ROUTE OF THE KINGS: ESSENTIAL ANDALUCIA

ROUTE OF THE KINGS: ESSENTIAL ANDALUCIA

4 days / 3 nights – Departure from Madrid

Andalusia is a land of history, of Muslim and Christian kingdoms, of Phoenician and Roman influences. Its legacy has marked the art, architecture and gastronomy of southern Spain, leaving an unrivalled heritage. From the majestic palaces of Seville to the last Islamic fortress in Granada, this tour will immerse us in the glorious past of Andalusia, exploring its most emblematic cities with a perfect balance between culture, history and unforgettable landscapes.

Day 1: From Madrid to Seville

Our trip begins early in the morning, when we take the high-speed train (AVE) from Madrid to Toledo, allowing us to quickly and comfortably reach the city of three cultures.

Upon arrival in Toledo, we will enter its historic centre, where the medieval past lives on in its cobbled streets and imposing monuments. We will explore the Primate Cathedral, one of the jewels of European Gothic, with its impressive art collection and monumental architecture. We will continue to the Alcázar of Toledo, an imposing fortress that has witnessed centuries of battles and has played a key role in the history of the city. As we walk through its halls and viewing points, we will enjoy panoramic views over the Tagus River.

After the visit, we continue our journey by private car to Córdoba, enjoying the changing landscape between Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia.

Upon arrival in Córdoba, we will head to the Mosque-Cathedral, the masterpiece of Islamic art in Spain. Inside, we will walk among a forest of columns and horseshoe arches, while discovering how this building went from being a mosque to housing a cathedral after the Reconquista. We will also tour the Jewish quarter of Córdoba, with its narrow streets and flowery courtyards.

In the afternoon, we resume our journey by private car to Seville. Upon arrival in Seville, we will check into our hotel in the historic center, and you can enjoy the night free to rest.

Night in Seville.

Day 2: Seville – Exploring the Essence of Andalusia

After breakfast, we set out to discover the treasures of Seville, a vibrant city where history, architecture and culture intertwine in a unique setting. From its Islamic past to its key role in colonial expansion, Seville has witnessed some of the most important moments in Spanish history.

We begin our day at the Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, built on the remains of the old Almohad mosque. Inside, we will admire its imposing gilded main altarpiece, the royal chapels and the mausoleum of Christopher Columbus. We will ascend to La Giralda, the mosque’s old minaret, from where we will enjoy unparalleled panoramic views of the city.

Our next stop will be the Royal Alcazar of Seville, a palace complex that fuses Islamic, Mudejar and Renaissance art in a single space. We will stroll through its majestic courtyards, such as the Patio de las Doncellas, with its arabesque arches and detailed ornamentation, and we will explore the lush gardens of the Alcázar, where fountains and vegetation create an oasis of tranquility in the heart of the city.

At midday, we will enter the Barrio de Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter of Seville. Its cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and flower-filled courtyards will transport us to another era as we discover the history of this emblematic neighborhood.

In the afternoon, we will head to the Plaza de España, a masterpiece of Andalusian regionalist architecture built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. With its semicircular shape and its colorful tiled benches representing the provinces of Spain, this square is one of the most iconic images of Seville.

Our tour continues at the Torre del Oro, a 13th-century fortification that guarded the entrance to the port of Seville during the era of trade with America. From here, we can enjoy views of the Guadalquivir River, the waterway that connected Seville to the New World.

To close the day, we will visit the Metropol Parasol, known as the Setas de Sevilla, a modern wooden structure that contrasts with the historic architecture of the city. From its viewing point, we can admire a panoramic view of the old town illuminated at dusk.

After a day of exploration, we return to our hotel in Seville, where you can enjoy a free dinner and rest before continuing our tour the next day.

Night in Seville.

Day 3: From Seville to Granada via Ronda

After breakfast, we will set off by private car towards the spectacular route of the White Villages, where we will discover some of the most picturesque enclaves of Andalusia.

Our first stop will be in Zahara de la Sierra, a town nestled on top of a hill with panoramic views of the reservoir. Its medieval castle and cobbled streets will transport us to another era.

From Zahara de la Sierra, we will stop for lunch at a local restaurant, where we can taste Andalusian cuisine with fresh products from the region, such as Segureño lamb or the famous cheese from the Sierra de Cádiz.

After lunch, we will head to Ronda, where we will spend three hours exploring its history and unique architecture.

Here we will visit the Puente Nuevo, an imposing 18th-century engineering work that offers spectacular views of the Tajo Gorge.

We will walk through the historic centre of Ronda, with its cobbled streets and Muslim legacy, and explore the Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, where some of the most important historical buildings in the city are located.

To finish our visit, we will head to the Arab Baths of Ronda, built in the 13th century and considered the best preserved in Andalusia.

In the afternoon, after exploring Ronda, we will leave by private car for Granada, enjoying the mountainous landscape of the Serranía de Ronda and arriving at the heart of Andalusia.

Overnight in Granada.

Day 4: Granada – The Alhambra and its historical legacy – Return to Madrid

After breakfast, we will begin our day exploring the Alhambra, the most emblematic monument in Granada and one of the greatest expressions of Islamic art in the world. During our visit, we will visit:

The Nasrid Palaces, with their intricate geometric designs and the famous Patio de los Leones. The Alcazaba, the military fortress that offers panoramic views of the city and the Sierra Nevada.
The Generalife, with its lush gardens, fountains and ponds that evoke the serenity of the Nasrid summer palaces.

After the visit, we will take a break for lunch at a local restaurant, where we can taste some of the most representative specialties of Granada cuisine.

In the afternoon, we will enter the Albaicín neighborhood, the old Arab quarter, with its narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses. From the Mirador de San Nicolás, we will enjoy one of the most iconic views of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada in the background.

Our next stop will be the Granada Cathedral, a jewel of the Spanish Renaissance that stands in the heart of the city. Next to it, we will visit the Royal Chapel, where the remains of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabel, key figures in the history of Spain, rest.

In the evening, we will transfer to the train station to board the high-speed AVE train to Madrid, ensuring a quick and comfortable return.

End of the tour in Madrid.

What does the tour include?

• Accommodation: 3 nights in selected hotels.
• Transportation: Transfers in a private vehicle throughout the tour.
• AVE train tickets: Madrid – Toledo. Granada – Madrid
• Specialized guide: Accompaniment on guided tours in each destination.
• Tickets included: Access to the Cathedral and Alcázar of Seville, Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Alhambra and Generalife in Granada, Cathedral and Royal Chapel of Granada, Puente Nuevo and Arab Baths of Ronda.
• Gastronomic experience: Lunches in local restaurants in Córdoba, Ronda and Granada.
• Cultural activities: Guided walks in Toledo, Seville, Ronda and Granada, including the Albaicín neighborhood and the route through the White Villages.
• Personalized attention: Assistance throughout the trip.

What does the tour not include?

• Flights or trains to the starting point of the tour in Madrid
• Lunches and dinners (except breakfasts included in the hotels).
• Drinks and additional consumption in restaurants.
• Personal expenses and tips.
• Optional activities or visits not specified in the itinerary.

Maximum capacity: 15 people.
Meeting point: Pick up at the hotel.
It is essential to have received confirmation of the reservation.

CANCELLATION CONDITIONS

One-day tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before.