Andalucian Explorer

London to Biarritz

We meet at our dedicated departure Office at St Pancras and take the Eurostar and travel to Paris in Standard Premier Class, with a light meal and drinks served on board. After crossing Paris by coach, we join the onward high-speed service to beautiful Biarritz, for an overnight stay.

Continue to Madrid

Today we leave Biarritz and transfer by coach to San Sebastion, where we join the rail service direct to Madrid, spending two nights in the lively Spanish capital.

Sightseeing in Madrid

Today we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, admiring the many architectural styles, and attractive green spaces. Following the tour, which takes place on foot and by coach, we have lunch in a typical restaurant on Madrid's Plaza Mayor. The rest of your day is free.

To Seville and a guided sightseeing tour

This morning we depart by high-speed AVE train for the journey south into Andalucía, to the fascinating city of Seville, an old port city set on the Guadalquivir River.

The city played a key role in establishing and continuing trade with South America and remains one of Spain's most active river ports. Credited with inventing tapas, Seville boasts as many as 1,000 tapas bars serving almost every conceivable type of tapas. Sevillians are known to move from bar to bar, enjoying a different small dish in each establishment they visit. On arrival in Seville we transfer to the Hotel Becquer, located in the heart of the city. This afternoon we enjoy a tour, including the beautiful and historic Santa Cruz area and the Gothic cathedral dominated by the Giralda tower. Day 5 is spent at leisure discovering this quintessentially Spanish city.

Granada and the Albayzin

Today we travel by rail to Granada (Standard Class), an enchanting city scattered over 7 small hills at the confluence of 2 rivers. Charming and romantic, Granada is dominated by the exquisite Alhambra, one of the most recognisable palaces in the world, and bathed throughout the afternoon in a glorious warm pink-gold glow. We begin our explorations with a sightseeing tour, visiting the Albayzin area which boasts fantastic views of the Alhambra and retains the narrow winding streets of its medieval past, Carrera Del Darro. Here we will see the Church of San Salvador, Arab baths and Plaza Larga. This evening we dine at a restaurant in the Albayzin Quarter, enjoying views of the beautifully illuminated Alhambra.

The Alhambra

We continue our sightseeing today with a visit to Spain's most spectacular and iconic monument, the Alhambra, which was once the residence of the Muslim Kings of Granada. The Alhambra sits proudly on a plateau overlooking Granada, with the high Sierra Nevada as its backdrop. Dating back to the 9th century, the palace complex now boasts UNESCO World Heritage status and is one of Spain's most iconic monuments. Originally a small fortress, the Sultan of Granada converted the building in the early 14th century. After a guided tour, we visit a traditional restaurant this evening.

Cordoba

Our journey today takes us by coach to Cordoba, a beautiful city with a relaxed atmosphere. On the way, we pay an informative visit to an olive oil mill in Montilla, where we see how this traditional foodstuff is made by impressively engineered machinery. This afternoon you are free to explore at leisure. We dine together at a local Taberna this evening.

Guided sightseeing tour of Cordoba

This morning we embark on a sightseeing tour of Cordoba, which in the 10th century was the largest city in Western Europe and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The labyrinth of narrow, winding alleys and pretty squares make Cordoba a delightful city to explore on foot. After crossing the Roman Bridge and passing the 14th-century Calahorra Tower, we continue to the famous Mezquita (mosque). We then tour the Jewish Quarter, with its narrow whitewashed streets.

Barcelona

This morning we join the high-speed AVE service direct to Barcelona. We travel in Standard Plus class for this journey. Upon arrival you are free to explore this exciting city at your own pace. Barcelona has long been Spain's economic heart, and this wealth is reflect in the grand, opulent buildings which encircle the various public squares dotted throughout the city. We stay at the 4-Star Hotel Catalonia La Pedrera, our base for two nights.

Take your time after settling into your hotel to explore a little of this superb continental city. You may wish to sample food in a local restaurant or cafés, which serve varieties of Spanish tapas along with food unique to Catalonia and this part of Spain. As the day winds down, perhaps take a stroll along the beach and the waterfront, and enjoy the sight of the blue waters of the Balearic Sea as the sun melts in the waves.

A sightseeing tour of Barcelona

This morning we take a sightseeing tour of Barcelona, including a visit to the beautiful Old Town, the Barri Gotic, and the tree-lined boulevard of Las Ramblas. The rest of your day is free to enjoy the city. The inimitable Gaudí architecture and medieval churches offer contrasts on every corner, with countless street performers, cafés and shops in between. We enjoy a final farewell dinner tonight at a local restaurant.

To Paris and London

We depart by high-speed TGV to Paris, where we join the Eurostar, continuing on to London St Pancras International.

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.