Try for flights that get you into Madrid in good time, such as: Air Canada via Montreal, arriving in Madrid at 9:20am
Arrive at Madrid International airport and be picked up and transferred to your hotel.
Go for a quick bite either at the hotel or close to the hotel to wait for check-in.
Relax for a bit before our Welcome Wine & Tapas tour in Madrid!
We will leave Madrid heading towards the beautiful Imperial city of Toledo (just over 1 hour south), declared a World Heritage by UNESCO. Toledo is one of the oldest cities in Europe with buildings that mix architectural styles including Arabic, Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque, also it is called the “city of the three cultures” since Christians, Muslims and Jews lived together here. The great painter El Greco lived in Toledo in the sixteenth century.
Enjoy a walk through the Imperial City of Toledo accompanied by an Official Guide, followed by a Wine Experience. Walk through 200-year-old vines accompanied by a local viticulturist in the vineyards to learn everything there is about wine-making. Enjoy an exclusive day out to a local winery in the Toledo Region and taste 4 excellent wines.
Finca Loranque is one of the best-known lands in the province of Toledo, a place where history takes us back to Roman times.
Included
- Visit Toledo, the Imperial City
- Visit a Winery from the XVIII Century
- Taste 4 Selected Wines and a variety of bytes & tapas
- Explore the Vineyards and Learn about its Culture
Not Included
- Food or beverages unless specified
Immerse yourself with our official expert guide and enter the heart of Toledo, visit the Jewish Quarter and the area of the convents, with stories and legends that will trace back to the centuries before the Muslim conquest. We will discover the most emblematic places of the city, its history, its corners and anecdotes, and its main monuments such as the Cathedral of Toledo, whose architecture is a wonderful example of the Spanish Gothic style.
https://www.fincaloranque.com/en/vineyard
Since the whole surroundings were carefully restored, the winery has been recognised as a Cultural Heritage. A walk around the premises means becoming immersed in one of the best examples of the noble Toledo farmhouses of the 18th century. Reposing in the aging room is a park of 700 barrels made of French, Hungarian and American oak, with different capacities and toastings.
Free day to explore the sights and sounds of Madrid.
After a leisurely breakfast and last look around Madrid, you will take the 1st class fast train to Malaga (under 3 hours) where we will check in to the wonderful Hotel Mariposa, located in the heart of the Soho cultural district, a great central starting point to discover the great city of Malaga and all it has to offer. A hotel full of charm and sophistication, you will be right at home here for the next 3 nights.
We will enjoy a late dinner at the hotel.
Today we will have a half day tour of Malaga followed by a wonderful lunch at our 4 star boutique Hotel, Hotel Mariposa.
Enjoy a free afternoon to go to the beach, spend extra time around town, or relax at our hotel up at the fabulous "Le Rooftop 17" Terrace Lounge - https://mariposahm.com/rooftop
Rest up to enjoy our evening Wine & Tapas tour where we will stroll through the beautifully illuminated streets of Malaga, tasting some of the best local wines paired with delicious tapas. From different typical Malaga sweet wines, to refreshing whites, fruity reds and even artisanal vermouth, you will really get to experience our diverse wine growing regions. Bars, taverns and restaurants will make you feel welcome, offering their tastiest treats like Iberian cold cuts, fresh seafood and other local specialties.
You will pass by some of the most emblematic venues and hidden alleyways of Malaga by night in an enchanting tour that combines food, culture and history.
This is a highlight day where we get to visit the extraordinary Alhambra in Granada, an easy 1 1/2 hour drive away.
We will have a private guide exclusively for us, at one of the most spectacular monuments in Spain, the Alhambra. With your Alhambra ticket you will be able to access the entire monument: the Nasrid Palaces , La Alcazaba , the Generalife Palace and its wonderful gardens , the Carlos V Palace and the monumental surroundings, all without queuing to purchase tickets.
The Alhambra, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is one of the must-see places in Spain and Andalusia. A heritage jewel that receives millions of visitors annually.
Included
- Official accredited guide
- Private Tour
- Complete Alhambra ticket, for access to the Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba, Generalife and Gardens
- Individual audio system, to guarantee the best listening quality
- Hotel Pickup and Drop-off
Return back to our hotel for dinner.
After a leisurely breakfast in Malaga we will meet our official Andalusian guide who will be with us the next few days in Spain. We will transfer to Sevilla with a stop in magical Ronda about 1 1/2 hours west of Malaga where we will visit the iconic El Tajo Gorge.
El Tajo Gorge is a stunning natural feature located in Ronda. It is a deep canyon carved by the Guadalevín River, dividing the city into two parts. The gorge is more than 150 metres deep & is known for its dramatic cliffs and its breathtaking views. Ronda's iconic Puente Nuevo, a bridge spanning the gorge, offers spectacular vistas of the surrounding landscape.
The combination of the bridge, the cliffs, and the river flowing through the gorge creates a picturesque and awe-inspiring sight that attracts tourists from around the world.
Its old town has been declared Property of Cultural Interest. Celts, Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs all inhabited these lands, which were reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs.
In Ronda, the Arab Baths, built at the end of the 13th century, are the best preserved in Spain. Ronda is said to be the home of modern bullfighting so a visit to its famous bullring, one of the oldest & most impressive in Spain cannot be missed.
We will have time for a little hike or shop around town and perhaps a bite to eat looking down over the gorge. When we are done in Ronda, we will be on our way for Wine tasting at Delgados Viejos, situated in the chapel of a sixteenth century Trinitarian monastery, perched on the higher slopes of the impressive Tajo of Ronda. Winery Descalzos Viejos is a hidden gem located in the heart of the Andalusian countryside and will be a unique and unforgettable experience, where you can immerse yourself in the world of winemaking and learn about the history, culture, and traditions of this region. The winery offers a variety of guided tours, tastings, and experiences that cater to every taste and preference.
During your visit, you will have the opportunity to explore the vineyards, learn about the grape varieties, and discover the winemaking process, from grape to bottle. You will also get to taste the different wines produced by Descalzos Viejos, which are known for their quality, complexity, and unique character.
One of the highlights of visiting Winery Descalzos Viejos is the chance to admire the stunning views of the surrounding countryside, which is dotted with olive groves, almond trees, and vineyards. The winery also features a beautiful art gallery, which showcases works by contemporary artists from all over the world.
We will then continue to our Hotel Las Casas de la Juderia in Seville. This is a central located hotel that has no vehicle access (we will walk approx. 200 m. to the hotel entry). Here we will find 134 rooms, all different, through more than 40 patios, gardens, tunnels and labyrinthine inner streets. Strolling through the interior of the hotel is to relive what this city was centuries ago: fountains, statues, pedestals, columns, floors and a good set of period furniture, amphorae, jugs, old walls, etc., give the feeling of being in a real museum. Let's not be in a hurry to find our rooms!
We will go for a local dinner within walking distance from our hotel.
https://www.descalzosviejos.com/
This historic building on the slopes of the Tagus was a convent in 1505.
The Serranía de Ronda presents a great diversity of microclimates, influenced by the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The winery works 10 hectares of vineyard spread over three farms producing various grapes and wines.
https://www.lascasasdelajuderiasevilla.com/en/photo-tour.html
After breakfast we will have a half day tour of Seville, a monumental city you will see for yourself in the few metres that separate the Giralda tower, the Cathedral and the Real Alcázar of Seville. La Giralda is a city icon and one of its main charms lies in its viewpoint. The views of Seville are fantastic with its courtyards of orange trees, typical in Andalusia, and a close-up of the largest Gothic temple in Europe, the Cathedral.
Enjoy a free afternoon to enjoy the charm of The Hotel Palacio Alcazar, this beautiful eighteenth century house. The former residence and studio of famous painter and bullfighter John Fulton, an American who fell in love with this exceptional place and it has been completely renovated in the style of Seville. Located conveniently in Barrio Santa Cruz, the heart of Seville's old town and just steps away from the Alcazar Palace and its beautiful gardens, the Cathedral and Giralda.
Make time for a drink or tapas on our azotea, a panoramic roof terrace with a magnificent view of the Cathedral and Giralda.
Dinner in a local restaurant.
Today after breakfast we will have an excursion to Cordoba,
Córdoba is famous around the world for its Great Mosque. Its historic old town is a World Heritage site, full of little streets to be explored, courtyards full of flowers, inviting squares and lively taverns where you can enjoy a good flamenco performance* (*see tips) or try the local cuisine.
The Great Mosque, the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, the Synagogue and the Roman bridge are the prime examples of Córdoba’s old quarter. The city reflects its Roman past and the coexistence of Christian, Islamic and Jewish cultures throughout its history.
We will arrange an *Optional - Flamenco show in Cordoba today!
After a day in historic Cordoba, we will head back to Seville for dinner.
https://www.spain.info/en/destination/cordoba/
if you would like to try one of the best flamenco shows , among the best tablaos in the city of Cordoba is La Taberna doble de Cepa, located in the Juderia area, this tablao offers one of the most amazing gypsy shows in Andalucia.
With prices ranging from approximately 18 to 35 euros, depending on whether you want a drink or if you prefer to include dinner during the show, here you can find some of the best flamenco artists in the country. The show includes dancing, singing and live music, with all the colour and soul of gypsy passion.
The Taberna Doble de Cepa is located very close to the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba and the famous Calleja del Pañuelo, so it will be very easy to find it, and there is no one in the city who does not know it, since it is one of the most important and longest running tablaos in Cordoba.
Today we carry onwards to Moncarapacho in the Algarve, Southern Portugal.
Options: Go to the quaint & beautiful Octant Vila Monte home for the next 3 nights. Vila Monte Farm House has a pool to relax by, an incredible chef for special meals at one of 2 first class restaurants, nearby villages to stroll through at a leisurely pace. These comfortable villas will provide you will all you need for a few days of R & R soak up the feel & pace of the Algarve. If you are feeling energetic, there are hikes nearby, bicycles to take out, or take one of the day trips to the secluded and picturesque Fuzeta Island.
OR ... let me find you a wonderful Villa in the Algarve for an extended stay!
How about the day trip to Fuzeta Island today? Get a picnic lunch packed and head to the fishing village of Fuzeta then a boat transfer to Fuzeta Island where you will enjoy nice water and a beautiful beach.
How about a bike ride to a nearby village? Or find a nearby hiking trail? Or...relax by the pool? Slow down and smell the roses...
You will have an excellent lunch at Vila Monte today!
*OPTIONS: Golf day can be arranged or a Biking Tour in the Albufeira area
After breakfast today you will take a transfer to the Faro airport, extend in the Algarve or carry on up to Lisbon and Porto area!
suggestion: Lisbon additional night is $185.00 CAD per person
