Mediterranean Cultural and Culinary Traditions along the Pueblos Blancos
October Surprise in April Sale!
Witness how locally grown and sustainable products are transformed into a cultural tango of meats, wine and fresh produce. The inland Pueblos Blancos (white towns) provide a sunny taste of Spain in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Provinces of Málaga and Seville . The culinary traditions of southern Spain are as diverse as its landscape, from fantastic fish and seafood on the coast to delicious sausages, stews and game dishes inland. Eating is a way of life in Spain, and the Pueblos Blancos are literally food obsessed. Mealtimes are relaxed, social occasions, allowing plenty of time for experiencing the fantastic flavors of the Mediterranean. Spain is famous for its Rioja wine, a full-bodied red wine served slightly chilled. Southern Spain is also famous for its sherries, the most famous being Jerez from Andalusia. Your culinary vacation package includes round-trip Málaga airport transfers, welcome reception, boutique accommodations, delicious meals served with house wine, foodie tours, hands-on cooking classes, wine and olive oil tastings and market shopping with your host chef. Some meals will be at the hotel or local restaurants, while others may accompany your cooking classes. You will even enjoy a free day in Seville, Andalusia's largest city, to explore at the end of your hosted tour.
Small Group Friendly
Extra $100 Discount if Booked by April 30th Plus, ask for the "October Surprise in April" Bonus! (Low, refundable deposit) 1-800-390-3292
ItineraryAccommodationsMapFAQ
VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
Please note:
Tour inclusions can change depending upon
seasonality and weather conditions.
•3 Nights 4-Star Boutique Hotel in Málaga
•4 Nights 4-Star Boutique Hotel in Seville
•Airport Transfers in Málaga and Seville
•Host Guide for all Scheduled Tour Activities
•Andalusian Breakfast Each Morning
•Welcome Dinner Upon Arrival in Málaga
•Farewell Dinner in Seville
•Spanish Paella Cooking Class with Lunch
•Spanish Tapas Cooking Class with Lunch
•Guided Cadiz Tapas Food Tour w/Tastings
•Guided Tour of Ronda and White Villages
•Cheese Making Experience with Tastings
•Ham Curing Experience with Tastings
•Wine & Vineyard Tours with Tastings
•Olive Mill Tour with Tastings
•Brandy & Sherry Production Tour & Lunch
While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs,
and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should
speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is
appropriate for your situation.
AVAILABLE DATES
Available dates in May, September and October. This tour starts on Sunday and ends on Sunday. (Please note that groups of 4 or more can request other dates between March and November based on availability).
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.
Click arrows (▶) to show details
Day 1
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Málaga Airport Pick-up and Transfers | Welcome Dinner
Your excursion into the land of Andalusia is a full-immersion culinary adventure designed to create memories that will last a lifetime. All tours run eight days and seven nights with arrival on Sundays and departure on Sundays on scheduled departures throughout the season. Upon arrival at the Málaga Airport, you will be greeted by your driver and transferred to your boutique hotel that you will call home for the first three nights. After a quick orientation of the city, the rest of the day is free to relax. In the evening, your group will visit a traditional Spanish restaurant to enjoy a meal, meet other guests, and then transferred back to the hotel.
Day 2
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Morning Breakfast Buffet
Each morning, relax and enjoy a full Andalusian buffet breakfast to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, yogurts, breads and pastries, as well as cooked items. If long, leisurely breakfasts aren't your thing, grab a quick bite and take a morning walk through the historic streets.
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Ronda Village Visit | While Villages of Andalusia | Cheese Making at the Bodega
After breakfast, the group will travel north into the Sierra Grazalema to see the preparation of two
of the basic ingredients of Iberian cuisine – cured cheese and wine. First there will be a stop in Ronda
to take some photos of this beautiful town perched on a gorge. From there you will travel to see one of
the famous White Villages of Andalucia. In Grazelma you will visit an artisanal cheese bodega. There
will be instruction in how the cheese is prepared, a visit to the goat pastures, and a chance for the
group to make their own cheese, with instructions on how to complete the process.
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Wine Tour with Tapas Dinner
Lunch in the town (on your own) will be followed by a visit to the vineyard of Cortijo Los Aguilares. There will be
a walking tour of the vineyards and then the bodega to follow the whole process, and a wine and tapas tasting
service to finish, with each wine paired with a local tapa. From here, the group will return to Málaga in the
evening.
Day 3
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Morning Breakfast Buffet
Each morning, relax and enjoy a full Andalusian buffet breakfast to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, yogurts, breads and pastries, as well as cooked items. If long, leisurely breakfasts aren't your thing, grab a quick bite and take a morning walk through the historic streets.
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Spanish Paella Cooking Class with Lunch | Vineyard & Wine Tour
After breakfast there will be a cooking class in Malaga, with the chance to try out the preparation of a typical
Spanish Paella. After the paella is completed, the second half of the process will be to sit down and enjoy
the food you prepared with a glass of wine. In the afternoon, the group will visit an artisanal vineyard in the
mountains overlooking Málaga Velez, with views of the sea. There will be a guided tour with wine tasting
to finish. The group returns to Málaga in the evening.
Day 4
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Morning Breakfast Buffet
Each morning, relax and enjoy a full Andalusian buffet breakfast to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, yogurts, breads and pastries, as well as cooked items. If long, leisurely breakfasts aren't your thing, grab a quick bite and take a morning walk through the historic streets.
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High-Speed Train to Seville | Tapas Cooking Class with Lunch
After Breakfast, the group will travel to Málaga Maria Zambrano to catch the high-speed AVE train to Seville
(journey 2 hours). On arrival you will transfer to the hotel for check in. In the afternoon you will travel to the
centre of Seville to enjoy your second cooking class, with the chance to make some typical Andalusian tapas.
You will have the opportunity to make four different types, and afterwards to enjoy them as a tapas lunch
before the group is transferred back to the hotel.
Day 5
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Morning Breakfast Buffet
Each morning, relax and enjoy a full Andalusian buffet breakfast to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, yogurts, breads and pastries, as well as cooked items. If long, leisurely breakfasts aren't your thing, grab a quick bite and take a morning walk through the historic streets.
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Cured Ham Bodega Tour | Olive Mill Tour
After Breakfast, the group will travel into the Sierra Aracena (1-hour journey) to visit the Cinco Jotas
Bodega de Jamon (a ham bodega). The visit comes in three parts. Firstly, the group will travel to the
pastures where the pigs are cultivated, and the guide will explain how to differentiate a 100% Iberian pig
from the more common breeds. From here, you will travel back to the bodega and visit the drying rooms
where you will witness the artisanal process. This is a very hands-on experience. Finally, the guests will be
able to sample the ham, see how it is properly sliced, as well as pairing each cured ham with a local wine.
In the afternoon, the group will travel cross-country to a traditional Olive Oil Mill to see the process of turning
the olives into olive oil, followed with tastings. The group is then returned to Seville where the evening
belongs to you.
Day 6
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Morning Breakfast Buffet
Each morning, relax and enjoy a full Andalusian buffet breakfast to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, yogurts, breads and pastries, as well as cooked items. If long, leisurely breakfasts aren't your thing, grab a quick bite and take a morning walk through the historic streets.
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Brandy & Sherry Tour with Lunch | Tapas Tour | Dinner in Seville
After breakfast, the group will travel to Jerez de la Frontera, to visit the Bodega Fundador. There
will be a guided tour of the bodega, and an explanation of the processes involved in making brandy and
sherry, and a tasting opportunity afterwards. Lunch will take place in the Bodega with a pairing of wines
with each course. In the afternoon the group will travel to Cadiz (30-minute journey) for a walking Tapas
tour of the town with a local guide, stopping in three bars to try a typical tapas while the guide explains a
little of the history of this important town and its traditional cuisine, before returning to Seville. In the
evening there will be a final meal for the group in a local restaurant.
Day 7
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Morning Breakfast Buffet
Each morning, relax and enjoy a full Andalusian buffet breakfast to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, yogurts, breads and pastries, as well as cooked items. If long, leisurely breakfasts aren't your thing, grab a quick bite and take a morning walk through the historic streets.
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Free Day to Explore Seville
After breakfast you will have a full day to explore Seville on your own. Seville is the capital and largest city
of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville. The city is known for its
rich history, stunning architecture and authentic culture that includes plenty of tapas tasting and Flamenco
dancing. You won't want to miss Alcazar (Royal Palace of Seville), the Seville Cathedral and La Giralda,
Plaza de España, or Metropol Parasol (Mushrooms of Seville)…just to name a few.
Day 8
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Morning Breakfast Buffet
Each morning, relax and enjoy a full Andalusian buffet breakfast to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, yogurts, breads and pastries, as well as cooked items. If long, leisurely breakfasts aren't your thing, grab a quick bite and take a morning walk through the historic streets.
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Check-Out and Departure
Time flies when you're having so much fun, but alas…it is time to check out and depart this delicious, "Edible Destination." 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. This morning you will be transferred to the Seville Airport to begin your journey back home. May your future travels come from sweet dreams, and create tasty memories!
Soho Boutique Hotel Equitativa
Soho Boutique Equitativa features an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Málaga. With free WiFi, this 4-star superior hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. The property is 600 yards from the city center and a 18-minute walk from La Malagueta Beach. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. Guest rooms include a closet. Popular points of interest near Soho Boutique Equitativa include La Caleta Beach, Port of Malaga and Malaga Cathedral. The nearest airport is Malaga Airport, 5 miles from the accommodation.
H10 Casa de la Plata Hotel - Seville
The H10 Casa de la Plata is a newly built four-star superior hotel located on a charming pedestrian street in the historic centre of Seville. The interior design, inspired by a typical Sevillian house, fuses traditional elements, such as ceramics and tiles typical of Seville with other more contemporary ones. The establishment has elegant rooms, a restaurant for breakfast with access to an exclusive typical Andalusian courtyard, an impressive terrace with plunge pool, panoramic city views, and a lobby bar. The plush rooms include high-end mattresses with soft toppers, view of atrium, full bath with rain shower heads, 49-inch smart TV, complimentary high speed Internet, complementary Nespresso coffee machine, safe, iron and ironing board, minibar, pillow menu, air conditioning and/or heating, telephone and USB chargers.
Malaga, Spain•Seville, Spain•Ronda, Spain
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What Currency is being quoted?
The Currency Code is listed directly after the published amount. If it states USD, then the quoted price is in United States Dollars. If it states CAD, then the quoted price is in Canadian Dollars. If it states EUR, then the quoted price is in European Union Dollars…etc. However, please note that all charges are processed in USD, and Epitourean’s Merchant Bank automatically calculates the currency conversion on the day of the charge.
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What does Double Occupancy mean?
Two persons traveling together, and staying in the same room. Tour prices are normally quoted as “per person, double occupancy” in case two people are traveling together and staying in the same room, but paying separately. The cost of the lodging is also shared by two people, thereby reducing costs. This could be a married couple, two friends or relatives.
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What is a Single Supplement?
Whenever a person travels alone, the cost of their lodging cannot be shared by another person. When tour products are priced, they are normally stated as “per person, double occupancy.” Whenever a guest occupies a room as a solo, the whole cost of the lodging must be incurred by that one individual. Tour companies accommodate this by charging a Single Supplement. Epitourean does its best to keep the single supplement as low as possible, but it is a real cost that tour companies must absorb, and must pass along to the single traveler.
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If I am a Solo Traveler, will I be paired with another person?
Epitourean never pairs a solo traveler with another person without a special request. If you book Single Occupancy, you will have a room entirely to yourself. However, should you wish to be paired with another solo traveler to save on the single supplement, you may make this request. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate such requests, since it would take another solo traveling on the same tour for the same dates. But if requested, we will certainly try.
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Are flights included in the tour price?
No. Flights are never included in the price of our land-only tours. Epitourean does not provide air, rail or sea travel, unless expressly noted in the itinerary.
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May I give a culinary tour as a gift?
Yes. Epitourean has a special program designed specifically for this purpose. Our Gift Packages come with features such as special messages to the recipient, gift box option, gift link (without pricing), and floating dates (should you not know when the gift recipient wants to travel). Contact a Culinary Travel Specialist at 800-390-3292 or customerservice@epitourean.com to receive additional information about this unique offering.
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May we request separate beds if sharing a room?
Yes. In most cases, Epitourean can accommodate a request for two beds to be placed in one room. Just make sure to make this request in the comments section of the reservation process.
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Does each guestroom have a private bathroom?
Yes. Epitourean partners with the best lodging options in each destination, and private (en suite) bathrooms are a requirement. However, you should inquire as to the configuration of bathrooms should you have a special need. For example, some tours include accommodations in medieval villages, where either a shower or bath(but maybe not both) are present.
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Can your tours accommodate my dietary restrictions?
In almost all cases, Epitourean can accommodate dietary choices and restrictions. But we do request that you ask a Culinary Travel Specialist prior to making your reservation so that we can assess your individual situation.
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If I am unable to use a portion of the tour, can I get a partial refund?
Unfortunately, due to vendor and supplier contracts, we are unable to provide partial refunds for unused portions of any tour or tour component.
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Are Transfers included in the Itinerary?
Round-trip transfers from the airport or train station are normally included in our international tours. Transfers to the destination (for both international and domestic tours) are not included in the tour price. Please see the Sample Itinerary. If it mentions that transfers are included, then yes, transfers are included at no additional cost.
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What meals and excursions are included in the tour?
The Sample Itinerary should be your reference. If the meal or excursion is described in the Sample Itinerary, then it is included at no additional charge. For those days where it expressly notes Free time, then any optional activities you elect to participate in might have an additional cost. In addition, if the itinerary states "evening on your own," it would imply that you have the opportunity to visit a restaurant of your own choosing, and at your own expense. If you have any question about inclusions, please submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button under the price section.
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Is it possible to book pre or post tours or stays through Edible Destinations?
Yes, we often do have optional 2 and 3 night excursions that are priced separately from the tour. We can also assist with pre and post night stays in a hotel if you choose to come in early before the tour starts, or stay on after a tour ends. The price of those hotel stays are not included in the price of the tour, but we would be happy to provide a quote. Simply ask your Culinary Travel Specialist, or submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button.
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Are Guide or Host Gratuities included in the price of the tour?
Since tipping guidelines and customs vary widely between countries, we do not include gratuities in the price of the tour. Your Culinary Travel Specialist can provide you with recommendations. But the general rule is to tip modestly when you are pleased with a guide’s services, either at the end of the tour, or at the conclusion of a specialty day excursion where you will only be with that guide (or chef) on that day.
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Should we plan on any personal expenses during the tour?
All lodging, meals, transfers, classes and excursions mentioned in the Sample Itinerary and Vacation Highlights are included in the price of the tour. However, we highly recommend taking local currency for purchasing personal items, souvenirs, tipping, etc. You can either get the local currency at an airport exchange service, ATM or from your local bank prior to travel. However, you should note that many hosted destinations do not accept credit cards for personal purchases.
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Do you recommend Travel Protection?
We recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and
your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans can include
coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency
Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more. For more information
on the available plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex
Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0248.
The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries
and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including
limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex CA
Agency License #0D10209. All products listed are underwritten by, Berkshire
Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Stonewall Insurance Company),
1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102. 11.17 E7N
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