A Taste of Spain in Historic Andalusia

Your excursion into the land of Andalusia is a full-immersion culinary adventure designed to create memories that will last a lifetime. Upon arrival Sevilla Airport, a private driver will greet you and transfer you to your boutique hotel, perfectly situated in Seville's historic center. This elegant accommodation offers authentic Andalusian charm with modern amenities – it will be your comfortable home base for the entire tour. Relax in beautifully appointed rooms, unwind in the tranquil courtyard, or at the rooftop bar. After check in, you'll have the rest of the afternoon free to relax, stroll the lovely Sevillian streets or sip a coffee in one of the nearby plazas.

In the evening, enjoy a leisurely short walk through Sevilla's historic center to a lovely restaurant for your welcome dinner in one of Seville's most traditional neighborhoods. The restaurant is run by two talented Sevillian chefs who returned home in 2021 after a successful 10-year stint in New York. This venue has been thoughtfully designed with traditional tiles and an open kitchen that allows you to witness culinary magic in action. The culinary concept for tonight's welcome dinner celebrates simple, traditional cuisine elevated through exceptional ingredients and elegant presentation, with the freshest market ingredients. Here, savor your first taste of local specialties and toast to the week ahead with regional wines. Signature dishes include an extraordinary ensaladilla, Cádiz-style grilled prawns, and overnight-cured red tuna with pickled onion. Do save room for their creamy cheesecake with a touch of Cabrales blue cheese, perfect when paired with a glass of sherry served over ice with an orange slice. After dinner, enjoy a short leisurely stroll back to your hotel through Seville's enchanting, illuminated streets.(D)

Each morning, energize for the day's adventures with a full Andalusian buffet breakfast at your hotel. Savor freshly baked breads, local cheeses and meats, seasonal fruits, and classic Spanish specialties including tortilla Española and an assortment of Andalusian cakes. Coffee, teas, and fresh-squeezed orange juice complement this morning feast.

Embark on a vibrant guided visit through fascinating Seville, perhaps Spain's loveliest large medieval city. Your enthusiastic private guide will reveal the city's rich tapestry of Arab, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture. The centerpiece of your morning is a private tour of the Royal Alcazar of Seville - a magnificent medieval palace. This Arabian-cum-Christian royal residence offers some of the world's best surviving examples of Mudejar architecture – a style developed by Moors working under Christian rule. Marvel at spectacular features including the breathtaking Salon de Embajadores with its stupendous Seville orange fruit dome. Game of Thrones fans will recognize the Alcazar from the hit series, as Seville frequently serves as an international filming location due to its picturesque beauty.

After the tour, stroll to Seville's most vibrant food market where you'll meet a local chef for an interactive cooking class. Roll up your sleeves as you learn to prepare authentic Andalusian dishes which may include: Traditional Spanish paella with locally sourced seafood; Crispy croquetas with a silky béchamel interior; Refreshing Salmorejo or gazpacho (seasonal cold soups); Clams with serrano ham and oloroso sherry; Classic side dishes like espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with chickpeas). The delicious reward comes when you sit down to enjoy the meal you've created, paired perfectly with regional wines.

In the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to explore Seville at your own pace. Shop for souvenirs, relax at a café, or wander the enchanting Triana and Santa Cruz quarters. The evening is yours to enjoy as well. Wander Seville's lively streets, pop into a local tapas bar, or dine at one of the city's many inviting restaurants. Prefer to stay in? The hotel also offers light meals and tapas at its restaurant and rooftop bar - perfect for a relaxed evening with a view. (B,L)

Each morning, energize for the day's adventures with a full Andalusian buffet breakfast at your hotel. Savor freshly baked breads, local cheeses and meats, seasonal fruits, and classic Spanish specialties including tortilla Española and an assortment of Andalusian cakes. Coffee, teas, and fresh-squeezed orange juice complement this morning feast.

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel by your chauffeur for a journey into the lush Sierra Aracena (a scenic one hour drive) to visit a prestigious ham bodega, renowned worldwide for producing Spain's finest jamón ibérico. Your immersive experience unfolds in three fascinating parts. First, travel to verdant pastures where the prized Iberian pigs roam freely, feeding on acorns. Your expert guide will explain how to distinguish a 100% Iberian pig from more common breeds and why this matters for the extraordinary flavor of the ham. Next, visit the bodega's drying rooms, where you'll witness the meticulous artisanal curing process that has remained unchanged for generations. The heady aroma of aging ham fills the air as you learn about this centuries-old tradition. Finally, participate in a professional tasting session where you'll learn to properly slice and savor different varieties of jamón, each paired thoughtfully with regional wines to highlight their complex flavors. Enjoy a traditional lunch at the bodega's classic restaurant, featuring regional specialties that showcase the famous ham in various preparations. After lunch you will be driven back to Seville.

After you return to Seville in the late afternoon, the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. As Seville is the tapas capital of Spain, this is the perfect opportunity to embark on a self-guided tapas crawl. The city boasts over 4,000 tapas establishments, from centuries-old taverns to innovative modern bars. Of course we can provide recommendations for authentic local favorites away from the tourist crowds. For example, begin your culinary adventure with a plate of the world's best ham, the famous Jamón Ibérico de Bellota you learned about today, complemented by a glass of chilled manzanilla or Sherry. Then, continue to sample Seville's signature dishes, from fresh seafood to savory meat specialties, as you experience the convivial atmosphere of dining like a true Sevillano. (B, L)

Each morning, energize for the day's adventures with a full Andalusian buffet breakfast at your hotel. Savor freshly baked breads, local cheeses and meats, seasonal fruits, and classic Spanish specialties including tortilla Española and an assortment of Andalusian cakes. Coffee, teas, and fresh-squeezed orange juice complement this morning feast.

This morning, your driver will bring you to a traditional family-owned olive oil estate just 30 minutes from Seville. Discover firsthand why Andalusia produces some of the world's finest olive oils. Walk among centuries-old olive groves as you learn about sustainable farming practices that have been passed down through generations. Inside the rustic mill, observe the fascinating process of transforming olives into liquid gold through both traditional and modern methods. Participate in a professional olive oil tasting where you'll learn to identify flavor notes and quality indicators like a true expert. The experience concludes with an opportunity to purchase the estate's oils at source prices.

Take a 20 minute drive to the picturesque town of Carmona, an ancient settlement crowned by impressive Roman and Moorish ruins for lunch. The old town remains encircled by 3 miles of ancient walls. You will have lunch at the spectacular restaurant set in a converted Moorish fortress with breathtaking views over the Andalusian plains. Here, savor authentic regional cuisine with distinct Arabic influences, featuring organic garden-to-table produce and seasonal specialties. Don't miss the opportunity to try their renowned Iberian meats and local pastries, particularly the celebrated cider cake, a sweet culinary monument of the region. After lunch, enjoy free time to explore Carmona's historical center. Wander through quaint shops selling artisanal goods, admire the well-preserved architecture, and take in panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

It's a short drive for your return to Seville in the late afternoon where the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. As you know, there is plenty of choices for good food and drink in Seville. Wander its streets, pop into a local tapas bar, or dine at one of the city's many inviting restaurants. Your guide will be happy to provide personal recommendations. Prefer to stay in? The hotel also offers light meals and tapas at its restaurant and rooftop bar—perfect for a relaxed evening with a view. (B,L)

Each morning, energize for the day's adventures with a full Andalusian buffet breakfast at your hotel. Savor freshly baked breads, local cheeses and meats, seasonal fruits, and classic Spanish specialties including tortilla Española and an assortment of Andalusian cakes. Coffee, teas, and fresh-squeezed orange juice complement this morning feast.

After breakfast, you and your driver will embark on a journey through the breathtaking Sierra Grazalema Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This stunning mountain landscape is covered with lush forests, vineyards, and dotted with ancient hilltop villages painted brilliant white. You'll see a few while driving, and there will be a stop at one of such spectacularly situated white villages, where you'll have time to wander the narrow streets and admire panoramic views. Near the most dramatic white town of Ronda, visit an acclaimed winery, known for its exceptional high-altitude wines. The supremely elegant architecture of the bodega contrasts beautifully with the traditional vineyards. Perched at over 900 meters above sea level, this winery benefits from a unique microclimate that allows for grape growing in what would otherwise be a challenging environment. Tour the sun-drenched vineyards where you'll learn about the microclimate that allows for the production of surprisingly fresh, elegant red wines despite the southern heat. Inside the bodega, discover the winemaking process from grape to bottle. The winery combines tradition with modern technology, using gravity-flow techniques to minimize handling and preserve the fruit's natural character. Your host will explain how this region, not as famous yet as Rioja or Ribera del Duero, is producing some of Spain's most exciting wines. The journey continues with an expert-led tasting of some award-winning wines, like a celebrated Pinot Noir (a Spanish rarity) and a complex Shiraz, each revealing distinct character born from this unique landscape. The experience culminates with a private lunch set in the vineyards, nestled beneath the shade of ancient oak trees. Surrounded by panoramic views, you'll enjoy a menu complemented by estate wines. A memorable gastronomic journey where the landscape itself becomes part of the tasting.

After lunch, enjoy a short drive toward the breathtaking hilltop town of Ronda—arguably the most famous of Andalusia's Pueblos Blancos (white villages). Dramatically perched above a deep gorge, Ronda offers spectacular views and a rich sense of history. Upon arrival, you'll have free time to explore at your own pace. Walk the iconic Puente Nuevo bridge with ifs fabulous views, and explore the charming, cobbled streets filled with artisan shops. Enjoy time to photograph one of Spain's most dramatically situated towns. After Ronda, enjoy the beautiful journey back to Seville. Dinner is on your own this evening. Your guide will provide suggestions for dining options ranging from traditional taverns to innovative contemporary restaurants. (B,L)

Each morning, energize for the day's adventures with a full Andalusian buffet breakfast at your hotel. Savor freshly baked breads, local cheeses and meats, seasonal fruits, and classic Spanish specialties including tortilla Española and an assortment of Andalusian cakes. Coffee, teas, and fresh-squeezed orange juice complement this morning feast.

This morning, experience a guided tour of the Museo Bellas Artes, housed in a lovely 17th-century convent. This is considered the second most important art museum in Spain after the Prado in Madrid, a hidden gem. Your expert art guide will lead you through the most significant works, focusing on the emotional power of Spanish Golden Age painters like Zurbarán and Murillo. You'll also discover evocative paintings depicting everyday Sevillian life, including scenes of women working in the tobacco factory and the dramatic lives of toreros (bullfighters). After the museum tour, enjoy free time to explore more of Seville on your own. You might want to revisit your favorite spots, explore new neighborhoods, or engage in some last-minute shopping. Options include visiting the magnificent Seville Cathedral, the final resting place of Christopher Columbus, or strolling through the expansive Plaza de España, a grand example of Renaissance Revival architecture. It's also a great place for shopping for traditional ceramics, leather goods, or other Andalusian handicrafts. Or perhaps treating yourself to a rejuvenating experience at a spa, with ancient baths. There is one set in Mudejar-style palace near the cathedral.

For your final evening, gather for a special farewell dinner at an institution for modern Andalusian cuisine, with a hint of Basque country. This informal-chic space serves a thoughtfully curated selection of small plates with delectable dishes like corvina croquetas, grilled pork shoulder in mojo rojo (red pepper sauce), and lamb in PX reduction. It represents the finest flavors of your week-long culinary journey, each accompanied by perfectly matched local wines - a fitting finale to your Andalusian adventure where you can reflect on the week's experiences and the deep connections you've made with the region's culture, cuisine, and people. (B,D)

On your final morning, savor freshly baked breads, local cheeses and meats, seasonal fruits, and classic Spanish specialties including tortilla Española and an assortment of Andalusian cakes. Coffee, teas, and fresh-squeezed orange juice complement this morning feast.

Time flies when you're having so much fun, but alas…it is time to check out and depart this delicious "Edible Destination." Transfers back to the Seville Airport are provided. Remember, short excursion packages are often available in nearby cities or historic destinations. Should you desire an extension, please let your culinary travel specialist know prior to check-in. May your future travels come from sweet dreams, and create tasty memories! (B)