Andalucía

Sevilla & Sierra Morena

A lasting Moorish legacy permeates every aspect of life in the beautiful and surprisingly diverse region of Andalucía. The Sierra Morena: landscapes in earth tones and greens, accented by striking white farmhouses beneath magnificent cork oaks. The Sierra Norte Natural Park, recently declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offers exotic flora, gently rolling hills and many walking routes from your base near the town of Cazalla. Sevilla: an enchanting city filled with the sensual delights of Al-Andalus: Moorish architecture, flamenco music, delicious regional cuisine and intimate squares scented with orange blossoms. A treat for the senses.

Three Jewels of Andalucía

A cultural itinerary which takes in the three Moorish cities of Andalucia. Córdoba: the largest and most beautiful city of an immense 10th-century Moorish kingdom, which once boasted 1000 mosques, 800 Arab bath houses and a prestigious university. The awe-inspiring ‘Mezquita’ recalls that era, while Córdoba’s modern-day gastronomy also deserves a mention. Sevilla, the captivating regional capital, is full of magnificent monuments, flamenco music, the scent of jasmine and an endless labyrinth of narrow lanes to explore. Option city cycling tour or flamenco live in El Barrio de Santa Cruz. Granada, perhaps the most surprising destination on this tour, is a small but very cosmopolitan city, with modern avenues in defiant juxtaposition to ancient winding lanes. A visit to the spectacular Alhambra, magical ‘8th wonder’ of the world, creates a perfect end to the holiday.

Moorish Alpujarras

The Alpujarras are situated on the south-western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, at the perfect elevation for a true alpine experience which reflects a charming Arabic legacy. Enchanting white-washed villages, terraced fields and authentic irrigation channels survive from the Moorish era, and abundant Mediterranean crops - olive orchards, orange and lemon groves, almonds, figs and grapes - thrive at lower elevations against a backdrop of snow-covered peaks. Once you’ve had time to breathe in the clear mountain air, journey onward to the intriguing city of Granada with its variety of cultural influences and, of course, the eternal Alhambra.