Spain Express: Malaga and Seville

Hola! Welcome to Spain. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 10 am this morning in Malaga – the second largest city in Andalusia, set on the shores of the Mediterranean. After your meeting, get your bearings around town on an orientation walk with your local leader. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit Gibralfaro Castle or wander through the Carmen Thyssen Museum. Tonight, rejoin your group for a flamenco show. Famous in Spain, flamenco is a fiery mix of dance, guitar and singing that captures the country’s spirit and traditions. After the show, head out for dinner with your fellow travellers.

This morning, travel to Granada. When you arrive, visit Granada’s Alhambra Palace on a guided tour. Wander the towering red fortress walls of this 11th-century complex, set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The palace includes the Alcazaba – the 11th-century Muslim fortress with panoramic tower views – and the Palacio Nazaries and Generalife, the sultans’ summer palace. This afternoon, enjoy some free time to continue exploring before travelling back to Malaga for the night.

After breakfast, travel to Ronda – a mountaintop town in the Malaga province. Explore the whitewashed streets, visit historic buildings and take in the views across the deep gorge that divides the city on a walking tour with your local leader. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace – maybe visit Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) or take a closer look at the dramatic El Tajo Gorge. Afterward, continue to Grazalema for an overnight stay and join your group for dinner at your accommodation.

Travel to Zahara de la Sierra this morning. Perched on a hill and surrounded by mountain and reservoir views, Zahara de la Sierra is a charming village in Andalusia’s famous olive oil region. When you arrive, visit a local olive farm to see how olives are grown and pressed, and taste the rich, flavorful oils that make this area so celebrated. Then, enjoy some free time to explore the region. Maybe visit the Castillo de Zahara de la Sierra and its Torre del Homenaje, or see the Santa Maria de la Mesa Church.

After breakfast, travel to Seville. When you arrive, join a guided walking tour through town. Explore the maze of narrow cobblestoned streets and sun-speckled squares in Barrio Santa Cruz, also known as the Jewish Quarter, and El Centro. Pass by the grand Gothic-style Catedral de Sevilla – the burial site of Christopher Columbus – and the Giralda, originally built as a minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville. After, step inside the Alcazar – a grand royal palace where Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance styles come together in a masterpiece of architecture. Spend some time walking through the lush gardens and take in the beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Later, return to Grazalema, where you’ll head out for one last dinner with your fellow travellers.

This morning, say goodbye to Grazalema as you travel back to Malaga. When you arrive later today, your adventure will come to an end. If you would like to stay in Malaga (and it’s highly recommended you do), just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.