ANDALUSIA – 8 DAYS SUMMER 2025

Arrival late at night at Seville Airport. Departure for the hotel to settle in and rest. Overnight.

After breakfast departure for Cordoba, the distant and lonely Lorca, the once capital of the important caliphate of the West. Upon arrival we will visit the Mosque-Cathedral (Mezquita-Catedral), an architectural blend of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance of unparalleled beauty, and the second most important mosque of its time after that of Mecca. Then we will wander through the picturesque alleys of the former Jewish (Judería) and Muslim quarters and you will have free time before departure for Granada. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Buffet dinner, overnight stay.

After breakfast departure for the Alhambra hill, the "red castle" as it is called in Arabic. Built on a stone hill, protected by mountains and surrounded by forest, the Alhambra was originally designed as a military area, but from the mid-13th century it became the residence of kings-Sultans. A masterpiece of Islamic architecture of the 14th century, but also of Renaissance interventions of the 16th century, with unimaginable detail in the decoration. The magnificent Generalife gardens complement the building complex, declaring it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, we will have free time in the historic center of the city after walking through it, passing, among other things, the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel, the small "Souk", the New Square (Plaza Nueva), and the small Darro River. For those who wish, after dinner at the hotel, there is an optional evening walk on the Albaicín hill, the old Moorish Granada, where we will also have a panoramic view of the illuminated Alhambra and part of the city. Following this optional experience, we will find ourselves on the other hill of the city, Sacromonte, the gypsy quarter, to watch gypsy flamenco in the cave houses, with a drink. Buffet dinner, overnight stay.

After breakfast we will depart for the famous White Villages (Pueblos Blancos), stopping first at the unique rock-cut village of Setenil de las Bodegas. Then we will go to Ronda, a small town in the province of Malaga, with its great fortified position on a steep hill in the mountain range that separates Upper and Lower Andalusia. The unique paths that crossed it and allowed communication by road, combined with its rugged surroundings, contributed to its importance in the Roman, Visigothic, and Arab periods. Tour and free time to admire monuments, such as the New Bridge (Puente Nuevo) of the 100m gorge. depth of the Guadalupe River that runs through the historic center, as well as the oldest Bullring (Plaza de Toros) in Spain. Then departure for Malaga and check-in at the hotel. Buffet dinner, overnight.

After breakfast we will walk through the historic city center, passing through the famous Larios shopping street, the Cathedral and the Roman Theater. In your free time you have the opportunity to visit one of the city's museums such as the Picasso Museum or the Pompidou Center at the amazing Muelle 1 Port. Then departure for Gibraltar. Arriving outside the border control and after leaving our bus and passing the control (Passport or Greek ID required) we will approach the English-style city center preferably by the bus that connects it to the border. In your free time you will be able to do some shopping or optionally for those who wish to climb the Rock. Special taxis take you to the top with the stunning view of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Africa, and to the point where the famous Gibraltar monkeys are found who live in semi-freedom. Departure and transfer to the hotel in Jerez. Buffet dinner, overnight stay

After breakfast we will take a short walk through the historic center with the wineries of the famous "sherry" wines, the Arenal and "Asunción" (Old Town Hall) squares and the emblematic "Gallo Azul" cafe in the most historic building of the city. Then departure for Cadiz, one of the sunniest cities in Spain. There we will face the Atlantic Ocean, tour the historic center with the white Cathedral, and arrive at the Central Market (Mercado Central) with the historic fish market and many snapshots of Andalusian everyday life. Departure in the afternoon for the capital of Andalusia, Seville, and check-in at the hotel. Buffet dinner, overnight stay.

Our morning tour today will initially begin with a panoramic bus tour, so that we can admire a series of monuments of the city (1929 Exhibition pavilions, Royal Tobacco Factory, etc.). At one of our stops we will tour the most beautiful square in Spain, the "Plaza de España". Then we will walk through the alleys of Santa Cruz (old Jewish quarter) and visit the Royal Alcázar Palace (Real Alcázar). Next we will see the Archive of the Indies (Archivo de Indias) and the Cathedral (Catedral de Sevilla). Completing the tour on the riverbank to admire the view of the famous Guadalquivir River. Your afternoon will be free and you can take advantage of it for an optional riverboat ride between the 2 banks of the city, a further walk in the historic center or to try some of the Andalusian cuisine in the form of tapas. For the evening and after dinner at the hotel, you can optionally watch a Seville flamenco show in its birthplace, and indulge in its intense and passionately varied rhythms with the most skilled artists. Buffet dinner, overnight stay.

Second day in the capital of Andalusia, and we will have the opportunity to get to know it in depth with a visit to the Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic church in the world, as well as the Church of San Sosto or Salvador, the baroque "jewel" of the city. Then we will discover the Mushrooms (Setas) of modern architecture, the largest wooden structure in the world with their innovative design. We will complete the tour in the heart of the commercial center for free time for shopping or for gastronomic delights in typical Seville bars. For the afternoon we recommend a visit to the other bank of the river, to the picturesque neighborhood of Triana, with its strong identity and unbeatable views of the main historic center. In the evening, the time arrives for our transfer to Seville airport, where our trip ends, leaving beautiful memories and a promise that we will return again...