< Designed Trips

The Trip

Venture beyond Barcelona and Madrid on this two week cultural exploration of Southern Spain’s Andalucia region. Begin in beautiful Sevilla by exploring the city's two most famous monuments: the famous Royal Alcázar Palace and the historic Cathedral. Discover authentic tapas  at Triana Market, venture out of the city to Jerez and Bodegas Tradición to tour the bodega and experience how sherry. Take a shot at traditional Flamenco dancing at a workshop and show before departing Sevilla for Cordoba and an Andalucian cooking class, with lunch and wine, then learn about this region’s production of olive oil on trip to a local olive farm. Finally, unwind in the warm baths of the luxurious Hammam Al Andalus, a remnant of the region’s Moorish history. When you reach Granada, no stop is complete without a guided visit to the famous Alhambra Palace. Spend one of your final evenings in Spain learning about the legends and gastronomy of Granada, complete with tasting Andalucian wine and tapas.

The Details

Price​
  • From $1,695 per person
Duration
  •  8 nights, 9 days
Inclusions
  • Highly-rated boutique hotels 
  • All transportation within Spain
  • Private & small-group experiences 
  • Curated Spain mini-guide
  • Trip preparation & support

The ​​Itinerary

Granada
  • Day 1: From Madrid, hop on a ~3 hour high-speed train to the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain and the university city of Granada. Check in to your boutique luxury hotel in the heart of the historic Arab quarter, the Albayzín. At sunset, meet your local guide for a small group tour of the historic center. Learn about the city’s vibrant culture and Moorish influence, stroll by Arab street markets and teterías (teahouses), and gaze across the valley to the incredible Alhambra at golden hour.
  • Day 2: Today’s all about the magnificent Alhambra, a sprawling hilltop fortress complex from the Nasrid dynasty with royal palaces, reflecting pools, ornate design, Meet your small group and learn about the history of the complex while taking in the incredible architecture and sweeping views of the city below. The afternoon is free to explore or grab a table in the sun for a tapa and a small caña (a small beer).
  • Day 3: Sleep in and enjoy a relaxed morning. Venture out for a traditional Spanish breakfast of tostada con tomate and a cafe con leche. Today is free to explore the city. Pop in the cathedral, stroll the river, or explore the Arab markets. In the evening, meet a small group for a gastronomic tour in the city where tapas originated. Experience the local tapas scene (it is a scene in Granada!) as you sample various products from the region. Learn to differentiate jamón serrano and jamon iberico, sip locally-produced wines and snack on traditional and more innovative tapas. 

Ronda
  • Day 4: Check out of your cozy boutique hotel and meet your private driver. Hop on Spain’s famous Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos (route of the white hilltowns), a string of small inland towns painted white to stay cool during Andalucia’s boiling hot summers. First make a stop in Setenil de las Bodegas, where in the 12th century, the Moors built dwellings into the side of cliffs to withstand repeated attacks during the reconquest. Walk through the town and check out the white houses sheltered under enormous boulders. Arrive in the picturesque hilltop town of Ronda, overlooking the deep El Taj Gorge. Check in to the historic cliffside parador with spic views of the valley below. 

Sevilla
  • Day 5: Spand the morning exploring the small pueblo of Ronda. Walk along the trails into the gorge and take in the amazing views of the historic white village. Midday, meet your private driver and continue to the city of Sevilla, the capital of Andalucia. Check in to your historic boutique luxury hotel in the city center and get settled before heading out for a fantastic dinner at one of the city's amazing restaurants.
  • Day 6: Wake up for a day of exploration. First, meet up with a local guide for a short introduction to this amazing city. Walk through the narrow streets of the charming old Jewish neighborhood of Santa Cruz, swing by Arenal, the posh neighborhood surrounding the city's bullring, and walk to the famous Plaza de Espana. After the tour, visit the Royal Alcazar, the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe. In the evening, experience what Andalucia is known for - Flamenco. The city is home to dozens of schools where dancers and guitarists learn the emotive art from when they’re children. Head to one of the city’s most renowned tablaos for an intimate evening performance.
  • Day 7: After breakfast, cross the Guadalquivir to Triana, an eclectic neighborhood that was once home to the city’s gypsy population. Walk to Triana Market to meet your small group for a market tour and cooking class where you’ll learn about locally grown products, meet the vendors, and learn how to prepare four traditional Spanish dishes by a local professional chef. After the class, enjoy all of the food you prepared. The afternoon is free. If you haven’t already, swing by Las Setas De Sevilla, a modern sculpture and archaeological museum shaped like giant mushrooms - a great place for sunset.

Córdoba
  • Day 8: After checking out of your city center boutique hotel, head to the train station for a short (45 minute) train to nearby Cordoba. Take in views of endless rolling hills covered with olive groves. This region - between Sevilla and Cordoba - is the largest producer of olive oil in the world. Arrive in Cordoba and check in to your historic boutique hotel. After getting settled, experience a traditional Arab hammam (bath) at the luxurious Hammam Al Andalus. Enjoy a 45-minute deep tissue massage and soak in the ancient warm baths. In the evening, explore the quaint historic center.
  • Day 9: Rise and shine in the historic center of Cordoba. Walk to the city’s most impressive landmark, the Mezquita, one of the largest mosques in the world. See how the building has expanded and evolved over the past 780+ years based on who was in power and walk through the 760 striped stone archways. Stop by the nearby historic Roman Bridge, originally built in the early 1st century BC and the Alcazar of Cordoba. Before you hop on your afternoon train to Madrid, swing by Bar Santos, home to what many Spaniards say is the best tortilla de Espana in the country. It’s not about the ambiance here - just walk in, order a slice of thick potato-filled tortilla and a cold drink for a very traditional Spanish bite. Relax on your high speed train back to Madrid. Either talk to us about extending your trip (a few days in Madrid and Segovia would be a great addition), or hop on the plane for your flight home.

Pricing & Inclusions

Inclusions 
  • ​3 hotel nights in Granada
  • 1 hotel night in Ronda
  • 3 hotel nights in Sevilla
  • 1 hotel night in Cordoba
  • High-speed train tickets from Madrid to Granada 
  • Private transfer from Granada to Ronda, with 1 hour stop in Setenil de las Bodegas
  • Private transfer from Ronda to Sevilla
  • High-speed train tickets from Sevilla to Cordoba 
  • High-speed train tickets from Cordoba to Madrid 
  • Sunset walking tour of Granada’s Albaicín neighborhood
  • Small group guided tour of The Alhambra palace and gardens
  • Taste of Granada small-group food tour
  • Private local intro tour of Sevilla 
  • Tickets to one the best flamenco shows in Sevilla
  • Tickets to the Royal Alcazar palace in Sevilla
  • Andalucian tapas workshop at Triana market in Sevilla
  • Tickets to the Mesquita de Cordoba
  • 45 minute deep massage and bath ritual at Hammam Al Andalus in Cordoba
  • Curated Spain mini-guide
  • Trip preparation & support

Exclusions
  • International flights to Spain
  • Meals & activities not listed above
  • ​Travel insurance
  • Note: This Designed Trip begins and ends in Madrid (accommodations in Madrid are not included)​
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​Pricing
  • With boutique hotels
    • From $1,965 per person
  • With luxury boutique hotels
    • From $2,205 per person
  • ​Pricing for Cohica Designed Trips is based on double occupancy and may vary depending on travel dates and total number of travelers.
  • This Designed Trip offers the flexibility to make date changes after booking (ask us for details)
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After living in Spain for nearly four years, this Designed Trip was developed based on our personal contacts, favorite hotels and authentic activities that we've experienced first-hand.
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