Introduction

GARDENS IN ANDALUSIA

8 days/7 nights – Malaga/Granada/Seville/Cordoba
03_andalusiagardens

Arab inspiration. Mediterranean gardens and flowery courtyards

DAY 1 MALAGA-GRANADA

Airport Arrival at Malaga airport and transfer to the city centre. MALAGA Afternoon guided panoramic tour of MALAGA, visiting Plaza de la Merced, where Picasso was born, Larios Street, Gibralfaro castle and the Park, which features species of plants and trees brought in from all over the world. The mild climate allows them to flourish on a land reclaimed from the sea in 1897. Then visit of the botanical garden LA CONCEPCION, created in the 19th century, a magnificent sample of species growing originally in tropical countries. Continuation to Granada. GRANADA Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 2 GRANADA

Breakfast, dinner and overnight at hotel. Morning guided visit of CARMEN DE LOS MÁRTIRES, small palace on the Alhambra hill, famous for the beauty of its gardens in French, English and Spanish style, with lakes and orchards, as well as the gardens of FUNDACIÓN RODRÍGUEZ-ACOSTA. Afternoon guided visit of the ALHAMBRA, impressive complex of monuments located on a rocky hill. This former fortress and royal residence, with its profusely decorated palaces and its “patios” (courtyards), evokes the splendour of the Arabic past of the city. Then visit of GENERALIFE gardens, a taste of paradise, with delicate flowers and murmuring fountains.

DAY 3 GRANADA-RONDA-SEVILLE

Breakfast and departure to Ronda. RONDA Morning guided visit of this old town split in two by an impressive sheer cleft over 300 ft deep called El Tajo. We will visit the CHURCH OF SANTA MARÍA, formerly the Mosque, the Old Town, ALAMEDA park and the BULLRING, built in 1784 totally of stone, which is considered the oldest in Spain. Continuation to Seville. SEVILLE Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 4 SEVILLE

Breakfast, dinner and overnight at hotel. Morning guided panoramic tour, including MARIA LUISA PARK and LAS DELICIAS GARDEN. Afternoon guided visit of the ROYAL ALCAZAR and its gardens, adorned with fountains and pavilions.

DAY 5 SEVILLE

Breakfast, dinner and overnight at hotel. Morning guided city tour, with visit of the Gothic CATHEDRAL, the largest in Spain, with the Giralda tower (striking minaret of the former mosque). Then a walk by SANTA CRUZ QUARTER, a maze of small alleys with colourful names stepped in legend and nice squares where the peacefulness of a tiny garden is an invitation to rest. Afternoon at leisure.

DAY 6 SEVILLE-HORNACHUELOS-CORDOBA

Breakfast and departure to Hornachuelos. HORNACHUELOS Visit of FINCA MORATALLA, whose garden was largely designed by Forestier, with some enormous plane trees. Continuation to Cordoba. CORDOBA Visit of the BOTANIC GARDEN with its ethno-botanic museum. Afternoon guided tour, with visit of the Aljama MOSQUE, one of the most emblematic buildings of Islamic art, whose construction was initiated by Abderramán I in the 8th century. The columns and arcades that stretch into the dim recesses of the prayer hall create a mysterious space that is often described as a forest of stone. Walk on the JEWISH QUARTER, with its fresh narrow streets and Andalusian flowery “patios” (courtyards), where we will find the only SYNAGOGUE preserved in Andalusia. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 7 CORDOBA

Breakfast, dinner and overnight at hotel. Morning guided visit of PALACIO DE VIANA, declared a National Monument and important Artistic Garden. It has a surface of 6,500 m2, more than half of which is occupied by the garden. Afternoon guided visit of MEDINA AZAHARA, ruins of a splendid Arab city with a fine example of “Andalusí” gardens, the most ancient among those preserved in Spain.

DAY 8 CORDOBA-MALAGA

Breakfast and transfer to Malaga airport. MALAGA Airport Departure with flight…