Journey Through Andalucía

Duration: 6 hours

Depending on when and how you arrive the tour can begin today or the following day. Sevilla has been a cultural melting pot since Roman times. Your journey begins with a private transfer to Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Virtuoso-affiliated palace built for royalty. With your guide, explore the Royal Alcázar, a stunning example of Mudéjar architecture blending Islamic, Gothic, and Renaissance styles. This palace has hosted dynasties from Moorish emirs to Spanish kings.

Then visit the Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, built over a former mosque. Inside lies the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Climb the Giralda Tower, once a minaret, for panoramic views. End the day with a tapas tour in the Santa Cruz district, once the Jewish quarter.

Overnight: Hotel Alfonso XIII, Sevilla

Duration: ~8–9 hours
Begin with a stroll through Plaza de España, built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. Its tiled alcoves represent Spain’s provinces, and its semi-circular design symbolizes Spain embracing its former colonies. Then explore Maria Luisa Park, once part of a royal estate, now filled with fountains, exotic trees, and romantic pathways.

Cruise the Guadalquivir River, once the gateway to the Americas, where gold and spices flowed into the city. In the evening, attend a flamenco performance in Triana, the birthplace of flamenco, where gypsy traditions and maritime culture fused into passionate dance and song.

Overnight: Hotel Alfonso XIII, Sevilla

Duration: ~8 hours (including travel)

Travel through the Sierra de Grazalema, stopping in Zahara de la Sierra, a Moorish hilltop town, and Setenil de las Bodegas, where homes are built into rock overhangs. Arrive in Ronda, one of Spain’s oldest towns, dramatically perched above El Tajo Gorge. With your guide, cross the Puente Nuevo, an 18th-century bridge that took over 40 years to complete. Visit the Plaza de Toros, Spain’s oldest bullring, and learn about the origins of modern bullfighting.

Explore the Arab Baths, built in the 13th century, and stroll through the old town’s cobbled streets, once home to Moorish nobles and Christian knights.

Overnight: Parador de Ronda (best-located luxury option with dramatic views)

Duration: ~7–8 hours (including travel)

Drive to Granada, the final stronghold of the Nasrid dynasty before the 1492 Reconquista. Your guide takes you through the Albaicín, a maze of Moorish alleyways with views of the Alhambra. Visit the Mirador de San Nicolás for sunset views of the palace. Explore the Corral del Carbón, a 14th-century caravanserai where merchants once stayed. In the evening, attend a flamenco show in the Sacromonte caves, where Roma communities preserved their traditions under the shadow of the Sierra Nevada.

Overnight: Hospes Palacio de los Patos, Granada (Virtuoso-level boutique hotel)

Duration: ~6–7 hours

Spend the day exploring the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s greatest Islamic palaces. With your private art historian, walk through the Nasrid Palaces, marveling at intricate stucco, Arabic calligraphy, and poetic inscriptions. Wander the Generalife Gardens, designed as a paradise on earth with fountains, roses, and cypress trees.

Visit the Palace of Charles V, a Renaissance addition that reflects Spain’s imperial ambitions. Learn how the Alhambra inspired Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra. Afterward, unwind in a traditional Arab bath or sip cocktails with fortress views.

Overnight: Hospes Palacio de los Patos, Granada

Duration: ~8–9 hours (including travel)

Journey to Córdoba, once the capital of Al-Andalus and the most advanced city in Europe during the 10th century. Your guide leads you through the Mezquita-Catedral, a breathtaking mosque-cathedral with over 850 columns and a Renaissance nave inserted by Catholic monarchs. Visit the Jewish Quarter, home to philosophers like Maimonides, and cross the Roman Bridge, built in the 1st century BC.

Explore the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, where Ferdinand and Isabella met Columbus. Stroll through the Patios of Córdoba, flower-filled courtyards that bloom during the city’s famous May festival.

Overnight: Hospes Palacio del Bailío, Córdoba (Virtuoso-level, Roman ruins beneath glass floors)

Duration: ~2–3 hours (transfer only)
Your driver transfers you to Sevilla or Málaga Airport. You leave not just with souvenirs, but with stories etched into memory—from Moorish palaces and Roman bridges to flamenco rhythms and cliffside legends.

I can also suggest exclusive experiences, such as olive oil tastings, equestrian shows, or private access to historic sites.