"New
for 2009! A different approach to discovering Andalucia. Enjoy a week’s
exploration of our finest monumental cities themed around a cultural
activity (choose from Ceramics, Flamenco and Food & Wine) and have a
chance to discover new skills under the guidance of a local
expert."
DESCRIPTION: Our
Food & Wine
Cultural Week introduces
you to the cuisine of Andalucia via its essential elements: liberal
amounts of sunshine, the Mediterranean sea, a rich variety of
landscapes, and the lust for life of its people. All are ingredients in
a culture of food and wine that is one of Europe’s most ancient and
exalted, hugely enriched by Greek, Roman and Arab influences and by the
culinary discoveries brought from the New World. What’s more, it is a
culture that is very much a part of day-to-day life. From a sleepy
village at the end of a valley famed for its citrus fruits to the hubbub
of sophisticated Seville, this Cultural Week will show you how central
food and wine are to life throughout Spain’s deep south. As well as
the obvious and very enticing prospect of seven days of eating and
drinking, we will learn about many more aspects of the region’s
gastronomic culture with a trip to market, a walk to gather fresh herbs
from the hillsides, visits to a wine bodega
and an olive oil mill, tastings
in delicatessens of some of the region’s finest products, and an
exploration ofthe tapas culture so
central to the Spanish way of life. You will also receive practical
guidance in what to buy and how to prepare Spanish ingredients with our
half-day cookery course in the village home of our resident expert.
Scarlett will also provide you with the recipes so that you can continue
to savour the food & wine of Andalucia long after you have returned
home!
On
the Andalucia Cultural Weeks the accent is on creative
fun, and a degree of self-indulgence. We stay in hotels of character and
comfort, and dine in restaurants that present the best of this
region’s abundant fresh produce. History and culture are present on
every corner of Granada (where we visit the unparalleled attraction of
the Alhambra palaces), Cordoba (with its unique mosque-cum-cathedral)
and Seville (a labyrinth of streets surrounding its imposing cathedral
and royal residences). Private transport and a brief hop on the railways
(Cordoba-Seville) ensure we travel easily, and our English-speaking,
resident Tour Leader will not only keep you well informed but also
smooth away any problems you might otherwise encounter.
DURATION OF TOUR / STARTING DAY:
8 days, 7 nights - starting on Thursdays
DAY 1:
(Thursday) Arrival in Granada, by independent travel, to commence tour with welcome
from Tour Leader and introductory Walking Tour of the historic centre
of Granada. Private transfer from Granada to Albuñuelas, a
picturesque village in the tranquil Lecrin Valley, our base for the
next 3 nights. The valley enjoys a sub-tropical micro-climate where
groves of orange, lemon and avocado trees flourish within sight of the
nearby Sierra Nevada mountains. Accommodation in Albuñuelas is in a cortijo
(farmhouse) overlooking the valley or in the village house of our
resident expert chef, Scarlett. You will have time to stroll around
your new surroundings before dinner, this evening prepared by Scarlett
and served in the cortijo.
DAY 2: (Friday) We drive out of the village into the
hills and follow a breathtaking old drove road descending to the
coast. At Almuñecar we visit the bustling daily market to buy
ingredients for tomorrow’s cookery class, and there is time to
browse round the weekly market selling dried fruits, spices, clothes
and handicrafts. A light, fish-based lunch at a restaurant overlooking
the “Tropical Coast” also affords the chance for a swim or a siesta,
and then we are back into the vehicles for the return journey
(approximately 2 hours) to Albuñuelas, stopping en route at a local bodega
to learn about and taste some of the highly-acclaimed wines. Dinner at
the cortijo is a great end
to an eventful and colourful day.
DAY 3: (Saturday) The morning is spent on a leisurely
walk in the hills around the village to gather aromatic herbs. We’ll
take a picnic and enjoy the beautiful scenery, or try the local wine
with tapas in one of the
village bars (lunch not included). After a short siesta
it’s time to set to the afternoon’s cookery class, held in the
well-equipped kitchen in Scarlett’s house at the foot of the
village. With the ingredients from the market and the herbs from the
hillsides, and under Scarlett´s expert supervision, you will assemble
the various dishes for this evening’s dinner, all at a relaxed pace
and with the emphasis on having fun, swapping stories and so on.
DAY 4: (Sunday) Departure for Granada by private
transport after breakfast. After checking in at ourhotel there is plenty of free time to stroll around the city to
the sound of church bells, explore
the streets and monuments, or just watch the world go by from one of
the city’s many cafés. In the afternoon your Tour Leader will guide
you to the world-renowned Alhambra Palaces (admission included). You
can take as long as you like to absorb the legendary opulence and
sophistication of this once mighty city complex – it’s guaranteed
that this will be one of the highlights of the week. An audio-guide or
the services of a specialist guide may be obtained at your own cost,
so that you can fully appreciate the Alhambra’s wonderfully rich
history. In the evening, there will be the option to visit a
jazz/flamenco bar or café-concert.
DAY 5: (Monday) We
move on to another of Andalucia’s cultural treasure-houses, Cordoba.
Since the journey from Granada (2.5 hours by private coach) takes us
through rolling hills famed for producing some of the world’s best
olive oil, we stop for lunch and to visit a renowned local mill after
sampling the “liquid gold” that earns this region its wealth.
After check-in at our hotel, our Tour Leader will take us on a guided
Walking Tour of historic Cordoba in the early evening. If you have not
yet done so, you may like to take in a Flamenco performance, or
perhaps soak in the opulent Arabic Baths. DAY 6: (Tuesday) Nowhere else will you find a cathedral within a mosque, but that is
exactly what the fate of history has bequeathed to Cordoba. The mosque
is one of the treasures of Islamic civilisation
in Spain, breathtaking in it simplicity and tranquility. Admission to
the Mosque-Cathedral is included. Afterwards, our guided Walking Tour
of the surrounding area (a UNESCO World Heritage zone) will take in
other monuments of interest, such as the Royal Palace and the
Archaeological Museum (both of which house superb Roman mosaics) and a
delicatessen specialising in regional products. Free
time in the afternoon, prior to departure from Cordoba by late
afternoon train bound for Seville - Andalucia’s most dynamic city.
Dinner in one of our hand-picked restaurants in the historic part of
the city.
DAY 7: (Wednesday)
Our Tour Leader will take you to Seville Cathedral and bell-tower (“Giralda”)
(admission included) and afterwards guide you on a Walking Tour of the
labyrinthine streets of the Barrio Santa Cruz, ending in the beautifully
landscaped gardens of Parque María Luisa. Free time thereafter to
explore, relax or shop, until an evening guided Walking Tour across the
river to the Triana district. Triana is famous for its ceramics
workshops and a love of all things flamenco. It also has many fine
restaurants, one of which will be the venue for our farewell dinner.
DAY 8: (Thursday)
Departure from Seville hotel for further independent travel in Spain
or the return journey home.
The
first three nights of this Week are spent in an old Andalucian
farmhouse beautifully restored to use as a small, intimate hotel.
It enjoys fantastic views over the Lecrin Valley from its
pine-shaded terrace. We also use the accommodation in the
fascinating and charming village house owned by our resident
expert chef. The house has a roof terrace and a courtyard garden
with a spa pool.
For the remainder of the Week you will stay in hotels which
combine real character with convenience and comfort. We select
these carefully, opting for quieter locations in or near to the
historical city centres. Often the hotels are restorations of old
buildings from previous centuries, in which no two rooms are the
same, something that we feel adds to the place’s charm. Although
we travel in small groups, we want everyone to feel as an
individual traveller would, hence we avoid the large, often
faceless chain hotels which so many travel companies use.
Examples of the hotels we use (to be confirmed):
Hotel Amadeus, Seville
Its location is impeccable: overlooking the Mosque-Cathedral in one of Spain’s most beautiful cities. A graceful and comfortable hotel, with an interior patio in the Cordobese style.
Hotel Mezquita, Cordoba
A true house of music: there are few hotels in the world which include sound-proofed rooms, regular recitals and a musical instrument in almost every room. On oasis of calm from the bustle of Seville´s lively Santa Cruz district
Details - Andalucia Cultural Week - Gastonomy (Guided)
Type: Culture
Start Day: Variable
No. of nights: 7 nights
Type: All Inclusive (See Note)
Pick Up / Drop Off Points: Granada or Malaga Airport (fee
Sorry!
There are no available dates and prices for this holiday at the moment.
Please contact an Adventure Bug Consultant direct for the latest dates and prices for this holiday
Notes
2010 Dates and Prices now available - please contact us directly!
Our policy is always to encourage single bookings for our tours, in particular the Andalucia Cultural Weeks, which are in many ways ideal for the independent traveller. Prices are quoted based upon two people sharing a twin room, therefore if you require a room to yourself, please let us know. A supplement of [€105] per week will be levied, to cover the extra costs incurred.
If a pickup is required from Malaga Airport there is a small surcharge, depending on number of people. Please enquire for exact cost.
Important Note: Please also see our advice about Insurance cover if you are thinking about booking a holiday or adventure with us
- Full 2-day Activity including visits to market and wine bodega, herb walk, 4 hour cookery class and home-cooked meals.
- 7 nights accommodation in small, comfortable hotels with character & style, breakfast included
- Welcome Drinks and 7 main meals, either lunch or dinner, in good quality restaurants/our hotels, wine included. Tasting at olive oil mill (visit included) and delicatessen selling a wide range of regional products.
- Entrance tickets to the Alhambra (Granada), Mosque-Cathedral (Cordoba) and Cathedral (Seville)
- Ceramics class, with the tiles you produce yours to take away. Visits to ceramics factory, workshops and olive oil mill visit and tasting
- Private transport by coach and taxi. Cordoba-Seville train by “Andalucia Express”
- Two guided Walking Tours in each city and services of Tour Leader throughout
- All taxes and tips – we have no hidden fees or local payments
Note: There is a single occupancy supplement applicable - see pricing information for
details
What's not included in the Holiday Price:
- Air fares to/from Spain
- Airport transfers (available as extra – contact us for details).
- Air fares to/from Spain
- Travel insurance
- Any extra drinks you may wish to have with meals, over & above our generous provision of wine/soft drinks
- Entertainment which is listed in the Itinerary as “optional” etc.
Notes: Itinerary
Confirmation:
Dates are limited and group sizes small (up to 12 people), we
encourage you to book well in advance to reserve a place.
Extended Stay Holidays:
Optional self-excursions (organized by us or independently), may be arranged before and
after your holiday with us. Consult with us for trip ideas on either
side of your Adventurebug Holiday.
Name: Andalusian Culture: Food & Wine Week Duration: 8 days, 7 nights Start Day / End Day: Thursday to Thursday Pick up / Drop Off Point(s): Granada
hotel (or possibility of Malaga
Airport for fee) Difficulty: GRADE 1 (Easy) Accommodation Type: All nights in Spanish-run village and town hotels, all with ensuite facilities.
Two full Activity Days exploring the gastronomic culture of Andalucia. Visits to a vibrant market and a local wine bodega. A drive through stunning mountain scenery to the coast and a walk to gather aromatic herbs. A fun, relaxed and informative 4 hour cookery class from our resident expert, with recipes and notes to take home. Wonderful home-cooked meals in two beautifully restored village houses, and a fish lunch overlooking the Mediterranean.
Andalucia’s most historic and culturally vibrant cities: Granada, Cordoba and Seville, including visits to three of Spain’s most celebrated monuments, the Alhambra, the Mosque-Cathedral and Seville´s vast and imposing Cathedral and Giralda tower
Informed & knowledgeable locally-resident, English-native guide on hand throughout tour
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DESCRIPTION:
DAY 1:
(Thursday)
DAY 6: (Tuesday)
