Gardens and Architecture of Andalucia

This morning following breakfast we visit the famous Alhambra Palace with its Generalife Gardens.  The Alhambra has one of the most spectacular sites in the world. Alhambra means "red castle", and the buildings are of a seductive pink stone and were built in the 14th Century.  We will also visit the gardens of The Generalife which was the summer palace of the Sultans of Granada in the 14th Century.  In the afternoon your guide will accompany you as you wander through the medieval streets of the Albaicín, glimpsing several "Carmens", which are the enclosed gardens typical of the Moorish era of Granada and of which many good examples have been maintained by the Christians.  We return to the hotel late afternoon and there will be free time for the remainder of the day.

Today, following breakfast, we depart on an all day excursion into the Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada region, visiting some of the local villages and enjoying the mountain scenery. After lunch (not included) we will take a gentle walk in the Alpujarra countryside, admiring and studying plants of the region.

Later in the afternoon, we return to the hotel.

After breakfast we depart for Córdoba, passing through a landscape with millions of olive trees.  We will visit the Great Mosque with its Orange Grove, which was first laid out in the late 8th Century and must be one of the true wonders of the world.  Outside is a huge patio covered in orange trees - Patio de los Naranjos - which was originally covered with fountains used for bathing before entering the mosque.  On entering you are struck by the vast number of pillars supporting the arches with their distinctive red and white tiles which are so much a symbol of the whole design.  The mosque is now a mixture of Moorish and Christian with chapels incorporated into the building and it is stunning in both its appearance and atmosphere. The gardens of The Royal Palaces of the Alcázar are Moorish in style, laid out in rows around long pools with numerous fountains. The sound of the water and the smells of the garden make it an experience for all the senses.  At the end of one of these long pools are statues of Columbus together with Ferdinand and Isabel symbolising their meeting in Córdoba. After lunch (not included) we will have some free time to discover the charms of this most Spanish of towns - please note that on our May departure, we will also spend some time looking at the gardens participating in the Córdoba Patio Festival.

Late afternoon we continue to our comfortable hotel in Seville.

After breakfast the whole day is spent in Seville.  We begin by visiting the Maria-Luisa Park and also the Plaza de España, laid out in 1929 for a “Fair of the Americas”.  This is among the most impressive public spaces in Spain.  Nearby is the Tobacco Factory where Carmen - in Bizet’s opera - worked as a cigar maker.  Later you will see the Gardens of Murillo, planted in honour of the famous painter from Seville, and Seville’s majestic Cathedral.

In the afternoon we will visit Seville’s Orange Tree Courtyard which belonged to the old mosque and the gardens of the Royal Palaces of the Alcázar.  The Alcázar is a magnificent palace which mixes Christian and Moorish styles and has several patios and salons all of which are grand and very highly decorated. The ceilings, in particular, are incredibly intricate in design, one with a wooden dome decorated with red, green and gold cells inscribed with Arabic.  After the wonder of the palace it is refreshing to walk through the beautiful gardens made up of a mixture of several eras. There is an “English Garden” unlike any garden in this country as the trees and plants are much larger! The gardens are rambling and a leisurely walk here shows orange trees, eucalyptus, palms and many others. You may also see the “Flower of Spain”, so-called because of its colours of the Spanish flag. The gardens are like those of the Alhambra but not so large. There are many fountains and places to sit and admire the great variety of trees and palms. 

Today is free to explore Seville at leisure.

After breakfast we head for Ronda, a spectacular town rising dramatically amid a ring of dark, angular mountains set above the gorges of the River Tajo.  We will see the Alameda del Tajo Gardens set on the edge of the spectacular gorge offering fantastic views. These were completed in the early 19th century and give fine views over the plains. We have also included a visit to the Palacio de Mondragon, whose Moorish courtyards and gardens that evoke memories of kings and governors who called Ronda home. You also have the option of visiting the gardens of the old Palace of the Moorish King of Ronda with its narrow terrace over-hanging the gorge. After an opportunity for lunch in one of the many local restaurants here (not included) there will be free time to explore the town before we continue to our hotel.

This morning after breakfast we will transfer to the airport at Málaga in time for our onward travel arrangements.