Grand Tour of Andalucia

Granada is positively regal. It is renowned for the Alhambra palace fortress, which is often likened to the Taj Mahal for its grandeur and exquisite architecture. Once the home of Nasrid sultans, the complex has ornate arches, pretty courtyards and immaculate gardens, offering great views over Granada from its location on the outskirts of Alhambra’s ancient walls. The Capilla Real, or Royal Chapel, also has a regal feel, with its elaborate Gothic-style architecture.

You will stay at the Alhambra Palace Granada hotel, which was inspired by the palace and is said to be the oldest five-star hotel in Spain. As well as exuding an exotic charm and Moorish architecture, the hotel has a long list of A-list guests, from royals to Brad Pitt and the poet Federico Garcia Lorca. 

After picking up your rental car, you’ll drive inland to Andalucía’s unspoiled countryside, retreating to the isolated La Bobadilla A Royal Hideaway Hotel. Set within 350 hectares of private garden and sun-drenched olive groves, this hotel resembles a tiny Spanish village, with its whitewashed walls, Mezquita-style arches and terracotta roofs.

With swathes of uninhabited countryside at your fingertips, it’s all about the great outdoors here: go mountain biking, hiking, horse riding or quad biking, or spend some time lounging on the hotel’s manicured lawns and Balinese beds.

Delve into the history of Cordoba with two nights at the lavish Hospes Palacio del Bailio. Dating back to the 16th century, this antique relic captures the essence of old-world Spain, with its stone arches, shaded patios and elaborately painted ceilings.

Spend your time in Cordoba exploring the magnificent Mezquita, walking the streets of the Jewish Quarter or peering into the gorgeous courtyards tucked away in tiny alleyways. You’ll also discover a real buzz in the city after dark, when people spill out onto the streets to enjoy tapas and beers at the traditional bodegas.

Seville is an ever-sunny city that’s full of character and bursting with colour. You’ll stay at the palatial Hotel Alfonso XIII, a classic Andalucían-style retreat constructed at the request of the king in 1929. Saunter down Seville’s orange-tree-lined streets to the cathedral, the gorgeous Alcázar Palace, and the impressive Plaza de España, and during the evenings, cross the river to Triana, the old gypsy quarter, to immerse yourself into Seville’s vibrant culture.

On the way to your final destination, stop off at the dramatic 15^th-century mountaintop city of Ronda, set above the deep El Tajo gorge, with views that wouldn't seem out of place in Game of Thrones.

With its pueblo charm and unspoilt coastal beauty, the town of Estepona is as quintessentially Spanish as it gets. With the ruffle and shuffle of flamenco, bustling plazas and sunny appeal of the Costa del Sol, there is no better place to soak up some culture and enjoy a beachside retreat.

Laced with exotic hibiscus flowers, the Plaza de las Flores makes for a lovely afternoon stroll, while the Plaza del Reloj is where you should head to if you want to see amazing musical shows. Wander along the narrow, cobbled streets of the Old Town, where you’ll find the region’s archaeological museum, for a dash of history.

You’ll be staying at the Kempinski Hotel Bahia, which sits right along the Costa del Sol, where some suites overlook the dazzling Mediterranean sea and the restaurants offer the finest seafood.