Couple's Getaway Tour to Andalucia

In the morning, you will meet your guide at the epicenter of Madrid's vibrant Plaza del Sol, which is an expansive city square that is flanked by trendy shops and filled with energetic street performers. You will fit in just like royalty at the Royal Palace that was built in the 18th century. Entry gates are adorned with gold leaves, and magnificent gardens line the entryway. Though the palace that consists of 3,418 rooms is the official royal family residence, and today, it is used mostly for ceremonial purposes. You can take pictures in the courtyard that overlooks the city and stroll through the tranquil gardens. You will quickly change pace as you peruse shops along the city's electric artery of Gran Via, which is home to high fashion and design, bright lights, and billboards.

At lunchtime, you will venture to the hip and eclectic neighborhoods of Malasana and Lavapies. These off-the-beaten-path districts are home to university students and young people and offer an alternative to the non-stop action at busy tourist attractions. You can grab a quick bite to eat at a quaint outdoor cafe or trendy bar and restaurant as you chat with locals and explore cute flower shops and bookstores.

You will culminate your day with a romantic paddle boat ride at the renowned Parque El Retiro. The tranquil waters are the ideal respite from busy city life. Cyclists weave down pedestrian paths, and families sit out for an evening picnics on the lawn. This 19th-century park, which was initially built for Spanish monarchs, now welcomes residents and visitors alike to enjoy bursting florals and endless greenery. You can rent a charming, two-person paddle boat for a romantic ride around the park's central lagoon.

In the morning, you will venture south as you begin your journey to the delightful city of Cordoba, where the unique blending of culture and heritage is apparent in every aspect of architecture and cuisine.

You will spend the majority of the day with your expert guide at the famed UNESCO World Heritage site of La Mezquita. Curiously, this structure includes both an outer perimeter of a Muslim Mosque and a Roman Catholic Cathedral at its central core. Throughout history, dating as far back as 700 BC, cities like Cordoba and much of the rest of Andalucia have traded hands between the Moors and Christians several times. Influences of each group are deeply ingrained in local artwork, textiles, and cuisines. As you enter the beautiful complex, you can trek beneath the ornate red and white, striped arches of the outer mosque. Then continue to the inner cathedral where opulent gold leaves adorn the altar and extend overhead to the towering ceiling.

In the early afternoon with appetites growing, you will follow your guide to the Jewish Quarter. White stucco walls line the narrow streets, and whimsical outdoor terraces appear at every corner. You will indulge in local flavors that have been inspired by North African cuisine such as a delicious couscous that is paired with vegetables and meats. As you look out on the pristine white facades, you will learn about the city's transformation during Patios de Cordoba, which is a springtime festival that not only celebrates the warmer weather but also displays beautiful bouquets of red and pink that are bursting with colors against the stark, white walls.

Today, you will venture to the land of artful bullfighting and passionate flamenco music in the city of Sevilla. Your private transportation will escort you to your hotel in the vibrant neighborhood of Triana, where views of the Guadalquivir River and city skyline are unparalleled.

Your expert guide will join you in front of your hotel for a walking tour of the city highlights. You can stroll downtown to La Giralda, which is situated on the edge of Sevilla's massive cathedral. The five-story edifice, now a bell tower for the cathedral, was once an ornate minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville in Al-Andalus during the period of Moorish rule.

You will continue to the river's edge to see the Torre del Oro, which is an impressive tower that was built in the 13th century for military protection, and for a time, even to house prisoners. You will enjoy a lovely stroll along the peaceful water and partake in midday tapas along the river. Delicacies like perfectly seasoned olives, which are native to the region, are a must along with a refreshing cana or glass of wine.

As you return to the city center, you will take a leap forward in time to view Las Setas, which is an impressive, modern-day architectural installation that spans more than a city block. It is a crisscross pattern of beams that are suspended above pedestrians. Finally, you will culminate your night atop the gargantuan sculpture as you peer out onto the city and gaze up at the starry sky.

The true beauty of Sevilla can hardly be seen in a day, so you will spend your second full day with your expert guide, touring the beautiful sites of the Royal Alcazar and the Plaza de Espana.

From your hotel, you will cross the Triana bridge to the cobbled streets of the old city before winding past the cathedral as cafe owners clang chairs and tables against the brick to prepare for the day. You and your partner can wake up with a milky cup of cafe con leche on your hotel balcony before meeting your guide at the entrance of the Alcazar. The palace's careful stonework is an ode to its construction under Christian king Peter of Castile. However, built on the site of an Abbadid Muslim fortress, the palace also boasts elements that are symbolic of Moorish architecture from previous years. After exploring the palace grounds, you will exit to the exterior palace gardens, which is a complex labyrinth of flowers with carefully coiffed hedges and ornate fountains.

Later in the evening, you will huddle together under a warm blanket as you enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride around the Plaza de Espana. You will admire the colorful tilework and expansive greenery of this crescent-shaped public centerpiece that was built for the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929. Later, you will traverse the palace bridge and conclude your tour at the grand central fountain. Finally, you will do as the locals do and enjoy some late-night tapas at the base of La Giralda while bands encourage restaurant-goers to show off their dance moves.

As you make your way east to Granada, you will stop for a day’s trip to the stunning city of Ronda. Most notable will be Ronda's impressive bridge, Puente Novo, which straddles a valley more than 300 feet below.

You will begin your day by touring the downtown area. As you enter the walled city, the widened horseshoe-shaped entryways clearly reveal the city's Moorish influence that can be seen throughout Andalucia. The Alminar de San Sebastian minaret, which was built in the 1200s, is also a testament to the longstanding Muslim traditions in the region. Within the downtown, you will have the opportunity to shop for pottery and textiles and chat with locals as you barter for the best deals. Then, you will enjoy lunch on the city's edge where you can admire the beauty of Puente Novo. After eating, you may snap gorgeous pictures of the bridge and the marvelous rolling green hills in the background.

Then, you will join your expert guide as you drive to the outskirts of the city for a lovely afternoon at one of Ronda's most prized countryside vineyards. As a couple, you will meet with a world-renowned sommelier who will teach you about winemaking and wine tasting. Next, you will tour the grounds and sample delightful glasses of a Crianza and Tinto Joven that are paired with delicious hams, cheeses, and olive tapas delicacies. At night, you will return to your luxury hotel accommodations at a countryside bodega, which is perfect for rest and relaxation with a gorgeous view.

This morning, you will wake and continue your journey to Granada, which is situated at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. You will spend your first day in town, touring the city's highlights alongside your guide. You will begin at the Granada Cathedral, which is a towering Roman Catholic church that was built in the 16th century. Today, the cathedral sits at the epicenter of busy shops, bars, and restaurants. You can glance inside at the intricate stone craftsmanship and the detailed gold altar, and then venture nearby to the open-aired market that is known as the Alcaiceria, which was originally constructed as a Moorish bazaar in the 15th century. Colorful purses, sparkling jewelry, and beaded tapestry line this narrow maze of shops. You will delight a light lunch on the sun-bathed patio of the nearby Plaza Bib-Rambla.

Then, in the afternoon, you will embark on a steep climb towards the white stucco neighborhoods of Albaicin and Sacromonte. These stunning communities have belonged to gypsies for hundreds of years. You will weave your way up beautiful, cobbled streets as you cross Calle Elvira. You will eventually pause to sample authentic Turkish teas before stopping at a teteria for a refreshing cup of tea inside an enchanting array of sparkling textiles, beaded tapestries, and ironclad lamps.

As the sun begins to set, you will make your way to the magnificent lookout at Mirador San Nicolas. Guitar players strum as couples sway to the romantic melodies. You can take your partner for a spin before taking a seat atop the stone wall lookout. Here, you will have impeccable views of La Alhambra by night as it sparkles against the starry sky.

Your second day in Granada will be filled with exciting insights into the city's storied past and animated culture. In the morning, you will meet your expert guide in front of your hotel as you board private transportation to the famed UNESCO World Heritage site of La Alhambra. Here, you will tour the elegant palace grounds and then venture to the surrounding gardens that are known as Generalife. You will stroll along the interior and exterior rooms that are adorned with vibrant tile patterns and detailed brick designs. Geometric cutouts in the ceiling allow light to pour in, and on the terraces, lavish fountains trickle into serene water basins as the streaming sound echoes in the distance. As you peruse the gardens of perfectly coiffed hedges and bursting flower buds, you can look out on the clay rooftops of the city below.

In the afternoon, you can cool off with a refreshing dip in the traditional Moorish baths that are known as Hammams. Beautiful archways, just like those that mark the Alhambra entryway, also adorn the bathing areas. Each bath is decorated with beautiful tile work, and soothing music plays in the background. You will bask in the relaxing warm waters before indulging in a cup of tea on the water's edge and a couple's massage to follow.

In the evening, you will return to your hotel to spruce up for a romantic evening at an authentic flamenco show in the heart of Albaicin. You can tap your feet to the intoxicating rhythms of passionate staccato, flamenco melodies, and you will clap along as women twirl their dresses and men stomp their feet as they act out the anguish and lust of these poignant ballads.

You will spend your final full day in Spain, soaking up the sun on the sandy shores of Malaga. Outstretched turquoise ocean waters will welcome you in as you sample local delicacies, tour ancient Moorish fortresses, and observe stunning, world-renowned artwork.

You will begin your day at the looming fortress of Alcazaba, which is a fortress that dates back to Medieval times and is perched on a hilltop above the city. You will weave through the inner quarters that are outfitted with stunning ceiling designs before ambling through outdoor patios that are complete with tranquil water basins and garden areas. Just beyond the fortress' perimeter, you can catch a stunning glance of the stoic, Roman Theatre, dating back to the first century BC. This ancient, Roman ruin remains one of the very few in Andalucia to have withstood bombings during the civil war.

Next, you will admire the paintings, drawings, carvings, and sculptures of famed artist, Pablo Picasso. Picasso's birth city holds some of his most prized work, which has been donated by his family over the years. Just down the street from the museum, you can even visit Picasso's childhood home. In the afternoon, you will lounge out at the Costa del Sol, which is a dazzling, yellow-sanded beach that locals and visitors alike enjoy. Brightly colored beach towels and striped umbrellas line the sparkling water's edge, and you can dip your toes in as you look out on the romantic, orange-red hues of sunset.

As the sun rises, you can delight in a steeping cup of coffee or tea while looking out on the crashing waves towards the Strait of Gibraltar as ships pass between the sandy shores of Spain's Southernmost point. Once more, you will meander down the cobbled streets as you banter with local vendors and take home a few keepsakes for yourselves.

By mid-morning, you will meet your private transfer in front of your hotel and make the short drive to Malaga Airport. As you step on to the plane, you will be reminded of the friendly faces, beautiful buildings, and captivating history of Spain's beloved Andalucia.