Historical treasures & beachside bliss in Andalusia

Start your trip in style with complimentary airport lounge access before your flight from the UK to Seville. On arrival, a private transfer will bring you to your hotel, tucked away in a quiet part of the Old Town. It’s a supremely elegant, whitewashed building dating back to the 18th century, steeped in Andalucian architectural heritage, with a gorgeous inner courtyard and an outdoor pool and sun terrace on the rooftop. Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in an exquisite gastronomic experience at Azahar Restaurant, which proudly serves its own innovative takes on gourmet Andalusian cuisine in a classy, light-filled dining room. This is the perfect base from which to discover the myriad delights of one of Spain’s most attractive and culturally rich cities.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to venture out on a guided tour that’ll take you off the beaten path to explore the hidden corners of Seville that many visitors overlook. Along the way, you’ll stop by several cloistered convents, learning about this often forgotten part of the city’s cultural heritage, as well as visiting fish and vegetable markets, artisanal stores, tranquil plazas and buzzing tapas bars predominantly frequented by locals. By the end of the tour, you’ll have gained a deeper understanding of Seville’s past and present and an appreciation of its multi-layered cultural and architectural heritage. The rest of the day is then yours to spend at leisure, perhaps exploring the city in a little more depth or taking the opportunity to slow down and relax back at the hotel – possibly with a dip in the rooftop pool. 

Today, you’ll head east on a full-day private tour of Granada, another of Spain’s most fascinating cities, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s a city shaped by a blend of Islamic and Christian influences over the centuries, perhaps best exemplified by the Alhambra, which was constructed between the 13th and 14th centuries under the Nasrid dynasty, before being conquered and converted by Catholic monarchs towards the end of the 15th century. This spectacular architectural feat forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the Generalife (a palace that once housed the city’s Nasrid rulers) and the hilly neighbourhood of Albayzín, which is home to an extraordinary collection of beautifully preserved Moorish architecture. You’ll visit all of these sites as part of your tour, along with the city’s historic centre, providing you with a comprehensive overview of Granada before returning to Seville.

Having explored two of Andalusia’s major cities, today’s adventure sees you head south to experience the region’s rural charms. You’ll pass by many ‘fincas’ (farm estates) fringed by wheat fields, olive groves and almond trees as you make your way towards the charming, whitewashed village of Zahara de la Sierra on the edge of the Sierra de Grazalema natural park. Your first stop here is a small, family-owned olive mill with spectacular views of the nearby reservoir. After learning all about how the oil is made, you’ll get to taste some, fresh from the source. Next, you’ll continue into the mountainous area known as Serranía de Ronda for a vineyard tour and wine tasting session at a small, traditional winery, followed by lunch in the ancient clifftop town of Ronda. There will be time for a short stroll around the town, including the chance to visit the dramatic gorge that plunges down to the Guadalevín River and divides Ronda in two, before heading back to Seville for the evening. 

This morning, pick up your hire car and make the easy drive south to the Costa del Sol, where you’ll be checking into a luxurious, palatial-style hotel between Estepona and Marbella for the next part of your trip. Set among gently undulating hills dotted with cypress trees, and featuring the likes of Renaissance paintings, marble statues and even a Roman amphitheatre, it very much evokes the ambience of a rural Tuscan retreat. Besides the serene location and glamorous aesthetics, the quality and variety of the amenities, as well as the culinary scene, are nothing short of exceptional – as you’ll have the pleasure of discovering over the next few days. 

The next three days are all about relaxing and making the most of the hotel’s superb facilities as you please. As well as a gorgeous outdoor pool flanked by cypress trees, the hotel has its own beach club nearby, which you can access via a complimentary shuttle bus service. This is the perfect setting to enjoy laid-back days soaking up the sunshine on a lounge bed and cooling off in the Mediterranean. The fresh seafood and signature cocktails here are not to be missed, either. You’ll certainly also want to set aside ample time for unwinding at the stunning Anantara Spa, where you’ll find Greek and Finnish saunas, a sea salt hammam, a heated indoor pool, a cold plunge pool and an aromatherapy circuit, as well as 10 treatment rooms where you can indulge in signature massages and beauty treatments. There’s no shortage of ways to stay active, too, whether you fancy a game of croquet, tennis or padel tennis, or perhaps a round or two of golf at one of the three world-class courses on-site.

The dining options, meanwhile, are sure to impress, with everything from traditional Andalusian cuisine and Italian classics to authentic Middle Eastern specialities and gourmet Japanese dining. You’ll also find plenty of more casual options including La Pergola (by the poolside), Hole 55 (on the golf course) and Irene’s Health Kitchen. Whatever you’re in the mood for at any given moment, you’ll have no trouble finding it here. That applies to drinks as well, which you can enjoy at all the restaurants, as well as at the beach club and Eddy’s Bar, the latter offering a sophisticated setting for expertly mixed cocktails and afternoon tea. Should you fancy venturing a little further afield at any point during your stay here, the nearby town of Estepona is a fine choice for a day out, with its brilliant beach and flower-laden streets, while Marbella is a larger, livelier and more cosmopolitan alternative. There are also some excellent hiking trails close by. 

After breakfast, drive to Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport to drop off your hire car and catch your flight back to the UK.