The Highlights of Southern Spain

Enjoy a walking tour through Barrio de Santa Cruz, Seville’s oldest quarter. You’ll visit the cathedral which sits on the site of the Great Mosque of the 12th century; the only part of this that remains is the minaret, now known as the Giralda Tower. The Royal Alcazar was the site of the marriage between Carlos V and Isabel of Portugal and is centred around two courtyards. The Ambassador’s Hall is beautifully decorated with plasterwork and tiles, while the top floor is accessed by a 16th century staircase featuring paintings by Roelas and Madrazo. The pretty gardens reflect the passing of historical periods and are a lush hideaway filled with pomegranate, orange and palm trees.

Flamenco is the traditional song and dance of the gypsies of Andalusia and was developed over hundreds of years before becoming popular in the 19th century as a form of café entertainment. There are three parts to every flamenco show: ‘grande’ or ‘hondo’ with intense, profound songs; ‘intermedio’; and finally ‘pequeño’, lighthearted songs about love and nature. The cast changes every day here so there is always something new to experience. You’ll get to appreciate the differences between male and female flamenco dancers and enjoy the exceptional music that accompanies them.

Spain has an incredibly rich culinary history and is famous for its tapas, bite-sized morsels of delicious food usually enjoyed with a glass or wine or beer. You’ll visit some of the city’s best tapas bars and enjoy dining the way Spaniards have for more than two centuries.

Córdoba’s Royal Stables were founded in 1570 under King Felipe II, a life-long lover of horses. Today you will experience these magnificent beasts in their home city of Córdoba, in the stables dedicated to them, taking in the beauty and tradition of the installations and dressage show.

Spend the morning swept up in the whispering breeze, sunsoaked earth and dancing olive groves of Cortijo La Reina, a 15th century family-owned farmstead just outside of Córdoba that is breaking moulds with its sustainable and biodiverse production of organic vegetables, legumes and olive oil.

Afterwards you can enjoy the countryside of Córdoba where Castle of Almodóvar del Río lies, a formidable fortress erected under Moorish power in the 8th century. The current Marquis of Motilla will welcome you into their castle to share the history that lies behind its walls.

Wander around the narrow streets of the Albaicin medieval neighbourhood for fine examples of Moorish and Morisco construction. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, the district faces the Alhambra and is home to several attractions including the remains of an Arab bath complex, Granada’s archeological museum and the church of San Salvador.

You’ll also visit the Sacramento neighbourhood, famous for its gypsy caves.

The lavish Alhambra is Granada’s most visited site. Once a palace and fortress for the city’s Muslim rulers, the Alhambra means ‘red fort’ and is named after the red clay used in its construction in the mid-13th century. The Generalife was the country residence of the Nasrid king and the recreational courtyard and its beautiful gardens sit on the slopes of the Cerro del Sol, offering spectacular views.

This sturgeon farm, just west of Granada, has been in operation since 1956 and is one of the leading sturgeon farms in the world. In fact, it is the only farm with organic certification for caviar and sturgeon. Be welcomed by your local hosts with a drink while you learn about the sustainable project’s history and mission.

Afterwards, enjoy a guided tour of the whole farm, and learn all about the life-cycle and treatment of the fish, finishing with a tasting of one of the best caviars in the world paired with Taittinger Brut Reserva champagne and premium vodka.