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Classical Spain for Solo Travellers

Resort: Classical Spain for Solo Travellers
Operator: Riviera Travel
Destination: Europe
Price From: £1199.00

Overview

“The grand Mezquita in Cordoba is one of the most beautiful Moorish mosques.”

Andrew Graham-Dixon

Experience unspoiled Andalucia, home of Flamenco and perhaps the most traditionally Spanish of regions. Andalucia is simply one of the most beautiful corners of Europe and is, as yet, undiscovered by the majority. It’s a land where the excesses of the twentieth century seem not to have taken root and where travellers are genuinely welcomed.

A land immortalised by the writings of Ernest Hemingway and beloved by Orson Welles, where stunningly beautiful, sun-kissed countryside, covered by green olive groves stretch off into the distance under a perpetual azure blue sky. With biscuit coloured plains, untamed rivers, deep gorges and the spectacular snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada, providing the backdrop, there can be few places on earth which can boast such a wealth of natural wonders in such a small area.

Tiny whitewashed villages perch on the hilltops, with narrow winding streets where every house has window boxes crammed with flowers of every colour, adding a touch of vitality to these sleepy hamlets, little changed since Columbus’ days.

Andalucia has a long and violent past stretching from the dawn of civilisation. The Phoenicians and ancient Greeks traded, whereas Julius Caesar fought here, as did Hannibal. The region is crammed with legacies from throughout the centuries from a variety of civilisations. Without doubt, the jewels in Andalucia’s crown are the fantastic cities of Seville, Cordoba and Granada, which have some of the most important monuments anywhere on earth, many of which are designated as Heritage Sites by the United Nations and protected accordingly. Seville, home of Carmen and Figaro, boasts the world’s largest gothic cathedral. It was from here the conquistadors set sail to explore and plunder the New World and from the sixteenth century unimaginable wealth poured in, building the city we see today. Cordoba has a sixteen arched bridge spanning the river, built by the Romans and amazingly still in use and the Mezquita, built by the Moors is so beautiful and thought-provoking it is beyond words. Granada has the Alhambra, the Moorish King’s Palace so richly decorated, it shames almost anything we can conceive today.

Nowadays though, despite its pedigree, or because of it, Andalucia is perhaps the most Spanish region in the country, indeed, the popular image of ‘real Spain’ of ruined castles, sherry and bullfights has its roots here. The food is a delight, with the area noted for its seafood and its famous drink, the fortified wine from Jerez we call sherry. Try a glass of ‘fino’ – a very dry yet refreshing sherry whilst nibbling ‘tapas’ – that great Spanish titbit invention.

The people are charming – always ready to help and with an attitude towards their fellow man and a love of life so typical of Mediterranean people. So, for a unique blend of superb countryside, famous and stunningly beautiful monuments and cities, wonderful art, all set in a country which welcomes tourists as honoured guests – come with us and see.

Read more about Andalucia here on the Riviera Travel Blog

Itinerary Details

DAY 1ARRIVAL IN ANDALUCA?A

ARRIVAL IN ANDALUCA?A

You will be met at the airport by a member of the team for our flight to Malaga.A On arrival, a coach will transfer us to the hilltop town on Mijas, where we stay at the four-star Ilunion Hacienda del Sol hotel on the outskirts of town.A Tonight we enjoy an informal welcome dinner at the hotel, where we will get a chance to meet and mingle with your dedicated tour manager, as well as other people also travelling on their own.

DAY 2RONDA

RONDA

We enjoy breakfast in our hotel this morning before heading to the countryside of AndalucA-a and reaching spectacular Ronda.A Built on a ridge high above an impressive gorge, there are few towns that impress at first sight.A Our tour manager will give you all the information you need to make the most of your visit, and perhaps also get your first taste of authentic tapas.A We continue this afternoon through more dramatic countryside before arriving in beautiful Seville.A We stay at the centrally located three-star superior Don Paco hotel a perfectly placed for you to take advantage of some great eateries with our fellow travellers.

DAY 3SEVILLE

SEVILLE

Sevilleas history is as long as it is fascinating and we welcome a specialist local guide this morning to help us get under the skin of this wonderful city.A From the imposing Cathedral to the fortified palace of the AlcA?zar, there are so many sights to whet your appetite for further discovery.A This afternoon you are free to explore as you wish, whether on your own or with your new-found friends. A Of course, your dedicated tour manager will be on hand to ensure we make the most of everything.A You may choose to sail aboard one of Sevilleas river boats for a relaxing chance to see the city from the Guadalquivir river.

DAY 4SEVILLE

SEVILLE

Seville offers such a diverse array of sights that today, you have a free day to do as much or as little as you wish.A Explore the AlcA?zar in more detail, wander around the shops of the old Jewish quarter, take a picnic to Maria Luisa Park, or maybe enjoy a glass of fino sherry alfresco with some members of the group.

DAY 5CORDOBA

CORDOBA

We leave Seville after breakfast this morning and we travel east to another icon of the area, Cordoba.A The Moors used Cordoba as their capital city and it was here that they built Europeas most beautiful mosque, the Mezquita.A We will be joined once again by a local guide who will share the story of this magnificent structure and its intriguing history.A Afterwards we will have ample time to explore the twisting streets of Cordoba and step out onto its iconic bridge, before we continue our journey to Granada, where we will stay at either the four-star Hotel Alixares just a few momentsa walk from the mighty Alhambra palace, or the four-star Hotel Corona located in the heart of the town itself.

DAY 6GRANADA & ALHAMBRA

GRANADA & ALHAMBRA

Granada enjoys a stunning location below the peaks of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains.A High above the city sits the Alhambra, regularly listed as one of the must-visit places in the world.A During our visitA we take in the vast gardens and the perfect courtyards, admiring the repeating arches and intricate tilework of the palace itself. The palace has become an icon for Moorish architecture, and it is easy to see why it is one of Spainas most photographed locations.A This evening, why not gather with your travelling companions for a final dinner in one of Granadaas many alfresco restaurants?

DAY 7RETURN FLIGHT

RETURN FLIGHT

On our final day, we enjoy breakfast in our hotel before the coach takes us to Malaga airport for our return flight home after a trip to remember.

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