Seville, Granada & Classic Spain

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Enjoy this exciting exploration of Andalucia – birthplace of Picasso, home of flamenco and cradle of the gypsy life. Join us to discover the Spain beyond the beach resorts of the sun-kissed Costa. From your base in the traditionally Andalusian town of Antequera, you'll enjoy full-day visits to Granada and the stunning Alhambra gardens, to glorious, historic Seville, the City of Flamenco and setting for Bizet’s Carmen, and to the enchanting, whitewashed, hill-top town of Ronda, above its famous Gorge. On this great-value Spanish holiday you'll also have the chance to visit the magnificent Moorish stronghold of Cordoba and its extraordinary Mezquita, on a fascinating optional excursion.

Highlights

Stay in the heart of traditional Andalucia
Enjoy a full-day visit to Seville, the city of flamenco
Journey towards the Sierra Nevada, beneath which the great Moorish city of Granada stands
Visit Granada, the world-renowned Alhambra and its exquisite gardens
Take in the sweeping views from the Puente Nuevo, which joins the old and new towns of the mountain-top
Explore the Andalusian city of Ronda
The chance to join an optional excursion to Cordoba
Wander around Antequera under your own steam

Inclusions

Six nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast three-star accommodation at the Hotel Coso Viejo, Antequera (upgrade hotel available for a supplement)
Return flights to Malaga
A full-day tour of Seville
A full-day tour of Granada
A full-day tour of Ronda
Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers
The services of a friendly, experienced tour manager

Day 1

Fly into Málaga, and board the coach for the approximately hour-long transfer into the sun-baked Andalusian hills and your hotel base in Antequera. Depending on the your arrival time, rest and relax in the hotel, and enjoy a first dinner in a wide choice of restaurants, traditional tapas bars and cafés.

Day 2

The first of your included excursions takes you to historic Seville, the great City of Flamenco, and the setting for Bizet’s Carmen and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, both of which draw heavily on the city’s heady atmosphere. Seville, where every street is lined with orange trees, has a rich and colourful history, which is reflected in great buildings, beautiful parks, grand boulevards and atmospheric old quarters of narrow streets that open on to tree-lined squares. Wander towards sweeping Plaza de Espana, the city’s ornate, fountain-fronted centrepiece; don’t miss the magnificent Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic churches in Christendom, with its 300ft-high Giralda Tower and much-debated tomb of Christopher Columbus; and perhaps pay a visit to the immense Plaza de Toros, Spain’s oldest bullring, where the traditions of the corrida are still revered despite the controversy that surrounds them. Close by, the cool courtyards of the Moorish Alcazar lead through to the Juderia (Jewish Quarter). The River Guadalquivir, still tidal some 50 miles inland, and up which Columbus once sailed in triumph following his discovery of the New World, still brings great ships to the city’s port, and divides Seville from Triana, the pleasant district on the opposite shore.

Day 3

Today can be spent at leisure, perhaps exploring Antequera, a settlement since prehistoric times, and with its great Moorish fortress known as the ‘heart of Andalucía’, overlooked by the limestone crag of La Peña de Los Enamorados – or ‘Lovers’ Leap’, which is shrouded in local legend. Many however will join today’s optional excursion across the plain to the great city of Cordoba. This fabled, elegant former Moorish and Roman capital of Spain is full of fascination. At its heart is the breathtaking treasure of the Mezquita, the huge Mosque into which the Christian cathedral has been incorporated, but which retains much of its austere grandeur that reflected Cordoba’s position as the greatest Moorish city in Europe. Surrounding the Mezquita, the narrow lanes and corridors of the ancient Juderia evoke a sense that nothing has changed for a thousand years. You’ll have the chance to explore the city under your own steam, following our guided tour of the Mezquita, before returning to Antequera in time for dinner later this evening.

Day 4

Today’s included excursion is a scenic wonder. Travel across the Andalusian Plain, through a countryside dotted with villages of whitewashed houses, to the stunning town of Ronda, in the heart of the Andalusian hills. Set above the dramatic El Tajo gorge, which cuts a swathe through the Sierra, this once Moorish citadel is a delight, with a maze of narrow streets, some fine Renaissance houses, its historic bullring and – across the Puente Nuevo bridge which spans the gorge – a fascinating Roman-style baths.

Day 5

Board the coach, this morning, for the day’s unforgettable included excursion, journeying north through the foothills of the Alpujarras to the great city of Granada. Set majestically atop three hills, which rise steeply from the Andalusian Plain, this former Moorish capital, with its views to the snow-capped Sierra Nevada, is one of Spain’s greatest treasures. Begin your time here with a sightseeing tour of the city, culminating with a visit to the gardens of the awe-inspiring Alhambra, the beautiful park and walled settlement crowned by one of the world’s finest Moorish palaces. Discover the ancient Alcazaba citadel and the Generalife, a royal retreat in the heart of the complex, as well as some of Europe's most beautiful formal gardens, each new treasure reflecting the glories of a great empire. This evening, you’ll return to Antequera after a thoroughly absorbing day.

Day 6

Enjoy today, your final day in Spain, at leisure. Choose from making the most of the hotel facilities, exploring Antequera under your own steam or simply resting or relaxing.

Day 7

Say goodbye to beautiful Andalucía today, transferring back to Málaga airport for the flight home, after a memorable few days in a wonderful part of the world.

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.

2021 departures

Please note, on all 2021 departures, the duration of this tour will be six days (five nights) and will depart on day six of the above.

Alhambra Palace excursion

The Board of Trustees of the Alhambra and Generalife has changed its policy regarding entry tickets to the Alhambra and Gardens. This new policy has come into effect for all visits to the Alhambra as of 1st March 2020. Passengers will need to supply their passport details 10 weeks prior to their departure date in order to secure their ticket. Valid Photo ID must also be taken with you on the day. Please note that, due to the uneven ground and steps at the Alhambra Palace in Granada, this included excursion may not be suitable for anyone with walking difficulties or for wheelchair users.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Travelling to Europe

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. Note that these new rules do NOT apply when travelling within the United Kingdom or to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland. You do require government issued ID when travelling by air though. Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names. Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date"). These rules do not apply to travel to Ireland where you can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay. Visa - If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Different rules will apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania; if you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total. Travel to Ireland will not change and stays there will not count towards the 90-day total. European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Towards the end of 2022, it is likely that non EU citizens will be required to apply online for an authorisation to visit most European countries. The current details suggest there will be a charge of €7 per person and the authorisation will be valid for all trips made to the EU in a three year period from issue. We will advise you of confirmed details prior to your tour’s departure. Border Control - At border control, you may need to show proof of your return journey - your travel documentation issued by us will be sufficient for this. You will also need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens if manual checks are required. Healthcare Cover - You should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go abroad which covers pre-existing conditions. You should understand the terms and conditions of your travel insurance and be happy with its cover for healthcare and travel disruption. Newmarket sell a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Ask our travel consultants for more information. You should also apply for a UK Global Heath Insurance Card (GHIC) which lets you get urgent state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Note GHIC is only valid in EU countries and not in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Terms and conditions

Save up to 10% discount applies to specific 2022-2024 holidays and tours only. All tours are marked with the discounted percentage. The ‘Share it.’ offer applies to new bookings only for 2022 -2024 departures booked between 1 September and 11 November 2022 inclusive. The Offer does not apply to holidays with late availability pricing and excludes Ocean Cruise, River Cruise, Lapland, Andre Rieu, and Wimbledon. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotion or concession. When booking a holiday as described above, prices shown will automatically have percentage discount applied on our website. The discount applies to the tour price (excluding extras and holiday insurance) at the time of booking. The Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.