Andalucia Past & Present

Your Andalucian adventure begins in the province’s capital, Seville. This stunning city, with its mixture of European and Moorish architecture, is the perfect introduction to your trip. You’ll spend your first two nights at Hospes Las Casa del Rey de Baeza, a homely yet luxurious hotel in the historic surrounds of the Old Town.

Explore the winding lanes and ancient architecture on a private walking tour, before setting the right tone for your trip with an Iberian ham experience - seeing how the ham is prepared, and getting a taste for one of the great pillars of Spanish cuisine. Architectural highlights of Seville include the Real Alcazar, a royal palace which blends Spanish and European architecture, and the magnificent Seville Cathedral, famous for its bell tower, the Giralda.

The next stop on your journey is Cordoba, around 1.5 hours away from Seville by private transfer. Once the capital of Muslim Spain, Cordoba is a city rich in history and is home to some beautifully preserved Moorish buildings.

Another private walking tour will see you explore the city, taking in the narrow alleyways of the Jewish Quarter before visiting Cordoba’s main attraction, the Mezquita. Also known as the Mosque-Cathedral, this huge complex has served as a place of worship for both Muslims and Christians over the centuries. Famous for its Moorish arches, striped red and white with different hues of marble, the Mezquita is held up as one of the greatest Muslim buildings in the west.

Your home for two nights in Cordoba is Hospes Palacio del Bailio, an elegant hotel housed in a 19th-century palace in the centre of the city.

The third and final destination on your Andalucian journey is Granada, where you will spend two nights at Hospes Palacio de los Patos. 

The Alhambra is the jewel in the crown of Andalucian architecture, and is the most stunning example of the Moorish-fusion style for which the region is famous. Once again, you’ll get to experience the site in exclusive style on a private tour. You’ll take in the Palacios Nazaries, the former home of the medieval Moorish kings, and the stunning Generalife Gardens, dotted with fountains and pools and alive with exotic flowers. You’ll also tour the Palace of Charles V, a Renaissance building set round a striking circular plaza.

While you could quite easily spend all your time in Granada marvelling at the Alhambra, don’t miss the chance to check out Granada’s other historic highlights, such as the Basilica San Juan de Dios and the Monasterio de San Jeronimo. On your last evening, head to the Mirador de San Nicolas, where you can gaze on a picture-postcard panorama of the Alhambra as the sun goes down on your Andalucian adventure.