DESTINATION:
Andalucía
Owing to its size and location, Spain’s southernmost and most populous region boasts a fascinating range of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Encompassing most of southern Spain, stretching to the southernmost tip of mainland Europe, and with the shortest crossing to North Africa of just 14 kilometres, Andalucía amounts to a unique fusion of Western European Christian traditions and North African Muslim stylistics.
Moving between Granada, Cordoba and Seville, our tour will aim to explore the resulting blend of styles, from the hugely impressive Alhambra Palace to Seville’s vast Gothic Cathedral, from architectural splendours to museums housing some of Europe’s finest artwork.
Recommended duration – To include Granada, Cordoba and Seville we would recommend 5 nights/6 days. Seville and Cordoba only can be done in 4 nights/5 days
KEY VISITS (Recommended)
GRANADA
- THE ALHAMBRA AND GENERALIFE GARDENS – the Alhambra is the jewel of Granada, a beautiful palace and garden built when the Nasrid dynasty ruled the city, to create their idea of paradise on earth.The complex is a succession of exquisitely tiled pavilions and halls, courtyards, patios, pools, and fountains through the Casas Reales, 13th century Alcazaba and 16th century Palace of Charles V. The Generalife – meaning the garden of lofty paradise – was the country estate of the Nasrid kings. Begun in the 13th century, the gardens originally contained orchards and pastures but have been modified over the years.
- ROYAL CHAPEL (CAPILLA REAL) – built for the Catholic Monarchs between 1506 and 1521 and housing a collection of Spanish, Flemish and Italian paintings.
- CATHEDRAL – built in 1523 to plans by Enrique de Egas.
CORDOBA
- LA MEZQUITA – the vast and ornate mosque built by the Moors between 785 and 787. Over 850 columns of granite, jasper and marble support the roof, many taken from Roman and Visigoth buildings. It has evolved over the centuries blending many architectural styles, and in the 16th century a cathedral was built into the heart of the reconsecrated mosque.
SEVILLE
- JEWISH QUARTER (SANTA CRUZ DISTRICT) – a labyrinth of whitewashed streets and squares.
- REALES ALCAZARES – the Royal Palaces built by Moorish architects for Spanish kings, combining Mudéjar craftsmanship with landscaped gardens. It was constructed on the orders of Pedro I in 1364 and has been enlarged and added to by later monarchs.
- CATHEDRAL – built on the site of a former 12th century mosque and one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Begun in 1401 it took over a century to complete and includes the bell tower, LA GIRALDA, so named from the 16th century bronze portraying faith, which sits atop the tower as a weathervane.
- HOSPITAL DE LA CARIDAD -a striking 17th century Baroque church with paintings by Murillo and Juan de Valdés Leal. The meaning of the word ‘caridad’ in Spanish is ‘charity’, and the complex was originally built by Don Miguel de Manara as a church and hospital for the poor and needy. Part of the building is still used as a hospital, caring for the elderly, and the Church of San Jorge remains an active place of worship. The interiors are lavishly decorated, and there are beautiful, frescoed ceilings.
- MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS – housed in a restored convent church dating from 1612 and considered one of the finest in Spain. The collection of Spanish art and sculpture spans from the medieval to the modern and focuses on the work of Seville School artists.
ALTERNATIVE VISITS
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA
the capital of sherry production.
- ALCÁZAR OF JEREZ – Built in the 12th century it is one of the few examples of Almohade architecture that exist in the peninsula.
- TIO PEPE – discover the origins and history of this world famous company and sample some of their outstanding wines.
- YEGUEDA DE LA CARTUJA (Equestrian School) – The pure-bred Carthusian horses perform in perfect time with the music under the expert guidance of horsemen and woman trained in haute école dressage.
FURTHER AFIELD
- RONDA – enjoying a precarious location on a rocky outcrop, it is well known for its dramatic escarpments and wonderful views. Due to its restricted accessibility it was unconquerable for many years and was one of the last Moorish bastions, succumbing to the Christians in 1485. Ronda is also famous as the birthplace of modern bullfighting and its bullring is one of the oldest and most important buildings in Spain.