Moorish Andalucia

Arrive in Malaga, one of the main port cities in Andalucia. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Malaga at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP). The Tour Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. Should you miss the meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day there is plenty to see in the attractive downtown of Malaga, much of which is pedestrianised. The Picasso museum is worth a visit, the collection represents his entire life's work and is housed in the 16th-century Buenavista Palace.

After breakfast we'll check out of our hotel and travel (2 hours) to Ronda by train. The historic town of Ronda is often described as one of Spain's most attractive and it is dramatically perched high above El Tajo gorge. The bridge that spans the gorge often features in photos and separates the 15th century new town from its old town with Moorish roots.

After checking in to our hotel we will spend the afternoon exploring Ronda on foot followed by the option of making our way down into the gorge for dramatic views from below. This involves stairs and a steep trail down in to and out of the gorge and depending on people's interest and ability can be between 2 to 5 miles return with up to 300 metres descent and ascent. In your free time later this afternoon, you may like to visit the Arabic baths in the old Muslim Quarter.

Today we explore the rugged and beautiful limestone scenery of Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. We first travel by bus to Zahara, a small town with a tradition of olive oil production with many family businesses having been run there for centuries. We visit a local Andalusian farm to learn about the different olive types, how olives are collected and how olive oil is produced while admiring the hundred-year old olive trees and appreciating the beautiful setting where the oil is cultivated. The tour ends with a tasting of different types of olive oil and learn about their uses, admiring how they differ according to season, soil and type of olive.

We then continue to the pretty mountain village of Grazalema, picturesquely nestled in the foothills of the Sierra del Pinar Mountains and overlooked by Penon Grande peak. We will explore by foot the village considered one of the most beautiful white villages in the province with Arab past influencing every alleys. After some time to explore Grazalema village and lunch, we travel back to Ronda where the rest of the afternoon is free.

Leaving Ronda this morning we'll travel by public bus (two hours) to Seville, arriving in the late morning. The capital of Andalucia is one of Spain's finest and most beautiful cities, built on the wealth of New World trade and plunder.

We'll spend the afternoon walking through the city, exploring the former Jewish Quarter, and following winding narrow backstreets leading to Mudejar palaces (a blend of Christian and Moorish styles) and baroque churches. The stunning Alcázar Palace, Giralda tower and ramparts remind us of the Almohad dynasty of Moorish rule that ended when the city was reconquered by the Christians in 1248.

We start the day with a visit to the Alcazar, where audio guides and private guides are available for those that wish (payable locally). The rest of the day is left free for you to explore Seville at your own pace. You might like to visit the city's impressive Gothic Cathedral, one of the largest in the world. Its bell tower was once the minaret of the Almohad great mosque, so impressive that the Christians incorporated it into their building. They topped it off with a weather vein statue called the Giralda and we recommend a walk up the ramps to the top for superb views over Seville. Other attractions include the General Archive of the Indias, Plaza de San Francisco, Casa Pilatos or Maria Luisa park.

Today we take the train to Cordoba. Standing on the banks of the Guadalquivir river, Córdoba was the first of Spain's three most important Moorish cities and was established in 719AD. It was the most enlightened of the Moorish period with one of Europe's leading universities and libraries of the time. The Romans had also left their mark here, best seen in the vast bridge that still spans the Guadalquivir. The Roman philosopher Seneca (who was compelled to commit suicide by Nero) was born here. Cordoba has a wealth of treasures locked away in its back streets with secluded patios tucked behind delicate iron grills. The 14th century synagogue is one of only two left standing in Spain, with the other in Toledo.

Upon arrival we will take an orientation walks around the Juderia (Jewish quarter) and a guided visit to the renowned Mosque (Mezquita), an extraordinary and unique building. Instead of destroying the original mosque after the Christians conquered Cordoba, the Catholic king decided to build a Cathedral within it. The early massive structure dates back to the 8th century, its roof supported by a forest of 850 coloured columns. Its jewel is the gleaming and superbly decorated Mihrab, which has survived in its original state.

The rest of the afternoon is free for further exploration and this evening there is the chance to take in some traditional flamenco music and dancing.

This morning we drive by charter bus to the famous Andalucian city of Granada. The Arabic name Al Andalus was given to the part of Spain under Islamic control for some 800 years. We will break our journey with a stop in the pretty white village of Cabra where we recommend an optional visit to the excellent Olive Oil Museum. We should arrive into Granada at lunch time. After checking into our hotel we will spend some time exploring the city, discovering the main highlights including the Albaicin, the old Moorish quarter where many Islamic traditions are retained, giving the city its characteristic look of white walls and narrow streets. From the highest point are spectacular views across to the Alhambra and Generalife with the Sierra Nevada as a backdrop. When dusk falls, we suggest a stroll around the old Moorish Quarter to see its illuminated patios.

This morning we have included a guided visit to the remarkable Alhambra Palace and Generalife gardens. In 1239 Muhammad al-Ahmar, founder of the Nasrid dynasty and Sultan of Granada, began work on this, the finest example of Moorish architecture outside the Arab world. The fabulous decoration in stucco, both inside and outside the buildings, reveals the purest expression of a sophisticated civilisation just before its decline.

The Generalife - the summer residence of the Caliphs and surrounding gardens - are considered among the most beautiful landscaped gardens in the world.

Tickets to visit the Alhambra are limited, as such we'll keep our time in Granada flexible and organise sightseeing around our Alhambra visit. If you booked the holiday late and on request within about 30 days prior to travel we cannot guarantee you an entrance ticket with the same time slot, therefore it may be that your visit to the Alhambra is unguided, though you can choose to get an audioguide if interested.

Please note that in order for our local agent to book the Alhambra tickets we require full passport details for all passengers, this should be provided at the time of booking or as soon as possible in order for the tickets to be confirmed.

This morning we board a public bus (two hours) and return to Malaga. This afternoon before our final group dinner, you may like to visit the Alcazar Moorish palace, Picasso Museum or Gibralfaro castle that overlooks Malaga.

Our trip ends this morning after breakfast. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Malaga at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), which is around 15 minutes' drive.