Itinerary The Best of Andalucia
Day 1- Tuesday: USA – Costa del Sol, Spain
Evening flight with dinner and a movie on board.
Day 2 – Wednesday: Arrival in Costa del Sol
After breakfast onboard, landing at Malaga airport. Upon arrival, your hostess will greet you and provide transportation to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to relax and begin exploring the area. Accommodations at your 4-star beachfront hotel in Torremolinos. (Amaragua Hotel ****) (D)
Day 3 – Thursday: Costa del Sol Ronda (Full Day Tour)
Today we head to the ancient town of Ronda. Spanning more than four centuries of Spanish architecture, this quaint town is sure to transport you back in time. One look at the famous “El Tajo” and the impressive sheer drop of the mountain cliffs illustrates its origins as a military stronghold. While in Ronda, marvel at its architectural variety, including the walled Old Town, a residential palace of nobility, the Cathedral, the bullring - the oldest existing in Spain - and the “Bullfight Museum.” Free time for lunch on your own and shopping prior to returning to your hotel. Late afternoon return to your hotel in Costa del Sol in time for dinner. (B-D)
Day 4 – Friday: Granada & The Alhambra Palace. (Full Day Tour)
After breakfast, early drive along the Costa del Sol through the mountains of Malaga towards Granada. Halfway we will stop briefly in Loja and then continue to Granada. As we enter the city you’ll be able to see the peaks of the white-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains. A sightseeing city-tour will lead us to the Alhambra Palace. ”Alhambra” is an Arabic word that means red, the color of its fortified walls. Built during the 13th and 14th century, it took nearly 100 years to be completed. Visit includes the Court of the Myrtle’s, the Court of the Lions, the Hall of Secrets, the Hall of the Ambassadors, and the Alcazaba, the castle that guarded the Palace. We will also visit the beautiful gardens of the Generalife with its green water gardens and the fountains that inspired several famous Spanish composers. Over the centuries the Alhambra gradually fell into ruins but, curiously, it was the American Author Washington Irving who helped prod the city into having the monument restored. Irving lived in the palace early in the 19th century, where he wrote his book "Tales of the Alhambra". Now the Alhambra is completely restored and rebuilt. Late afternoon return to your hotel in Costa del Sol in time for dinner. (B-D)
Day 5 – Saturday: Saturday: Countryside Marbella & Mijas (Full Day Tour)
This tour heads from the coast and covers a number of charming towns in the rich Guadalhorce Valley including Alhaurin de la Torre and Alhaurin el Grande. A stop is included at Alhaurin el Grande’s Wholesale Farmers Market before continuing through the valley and the Sierra Blanca Mountains. This picturesque route leads past the white town of Monda, and then towards the Sierra Alpujarra Mountains to the town of Ojen. After a brief stop in Ojen, head toward the coast to Marbella, where sightseeing of the old section of this enchanting town is included. Marbella has long been a favorite destination of the rich and famous, and its beautiful scenery and coastline provide the perfect backdrop to this city. Departing Marbella, the coastal road leads to Fuengirola en route to Mijas, located about 1300 ft. above sea level and surrounded by the dramatic Sierra de Mijas Mountains. A sightseeing tour of the town is included as well as free time for shopping and lunch (lunch not included). Late afternoon return to your hotel in Costa del Sol in time for dinner. (B-D)
Day 6 – Sunday: Costa del Sol
Day at leisure in Costa del Sol. Buffet breakfast and Dinner (B-D)
Day 7 – Monday: DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VILLAGE (Home-Hosted Meal)
Full Day Tour
This unique tour takes us through the Spanish countryside to feel the spirit and tradition of the ancient peoples of the Andalusian countryside and offers us the opportunity to learn about their lifestyle, customs, and heritage. Passing by centuries-old routes traveled by Spain’s legendary kings and their entourage, bandits, and villagers. We will experience the changing terrain and breathtaking landscapes of “La Ruta del Aceite y Los Tajos” (route of the olive oil and the gorges) through the mountains of Malaga. Our first en-route stop is a traditional Andalusian roadside inn for a first glimpse into the history of the area before continuing to the Sierra village of Alfarnate (population 3.500) where we stop to visit an Olive Oil Mill (producers of the best quality oil in the region) then go on to visit the beautiful sixteenth-century Church of Saint Ann. After Alfarnate, we proceed to our final destination, the tiny village of Alfarnatejo (population 400). After a warm welcome by the villagers and a glass of local sweet wine, our “host families” will invite us into their homes for a traditional midday meal (included). This authentic Andalusian day in a rural mountainside village is a life-enriching experience and one that you will probably cherish and remember for years to come.
( B-D)
Day 8 – Tuesday: Costa del Sol
Day at leisure in Costa del Sol. Buffet breakfast and Dinner (B-D)
Day 9 – Wednesday: Seville: Capital of Andalucia (Full Day Tour)
After breakfast, drive along the hills and plains of the beautiful Andalusian countryside for a great view of typical towns such as Antequera, Estepa, Osuna and, finally, Seville. The fourth largest in Spain, Seville is a city humming with life and prosperity, holding magnificent buildings and monuments, and considered the most popular and attractive in the whole country. Our visit will start with the Alcazar, which served both as Palace and Fort, and will continue in the Cathedral, a unique beauty all its own combining old Arabic and Christian architecture. The cathedral was built on top of a former mosque and is now the third largest in the world. Adjoining it, the Giralda tower stands 322 feet high. We continue our visit to the Barrio de Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter where we will ramble along the narrows streets with it small bars and restaurants. Not to be missed is the beautiful Maria Luisa Park with its sunken gardens, the decorative fountains, and the lovely "azulejos"(tiles) in the Plaza de España, a semi-circular square with a great building around it. We finish our trip to Seville with a drive over the Isla de la Cartuja area, where the Universal Exposition took place in 1992. Late afternoon return to your hotel in Costa del Sol in time for dinner. (B-D)
Day 10 – Thursday: Gibraltar The Rock (Full Day Tour)
After breakfast, drive along the southern Costa del Sol will take us to La Linea de la Concepción, the border town with Gibraltar. We will cross the border and enter Gibraltar crossing the runway of the airport where people transfer to small vans for a tour around the Rock. This tour takes us to the highest point with fantastic panoramic views of the Bay of Algeciras, the Strait of Gibraltar, and the African coastline. We also visit the Saint Michael’s caves with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. Once taking the road down again, we will see the Barbarian apes that still live in Gibraltar. Free time for tax-free shopping or having a snack at the various English or Spanish-type pubs and restaurants. Late afternoon return to your hotel in Costa del Sol. Dinner on your own tonight. (B)
Day 11– Thursday: Costa del Sol
Day at leisure in Costa del Sol. Buffet breakfast and Dinner (B-D)
Day 12 – Saturday: Costa del Sol – USA
Breakfast at your hotel and transfer to Malaga airport for your return flight back home. (B)
The superior 4-star Amaragua Hotel
The superior 4-star beachfront air-conditioned Amaragua Hotel is located on the beach in Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, Spain overlooking the Mediterranean. Rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated and include full bath and large private balconies with seaview. Facilities include an indoor heated pool, restaurant, lounge with piano music in the evenings, extensive outdoor gardens, sauna, and a steam room and spa (additional fees apply for spa services).There is a promenade between the hotel and the beach which is perfect for strolling and provides access to nearby shops and restaurants. Just 15 minutes away walking on the promenade you will find the Benalmadena Marina, famous for its extensive dinning and shopping options. A few steps away is the quaint fishing village of La Carihuela, dotted with stores and fresh local seafood restaurants. Just a short ride away is the town center of Torremolinos with its lively shopping district, Calle San Miguel, offering good shopping for unique souvenirs such as handmade leather goods, linens, and Lladro figurines.
Numerous daytrips are available including Granada, Gibraltar, Cordoba, and Morocco.
