Southern Spain Tour: Malaga, Costa del Sol, Granada, Cordoba, Seville & Ronda

Upon your arrival at Málaga airport, you will pick up a rental car equipped with an English GPS unit. From here, you’ll drive to Marbella on the Costa del Sol. In the seaside resort of Marbella, you’ll be staying at a beautiful luxury hotel. An oasis of luxury and comfort, this hotel is located in the city's historic Old Town. From the terrace of your room, you may have views of the Sierra Blanca Mountains or the Old Town’s Arab Walls. The hotel’s charming and quaint location is just a short walk from the sea and marina, where you’ll find upscale shopping, fine restaurants, beautiful beaches, and exclusive yacht clubs.

Enjoy a day of leisure on the spectacular Costa del Sol. You could go for a scenic drive to explore the picturesque whitewashed villages and sun-soaked beaches. You could also drive east along the coast to the city of Málaga, about forty-five minutes away. Málaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and boasts wonderful museums. Take a tour of the Museo Picasso, a wonderfully designed museum that houses the private collections of Picasso's family. Another must-see sight in Málaga is the Alcazaba (the old Moorish castle) that sits on a hilltop proudly above the city. If you continue driving from Málaga further east, you’ll reach the quaint coastal town of Nerja. Here you can stroll along the Balcón de Europa, the famous seaside promenade built on the site of a Moorish castle, and visit the lovely 17th century Church of El Salvador with its charming mix of Baroque and Moorish styles. Another attraction is Las Cuevas de Nerja, a series of caverns containing prehistoric drawings that are 20,000 years old. The caves also boast a Guinness World Record award for their impressive stalactite structure. If you have the chance to visit in July, be sure to check out the International Music and Dance Festival held in the cave’s magnificent and unique setting.

After breakfast you will set off for a stunning scenic ride along the Costa del Sol to Granada. En route, you may stop in Antequera, a fascinating Andalusian village with 5,000 years of history. When you arrive in Granada, check into your accommodations. Located right in the heart of Granada's historic center, this elegant historic hotel features traditional Andalusian architecture. Later this evening, a local guide will take you on a walking tour through Granada’s enchanting old Islamic quarter, the Albaicín. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient Moorish settlement is an absolutely fascinating place to explore. Wander through the labyrinth of narrow winding streets filled with pleasant courtyards and look out for the minarets that were converted to bell towers (during the Christian rule). The Albaicín feels like another world because of its enchanting Old World aura.

After breakfast today, you will enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Alhambra Palace, once the summer residence of Moorish Kings. The Alhambra is located in a spectacular setting surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the interior of the palace is just as breathtaking. On your tour, you will explore the Alhambra’s expansive complex of Moorish palaces and Arab-style gardens. You will wander through the palace of Nasrid sultans and see the famous Courtyard of the Lions. One highlight of the tour is the Generalife Gardens with its exquisite display of courtyards, fountains, running water and lush greenery. After visiting the Alhambra, spend the rest of the day sightseeing at your leisure. You should visit Granada’s Cathedral, an impressive Gothic building from the 16th century. Be sure to take a peak into the Sacristy, which contains exceptional paintings as well as a collection of royal artifacts.

This morning, you will enjoy another scenic drive in the Spanish countryside. En route to Úbeda, you may wish to visit the historic town of Jaén. This lovely town offers many attractions, including a museum that displays sculptures from the 5th century B.C. The town also has exquisite 11th century Arab Baths, an elegant Renaissance cathedral and an impressive 9th century Moorish castle perched on Mount Santa Catalina. After your visit, continue on to Úbeda where more historic discoveries await you. The center of the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city gives you the feeling of walking through a pleasant open-air museum; many of the streets offer wonderful views of the rural landscape. Stroll past the town's exquisite Renaissance palaces and churches. Visit the town's central square, which is considered to be Spain’s best example of Renaissance urban planning. Then visit the town’s impressive church that exemplifies Italian Renaissance style. You can also spend time poking around the town’s boutiques and look out for shops selling the unique green pottery that is typical of the city.

This morning, you will drive to Córdoba, the capital city of old Andalusia. You will staying at a luxurious hotel in the historic center of Córdoba near the famous Jewish Quarter, La Judería. After some time to freshen up, you will meet your guide for a half-day private tour. The highlight of your tour is a visit to La Mezquita, the old mosque that dates back to 785 and is one of the grandest Islamic buildings ever built. The building has since been converted into a church but still reveals the impressive Islamic architecture. Next, discover the city’s medieval quarters, one of the most interesting in Europe. Stroll the cobblestone streets and look out for the charming hidden patios that are so distinctive of Córdoba. After the tour, you will have the rest of the day at your leisure. You might wish to visit the archeological museum or the Palacio de los Marqueses de Viana, an ancient aristocratic mansion that features splendid interiors and 12 landscaped patios.

This morning you will drive to Seville, one of the gems of Andalusia. You’ll be staying at a traditional Andalusian house with a lovely courtyard and an outdoor pool. After you check in to the hotel, you will meet your guide for a half-day guided walking tour. First you’ll visit Seville’s grand cathedral, the largest Gothic church in the world. The cathedral features a monument to Christopher Columbus and a spectacular altarpiece gilded with thousands of pounds of pure gold. Next you’ll visit the Reales Alcázares Palace with its lovely Andalusian gardens and finally, the Barrio de Santa Cruz, the old Jewish Quarter and now Seville's most fashionable neighborhood. Once your tour concludes, you will have time to explore the tapas bars, go shopping or visit the Museo de Bellas Artes, which stays open even during Seville “siesta” hours.

You will have the day at leisure in Seville. You may want to visit places you did not see yesterday. Highly recommended sights are the Casa de Pilatos, an exceptional 15th century palace that exemplifies Andalusian style, and the Palacio de Lebrija, once the palace of a Countess. The palace features flawless Roman mosaics from the nearby Ruins of Itálica, a Roman archeological site. You should also spend some time shopping on the Calle Sierpes and visit the Parque de María Luisa, Seville’s largest public park. You can also choose to take a two-hour private lesson at one of Seville's most prestigious academies of Flamenco dance.

This morning, begin your journey through the Andalusian countryside to Ronda. On your way, you can stop at some of “Los Pueblos Blancos.” These picturesque whitewashed villages dot the region's hilltops and valleys, interspersed with olive groves. The most interesting include Jerez de la Frontera, well known for Sherry wine, and Arcos de la Frontera, one of the prettiest Pueblos Blancos villages. Once you arrive in Ronda, you will check in to a luxury hotel. Located in the city’s Old Town, this luxury hotel enjoys a spectacular cliff-top location with dramatic views of the surrounding countryside. You’ll have free time to explore the historic city of Ronda. Wander the narrow streets of its old quarter and admire the lovely whitewashed homes with their decorative balconies. If you have time, you may visit the Plaza de Toros, one of Spain's oldest bullrings. You can also visit Ronda’s ancient Arab Baths, which exemplify the beauty of Moorish design and have been spectacularly preserved over the centuries.

The tour concludes today after breakfast at your hotel. You’ll be provided a private transfer to the airport in time for your return flight home.