Spain Andalucía In a Parador

A scenic drive to Granada brings you to the Alhambra, the stunning Moorish fortress and palace complex built in the 13th and 14th centuries by the kings of the Nasrid dynasty who sought to create their own paradise on earth. In the exquisite palace, see beautifully filigreed courtyards and halls. Visit the Alcazaba fortress and stroll through the landscaped gardens of Generalife. Inside the Alhambra walls, relax over lunch at the Parador de Granada’s restaurant.

Journey to Sevilla, southern Spain’s cultural heart, immortalized by artists like Mozart, Bizet and Rossini. Visit the impressive Real Alcázar, once a 10th-century Moorish palace, and see the majestic Cathedral of Sevilla, the world’s largest Gothic building. Walk through the charming Barrio de Santa Cruz, and after lunch on your own, visit the magnificent Plaza de España. 

Spectacularly set over El Tajo Gorge, Ronda is a showstopper and the largest of Andalucía’s pueblos blancos, or white towns. At the Plaza de Toros bullring, delve into the intensely dramatic world of bullfighting at the museum on site. Next, admire the wonderful views of Ronda from the terrace of Casa de San Juan Bosco before visiting the Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor. Then it’s off to a countryside bodega for lunch and a wine tasting!

Explore the grand mosque-cathedral, La Mezquita, which contains some of Spain’s finest examples of Moorish architecture, including a dazzling prayer hall adorned with red-and-white-striped arches. While the original mosque was constructed in the eighth century by Abd al-Rahman, subsequent emirs added to its splendor. After Córdoba was recaptured by the Spanish, a cathedral was built inside the complex walls in the 16th century. Stroll later through the Jewish quarter’s atmospheric, winding lanes. Back in Antequera this evening, look forward to a delicious dinner of traditional cuisine and a flamenco performance.

After a talk about contemporary Spanish life, spend your free day in Antequera or take a complimentary shuttle to Málaga to explore independently. You can also join today’s Elective Activity. On this optional tour, relish a tasting and brunch at a family-owned olive mill, plus visit El Torcal de Antequera nature park, known for its unusual rock formations. At the hotel tonight, gather for a Farewell Reception and Dinner.