Your Local Specialist Travel Advisors For Custom Tours in Spain & Portugal
10 Night Self Drive Andalusia Holiday - Southern Spain
Prices from 3290 EUROS PER PERSON
Your Local Specialist Travel Advisors For Custom Tours in Spain & Portugal
Prices from 3290 EUROS PER PERSON
Trip Overview:
Embark on a captivating 10-night self-drive holiday through Andalusia, where the rich tapestry of diverse cultural influences creates an enchanting blend of scenery, art, history, and architecture. Explore monumental cities, stunning coastlines, and indulge in exquisite gastronomy. Stay in carefully selected hotels, each offering a warm welcome and...
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Trip Summary:
MALAGA (2 nights) - TARIFA (2 nights) - SEVILLE (2 nights) - CORDOBA (1 night) - GRANADA (2 nights) - MALAGA (1 night) ...
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Access:
Daily Departures. Flying into Malaga International Airport. Departure from Malaga. Totally Spain does not arrange International Flights so you have the flexibility to book the flights you prefer. We can recommend a travel agent with whom you can book your international flights if required. Otherwise a website such as Skyscanner is very u...
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Malaga, Spain
Arrive in Malaga airport. Your private driver will be waiting to take you to your centrally-located 4-star hotel.
Malaga, birthplace of Pablo Picasso, is the major coastal city of Andalucia and is a genuine and typical Andaluz city with a gritty individualism unspoilt by mass tourism and the passage of time.
Here you´ll find the Cathedral, a mix of styles, begun in 1528 and with a half built tower that gave the building its nickname “La Manquita” (the one-armed one). Also worth visiting is the Picasso Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, which has works by Ribera, Murillo and Zurbaran, as well as some works by Pablo Picasso from his childhood.
Explore as well the vast Alcazaba of Malaga, built between the 8th - 11th centuries. On display here in the Archeological Museum are Phoenician, Roman and Moorish artifacts as well as a remarkable, partially excavated Roman Amphitheatre. Behind the Alcazaba are the ruins of the Castillo de Gribralfaro, a 14th century Moorish style castle.
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Malaga, Spain
After breakfast you’ll be met at your hotel by your expert local Malaga guide who will take you on an private tour of the historic city centre. This is an exclusive History Tour for real travelers who want to discover the vast history of Malaga and Southern Spain. This 3-hour tour will start with the visit to the must-see monuments in town as the Fortress (Alcazaba), Roman Theater and Cathedral as well as the Historical Center of Malaga with all tickets included & fast track.
This afternoon visit the Picasso Museum at your leisure as we have included pre-booked tickets for you that avoid lining-up. Enjoy the permanent exhibition, in Malaga since 2003 which contains almost 200 original pieces of art made by Picasso.
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Tarifa, Spain
Following breakfast private transportation to the depot to collect your rental car.
Enjoy driving along the Costa del Sol while stopping in places such as Marbella with its charming historic centre and bougainvillea filled streets and alleyways. Also popular Mijas pueblo set up in the hills which provides stunning views of the mediterranean coast. The town of Estepona with it's beach front `chiringuito´ style restaurants and wonderful Orchid House is also worth seeing.
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Tarifa - Daytrip to Tangiers Morocco, Spain
Following breakfast take the Tarifa-Tanger foot-passenger ferry with a journey time of 1 hour.
Upon arrival at the port in Tangier, just 14kms from Spain, meet our charming Tangier guide and a private driver who will be waiting for you and will have a sign with your name.
You will first take a scenic drive travelling up the Montagne Vielle or ´California´ as it’s known by locals which overlooks the sea and the city and is the most luxurious residential part of Tangier city. An interesting area to see especially as here can be found the luxury Moroccan boltholes of some very prominent international people. A complete contrast to the nearby city centre and old medina.
Continue out to Cape Spartel, the most northern point in Africa where you can enjoy fine views and a refreshment. From here travel along the coast by Achakkar Beach. Here you’ll stop and have the chance to see camels and enjoy a short camel ride ( if you wish). Next travel to the Grottes d´Hercule ( Hercules Cave ) with its most unusual opening, shaped like the map of North Africa.
After lunch (included) you travel to Tangier city centre where your guide will lead you through the Kasbah, the medina and souk. You’ll see the Hotel Intercontinental, a classic Tangier hotel which featured in the Sheltering Sky movie, the famous café Hafa which opened in the 1920´s, the Tingis café in the Petit Socco, the Café de Paris and other sights associated with the Beat Generation and writers such as Paul Bowles and William Burroughs who made Tangier their home.
Finally you will be escorted safely back to the ferry for your return journey to Tarifa in Spain. Or you can extend your stay as you wish.
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Seville, Spain
Driving from Tarifa to Seville, we recommend stopping in Cadiz to see the Old Quarter which is superbly preserved. With its colonial style buildings it is reminiscent of towns found in south America or Cuba.
From Cadiz continue north stopping in JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA to visit the ROYAL SCHOOL OF EQUESTRIAN ART and one of the Sherry wineries.
The guided visit at the winery lasts 90 minutes and includes a tasting of 3 wines.
Following the winery visit it´s a very short walk to the Royal School of Equestrian Art where you will enjoy preferential seating (1st or 2nd row) at an unforgettable performance featuring the famous Andalusian Horses.
The show is an equestrian ballet accompanied by Spanish music and 18th Century style costumes, all put together and choreographed using movements based upon Classic Dressage, Doma Vaquera and the daily chores of traditional equestrian work. Each show consists of between six and eight different choreographies.
In the afternoon continue to Seville and check in at your 4 star hotel.
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Seville, Spain
This morning after breakfast meet your expert local Seville guide at your hotel for a walking tour of Seville’s Barrio Santa Cruz (the old Jewish quarter).
You will visit the cathedral from 1506 that houses the remains of Christopher Columbus. Standing on the site of a great mosque, the structure features mudejar, gothic, renaissance, baroque and neo-classical styles, as well as the old minaret of the Arab mosque. It’s a wonderful space to experience. Enjoy the sublime Patio de Los Naranjos (Courtyard of the Orange Trees) beside the cathedral. Also tour the Alcazar, site of the marriage between Carlos V and Isabel of Portugal in 1526. Its two beautiful outdoor courtyards are spectacular and indoors the tapestries and furniture are superb.
Rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
This evening, you’ll attend a lively flamenco performance.
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Cordoba, Spain
Today following breakfast drive from Sevilla to Cordoba famous for its well-preserved Jewish quarter and the mighty Mezquita (mosque-cathedral).
This afernoon meet your expert local Cordoba guide at your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the city that was the great Moorish capital of Al Andalus. A walk around the old Jewish quarter gives the sensation that little has changed since the 10th century. Visit the Mosque-Cathedral or Mezquita which is without doubt one of the most famous constructions in all of Andalusia and is one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world. The original Mosque was built between 786 and 788 by Abd ar-Rahman, but over the centuries, many additions and extensions have been made. Following the Christian conquest it was consecrated as a Cathedral in 1236.
Visit the Synagogue built in 1314, a beautiful Mudejar building nearly perfectly preserved and the only synagogue in Spain from that time not to have been turned into a Christian building. See Almodovar gate or ‘Gate of the Jews’ as it is known locally and the monument to the great Jewish doctor and philosopher, Maimonides.
Later at your leisure we recommend a walk to the Roman bridge across the Guadalquivir river. You may wish to visit the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (Fortress of the Christian Monarchs) a Mudejar palace from 14th century with a beautiful Moorish garden complex, which served as the seat of the Inquisition´s Tribunal in the 15th century. Try to see a number of the beautiful courtyard patios too which are throughout the Old Quarter.
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Granada, Spain
Next drive east to historical GRANADA which is scenically located at the foot of the SIERRA NEVADA mountains. As it was the last Moorish capital in the Iberian Peninsula, you can look forward to an abundance of artistic grandeur embracing Moorish Palaces and Christian Renaissance treasures such as the priceless Alhambra Palace; a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also the Generalife & Gardens, the ALBAICIN district and SACROMONTE famous for its gypsy cave dwellings and flamenco music. The province of Granada is characterised by geographical and scenic diversity; if you have time drive to La Alpujarra, Guadix or Montefrío.
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Meals Included today
Granada, Spain
Today, following breakfast, transfer from your hotel to meet your expert private guide again for a private guided visit of the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens.
This complex of palaces built around courtyards of flowering trees, pools and fountains is often hailed as the most exciting, sensual and romantic of all European monuments. It’s beauty shows the brilliance and spirit of the Moorish culture in Andalusia at a time when the rest of Europe was only just beginning to emerge from the Dark Ages. You will also tour the Generalife - the Summer palace and gardens of the Sultans. It is one of the oldest surviving Moorish gardens. Prepare to be wowed by the water features and courtyards.
The hill of La Sabika, overlooking the Darro valley, was the site chosen for the construction of this colossal palatial city used by Nasrid Sultans as their residence. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, the monumental complex, enclosed by solid walls, is an expression of the artistic styles which flourished in the late Muslim period in Spain. The Alhambra complex includes four different parts: the Arab Palaces, such as that of Comares, which contains Los Arrayanes courtyard and the Hall of Ambassadors; Los Leones, which includes the famous courtyard of the same name and halls such as Las Dos Hermanas and Los Reyes, beautifully decorated with intricate plasterwork and mocarabes (geometrical patterns which the Arabs decorated domes and ceilings); the military zoe or Alcazaba; the city or Medina; and the Generalife Gardens. Loyal to their traditions with the use of water, the Muslims provided the Alhambra with paradise-like gardens in which fountains and water are the central feature. In addition, remains of the Arab Baths still survive. The Alhambra captivated Christian Emperor Carlos V, who ordered the construction of his renaissance palace inside the complex. The palace today houses the Alhambra and Fine Arts Museums. For its extraordinary artistic and historic importance, both the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
This afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy Granada. Perhaps go for lunch at a ‘Carmen’ (a traditional country house in the Albaicin) with stunning views of the Alhambra or maybe enjoy refreshments in the open air with some of Granada’s legendary tapas.
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Malaga, Spain
Today return to Malaga, choosing a scenic route via the coast visiting Motril and Nerja en route. The Parador in Nerja enjoys a lovely situation overlooking the beach and would be an ideal place to stop for lunch. Drop off the car in Malaga and spend your last night in the city before returning home.
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Meals Included today
Departure,
Activities & Services Included today
Meals Included today
ORIGINAL AND RELATED POSTS FROM TOTALLY SPAIN'S BLOG
Must-Sees in Andalusia
Visiting the Alhambra in Granada
Driving Routes in Spain
Cordoba Patios festival
Unusual Andalusia – 14 Hidden Treasures in Southern Spain
Gibraltar and Tangiers from Spain
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Accommodation (based on 2 people sharing)
Meals
Transport
Private Guided Tours
Pre-Booked Entrance Tickets
Special Highlights
Other
NOT INCLUDED
Flights, Personal Travel Insurance, Porterage (not commonly available in Spain), Tips, Meals, drinks or hotel extras other than those described above. Anything else not specified above.
Prices from
3290 EUROS PER PERSON
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