Seville & Andalucia

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Flight to Seville

  We fly to Seville and on arrival transfer to the 4 star Hotel Doña Maria in the heart of the Barrio de Santa Cruz district in the centre of the city.

• Day 2 - Exploring Seville

  We begin our first day in Seville on foot with a walking tour through the Barrio de Santa Cruz, its narrow streets and alleys lined with picturesque town houses. Most houses keep their courtyard doors tantalisingly ajar to allow passers-by fleeting glimpses of the flower-filled courtyards so typical of Seville. We will visit the world's largest Gothic cathedral, Seville's fortified royal palace, the Alcazar and the elegant architecture at the Palacio Duenas, the finest example of a Mudejar town house.

• Day 3 - Museo de Bellas Artes

  This morning we visit the art collections in the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Hospital de la Caridad. Both collections are displayed in historic buildings and both have important works by Spanish artists including Zurbarán and Murillo. Later we visit the city's famous bullring. 

• Day 4 - Jerez de la Frontera

  Today we leave Seville and drive south. Our first stop is to Arcos de la Frontera, one of the pretty white villages ‘pueblos blancos’ of Andalucia. Arcos has a dramatic clifftop position with wonderful views down to the Guadalete River below. We will have an included lunch before continuing to Jerez de la Frontera, the centre of the sherry trade. Here we will visit one of the most famous bodegas for a glass of refreshing, cool manzanilla before returning to Seville.

• Day 5 - Cordoba

  We travel to Córdoba, a journey of less than two hours. On arrival we will visit the Mezquita to see the stunning mosque with its lines of arches encircling the cathedral built by Charles V. The Mezquita encapsulates the unique blend of Islamic and Christian history which makes Andalucía such an absorbing and beguiling destination. We will also visit the Alcazar and the noble Palacio de Vena.

• Day 6 - Hacienda de San Rafael

  The morning is free for further independent sightseeing in Seville.  We drive for half an hour to one of our favourite rural hotels in Spain, Hacienda de San Rafael, for a delicious lunch.

• Day 7 - Italica

  Today we drive to Italica, place of the birth of Trajan and Hadrian and embellished by them in the grand manner. We visit the amphitheatre, villas and mosaics before returning to Seville for a free afternoon.

• Day 8 - Carmona

  We will drive to historic Carmona, a Roman town that sits high on a hill overlooking a fertile plain. We will enjoy a late lunch and have a guided walk before transferring to the airport for our flight back to London.