s largest Gothic cathedral which is the final resting place of the great navigator, Christopher Columbus. Or perhaps take a cruise on one of the many river boats to see the city from a new perspective.

Today you'll have a free day to explore or relax at leisure. There are the ‘musts’ to revisit if you wish, such as the Alcázar, the fortified palace of the Moors with a richness of decoration which will astound you, and the cathedral, but you could also take time to wander around the Barrio Santa Cruz, the former Jewish quarter of the medieval city, and the smart pedestrianised Calle Sierpes, a street full of beautiful shops selling high-quality leather goods. The Maria Luisa Park is a beautiful display of colour where you can relax and indulge in a spot of people-watching. So, what will it be?

Leaving Seville after breakfast, we'll head east to another of Andalucía’s classic cities, arriving in Córdoba for our guided tour. Córdoba was the ancient capital of the Moors and is principally famous for a single building – the Mezquita – the grandest and most beautiful mosque ever constructed in the Moorish world.

Dominating the centre of the Old Town, which was once the home of a thriving Jewish community, it is a building of extraordinary power and mystery with an arcaded hall supported by over 850 columns made of semi-precious stones. One can only wonder at the architectural brilliance of the builders all those hundreds of years ago, while northern Europe was still immersed in the depths of the Dark Ages.

Another highlight is the immense, well-preserved Roman bridge. Córdoba is a delightful place full of patios drenched in the colour of thousands of flowers.

After our tour, we'll continue our journey to the city of Granada, the last stronghold of the Sultans during the Middle Ages and home to the Alhambra, the most spectacular gem of Moorish Andalucía.

As we approach Granada, there can be no more proof of the diversity of this corner of southern Europe. We'll pass through some very arid countryside with a landscape of dried riverbeds, giving way to rolling olive groves. In the distance is the spectacular Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain range in Spain. The landscape then becomes more fertile and picturesque, with ancient olive trees stretching off into the distance.

Today we'll visit the Alhambra, which for many people will be the highlight of the holiday.

Granada has a naturally dramatic location, nestling against the backdrop of permanently snow-capped mountains that soar to a height of 11,000 feet. It is the perfect setting for the most perfect of architectural wonders, the Alhambra.

So individual in its setting, so rich in its history and so exquisite in its design, this iconic building was the high point in Moorish culture. It is not just a palace, though. Some of it is a fortress, and much is given over to formal gardens full of roses and fountains, giving an incredible impression of peace and tranquillity.  

You'll also have time to explore the city as you wish. There is a myriad of twisting streets, the old Moorish quarter and the traditional gypsy area, all full of tiny unique shops, with seemingly every balcony sprouting flowers in a profusion of colour.

There’s nothing better than taking a stroll through these streets, little changed in centuries, with pavements made of pebbles set in mortar and some so narrow that mules were the only form of transport.

Granada also boasts some of the most distinctive old bars in Spain, many of them decorated with antique tiles, where taking a drink and a few tapas can be an excuse for a unique, authentically Andalucían experience.

This morning, we'll leave Granada behind with fond memories and continue to Malaga. Before reaching the city, home to the infamous Pablo Picasso, we’ll stop at two beautiful, white-washed villages.

Located seven hundred metres above sea level with stunning views of the surrounding mountains, countryside and Mediterranean, our first stop is Competa. Here you'll have time at your leisure to explore the labyrinth of narrow streets dating back to Moorish times or stop for a coffee in the bustling square. Or perhaps even a sweet or dry wine - Competa is well known for its local production of wines.  

Once everyone has made the most of their time in this hidden gem in Andalucia we’ll move on to Sayalonga, again Moorish in layout with picture-perfect white houses. Take time to enjoy a leisurely lunch or soak up some of the religious architecture this village has to offer from the Santa Catalina Church built on top of an old mosque to the Moorish Museum of Sayalonga.

From here, we'll continue our journey to Malaga where we will spend the final three nights of our trip.

Often overlooked by the (slightly) over-25s, Malaga doesn't just offer year-round sunshine but also vibrant culture and history, thanks in large part to its past as a port city.

Our guided tour allows you to experience the atmosphere of this enriching city. We'll see the Pompidou Centre, a museum close to the waterfront showcasing over 80 works of art, including the building itself.

After a visit to the famous Alhambra in Granada, we'll also have the opportunity to learn about the smaller yet incredibly beautiful Alcazaba in Malaga. Built at a time when Arabs ruled over Spain and Portugal, it stands as a testament to the city's cultural heritage. Then we'll explore the streets of the Old Town and ‘The One-Armed’ cathedral so named because of its south tower, which remains unfinished.

At the end of our guided tour, we'll sample the authentic tastes and traditions of Malaga with new-found friends - and our local guide. This is an opportunity to decide for ourselves whether we prefer the local delicacies in Seville or Malaga, completing what we humbly believe to be the perfect introduction to Malaga. 

The rest of the day will be free for you to explore at your leisure. You may choose to visit some of the sites from our guided tour yourself in your own time, like the Alcazaba which boasts exquisite courtyards, gardens and ponds as well as magnificent views out over the city and sea.

As you'd expect from the birthplace of Picasso, Malaga has become a cool cultural hub in which to explore your expressive side. There are 30-plus museums, including the Picasso Museum where you can see 285 works donated by members of the Picasso family.

If you haven't got any gifts or souvenirs yet, the independent boutiques and Spanish high street shops are a great place to start. Trendy restaurants alternate with tiled tavernas and chic terraces along the waterfront - the perfect place for dinner this evening.

Today will be a highlight for any budding gardeners as we visit La Concepción Historical Botanical Garden located at the northern entrance of Malaga. One of the few gardens with plants from a subtropical climate in Europe, the Botanical Gardens feature over 25,000 plants covering 3.5 hectares. You can wander the paths and enjoy an impressive collection of over 3,000 plant species as well as waterfalls, ponds and sculptures that punctuate the colourful vegetation.

After plenty of time to explore the gardens, we'll return to Malaga for time at leisure to explore.

Lose yourself in the pretty old town and stumble across Atarazanas Market where you can try a vermouth or wander down Marqués de Larios decorated with flowers – it's also a great starting point in the evening for sampling some local tapas.

Alternatively, you may prefer to take advantage of the sunshine and relax on one of the many beaches along this stunning coastline.