2013 Andalucian Affair Tour

NOTE: On all our trips, your walk is accompanied by a support van and multiple shorter walking options are available on a daily basis, including the opportunity of taking a day off for a rest! We can accommodate your walking needs and desires.

We meet in Cordoba to welcome you to your Fresco Tour's Vacation. After a short orientation meeting, we take to the streets to see the one-time cultural capital of the Western World, Cordoba. Here our local guide will lead us through the fascinating Mezquita started in the 8th-century. Its mesmerizing forest of pillars capped with horseshoe arches and the interestingly placed 16th century Cathedral create a truly unique contrast.

Today, we enter into the hills of the Subbética Natural Park south of Cordoba. Our day begins as we stop at one of the finest olive oil manufacturers in Spain to learn about the process of extracting this liquid gold. Afterwards, we lace up and our walk takes us through vast olive tree groves and past the picturesque village of Zuheros de la Sierra. After lunch, to burn off those calories, we have a more challenging walk as we cross over a limestone ridge and then work our way into the Bailon river valley.

After a delicious breakfast, we hop in the van and head to Granada to take in the breath-taking Alhambra, the second most visited monument in Europe. Inside this once royal palace, our local historian recounts to us of the splendors of the Muslim dynasty, which fell to the Catholic Monarchs in 1492. Afterwards, we explore the hilly and winding streets of the Albayzin and enjoy a meal with a view unmatched of the Alhambra.

After a day of city walking, we are back in our boots and go for some fresh air in the Sierra Nevada, Europe's second highest mountain range behind the Alps. As we stick to the foothills of the lower valleys, we will be able to contemplate the magnificent views of this rugged and extensive National Park. As a reward from our hike, we return to Granada for an evening of shopping and tapas!

Leaving Granada, we make our way through the famous pueblos blancos (White Villages) where we do a short hike along a goat path into the hills. After lunch, we then head up to Ronda, a Hemingway favorite, to admire the spectacular Puente Nuevo, which straddles the 100m deep Tajo gorge and make a visit to the Plaza de Toros, one of Spain’s oldest bullrings.

This morning with our hiking boots on, we enter into the Natural Park of the Sierra de Grazalema, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1977. Our route is the 12km Walk of the Pinsapar, which gives us breathtaking views of the park, highlighted by the rare Spanish Fir, el pinsapo. Survivor of the last ice age, this rare tree is only found in remote areas of southern Spain and northern Morocco. After lunch, we have the option of taking a light walk through a shaded-forest along a trout river.

Leaving the White Villages, we come to the spectacular Costa de la Luz, lesser known than the Costa del Sol, this area is less commercial and still has the charm of tiny fishing villages! We start our morning with a coastal walk that starts from the light house of Conil and takes us along protected pine forests to tiny little coves and secluded beaches. Here we may catch the glimpse of a little fishing boat headed out for sardines or anchovies, just as they have been doing for centuries! In the evening, we rest our tired legs with a glass of light white wine while admiring the sunset on the shore!

Leaving the beach in the morning, we make our way to Jerez and visit the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art and watch a spectacular exhibition of Jerez-bred Carthusian horses. Afterwards, we sample some of Jerez’s other famous article - sherry wine!

After breakfast, we say good bye to the Atlantic Ocean and go to the soul of Andalucia, Seville. Here our local guide provides us with all the insights to Seville’s Cathedral, one of the largest in the world, the splendid Alcázar (Moorish fortress) and the charming Old Center. Take a siesta, because after our farewell dinner, the evening continues as we are treated to a powerful, exciting, Gitano-inspired Flamenco show.

Sadly, our trip has come to an end. After our wonderful breakfast, we say our hasta pronto (till your next Fresco Tour) and “muchas gracias”!