Set off from the Spanish capital, Madrid, to take in the best of Southern Spain on this 9-day coach tour. Explore the cultural gems of Merida and Cordoba and visit the famous cathedral in Seville. Taste Andalusian olive oil, admire the view from Ronda, and spend a night in the Costa del Sol, with free time to stroll along the beach. Visit the incredible Alhambra complex in Grenada, see a Flamenco master class and show, and much more.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Madrid
Welcome to Madrid, the Spanish capital! You will be collected at the airport and transferred to our hotel, where the evening is at leisure. Later enjoy an authentic Welcome Tapas Dinner with your fellow travelers and guide.
2024 departures: In 2024, the welcome Tapas dinner is offered on day 2 instead.
Overnight: Madrid | Dinner
Exploring Madrid
Madrid - Cordoba. Today, we embark on an all-encompassing coach tour of Madrid. The highlights of our excursion include the historic Barrio de la Morería, the Habsburgs District, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa. We will explore the Madrid of the Bourbons, including the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, and visit the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains, and the Puerta de Alcalá. In the more contemporary part of the city, we will see areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the Salamanca district, as well as the commercial and financial zones of Modern Madrid.
We will also visit the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium, home to Real Madrid. During the tour, we will enjoy a taste of the typical Madrid-style snack, chocolate with churros, and have an included Welcome Dinner this evening at an authentic Tapas restaurant. After the tour, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
2024 departures: In 2024, chocolate and churros is not included.
Overnight: Madrid | Breakfast
Merida & Cordoba
Madrid - Merida - Cordoba. After breakfast, we say farewell to Madrid and head south. Before reaching Cordoba, we visit Mérida, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved Roman ruins, including the Roman Theater and Amphitheatre. Explore its rich historical heritage before continuing to Cordoba, once the capital of the Caliphate.The rest of the day is at your leisure.
2024 departures: In 2024, We visit Caceres and its Old Town, Plaza Mayor Square instead of Merida.
Overnight: Cordoba | Breakfast
Exploring Cordoba
Cordoba - Seville. This morning, we embark on an impressive tour of Cordoba's Mosque (entrance included) and other sites that will ease our minds and spirits as we stroll through the narrow, winding streets of the Jewish Quarter, accompanied by our expert local guide. In the afternoon, we continue our journey towards Seville, the capital of Andalusia. Tonight, we have the opportunity to discover Andalusian cuisine at a local restaurant with our fellow travelers.
2024 departures: In 2024, dinner is not included this evening.
Overnight: Seville | Breakfast, Dinner
Seville
Today we explore Seville on a guided tour. Entrance to the city's cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world, is included. We also visit the Santa Cruz Quarter, where the famous opera 'Carmen' is largely set, also known for the myth of Jon Juan. Wander through Maria Luisa Park and the picturesque Plaza Espana. After our tour, the afternoon is free for you to further explore Seville at your own pace.
Overnight: Seville | Breakfast
Jerez & Ronda
Seville - Jerez - Ronda. After breakfast, travel south through Andalusian villages to Jerez, where you will be captivated by two of the essential elements of the Andalusian soul: wine and horses. We will visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and enjoy a wine tasting in one of the famous local wineries.
Continue to Ronda, where you will visit the olive oil production facility at LA Organic and taste their organic olive oil. The rest of the day is at leisure to discover the secrets of Ronda.
2024 departures: Please note that in 2024, we make a stop in Ronda before heading to the Costa del Sol, where we stay in Malaga or Torremolinos.
Overnight: Ronda | Breakfast, Dinner
The Alhambra
Ronda - Malaga - Granada. After breakfast, we head to the coastal city of Malaga. We can spend some time exploring the city's Roman and Arab past before continuing to Granada, located at the foot of Sierra Nevada. We will enjoy an included Flamenco dance masterclass before attending an included dinner and Flamenco show. After dinner, we will head to one of the city viewpoints to take in our surroundings.
2024 departures: In 2024, we travel from the Costa del Sol to Granada and visit the Alhambra Complex today. There is an included Flamenco show and dinner.
Overnight: Granada | Breakfast, Dinner
The Alhambra
Granada - Madrid. This morning we visit the world-famous Alhambra. This stunning palace and fortress complex was built during the Nasrid Dynasty in the 13th and 14th centuries. Originally constructed as a small fortress in 889 AD on Roman remains, it was later transformed into a royal palace by the Moors. The Alhambra showcases exquisite Islamic architecture, with intricate carvings, stunning tilework, and tranquil gardens, reflecting the cultural zenith of Islamic Spain before the Christian Reconquista in 1492, when the Alhambra was surrendered to Ferdinand and Isabella.
After our included visit to the Alhmabra, we make our way back to Madrid, and there is an included farewell dinner this evening.
2024 departures: In 2024 we will visit the hilltop city of Toledo today on our way back to Madrid. There is no included dinner in the evening.
Overnight: Madrid | Breakfast, Dinner
Madrid
Enjoy a final breakfast in the hotel before our tour comes to an end. There is an included transfer to the airport.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
All departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 1 person. Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The Single Room price applies for solo travellers who require their own room.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
AC Cuzco , Madrid
Opposite Cuzco metro station in Madrid's business district, this contemporary hotel is an 8-minute walk from Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid football club. The modest rooms, equipped with soundproof windows, feature 49-inch flat-screen TVs, desks, Wi-Fi, and minibars. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in public areas. The hotel boasts a casual Mediterranean restaurant and a lounge/bar, as well as a fitness centre and 9 meeting rooms.
Hesperia Cordoba, Cordoba
Located on the peaceful banks of the Guadalquivir River, Hesperia Cordoba offers views of Cordoba's two main attractions, La Mezquita and the Alcazar and is just a 7-minute walk from the city's historic centre. Facilities include a rooftop pool, garden and complimentary Wi-Fi connection. Rooms at the hotel all come equipped with ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning and satellite TV. Decor is classic white, as is commonplace in southern Spain. As well as an onsite restaurant, there is a rooftop bar serving drinks until 23:30.
Melia Lebreros, Seville
A stylish hotel located in Seville's commercial district, Melia Lebreros was extensively refurbished recently and modern, elegant decor is visible throughout. Rooms offer air-conditioning, wood panelled flooring, minibar, flat screen TV and ensuite bathrooms with complimentary toiletries. Facilities include an outdoor pool and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property. Local and international cuisine can be enjoyed at the Mosaico Restaurant and local dishes are served in a traditional atmosphere at La Taberna la Dehesa. There is also an onsite bar.
Catalonia Ronda , Ronda
Catalonia Ronda Hotel, located in the heart of Ronda, seamlessly blends historic charm with modern luxury. Just steps away from the iconic Puente Nuevo and offering breath-taking views of the El Tajo Gorge, the hotel features elegantly designed rooms with contemporary décor and state-of-the-art amenities. Enjoy the rooftop terrace, savouring panoramic vistas, swim in the pool, and enjoy the on-site restaurant offering Mediterranean cuisine made from fresh, local ingredients and a selection of regional wines. Relax in the wellness centre with a range of spa treatments and a fully equipped fitness area, ensuring a relaxing and rejuvenating stay in this captivating town.
Hotel Catalonia Granada, Granada
Located in the heart of Granada, the Catalonia hotel offers sleek and modern guest rooms with smart TV, private bathrooms, minibar and desk. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the property and other amenities include an outdoor swimming pool and rooftop sun terrace. Buffet breakfast is served in the main restaurant, and there is an onsite Gastrobar open from 11am to 11pm, serving a variety of snacks and Mediterranean dishes.
At a Glance
The tour was okay. The tour guide was nice but English hard to understand sometimes. The hotel option is very poor. The hotels are far away from city centers or where the site seeing places are. We had to take Uber, taxi, bus, or metro to be able to see anything because the poor location of the hotels. The hotels felt like 2 stars and not 4 stars. They are small, some without even coffee makers in the room, and some don't have tissue papers . One hotel doesn't even have cold air conditioning and we waited for repair man who never showed up. The panaramic tour of the city is ridiculous. Nobody wants to see the city from the bus and not being able to get off and go into places. A lot of admission tickets not included and most days we were left to ourselves by noon. We paid too much for the type of tour/hotels we received.”
