Ultimate Andalusian Road Trip: Access to Unknowns

Seville overflows with Spanish charm, and it is in this spectacular destination where you will spend a few nights attuning to the country. In a boutique hotel surrounded by spectacular landscapes, your worries will seem far away while you cherish the scenes from styled terraces of tapas bars. The fragrances of fresh herbs and succulent seafood will dance off of sizzling grills, and the crunchy texture of traditional Spanish bread will entice your taste buds. Tonight, you will be able to tuck into a marvelous meal, bringing your first evening to a close.

Within Seville's Alcazar and beneath the glistening spires of Gothic cathedrals, Spanish royal history will reveal itself. Today, you will tour these phenomenal highlights and more. Your slow meander along cobbled boulevards will present tranquil moments worth capturing. Afterward, you will arrive at the doors of the Alcazar. Used as a set on the popular television show Game of Thrones, the Alcazar was the seat of the royal Dornish family. As beautiful as it is historical, you will be blown away during your visit.

The Andalusian countryside has remained mostly free of serious diseases since many of its small towns' inception. This phenomenon is considered to be linked to the use of limestone in the construction of their Roman buildings. As such, your tailored tour of the Andalusian countryside will share the essence of Spain without the worries of entering its bustling cities. Your journey through Andalusia will truly begin as you make your way from Seville to the whitewashed town of Vejer de la Frontera.

There are few better ways to grasp the distinctions of a country’s culture than through its unique cuisine. Today, you will explore the delightful flavors of Spanish food during a guided tour of Vejer de la Frontera’s delicacies. Enveloped by the sounds of chatting locals and seafood, you will saunter around a morning market in search of tantalizing tapas. Your culinary discoveries will be elevated when you are invited into the home of a local chef to curate Spanish dishes. During this experience, you will follow traditional recipes that have been handed down generation after generation before indulging in the fruits of your labor.

By transferring in the comfort of your own rental car, you will set off across the countryside through the staggering Grazalema Mountains. All around you, bucolic pastures will proliferate with lush foliage, and jagged cliffs will soar toward the clouds. As you draw closer to Ronda with each passing minute, you will have the opportunity to rest in humble villages where local Payoyo cheese, pastries, olive oil, and leather goods reside in artisanal craft shops and eateries.

Ronda is a dreamy destination on the cliffs above the El Tajo gorge, a gateway into the geological wonders among the Spanish Andalusian countryside. Today, you will hike the shaded trails that wind through the mountain ranges above the Gorge of the Gaitanes to viewpoints that overshadow the unspoiled hinterlands. Every way you look, there will be moments worth capturing of endless landscapes and imposing cliffs. Your journey will culminate in an alluring tavern, enveloped in mouthwatering aromas.

Heading to Granada today, you may seek refuge in the quiet town of Setenil de las Bodegas, which is a destination etched into the rocky mountains. Strolling peaceful boulevards underneath the stone overhangs will be enchanting, an image that is unlike any other. Approaching Granada later today, you will stop at the bewitching Alhambra, a palace of unending Roman character. The decorated fortress is rich in historical secrets, which you will unravel as you peruse among its deep red walls.

Accompanied by a tour guide, you will tour Spain’s Sierra Nevada to towns rarely traveled by tourists. Far from the beaten path, you will immerse yourself in untouched Spain and its distinctive cultural nuances. The people are warm, welcoming, and willing to strike up conversations with you, which will be translated by your bilingual guide. This will allow you to understand what makes their unspoiled towns so special. By strolling to light-flooded town squares, you will be transported to a time when technology was of little importance.

Andalusia teems with postcard-perfect mountain landscapes, but there is more beauty to be found near the coastline. Here, beaches are brightly blanketed by the sun, and seascapes blend into the horizon. Today, you will hop in your car and transfer to the coastline to witness the surreal country scenes that lie between you and Axarquia. Boasting manicured gardens and a large pool, you will spend your afternoon soaking up the splendor at your delightful accommodation. Dinner with views of the fiery seascape sunset will conclude your arrival on the Mediterranean coast.

Preserved and treasured by the locals, the lost villages of Axarquia are enchanting destinations to discover during your brief stay on the Mediterranean coast. Your guide will lead you to their brilliant banks. Here, friendly locals will welcome you to their towns that express the subtle cultural differences of these less-populated parts of Spain. During your tour, you will learn more about the town, including why it has remained safe from many of the world's diseases.

Your farewells to Spain will be bittersweet as you prepare to depart the Andalusian region. With a few more moments to cherish, you may stroll through the spirited towns of cultural character before collecting your belongings and transferring to the airport. You can allow the sights, sounds, and smells to dazzle you one last time from the terrace of a stylish tapas.