Oranges & Olive Groves in Andalucia | Spain | 10 nights

This wonderful itinerary takes you through Andalucia’s rolling countryside, vibrant cities and sparkling beaches. This is quintessential Spain: white-washed villages spilling bougainvillea, flamenco in tapas bars and rich Moorish history – all washed down with a glass of Jerez sherry.

Perfect for… anybody with a passion for Spain and her captivating culture.

When to go… sun-worshippers may brave the summer months but we think spring and autumn the best times to visit the cities.

Consider… popping up to Madrid on the high speed train for more city living, or hop on a flight over to the Balearics for a week of sun, sea and sand.

• We fly you to sizzling Seville, where you collect your hire car and take a leisurely drive through the Andalucian countryside to the delightful, family-owned Hacienda de San Rafael. Spend three days soaking up sunshine in the gorgeous gardens, visiting nearby Seville and Jerez or exploring the white villages. Call in at the ElBulli restaurant at Hacienda Benazuza for a Michelin-starred meal. 
• From Seville, drive northeast for two nights at the boutique Hospes Palacio del Bailio hotel in central Cordoba, capital of the Moorish El-Andaluz Empire in the 800s and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site with labyrinthine streets, Roman bridges and leafy patios.
• Now southeast to Granada for two nights at another wonderful Hospes hotel, the Palacio de Los Patos, in the centre of the city. Here lies the famous Alhambra citadel, a marvel of Moorish architecture and worthy of a full day to do it justice.
• Once you’ve soaked up the best of Andalucian culture, it’s time to unwind. Escape the crowds and head to the hills behind Marbella for a three-night stay at luxurious Finca Cortesin, where you can hit the nearby beaches or tee off on their excellent 18-hole golf course.

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